Landscape Architects and Landscape Contractors Partner to Aid the Lao Cultural Center in Minneapolis

WHAT: MNLA and MASLA Installation & Education Day at Lao Cultural Center

WHEN: Sept. 25 (5pm - 6:30pm); Sept. 26 (8:30am - 4pm); and Sept. 27 (9am - 3pm)

WHERE: Lao Cultural Center, 2648 W. Broadway Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. 55411

SPONSORS: MASLA (www.masla.org) and MNLA (www.gardenminnesota.com)

St. Paul, MN, September 23, 2008---Members of the Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association (MNLA) along with the Minnesota Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (MASLA) have partnered to design and install a new, environmentally friendly outdoor living space at the Lao Community Center in Minneapolis from September 25-27. 

MNLA and MASLA began the environmental initiative so that green industry professionals could give back to the community and also demonstrate the benefits of sustainable landscaping.  The design for the project was completed by MASLA members and MNLA will take the lead on installation of the new landscape.  The project, which intends to create outdoor gathering space, includes a permeable pavement patio as well as several raingardens.  Landscape architecture students from the University of Minnesota and members of the Lao community will be on hand during the installation as well.  The project will conclude with an onsite design charette to layout the raingarden and building plantings for future implementation.  This is intended to provide some take away information for community members about raingardens and their maintenance.

The Lao Cultural Center offers an affirming place for Lao youth, parents and other adults to learn new skills, practice and preserve Lao culture and share it with the general public.  Lao Cultural Center representatives commented that, "The outdoor space is currently not being utilized to its full potential to serve the growing Lao community.  Members of the Lao community will hopefully learn about environmentally friendly landscaping during this process.  And it will provide space for future educational gatherings."

MASLA member, Rich Koechlein, began working with the Lao Community Center through a project with Architecture for Humanity.  This new patio and raingarden project builds on what has already been accomplished through Architecture for Humanity on the site.  Koechlein stated that "In 2007, I led a team of landscape architects and University students through a series of design charettes, the results of which you will see installed this weekend."

This project would not have been possible without the generous support of these and many other volunteers who gave of their product, time, and talent.  The following have taken a leadership role in making this project happen:

• Chris Ochs, Windsor Companies
• Scott Frampton, Rob Morse, and Vince Rother Landscape Renovations
• Jeff Greeney and Matt Mallas, Hedberg Landscape & Masonry Supply
• Rich Koechlein, ATS&R
• Tim Oberg and Nick Fitch, Rush Lake Gardens, LLC.
• Jim Hagstrom, Savanna Designs
• Kate Lamers, Bonestroo, Inc.
• Kathryn Ryan, URS, Corporation
• Paul Barton, Landshapes, Inc.
• Dan Heiland, Heidi's Lifestyle Gardens
• Patrick Warden, Bachman's, Inc.

The Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association is the state's largest green industry trade association with more than 1,500 member businesses including garden centers; landscape contractors and designers; tree and flower growers; irrigation contractors; and lawn, tree, and garden services.

MASLA is the 300-member Minnesota chapter of ASLA, the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 18,200 members in the US, Landscape architecture is a comprehensive discipline of land analysis, planning, design, managements, preservation, and rehabilitation.  ASLA promotes the landscape architecture profession and advances the practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship. 

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