Concurrent Education Session

MON-B02: Generative Planting at Scale: Systems Design for Ecological Impact

Monday, October 7, 2024

2:00pm – 3:15pm ET

Location: Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Room 145AB

1.25 PDH, LA CES/HSW, AICP, ISA, NY/HSW, FL

Lead Speaker(s)

Thomas Rainer, ASLA, PLA

Principal
Phyto Studio
ARLINGTON, Virginia

Speaker(s)

Chris Landau, Affil. ASLA (he/him/his)

Principal
LANDAU Design+Technology
Havertown, Pennsylvania

Session Guide
Xun Liu, ASLA

Lecturer
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

Dive into the future of planting design in this conversational session, exploring how digital tools, including AI, are reshaping large-scale performative planting projects. Examine ecological and aesthetic strategies that transition from traditional methods to interconnected systems thinking. Uncover the evolving role of designers in this age of new tools.

Learning Outcomes:

Gain an understanding of recent historical evolution and the future trajectory of planting design, specifically how digital methodologies and ecological patterns can be leveraged to address large-scale projects.
Explore the latest digital tools and technologies, including parametric design, AI, and visualization software, learning how these can extend the designer’s intentions and mimic ecological patterns.
Explore different foundational concepts and approaches to planting design employing systems thinking.
Highlight the importance of social impact in the context of planting design, offering strategies for community engagement, equitable access, and addressing systemic issues through thoughtful planting design.