UF Department of Landscape Architecture Hosts Sierra Bainbridge of MASS Design Group for the 2026 Edward D. Stone, Jr. Lecture

On March 27, 2026, the University of Florida Department of Landscape Architecture hosted the annual Edward D. Stone, Jr. Lecture Series featuring Sierra Bainbridge, RLA, ASLA, Co-Founder and Senior Managing Principal at MASS Design Group. The annual lecture series honors the legacy of Edward D. Stone, Jr., a beloved colleague, mentor, partner, advisor, and friend of the department.

Framed around the theme of her recent book, “Seeking Abundance,” Bainbridge began the lecture by diving into her own background, exploring the influences that shaped her design approach. She pointed out her fascination with anthropology while studying architectural history at Smith College, specifically the work of James Clifford, an author and anthropologist who expanded on the concept of reflexivity, which implies that one cannot observe communities and people from a truly objective perspective. This concept acts as a through line for Bainbridge’s work as a designer and place-maker, ensuring she remains conscious of community needs and values while drawing from her own knowledge and experiences.    

  • A woman with short blonde hair, glasses, and a brown scarf smiles while standing indoors in front of a blurred background. She is wearing a white shirt and a microphone headset.
  • A group of people sit closely together, attentively facing forward in what appears to be a meeting or presentation. Bright light and leafy greenery are visible through large windows behind them.
  • A woman stands at a podium presenting to an audience, with charts and maps displayed on the wall and a large aerial image of a city projected beside her.
  • A person stands and gestures while speaking at a podium in front of a large screen displaying project titles and aerial images, including Abundant Futures Lab and Deaf Space & Disability Justice Lab.
  • A woman stands at a podium giving a presentation to a seated audience. Behind her, several architectural or design posters are displayed on the wall. The room is well-lit with natural light from large windows.
  • A group of people seated on folding chairs in a modern, industrial-style room listens to a person presenting at the front with projected slides on yellow and white screens. Some posters are displayed on the walls.
  • Four men wearing name badges stand in a group indoors, engaged in conversation. One has a backpack, and two have lanyards. Brick walls and glass doors are visible in the background, along with an illuminated exit sign.
  • A woman with glasses speaks into a microphone in front of an audience, gesturing with her left hand. She stands indoors near a large window with brick buildings visible outside.
  • A woman stands at a podium and speaks to an attentive audience in a conference room. Charts and maps are displayed on the wall behind her. The audience is seated facing her.
  • Five people stand closely together outdoors, smiling at the camera. Three are holding drinks, and one holds a clipboard. Trees and a red brick building are visible in the background.
  • Two women with curly hair sit at a round outdoor table, talking and eating. One gestures with her hand while the other listens. There are food containers, cups, and a pink thermos on the table; a grassy area is in the background.

This through line extends to her work with MASS, where Bainbridge plays a key role in the planning and execution of large-scale landscape projects through her management of the organization’s Landscape Studio and Abundant Futures Lab. As a non-profit, MASS champions a community-focused, multidisciplinary approach to their work, with a constant focus on fostering a more abundant future for all life on our planet. 

Bainbridge showcased some of the group’s projects, including their work in Rwanda on the Nyarugenge District Hospital, The Ellen DeGeneres Campus of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and the Butaro District Hospital. She also explored their North American projects including The Embrace in Boston, a memorial honoring Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King, Jr., and The Fall Kill Blueway, which transformed a post-industrial creek in the heart of Poughkeepsie, New York into a tool and a framework for regional climate resilience. In each example, Bainbridge broke down the processes by which MASS approach and design each project with community and purpose in mind.  

At the end of the lecture, Bainbridge fielded questions from the audience. When asked about sourcing materials, she spoke about how materials mapping ensures the implementation of local and sustainable materials that serve the ecosystem around them. Through sustainable sourcing and alternative design choices, she said MASS is able to minimize their impact on local ecosystems while ensuring communities are included and benefit from the development process. 

Answering a question about the choice to operate as a non-profit, Bainbridge highlighted the ability to take on otherwise inaccessible projects and provide easier access to communities in need. She said without having to worry about profit, MASS is able to take an unconventional approach to their designs and focus their energy on creating uniquely resilient and functional landscapes that serve all walks of life.

The lecture coincided with the UF Planning Research & Practice Conference, a two-day event hosted by the UF Department of Urban and Regional Planning, and was followed by a reception. 

Click here to watch the full lecture recording.

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