“This year’s class of ASLA Fellows has made outstanding contributions to people’s health, safety, and welfare; environmental sustainability and climate resilience; and stronger communities,” says ASLA President Emily O’Mahoney
Seattle, WA (June 27, 2023) – The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) announced the election of Jeffrey Hou, Ph.D. of the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Washington, Seattle as one of 48 ASLA Fellows. ASLA Fellows are recognized for their exceptional contributions to the landscape architecture profession and society at large. Election to the ASLA Council of Fellows is among the highest honors the ASLA bestows on members and is based on their works, leadership/management, knowledge and service.
“Landscape architects help build a better world for all of us, and ASLA Fellows represent the most respected and accomplished professionals in the entire field,” said ASLA President Emily O’Mahoney, FASLA. “This year’s class of ASLA Fellows has made outstanding contributions to people’s health, safety, and welfare; environmental sustainability and climate resilience; and stronger communities. Congratulations to the 2023 class of ASLA Fellows!”
“Naming a new class of ASLA Fellows is a joyful reminder of everything that landscape architects do to make our communities more equitable, more beautiful, and more resilient,” said ASLA CEO Torey Carter-Conneen (@toreycarter). “We extend our warmest thanks to the new class of ASLA Fellows for all of their accomplishments and contributions to human flourishing.”
Jeffrey Hou is a recognized scholar, educator, and advocate for democratic design in the global built environment. An international leader, he elevates grassroots activism for environmental equity and justice into the public, professional, and academic spheres. His work in the realms of urbanism, community design, and design activism has profoundly affected the profession at multiple scales. Jeff has worked with indigenous tribes, farmers, and fishers in Taiwan, neighborhood residents in Japan, villagers in China, and inner-city immigrant youths and elders in North American cities, in projects ranging from the conservation of wildlife habitats to the design of urban open space. During his two-decade-long academic career, he has produced a significant body of work on community design, public space and democracy, bottom-up urbanism, service learning, and cross-cultural placemaking. This work includes twelve co-authored, edited, and co-edited books, over twenty journal articles, and more than forty book chapters, as well as built work, developed in collaboration with community organizations, that has received local and regional awards. With extensive experience in academic administration and service on boards of local, national, and international organizations, Jeff’s intellectual leadership also helps elevate the profession publicly and academically. He has won many awards, including the 2023 Outstanding Educator Award from CELA; the 2019 Award of Excellence in Research and/or Creative Work Award, Senior Level, CELA; and the 2019 LAF Fellowship for Innovation and Leadership.
About ASLA and the ASLA Fund
Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the professional association for landscape architects in the United States, representing more than 15,000 members. ASLA Mission: Empowering our members to design a sustainable and equitable world through landscape architecture. ASLA Fund Mission: Investing in global, social, and environmental change through the art and science of landscape architecture.