Personal Statement

After completing her PhD, Alison was a Lecturer in the Landscape Architecture department of Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, where she taught history-theory seminars and core studios. Her doctoral work focused on late 19th through 20th-century American landscape and urbanism with particular emphasis on the public demand for participation in the 1960s city. Her dissertation has evolved into a forthcoming book titled “City Choreographer: Lawrence Halprin and Public Performance in Urban Renewal America.” The book assesses the creative process landscape architect Larry Halprin conceived in collaboration with his wife, dancer and choreographer Anna Halprin. Alison’s essays appear in a number of journals including Journal of Architectural Education, Studies in the History of Gardens and Designed Landscapes and forthcoming in Landscape Journal and Places. In 2007-2008, Alison curated a drawings exhibition, titled “Lawrence Halprin: The Choreography of Gardens,” for the University of Pennsylvania’s Kroiz Gallery. Alison has taught seminars on how body movement has influenced the perception, reception and design of the environment over the past century and how such movement might serve as a generative design device. She continues to explore the potential of preservation as a tool for social and community sustainability and development and has consulted community organizations and firms on design and neighborhood-based preservation projects. She also continues to contribute work to design competitions.