One of America's Most Influential Landscape Architects Dies at 78

Innovative landscape architect James van Sweden, who along with Wolfgang Oehme created the “New American Garden” style of design, died last week at his home in Washington D.C.

1 minute read

September 26, 2013, 2:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj

"One of America’s most influential landscape architects, James van Sweden, FASLA, co-founder of Oehme van Sweden, died last week at age 78 from complications from Parkinson’s disease," writes Jared Green.

"Both a designer and prolific author, van Sweden is credited with changing the look and feel of the American landscape, introducing the 'New American Garden' aesthetic, which included perennials and wild grasses. His influential gardens go beyond surface aesthetics though and had deeper impact. His free-flowing, grass-filled gardens led the way to today’s broader movement of more sustainable, ecologically-sound landscapes."

FULL STORY: James van Sweden, Father of the New American Garden, Dies

Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in ASLA The Dirt

Landscape Architecture United States Oehme van Sweden & Associates James van Sweden Wolfgang Oehme New American Garden View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Start Learning

Advertise with us

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.