Hideo Sasaki

Hideo Sasaki (1919 Reedley, CA - 2000) Influential Japanese American landscape architect.

Biography

Hideo Sasaki was born in Reedley, California on November 25th, 1919. At the age of 18 he was already living a very fulfilling life. Sasaki began his college studies at the University of California, Berkeley during the time of World War II. Owing to his Japanese descent, he was forced into an internment camp in Arizona. He was able to leave the camp upon volunteering to work as a farm hand in Sterling, Colorado. Soon after the war, he moved to Denver where he met his wife, Kisa, a graduate of the University of Colorado. Sasaki then moved to Illinois where he graduated with high honors with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Landscape Architecture in 1946. In 1948, he graduated with a masters degree in Landscape Architecture from Harvard Design School. After graduation he returned to Illinois where he instructed for two years. For the next eighteen years, he became a professor and the chairman of the department of Landscape Architecture of the Harvard Graduate School of Design. In 1953, he founded Sasaki Associates, Incorporated where he was the president and chairman until 1980. From here on, Sasaki developed on several landscaping projects becoming an internationally renowned Landscape Architect (Prosser).

Style of Design

Hideo Sasaki helped to modernize the concepts of Landscape Architecture. He created a practical approach to designing a landscape. In his works, several characteristics are taken into account. This includes and is not limited to the historical, cultural, environmental, and social use of the land. Sasaki has become famous for developing this concept of interdisciplinary planning. In all of the sites that he creates, an obvious balance is implemented into the design. One aspect that Sasaki Associates pays particular attention to is the environmental aspect of the land. They have taken part in creating several“green designs.” These designs are created to enhance or maintain the health of the environment. Some of the prominent examples can be viewed at the Utah State University Innovation Campus, The Virginia Biosphere, Walden Woods, and the Manulife Financial U.S. Operations Headquarters. Another area that Sasaki become renowned for was in evoking [modernism] into many of the college campuses that we find in America today. His works were recognized to inspire creativity, accommodate the large, growing populations, and to have deep aesthetic value. His modern works became internationally recognized and he was asked to implement his creativity into landscapes everywhere.

Major Projects

* Euro Disneyland in Paris, France
* Landscape and urban design improvements on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C.
* The development of the grounds of Deere and Company in Moline, Ill.
* Boston Waterfront Park in Massachusetts
* Harbour Town at Sea Pines Plantation, Hilton Head, South Carolina.
* Planning and urban design consultant for the Boulder Pearl Street Mall
* The Denver Skyline Urban Renewal Project
* The Auraria Higher Education Center
* Western Wyoming Community College
* Pueblo Community College
* Fort Lewis College
* University of Colorado

Awards and Achievements

Sasaki was recognized and awarded for his outstanding accomplishments.
* In 1961, President John F. Kennedy appointed Sasaki to the United States Commission of Fine Arts. He assumed this position until 1971.
* In 1971, he was the first person to receive the American Society of Landscape ArchitectsMedal.
* In 1973, he was awarded the Allied Professions Medal
* A member of CU-Boulder's four-member design review board for 33 years.
* Chairman of the department of landscape architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design from 1950 - 68.
* Founded Sasaki Associates Inc. and was chairman and president of the board from 1954 to 1980.
* Juror for the Vietnam Memorial Competition in 1981, the Astronaut Memorial Competition in 1988 and the Peace Garden Competition in 1989.
* Awarded the Centennial Medal for his impact on landscape architecture at the Harvard Design School.
* In 1984, Sasaki was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

External links

* [http://www.sasaki.com/ Sasaki Associates]