Achva Benzinberg Stein
Associate Professor
Teaching Area
Landscape ArchitectureEducation
MLArch, Harvard University, Graduate School of Design, 1978
BLArch, University of California, Berkeley, 1969
Teaching and Administrative Experience
Courses Taught
ARCH 402 - Topic Studio
ARCH 434gm - Nature, Landscape and Gardens in Non-Western Cultures
ARCH 531 - The Natural Landscape
ARCH 532 - Elements of the Urban Landscape
ARCH 533a - Urban Landscape Case Studies
ARCH 534 - Theory of Landscape Architecture
ARCH 535 - Materials and Methods for Landscape Architecture
ARCH 536 - The Landscape Planning Process
ARCH 542 - Landscape Architecture Design II
ARCH 597 - Landscape Architecture Thesis Option I
ARCH 598 - Landscape Architecture Directed Design Research
Positions
Associate Professor, USC School of Architecture, 1989-present
Director of Landscape Architecture Program, 1989-present
Memberships
ASLA - American Society of Landscape Architects
International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA)
Association of Landscape Architects in Israel
International Organization for Landscape Ecology
International Union of Forest Research Organizations
The World Conservation Union [IUCN]
Society for Ecological Restoration
Academic and Professional Honors
Research Award, Progressive Architecture, 1995Interior Design Magazine, Named to the ID 40: Design Innovators, 1994
Chrysler Award for Innovations in Design, 1994
ASLA Design Merit Awards for: Uhuru Garden, Shaye Residence, 1992
Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Service to the Community, City of Los Angeles, 1991
CELA Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture Award of Distinction, 1990
Publications (Selected)
Moroccan Gardens and Culture, Academy Editions, in preparationPrinciples of Restoration Ecology: An Integrated Approach, in Series on Environmental Management, Springer-Verlage Publication, to be published in 1997.
Urban Revisions: Current Projects for the Public Realm, Russell Ferguson, ed., 1994
It's No Day in the Country, Los Angeles Times Calendar, Susan Heeger, author, May 22, 1994
Small Worlds: An Outdoor Classroom, Los Angeles Times Magazine, August 21, 1994
A Machine for Living in the Garden, House Beautiful, Christine Pittel, author, Jnuary 1993
Remaking LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Aaron Betsky, author, December 13, 1992
Uhuru Garden, Watts, Los Angeles, Landscape Architecture, December 1992
Panoramic Production, Landscape Architecture, Rachel S. Cox, author, October 1992
Modern Over Modern, Architectural Record, Aaron Betsky, author, April 1992
Remodeling Utopia, Metropolis, Lucie Young, author, March 1992
A Tree Grows in Watts, Transcript, Carole Tucker, author, March 16, 1992
Architecture in Los Angeles, Arquitectura Viva, Diane Ghirardo, author, December 1991
Western Civilization, The New York Times Magazine, Carol Vogel, author, December 8, 1991
LA Architect, Allyne Winderman, author, October 1991
In the Defense of the Non Natives, Landscape Journal, Winter 1991.
Nature Landscape and Garden, Topic Studio, Journal of Architectural Education, April 1991
Principle of Restoration Ecology: An Integrated Approach, Springer-Verlage Publication, Series on Environmental Management, 1991
Exhibitions (Selected)
"Out of the Flat File," University of Southern California, January 1996"Tong Li - Aqua Culture," California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, March 1996
Utah State University, April 1996
Urban Revision, Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art
Subjects and Objects, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, August-December, 1995
Research (Selected)
USCNO grant for Richardson Family Park"Sustainable City in China," Lusk Research Grant, 1995
"Preservation Strategies for Shaoxin, China," in association with Hangchow University, Zumberge Fund (USC), 1993
Getty Grant for the Restoration of the Stepwells in Gujrat Rajastan, India, 1993
"Development of Uhuru Gardens," NEA Individual Grant, 1993
"Form in Contention," NEA Grant with USC School of Urban and Regional Planning, 1992-1994
"Wildlife Habitat in Wyoming," NEA Grant with Lynn Hall, Artist, 1992
Service
School
Dean Search Committee, 1991-92
Academic Policy Council, 1991-95
Executive Committee, 1989-90
Chairman, Graduate Steering Committee, 1989-90Professional
Board of Directors, North East Trees, Los Angeles
Board of Directors, The Alliance for Children Trust Foundation, Burbank, CA
Advisor for Planning and Design to Harbor Hill Housing Association and 27th and Budlong Neighborhood Association
Board of Landscape Architects, 1991-92
Adviser for Planning & Design to Neighborhood Association, 1987-91 1) Watts Health Foundation, 2) Mount Washington Association, 3) Highland Park Revitalization Committee, 4) Eagle Rock Neighborhood Association, 5) Woodacre Community Club
Jury Member, CCLA and ASLA, 1988-91
Professional Experience
Principal, Achva Benzinberg Stein & Associates, South Pasadena, CA, 1994-presentBLS Environmental Planning and Design, Los Angeles, CA, 1992-1994
VA Hospital Strategic Plan, Los Angeles, California, 1991-present
Uhuru Ecological Garden, Watts Health Foundation, Child Care Expansion, 1991
present
Mount Washington, City of Los Angeles, 1991-present
Rainbow Canyon, Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy, 1991-present
Colorado Boulevard Street Trees, Eagle Rock, City of Los Angeles, 1991-present
Partner, Bernstein & Stein, Woodland Hills, CA, 1990-1992
Partner, Toller Mayer & Stein, Glendale, CA, 1988-1990
Commercial projects, schools, parks and mini-parks, housing, and cemeteries from design stage to field supervision. Environmental planning and development on regional and state levels. Regional development planning. Zoning by-laws. Land acquisition and funding. Projects located in California, Massachusetts, Israel, India, China, and the Arabian Peninsula.
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