Rendering of Waterline Square Park, a 2.6 acre park that provides a recreational link between Central Park and the parklands along the Hudson River.

Douglas C. Allen Lecture

Douglas C. Allen Lecture

This annual lecture on landscape architecture was established and endowed by alumni, faculty and friends in honor of Professor Douglas C. Allen (1947-2014).

In appreciation for Allen's sizeable contribution to the College of Design (formerly the College of Architecture) as a teacher, colleague, and leader, this lecture binds the relevance of Allen's expertise in landscape architecture to urban design and the community-related impact of School of Architecture education at Georgia Tech.

A black and white photo of Douglas Allen

Douglas C. Allen, FASLA

Doug Allen taught in the School of Architecture for 37 years and made an indelible impact on the field of landscape architecture, particularly in city and urban landscapes. Allen was an influential member of the College of Design faculty (then called the College of Architecture) serving as interim dean as well as associate dean of academic affairs for five years. His thoughtful and vivid lectures left an influential impact on Georgia Tech students from 1977 through 2013. Professionally, he practiced landscape architecture for more than 40 years.

Allen died of brain cancer in 2014. This lecture invites renowned landscape architects and experts in urban landscapes to speak to students once a year at the School of Architecture. 

Molly Bourne seated at her desk

2025: Molly Bourne

Sculpting Dynamic Public Spaces

Molly Bourne, RLA, FASLA, Principal of MNLA, sees landscape architecture practice as a medium to celebrate and explore the environment and our place within it. She is deeply dedicated to elevated design thinking that advances the public good. Since joining the firm in 1999, Molly has led award-winning, multidisciplinary teams on high-profile projects for waterfront parks, cultural institutions, and urban revitalization. Activating public space dialogue, tackling climate change, reclaiming industrial sites and shorelines, and protecting pollinators are her professional passions.

Developing the next generation of practitioners, Molly is a visiting lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Weitzman School of Design and volunteers with the ACE Mentor Program for New York City high school students. She enjoys engaging with the profession and public alike, speaking widely, leading site tours, and exchanging inventive ideas about how to better urban environments.

Viewing landscape architecture as a way to improve the human condition, Molly received her BA at the University of Florida, aspiring to design open spaces on a major stage. New York City and MNLA’s visionary practice provided an ideal opportunity.

Molly’s key projects include the East Side Coastal Resiliency project, Waterline Square, the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center Master Plan and Implementation, the Park and Public Space at Governors Island, the Renovation of Roberto Clemente State Park, and Governors Island Park and Public Space.

Recent Douglas Allen Lecturers

Michael Manfredi, left, and Marion Weiss, right

2024 Lecturers | Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi

Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi are cofounders of WEISS/MANFREDI. Weiss is the Graham Chair Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design. Manfredi is Senior Design Critic and Expert in Residence at Harvard.
Walter Hood

2021 Lecturer | Walter Hood

Marcel Wilson

2020 Lecturer | Marcel Wilson

Marcel leads the design of Bionic's projects with an inventive spirit and personal investment. His portfolio includes waterfronts, infrastructure, universities, high-rise construction, landscapes on structure, and post-industrial sites.
Mikyoung Kim

2019 Lecturer | Mikyoung Kim

Mikyoung Kim is a landscape architect, urban designer, and founding principal of Mikyoung Kim Design. Her firm won the Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Museum National Design Award and the American Society of Landscape Architects National Design Medal.
Isabel Castilla

2017 Lecturer | Isabel Castilla

Isabel Castilla, Principal at James Corner Field Operations, was educated in both architecture and landscape architecture and brings exceptional attention to design creativity, detailing and construction implementation.
Kate Orff

2016 Lecturer | Kate Orff

Kate Orff is the Founder of SCAPE. She retools the practice of landscape architecture relative to uncertainty of climate change and fostering social life which she has explored through publications, activism, research, and projects.

Previous Lecturers

2019Mikyoung Kim
2017Isabel Castilla 
2016Kate Orff
2015Susannah Drake
2014Martha Schwartz
2014Christophe Girot
2013Adriaan Geuze
2012Michael Arad
2011George Hargreaves
2010Peter Walker
2009James Corner

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