Bio
Alyssa Schwann is a designer and environmental artist with projects and professional experience in North America, Britain, and the Netherlands. In Europe Schwann worked in Rotterdam for several years as a project leader and designer in the office of West 8 Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, with a focus on parks, gardens and public space, including the high-profile urban design projects such as Toronto’s Central Waterfront and Governors Island, in New York City. Prior to West 8, she lived in London, England and worked for Chris Blandford Associates on large-scale urban design and infrastructural projects, environmental impact assessments, and historically listed parks and gardens.
For almost a decade, as a tenured associate professor, Schwann taught environmental design and landscape architecture at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MB, Canada. She has also served as adjunct and visiting professor at the University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (Vancouver, BC). She continues to teach at national and international institutions introducing students at various levels to environmental design and landscape architecture.
Growing up in small northern communities in Saskatchewan, Schwann became committed to working in community development. In addition to being a co-founding director (with Jan Haenraets) of the Global Landscape Foundation, she has undertaken several commissions related to infrastructure and economic development in northern Canada. As a public policy researcher initiated through a fellowship with Action Canada (2013-14), she has worked with the Government of the Northwest Territories, and with Daitch & Associates, continues to consult with northern tribal governments. She is also certified (Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia) in conducting ecosystem climate change vulnerability assessments.
Schwann lives on the unceded shared territory of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC, Canada and the territory of xučyun (Huichin), the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo-speaking Lisjan Ohlone people in Berkeley, CA, USA.
CV
(selected; please see AA-GLF for other work)
EDUCATION
2005
Master of Landscape Architecture
Faculty of Architecture, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada [FAUM]
1997
Bachelor of Environmental Design
FAUM
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2015–
Co-Founder (with Jan Haenraets) / Director
Atelier Anonymous Global Landscape Foundation
Vancouver, BC, Canada
2014–2021
Founder / Co-Director
Atelier Anonymous [practice dissolved to focus on the Foundation]
Vancouver, BC
2008–2011
Co-Founder (with Sean Pearson)
RUFproject
Vancouver, BC
2004–2008
Senior Landscape Architect / Project Manager
West 8
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2002–2004
Designer
Chris Blandford Associates
London, UK
FULL-TIME ACADEMIC POSITIONS
2019–2020
Associate Professor (tenured)
Environmental Design and Landscape Architecture
FAUM
2012–2019
Assistant Professor
Environmental Design and Landscape Architecture
FAUM
INSTALLATIONS, PUBLIC ART
2023
Burnaby Blooms
Burnaby, BC, Canada
2023
Harrison Festival of the Arts
Harrison Hot Springs, BC, Canada
2020
Wind Flowers Public Art Work
with Mike Seymour
Richmond, BC, Canada
2016
[untitled] nest for owls Public Art Work
with Mike Seymour
Richmond, BC
2014
Settlement Building
commissioned by Bocci
Vancouver, BC
2010
GO! Gallery
City of Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad
with Inge Roecker, Sean Pearson, Organelle Design
Vancouver, BC
RESIDENCIES, GRANTS, ROSTERS
2023
Kala Art Institute Artist-in-Residence program
Berkeley, CA, USA
2022 (June)
Archipelago Art Residency in Korpo (AARK)
Korpo/Korppoo, Finland
2022–2023
Research and Creation, Explore and Create Program
Canada Council for the Arts Grant
2013–2014
Action Canada Fellowship
2021–2025
Public Art Roster pre-qualified professional visual artist
with Mike Seymour
Washington State, USA
CREATIVE PRACTICE
2022
Museum of Anthropolgy
Designed Landscape Statement of Significance
with Jan Haenraets
Vancouver, BC
Kitsilano Garden
with Mike Seymour
for Campos Studio
Vancouver, BC
Capitol Hill Garden
(unrealized house)
for Campos Studio
Burnaby, BC
2017
Study for Urban Agriculture
commissioned by Pidgin
with Mike Seymour
Vancouver, BC
2016
Landscape Concept for APT Residential Development
for MAA Studio (now MA+HG Architects)
Vancouver, BC
2015
East St. Paul Garden
for 5468796 Architecture
Winnipeg, MB
East Vancouver Garden
for MAA Studio (now MA+HG Architects)
Vancouver, BC
Seizon Harajuku Gardens
with Jan Haenraets
for Frontoffice Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
Landscape for a Vineyard
(unrealized development)
with Jan Haenraets
Naramata, BC, Canada
2014
Eutopia Resort Development Plan Proposal
with Jan Haenraets, Aziza Chaouni Projects
Riyadh, Saudia Arabia
2013
62M Garden Concept
for 5468796 Architecture
Winnipeg, MB
Hedge Garden Concept
for 5468796 Architecture
Winnipeg, MB
Acre Resort Landscape
with Jan Haenraets
(unrealized development)
for Campos Studio
San Jose del Cabo, Baja, Mexico
Dunbar Garden
(unrealized)
for Campos Studio
Vancouver, BC
2011
VIVA Vancouver Public Open Space Shortlist
with RUFproject
Vancouver, BC
2012
Bocci HQ Gardens
commissioned by Bocci
Vancouver, BC
WORKSHOPS / ROUNDTABLES
2019
Organizer and facilitator, “Poetics of Land . Stories of Place Creating A Community Story”. Community design charrette organized as part of our Wind Flowers public art project, May, Richmond, BC.
2016
Organizer and facilitator, “Traces Upon the Landscape: Exploring the Poetic Dimension of Water”. Community workshop held as part of ‘The Social Life of Water’ Exhibition, Kelowna BC, December 7, The Centre for Culture and Technology at the University of British Columbia, Kelowna Museums Society, and Okanagan Nation Alliance.
2014
Organizer and facilitator, with Andrew Bauer, Sarah Daitch, Andre Dias “Public Dialogue on the NWT’s Heritage Fund”. Roundtable dialogue focusing on the NWT’s Heritage Fund, May 27, 2014, Yellowknife, NWT.
2013
Organizer and facilitator, with Jessica Briones, Sarah Daitch, Andre Dias, Julia Fan-Li, Martin Lajoie, “2013 Northern Roundtable on Mining Sector Compliance”. Roundtable dialogue with invited participants, August 22, 2013, Yellowknife, NWT.
Organizer and facilitator, with Jessica Briones, Sarah Daitch, Andre Dias, Julia Fan-Li, Martin Lajoie, “Growing the Golden Egg: The question of non-renewable resource revenues and the future prosperity of Canada’s North.” Public dialogue with invited panel, November 22, 2013, Vancouver, BC.
PRESENATIONS, TALKS, AND PANELS (recent)
2023
A. Schwann. “Forest Markings.” West Vancouver Modern League “On the Boards” Lecture Series”, Vancouver, BC, April 4.
2021
Schwann, A. “Cultural Landscape and Public Space” Arts Umbrella Youth Architecture Summer Intensive, Vancouver, BC, August 11.
Schwann, A. and Seymour, M. “Wind Flowers”. City of Richmond Public Art Advisory Committee, Richmond, BC, July 29.
Schwann, A. “Art at Work: How We Make Public Art.” City of Richmond Richmond Public Art Program Panel Discussion, Richmond, BC, February 21.
Schwann, A. “Reimagining City Streets and the Public Realm: Towards a Green and Connected City.” City of Vancouver in partnership with SFU, The Future We Want: The Change We Need event series, Vancouver, BC, March 3.
2018
Schwann, A. 2018. “Developing Place: Imagining Future Communities in Northern Canada.” Invited presenter at the SSHRC-funded Land: Terre Design Research Network Colloquium, Winnipeg, October 25-27.
JURIES, CURATORIAL
2016
The 1919 Winnipeg General Strike Design Competition
Jury Member
Winnipeg, MB
2015
Chair Your Idea Competition
Jury Member
Winnipeg, MB
2012 (May 9 - June 16)
The Mill Project, Bruce Emmett
Curator
West Vancouver Museum, BC
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
2021
Indigenous Development Corporation Study for the Gwich’in Tribal Council and Gwich’in Development Corporation
with Daitch & Associates
Northwest Territories, Canada
2020
Gwich’in Communities Infrastructure Strategy
with Daitch & Associates
Northwest Territories
2015
Northwest Territories Heritage Fund
Governance Policy Development
with S. Daitch, A. Dias, J. Fan-Li, and M. Lajoie
COMMUNITY SERVICE
2021–2022
Board Member, Vancouver Heritage Foundation (VHF)
2016
École Pauline Johnson Elementary School Playground Design
with Cornelia Hahn Oberlander and Beryl Allen
West Vancouver, BC
2009–2015
Board Member (2009-2011), Vice President (2011-2012) and Advocacy, Heritage Vancouver Society
Vancouver, BC
2009–2012
Committee Member and Vice-Chair (2011-2012), Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee (GHAPC)
Vancouver, BC
AWARDS, MENTIONS
2019
Richmond News. “Huge flower art installation to blossom in Richmond.” Richmond News. May 19, 2019.
2016
WAN Future Project of the Year Long List
with frontoffice tokyo
Seizon Tower, Tokyo, Japan
2014
World Architecture Festival, Future Project of the Year
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
with 5468796 Architecture + Number TEN Architectural Group
2011
Twenty + Change 03 Exhibition and Publication
Selected Practice, RUFproject
Alyssa Schwann is a designer and environmental artist with projects and professional experience in North America, Britain, and the Netherlands. In Europe Schwann worked in Rotterdam for several years as a project leader and designer in the office of West 8 Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, with a focus on parks, gardens and public space, including the high-profile urban design projects such as Toronto’s Central Waterfront and Governors Island, in New York City. Prior to West 8, she lived in London, England and worked for Chris Blandford Associates on large-scale urban design and infrastructural projects, environmental impact assessments, and historically listed parks and gardens.
For almost a decade, as a tenured associate professor, Schwann taught environmental design and landscape architecture at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MB, Canada. She has also served as adjunct and visiting professor at the University of British Columbia School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (Vancouver, BC). She continues to teach at national and international institutions introducing students at various levels to environmental design and landscape architecture.
Growing up in small northern communities in Saskatchewan, Schwann became committed to working in community development. In addition to being a co-founding director (with Jan Haenraets) of the Global Landscape Foundation, she has undertaken several commissions related to infrastructure and economic development in northern Canada. As a public policy researcher initiated through a fellowship with Action Canada (2013-14), she has worked with the Government of the Northwest Territories, and with Daitch & Associates, continues to consult with northern tribal governments. She is also certified (Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia) in conducting ecosystem climate change vulnerability assessments.
Schwann lives on the unceded shared territory of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC, Canada and the territory of xučyun (Huichin), the ancestral and unceded land of the Chochenyo-speaking Lisjan Ohlone people in Berkeley, CA, USA.
CV
(selected; please see AA-GLF for other work)
EDUCATION
2005
Master of Landscape Architecture
Faculty of Architecture, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada [FAUM]
1997
Bachelor of Environmental Design
FAUM
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2015–
Co-Founder (with Jan Haenraets) / Director
Atelier Anonymous Global Landscape Foundation
Vancouver, BC, Canada
2014–2021
Founder / Co-Director
Atelier Anonymous [practice dissolved to focus on the Foundation]
Vancouver, BC
2008–2011
Co-Founder (with Sean Pearson)
RUFproject
Vancouver, BC
2004–2008
Senior Landscape Architect / Project Manager
West 8
Rotterdam, the Netherlands
2002–2004
Designer
Chris Blandford Associates
London, UK
FULL-TIME ACADEMIC POSITIONS
2019–2020
Associate Professor (tenured)
Environmental Design and Landscape Architecture
FAUM
2012–2019
Assistant Professor
Environmental Design and Landscape Architecture
FAUM
INSTALLATIONS, PUBLIC ART
2023
Burnaby Blooms
Burnaby, BC, Canada
2023
Harrison Festival of the Arts
Harrison Hot Springs, BC, Canada
2020
Wind Flowers Public Art Work
with Mike Seymour
Richmond, BC, Canada
2016
[untitled] nest for owls Public Art Work
with Mike Seymour
Richmond, BC
2014
Settlement Building
commissioned by Bocci
Vancouver, BC
2010
GO! Gallery
City of Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad
with Inge Roecker, Sean Pearson, Organelle Design
Vancouver, BC
RESIDENCIES, GRANTS, ROSTERS
2023
Kala Art Institute Artist-in-Residence program
Berkeley, CA, USA
2022 (June)
Archipelago Art Residency in Korpo (AARK)
Korpo/Korppoo, Finland
2022–2023
Research and Creation, Explore and Create Program
Canada Council for the Arts Grant
2013–2014
Action Canada Fellowship
2021–2025
Public Art Roster pre-qualified professional visual artist
with Mike Seymour
Washington State, USA
CREATIVE PRACTICE
2022
Museum of Anthropolgy
Designed Landscape Statement of Significance
with Jan Haenraets
Vancouver, BC
Kitsilano Garden
with Mike Seymour
for Campos Studio
Vancouver, BC
Capitol Hill Garden
(unrealized house)
for Campos Studio
Burnaby, BC
2017
Study for Urban Agriculture
commissioned by Pidgin
with Mike Seymour
Vancouver, BC
2016
Landscape Concept for APT Residential Development
for MAA Studio (now MA+HG Architects)
Vancouver, BC
2015
East St. Paul Garden
for 5468796 Architecture
Winnipeg, MB
East Vancouver Garden
for MAA Studio (now MA+HG Architects)
Vancouver, BC
Seizon Harajuku Gardens
with Jan Haenraets
for Frontoffice Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
Landscape for a Vineyard
(unrealized development)
with Jan Haenraets
Naramata, BC, Canada
2014
Eutopia Resort Development Plan Proposal
with Jan Haenraets, Aziza Chaouni Projects
Riyadh, Saudia Arabia
2013
62M Garden Concept
for 5468796 Architecture
Winnipeg, MB
Hedge Garden Concept
for 5468796 Architecture
Winnipeg, MB
Acre Resort Landscape
with Jan Haenraets
(unrealized development)
for Campos Studio
San Jose del Cabo, Baja, Mexico
Dunbar Garden
(unrealized)
for Campos Studio
Vancouver, BC
2011
VIVA Vancouver Public Open Space Shortlist
with RUFproject
Vancouver, BC
2012
Bocci HQ Gardens
commissioned by Bocci
Vancouver, BC
WORKSHOPS / ROUNDTABLES
2019
Organizer and facilitator, “Poetics of Land . Stories of Place Creating A Community Story”. Community design charrette organized as part of our Wind Flowers public art project, May, Richmond, BC.
2016
Organizer and facilitator, “Traces Upon the Landscape: Exploring the Poetic Dimension of Water”. Community workshop held as part of ‘The Social Life of Water’ Exhibition, Kelowna BC, December 7, The Centre for Culture and Technology at the University of British Columbia, Kelowna Museums Society, and Okanagan Nation Alliance.
2014
Organizer and facilitator, with Andrew Bauer, Sarah Daitch, Andre Dias “Public Dialogue on the NWT’s Heritage Fund”. Roundtable dialogue focusing on the NWT’s Heritage Fund, May 27, 2014, Yellowknife, NWT.
2013
Organizer and facilitator, with Jessica Briones, Sarah Daitch, Andre Dias, Julia Fan-Li, Martin Lajoie, “2013 Northern Roundtable on Mining Sector Compliance”. Roundtable dialogue with invited participants, August 22, 2013, Yellowknife, NWT.
Organizer and facilitator, with Jessica Briones, Sarah Daitch, Andre Dias, Julia Fan-Li, Martin Lajoie, “Growing the Golden Egg: The question of non-renewable resource revenues and the future prosperity of Canada’s North.” Public dialogue with invited panel, November 22, 2013, Vancouver, BC.
PRESENATIONS, TALKS, AND PANELS (recent)
2023
A. Schwann. “Forest Markings.” West Vancouver Modern League “On the Boards” Lecture Series”, Vancouver, BC, April 4.
2021
Schwann, A. “Cultural Landscape and Public Space” Arts Umbrella Youth Architecture Summer Intensive, Vancouver, BC, August 11.
Schwann, A. and Seymour, M. “Wind Flowers”. City of Richmond Public Art Advisory Committee, Richmond, BC, July 29.
Schwann, A. “Art at Work: How We Make Public Art.” City of Richmond Richmond Public Art Program Panel Discussion, Richmond, BC, February 21.
Schwann, A. “Reimagining City Streets and the Public Realm: Towards a Green and Connected City.” City of Vancouver in partnership with SFU, The Future We Want: The Change We Need event series, Vancouver, BC, March 3.
2018
Schwann, A. 2018. “Developing Place: Imagining Future Communities in Northern Canada.” Invited presenter at the SSHRC-funded Land: Terre Design Research Network Colloquium, Winnipeg, October 25-27.
JURIES, CURATORIAL
2016
The 1919 Winnipeg General Strike Design Competition
Jury Member
Winnipeg, MB
2015
Chair Your Idea Competition
Jury Member
Winnipeg, MB
2012 (May 9 - June 16)
The Mill Project, Bruce Emmett
Curator
West Vancouver Museum, BC
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
2021
Indigenous Development Corporation Study for the Gwich’in Tribal Council and Gwich’in Development Corporation
with Daitch & Associates
Northwest Territories, Canada
2020
Gwich’in Communities Infrastructure Strategy
with Daitch & Associates
Northwest Territories
2015
Northwest Territories Heritage Fund
Governance Policy Development
with S. Daitch, A. Dias, J. Fan-Li, and M. Lajoie
COMMUNITY SERVICE
2021–2022
Board Member, Vancouver Heritage Foundation (VHF)
2016
École Pauline Johnson Elementary School Playground Design
with Cornelia Hahn Oberlander and Beryl Allen
West Vancouver, BC
2009–2015
Board Member (2009-2011), Vice President (2011-2012) and Advocacy, Heritage Vancouver Society
Vancouver, BC
2009–2012
Committee Member and Vice-Chair (2011-2012), Gastown Historic Area Planning Committee (GHAPC)
Vancouver, BC
AWARDS, MENTIONS
2019
Richmond News. “Huge flower art installation to blossom in Richmond.” Richmond News. May 19, 2019.
2016
WAN Future Project of the Year Long List
with frontoffice tokyo
Seizon Tower, Tokyo, Japan
2014
World Architecture Festival, Future Project of the Year
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
with 5468796 Architecture + Number TEN Architectural Group
2011
Twenty + Change 03 Exhibition and Publication
Selected Practice, RUFproject