Margaret Robinson, PLA, LEED AP, SITES AP, co-founder and principal of Asakura Robinson, was honored with the Distinguished Member Award at the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Texas Conference last week in Fort Worth. The award recognizes a member of ASLA who has demonstrated exceptional service to the profession and who has made significant contributions to the advancement of landscape architecture in Texas.
Margaret, a registered landscape architect, has more than 35 years of experience in the field. Her work at Asakura Robinson, a transdisciplinary firm that specializes in landscape architecture, planning and urban design, has helped shape the landscape of Texas and beyond. Her portfolio boasts a wide range of projects, from innovative master plans to intricate community-based initiatives. Her expertise has been sought after by clients ranging from public agencies to private developers.
In addition to her work at Asakura Robinson, Robinson has been an active member of the ASLA Texas Chapter for many years. She has served as the President of the Texas Chapter, as well as on numerous committees and task forces.
“I am honored to receive this award from the ASLA Texas Chapter,” Margaret said. “I have been fortunate to work with so many talented and dedicated professionals in this field, and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to contribute to the advancement of landscape architecture in Texas and beyond.”
Since obtaining her LEED Accredited Professional credential in 2008, Margaret has engaged sustainable design in all aspects of her work. Notable projects include the Gene Green Regional Park & Trail Enhancements in Houston, where the firm lead the County Commissioner into pursuing LEED certification for the park; this became the first Harris County project to obtain LEED certification. The project included a bioswale, creative drainage work that mimicked a meandering stream leading toward the bayou, and a recirculating water system for the splash pad. For the City of Austin Govalle Neighborhood Pool project, Margaret led a team that managed stormwater through participation in the City’s Regional Stormwater Management Plan and with two raingardens, whose planting invigorates the public entrance to the pool enclosure. The project uses no potable water for irrigation, instead utilizing the City of Austin’s treated effluent reclaimed water system.
Margaret has engaged her peers, local communities, and other professionals through her volunteerism, particularly in sustainable green development practices. She has given her time to the profession and her service to the ASLA Texas chapter and local sections actively engaged in the issues at the forefront of the profession, while meeting and nurturing the careers of its future leaders. She currently sits on the City of Bastrop Parks and Public Tree Advisory Board, the Bastrop County Parks Advisory Committee, the Cultural Landscape Foundation Stewardship Council, and the Japan-America Society of Great Austin. She served as the ASLA Texas Chapter president from 2011 to 2012 and, in 2014, her efforts were recognized by Keep Houston Beautiful as she was selected as one of Houston’s top 35 volunteers. Margaret was also appointed as a professional member of the LSU Robert Reich School of Landscape Architecture Professional Advisory Board School.
Margaret believes that the success of a transdisciplinary architecture practice thrives off diversity. As co-founder of her firm, Margaret has promoted equal opportunities for women and minorities. Not only is the firm certified as a minority business (most recently winning City of Austin’s SMBR Consultant of the Year award), but it is recognized for upholding diversity in its practice, engaging diverse communities.
Margaret has always peered into projects with an ecological lens. In 2019, she helped grow the Urban Ecology mission of Asakura Robinson which aims to increase the level of scientific rigor of AR’s design and planning practices while consistently viewing the firm’s work through an equity lens. This framing is unique in our field and has led to substantive firmwide growth.
She has used wetland science and urban design expertise to drive ecological design for the Dallas Water Gardens. She has completed award-winning work locally on a Healthy Parks Plan for Travis, Bastrop, and Caldwell Counties that uses data and stakeholder input to understand how parks and open space investments can best be leveraged equitably toward our region’s physical, mental, and environmental health. As part of the design team for the new Austin FC Stadium in Austin, she worked to ensure the site is designed to provide multiple benefits for both people and our local climate and ecologies.
The ASLA Texas Chapter is the professional association for landscape architects in Texas. Its mission is to advance the profession of landscape architecture in Texas through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship.
For more information about Margaret Robinson and her work, please contact Amanda Wheeless, Marketing Director and Associate Principal at Asakura Robinson at amanda@asakurarobinson.com