Walter J. Hood

Walter J. Hood
Hood in 2016
Born	1958 (age 66–67) Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Education	North Carolina A&T State University (BLA) University of California, Berkeley (MLA; MArch) School of the Art Institute of Chicago (MFA)
Occupation(s)	Designer, artist, academic administrator, educator, researcher
Known for	Landscape architecture, installation art
Awards	American Academy in Rome (2017), MacArthur Fellowship (2019) [1]
Website	www.hooddesignstudio.com

Walter J. Hood (born 1958) is an American designer, artist, academic administrator, and educator. He is professor of landscape architecture & environmental planning and urban design and chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning at the University of California, Berkeley, ^[2] and principal of Hood Design Studio in Oakland, California. Hood has worked in a variety of settings including architecture, landscape architecture, visual art, community leadership, urban design, and planning and research. He has spent more than 20 years living in Oakland, California. He draws on his strong connection to the Black community in his work and has chosen to work almost exclusively in the public realm and urban environments. ^[3]

Early life and education

Walter J. Hood was born in 1958 in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he also grew up. ^[4]

He attended West Charlotte High School, North Carolina A&T State University, receiving a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture in 1981.^{[ citation needed ]} He received his Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1989. ^[5] He also received his Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2013 in studio arts and sculpture, exploring the role of sculpture in urbanism.

Career

Hood established Hood Design Studio in Oakland, California, in 1992. ^[6] Hood's work spans the range from local, community-based projects—such as Splash Pad Park, a converted traffic island alongside Interstate 580 in Oakland, California ^[7] —to large-scale garden designs like the grounds for the new M. H. de Young Museum in San Francisco with Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron (2005). Hood's public spaces embrace the essence of urban environments and their links to urban redevelopment and neighborhood revitalization. ^[8] He is designing the landscape for the Autry National Center Southwest Museum in Los Angeles, designing an archeological garden within the context of the South Lawn Project at the University of Virginia, and developing a set of monuments and markers for a six-mile waterfront trail in Oakland, California.

Hood's published monographs Urban Diaries (Spacemaker Press, 1997) and Blues & Jazz Landscape Improvisations (Poltroon Press, 1993) illustrate his approach to the design of urban landscapes. These works won an ASLA Research award in 1996. His essay "Macon Memories" is included in Sites of Memory: Perspectives on Architecture and Race (Princeton Architectural Press, 2001).

Hood won an international design competition in 2010 for the Solar Strand project—a quarter-mile solar-panel array on the University at Buffalo's North Campus, financed by the New York Power Authority. ^{[9] [10] [11]}

In 2013, Hood served as one of six selection committee members for the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence. ^[12]

In 2014, Hood was commissioned by the Metro Nashville Arts Commission to create Witness Walls, a commemorative sculpture celebrating Nashville's civil rights history during the 1950s and 1960s. ^{[13] [14]} A public dedication event for the project, Nashville's first civil-rights inspired public art, was held April 21, 2017. ^[15]

Awards and recognition

In 1997, Hood was a fellow at the American Academy in Rome in Landscape Architecture. ^[16] His work was featured in the 2006 exhibit "The Good Life: New Public Spaces for Recreation", at the Van Alen Institute in New York. ^[17] Hood was the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Cooper–Hewitt National Design Award for Landscape Design, ^{[18] [19]} and has exhibited and lectured on his professional projects and theoretical works nationally and abroad. ^{[20] [21] [22]}

In 2018, The USC School of Architecture's American Academy in China (AAC) selected Hood as that year's research fellow. Hood is to design an installation to be executed using only local artisans and materials in Shanghai and Los Angeles; he will also give lectures in both cities. ^[23]

Projects

• EPACenter Arts site design, East Palo Alto, California, 2019–ongoing ^{[24] [25]}
• Witness Walls, public art installation, Nashville, Tennessee, 2017 ^{[26] [27]}
• International African American Museum Landscape Design, Charleston, South Carolina, 2013–present ^[28]
• Foster Homestead and Burial Ground, South Lawn, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, 2008^{[ citation needed ]}
• Coleman Avenue Gateway, San Jose International Airport, San Jose Public Art Program, San Jose, California, 2007^{[ citation needed ]}
• West Oakland Historic Train Depot Plaza, Oakland, California, 2008^{[ citation needed ]}
• Phillip Lifeways Plan, Charleston, South Carolina, Spoleto Art Program, 2006^{[ citation needed ]}
• Autry National Center Southwest Museum Landscape, Los Angeles, California, 2008^{[ citation needed ]}
• East Bay Waterfront Trail, Oakland, California, with EDAW and Associates, City of Oakland, Oakland, California, 2002–^{[ citation needed ]}
• M. H. de Young Museum Landscape Design, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, 2005; with Herzog & de Meuron Architects^{[ citation needed ]}
• Lion Creek Crossing Park, Oakland, California, EBALC, 2006^{[ citation needed ]}
• Macon Yards, Poplar Street, City of Macon, Georgia, 2005 ^[29]
• Abraham Lincoln Brigade Memorial, w/ Ann Chamberlain, Embarcadero, San Francisco, California, 2007^{[ citation needed ]}
• Yerba Buena Lane, San Francisco, California; with the Office of Cheryl Barton, 2005^{[ citation needed ]}
• Splash Pad Park Renovation and Streetscape Improvement Project, City of Oakland, Oakland, California 2004^{[ citation needed ]}

Awards

• Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture, 2025 ^[30]
• Vincent Scully Prize, 2024 ^[31]
• Architectural League’s President’s Medal, 2021 ^[32]
• Dorothy and Lillian Gish Award, 2019 ^[33]
• MacArthur Fellowship: MacArthur Foundation, 2019 ^[34]
• American Academy of Arts and Letters: Arts and Letters Award in Architecture, 2017 ^[35]
• University at Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning: Dean's Medal, 2014 ^[36]
• Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum National Design Award for Landscape Design, 2009^{[ citation needed ]}
• Virginia Key Beach Museum Competition, Miami Fl/1st Prize w/Huff and Gooden Architects 2005/Merit Award, ASLA, Northern Chapter^{[ citation needed ]}
• Oakland Waterfront 2005/Top Honor Award, Excellence on the Waterfront^{[ citation needed ]}
• Waterfront Center Award, Oakland Waterfront, October 2004/APWA 2004 Distinguished Project of the Year Award^{[ citation needed ]}
• Splash Pad Park/Mayor's Proclamation, "Walter Hood Day", Pioneering Achievements in Urban Landscape Design, City of Oakland, April 24, 2004/National Award of Honor American Society of Landscape Architecture, 2003^{[ citation needed ]}
• Project: Baldwin Hills Master Plan 2001/Best of the Best, California Park and Recreation Society 2002^{[ citation needed ]}
• Project: Lafayette Square Park/Merit Award, ASLA Southern California Chapter^{[ citation needed ]}
• Project: Baldwin Hills Master Plan 2001/Place Design Award, EDRA/Places, Third Annual Award 1999^{[ citation needed ]}
• Project: Lafayette Square Park. Poplar Street Civic Design Competition, First Prize. Macon, Georgia. Jan. 1998^{[ citation needed ]}
• Rome Prize in Landscape Architecture, The American Academy in Rome, 1996–1997.^{[ citation needed ]}
• "Urban Diaries" and "Jazz and Blues Landscape Improvisations", American Society of Landscape Architecture National Award of Merit: Research, 1994^{[ citation needed ]}
• Mount Vernon Riverfront Plan, Community Development Award State of Washington, 1988^{[ citation needed ]}
• Design Arts Competition, Merit Award, 1988^{[ citation needed ]}
• University of California Arboretum at Davis/ASLA Certificate For Excellence in the study of Landscape Design, 1987^{[ citation needed ]}
• Thomas Church Design Award for Excellence in Landscape Design/Department of Landscape Architecture at Berkeley, 1987^{[ citation needed ]}

Publications

• Hood, Walter (2016). "The Greenprint". In Mostafavi, Mohsen; Doherty, Gareth (eds.). Ecological Urbanism (2nd ed.). Zurich: Lars Müller Publishers. ISBN   978-3-03778-467-9.
• Hood, Walter (2016). "The Consequences of Place". In Ibler, Marianne (ed.). A New Golden Age – Nordic Architecture & Landscape. Aarhus: Archipress M. ISBN   978-8791872129.
• Hood, Walter; Basnak, Megan (2015). "Diverse Truths: Unveiling the Hidden Layers of the Shadow Catcher Commemoration". In Tauke, Beth; Smith, Korydon; Davis, Charles (eds.). Diversity and Design: Understanding Hidden Consequences. New York: Routledge. ISBN   978-1-138-02317-8.
• Hood, Walter (2014). "Objects in the Field, Photovoltaics in the Landscape". In Scognamiglio, Alessandra (ed.). Photovoltaics, Forms, Landscapes : Beauty and Power of Designed Photovoltaics. Florence: ETA. ISBN   978-8889407110.
• Hood, Walter (2012). "Bioline: Activating the Mundane". In Jacob, Mary Jane; Baas, Jacquelynn (eds.). Chicago Makes Modern: How Creative Minds Changed Society. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. ISBN   978-0-226-38956-1.
• Hood, Walter (2010). "Center Street" . In Mostafavi, Mohsen; Doherty, Gareth (eds.). Ecological Urbanism. Zurich: Lars Müller Publishers. ISBN   978-3-03778-189-0.
• Hood, Walter (15 September 2008). "Reimagining Center Street" (PDF). Places. 20 (2: Climate Change and Place): 85–87. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
• Hood, Walter (2008). "Color Fields". In Treib, Marc (ed.). Representing Landscape Architecture. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis. ISBN   978-0-415-70043-6.
• Hood, Walter (2005). "Landscape as Social Infrastructure". In Raxworthy, Julian; Blood, Jessica (eds.). The MESH Book: Landscape/infrastructure. Melbourne: RMIT University Press. ISBN   978-0-86459-308-5.
• Hood, Walter (2004). "Awakening: Quilt Top Patterns in the Third Dimension". In Brown, David; Williams, William (eds.). Row: Trajectories Through the Shotgun House. Houston, TX: Rice University School of Architecture. ISBN   978-1-885232-08-3.
• Hood, Walter (2003). "Low Cost House, or the House that Roared". In Bell, Michael (ed.). 16 Houses: Designing the Public's Private House. New York, NY: Monacelli Press. ISBN   978-1-58093-114-4.
• Hood, Walter; Erikson, Mellissa (2001). "Macon Memories: Remaking Poplar Street, The Shifting Black Cultural Landscape". In Barton, Craig Evan (ed.). Sites of Memory : Perspectives on Architecture and Race. New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press. ISBN   978-1-56898-233-5.
• Design Culture Now, National Design Triennial, Princeton Architectural Press, NY, 2000
• Everyday Urbanism, Urban Diaries: Improvisation in West Oakland, CA. Monacelli Press, Inc., 1999. ISBN

References

1. "Walter Hood". MacArthur Foundation. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
2. "Walter J. Hood Faculty Bio". UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
3. Brown, Patricia (21 March 2004). "He Measures Oakland's Beat, And Parks Bloom in Return". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
4. Blum, Andrew (1 August 2005). "The Peace Maker". Metropolis. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
5. "Walter Hood - UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design" . Retrieved 2025-04-04.
6. "ABOUT". HOOD DESIGN STUDIO. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
7. Capps, Kriston (6 June 2011). "Studio Visit: Hood Design". Architect Magazine. Hanley Wood Media. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
8. "Spring Lecture Series" (PDF). University of Maryland, Landscape Architecture Program. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
9. "Landscape Architect Walter Hood Aims to Build Community-Inclusive Spaces". Fast Company. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
10. "Culture Clash: Art, Electrons, Teaching, Research, and Engagement Meet at the Solar Strand" (PDF). University at Buffalo. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
11. Brake, Alan G. (22 April 2010). "Electric Landscape". The Architect's Newspaper. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
12. "Call for Entries: $50,000 Award for Urban Excellence". 12 May 2025.
13. "Artist Walter Hood". Witness Walls. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
14. Cass, Michael (26 June 2014). "Artist talks about his vision for civil rights piece". The Tennessean. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
15. Bliss, Jessica (18 April 2017). "The story that inspired Nashville's first civil rights public art". The Tennessean. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
16. "Fellows – Affiliated Fellows – Residents 1990–2010". American Academy in Rome. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
17. "It looks like the page you requested doesn't exist".
18. "HISTORY OF HONOREES & JURORS". Cooper Hewitt. 17 May 2014.
19. Taylor, Tracey (19 December 2009). "A Beach With a Different View". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
20. "October 16, 2014 Lecture by Walter Hood, landscape architect" (PDF). Sustainable Shelby. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
21. "Walter Hood, Jr.: Conscious (Un)Conscious Hybrids – Waggonner & Ball Lecture". Tulane School of Architecture. Archived from the original on 17 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
22. "Glimcher Distinguished Visiting Professor Walter Hood: Conflict, Memory and Landscape". Knowlton School of Architecture at The Ohio State University. November 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
23. "USC American Academy in China Names Walter Hood 2018 Research Fellow". USC Architecture. 3 April 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
24. "Ground Breaking Bulletin: Architecture Firm Joins EPACENTER's Youth and a Network of Community Advocates to Build State-of-Art Creative Resource for the City". EPACenter Arts. 5 October 2018. Archived from the original on 16 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
25. "EPACenter Arts". Hood Design Studio. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
26. "Witness Walls" . Retrieved 16 May 2019.
27. Mortice, Zach (31 July 2017). "Walter Hood's (Extra)Ordinary Witness". Landscape Architecture Magazine. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
28. Pembrey, Daniel (22 April 2019). "History Comes Alive at These Striking New Museums". Architectural Digest. Condé Nast. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
29. Green, Jared (2 October 2013). "Walter Hood's Hybrid Landscapes". The Dirt. American Society of Landscape Architects. Archived from the original on 2 October 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
30. "Walter J. Hood is the 2025 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medalist in Architecture | University of Virginia School of Architecture". www.arch.virginia.edu. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
31. Craig, Robyn (2024-09-30). "The National Building Museum Announces Walter Hood as the 2024 Vincent Scully Prize Recipient | National Building Museum" . Retrieved 2025-04-04.
32. "Walter Hood". The Architectural League of New York. Retrieved 2025-04-04.
33. "Gish Prize Recipients". The Dorothy and Liliian Gish Prize. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
34. "Walter Hood – MacArthur Foundation". www.macfound.org. Retrieved 2019-09-26.
35. "2017 ARCHITECTURE AWARD WINNERS". American Academy of Arts and Letters. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
36. "School of Architecture and Planning Honors Louis P. Ciminelli, Walter J. Hood with 2014 Dean's Medal". University at Buffalo. 12 May 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2019.

External links

• Hood Design Studio
• Walter J. Hood, UC Berkeley faculty