SCUP Excellence in Landscape Architecture

This award recognizes excellence in the planning and design of campus grounds for higher education. It includes the sensitive and skillful design of open space and landscape elements, including:

• streetscapes
• transit corridors
• pedestrian routes
• courts
• quads
• garden and natural areas
• stormwater management

The category emphasizes the distinctive use of paving materials, plantings, furnishings, fixtures, and special amenities that enhance the use and enjoyment of the outdoor campus environment.

It focuses on landscape as a system as opposed to a project. (The project should represent the mission, vision, and values of the institution and support teaching and student life.) There are no time constraints concerning completion of the project with regards to a submission. Include information on institutional involvement that may have occurred throughout the project, if applicable.

• Excellence in Landscape Architecture for General Design
  This category recognizes site-specific works of landscape architecture or urban design. Typical entries include: historic preservation, reclamation, conservation; green roofs, stormwater design, sustainable design; design for transportation or infrastructure; landscape art or installation; interior landscape design; and more. Entries in this category must be built. There is no time limit to when the projects were implemented.
• Excellence in Landscape Architecture for Open Space Planning
  This category recognizes the wide variety of professional activities that lead to and guide landscape architecture design. This category focuses on landscape systems as opposed to a specific project. Typical entries include campus landscape master plans, development guidelines, transportation planning, cultural, historic, and natural resources planning, landscape operations and maintenance, stormwater planning, sustainability innovation, and more. Entries in this category do not need to be built or implemented.

View the past recipient projects.

If you have any questions, please contact KenDra McIntosh at kendra.mcintosh@scup.org.
We’re excited that you want to share your planning project to help higher ed leaders meet the rapid pace of change and competition through excellent design and architecture.

How to submit your application:

• Preview the application
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Cost: $405 SCUP members; $555 nonmembers

START YOUR APPLICATION

Deadline to submit your application is Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern.