UF Landscape Architecture Shines at Annual ASLA Florida Conference

A large group of people wearing conference badges pose together for a group photo outside a building with large windows under a covered walkway.

Faculty, students, and alumni from the University of Florida’s Department of Landscape Architecture recently attended the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Florida Annual Conference in Ponte Vedra, Florida. 

Each year, this conference brings together landscape architects from across the state to explore how the discipline is moving towards the future by adopting innovative strategies to foster resilient and thriving communities. The theme for this year’s conference was “Nature’s Course: Finding Balance in Changing Tides”, emphasizing the vital role of landscape architects as creative leaders in designing places and spaces situated at the intersection between ecology, economy, and community.

Student Honors

Five students from the University of Florida’s Department of Landscape Architecture, part of the College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP), have received top recognition from the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) through the 2025 Student Honor and Merit Awards program. These awards celebrate students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, creative design excellence, and strong leadership and collaboration skills throughout their academic careers.

A presentation screen displays the ASLA Graduate Honor + Merit Awards at the University of Florida, showing winners Michael Valenti and Marx Grossberg with their photos, jury names, and faculty advisor listed.
A presentation slide for the ASLA Florida Undergrad Honor + Merit Awards at the University of Florida, showing photos and names of awardees: Erick Gomez, Megan Laffey, and Liz Meyers, with jury and faculty advisor listed.

Elizabeth Myers and Marc Grossberg were recipients of this year’s ASLA Florida Honor Award. Erick Gomez, Megan Laffey, and Michael Valenti earned the ASLA Florida Merit Awards.

Student Project Recognition

Two people stand on a stage shaking hands. The man on the left holds a certificate, and the woman on the right smiles at him. Potted plants and decorative arches are in the background, with a blue curtain behind them.

BLA student Hayden Germanis receiving his Award of Excellence

BLA student Hayden Germanis won an Award of Excellence for his studio project “Framework for Belonging: A Landscape Approach to Inclusive Housing” Developed in collaboration with two UF School of Architecture undergraduate students, the project demonstrates the power of interdisciplinary design in addressing complex social and spatial challenges. 

Student Presentations

A person wearing glasses and a conference badge speaks at a podium with an ASLA Florida Annual Conference sign. A green plant wall and purple lighting are in the background.
Two people wearing conference name badges stand smiling in front of a lush green plant wall. The person on the left wears glasses and a dark shirt; the person on the right wears a blue dress.

Jacob Ville, MLA ’25, presents his project “Designing Emotionally Resonant Florida Native Landscapes”

UF students also presented various projects at the conference. Jules Bruck introduced Jacob Ville, MLA ‘25, who presented his graduate terminal project titled “Designing Emotionally Resonant Florida Native Landscapes,” and Megan Laffey, BLA ‘25, who presented her capstone project called “One Trail at a Time.”

Map showing environmental sensitivity analysis for a region, with areas shaded to indicate slope, floodplains, and soil sensitivity. Key highlights highly sensitive, moderately sensitive, and low sensitivity zones, plus an existing trail.
Illustration of a nature trail with two people reading large angled signage. Surrounding features include trees, a gopher tortoise, native plants, and labeled elements like safe corridors for wildlife and a planning buffer to reduce noise.
Illustration of a minimalistic pedestrian bridge over a stream with people crossing, surrounded by lush trees, animals like a Florida river otter, and a bridge design diagram on the right side.
Five women stand together smiling in a conference room with rows of empty chairs and a stage in the background. They wear conference badges and casual, professional attire.

Highlights from Megan Laffey’s capstone project “One Trail at a Time”

“The ASLA Florida Conference allows our students and faculty to engage with pressing issues in the field and showcase the caliber of work being produced at UF,” said Dr. Jules Bruck, chair of the UF Department of Landscape Architecture. “The recognition our students received emphasizes the department’s role in preparing the next generation of leaders in resilient and innovative design.” 

Alumni Connections

The conference was also a great reminder of the strength of our alumni network. Students had the opportunity to meet and learn from Gator graduates during presentations, at the Expo, and through networking opportunities during the conference. It reiterated the importance of our alumni in supporting students, fostering mentorship, and strengthening the profession as a whole while sharing a commitment to building resilient, thriving communities across Florida and beyond. 

Check out more photos from the conference below!

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