2025 Selection Committee

Competition Coordinator - Outgoing President, ASLA-MN

With a background in environmental planning and energy infrastructure, Rachel's interest in landscape architecture lies in the complex interactions of natural and urban systems. She specializes in utilizing 3D modeling, computer visualization, and graphic design to create clear design and planning tools for clients and seamlessly facilitate the dialogue between analysis, design and implementation. Rachel received her Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Minnesota, where she was awarded the ASLA Honor Award and Capstone Honor Award. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the College of Design and was recently awarded a Delta Alliance Young Professionals Award at the U.N. Conference for Sustainable Design.

Founding Principal, Damon Farber Associates

Damon established his firm in 1981 to provide quality, professional services in the areas of landscape architecture, site planning and urban design. Throughout his 40-year career he has emphasized the collaborative nature of design.

From the very onset, he infused his works and practice with a commitment to detail and strategic thinking informed by travel and observation of cultural, physical, and environmental contexts to reflect a unique sense of place. This has resulted in myriad successful resolutions to challenging design problems. His professional career reflects a broad, innovative and pragmatic body of work that balances creativity, aesthetics and function.

As one of the first graduates of the University of Minnesota Landscape Architecture program Farber remains a steadfast supporter of the College of Design and the University. Even before his retirement from private practice in 2011, Farber gave back through volunteerism including as past president of ASLA-MN, his on-going service as a member of the College of Design Advisory Board, as an instructor with the Minnesota Literacy Council, his early work with the MN State Designer Selection Board, as a mentor to CDes undergraduates, through tutoring students at Summit Academy OIC, and finally, as one of the members of the task force that helped create the Roger B. Martin Travel Prize.

2024 Roger Martin Prize Winner

Luke Nichols is a landscape architect at HGA. Driven by his deep love of gardening, Luke is actively cultivating a craft that explores the intersections of planting, fabrication, art, and process. His work experiences, rooted in private residential and commercial design in the Midwest and China, are branching out to include institutional master planning and campus design.

President, ASLA Minnesota

Han is a first-generation Chinese Immigrant. She leads a culturally diverse team and manages a broad spectrum of landscape design and master planning projects, from intimate residential gardens to hundred-acre campuses. Her work was recognized by various ASLA chapters, American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and other professional news media. Experienced in project management, Han applies holistic and systematic thinking to solving multifaceted challenges, collaborating closely with clients to stay on schedules and budgets. Shaped by her dual-cultural heritage and driven by a thirst for new adventures, Han infuses her designs with personality, cultural insight, and boundless inspiration from nature.

Associate Professor, Landscape Architecture

Director of Undergraduate Studies of Landscape Architecture

Director of the Great Lakes Design Labs

Karen's design interests focus on how landscape architects and designers might better design 'with' changing landscapes. Her more recent work in this realm engages methods of curious and multi-scalar site investigations and a particular emphasis on quick littoral landscapes of the Great Lakes Basin, slow-growing trees, and emergent vegetation. In 2022, her co-authored book, Five Bay Landscapes: Curious Explorations of the Great Lakes Basin, was published by the University of Pittsburgh Press. Her work and writings can also be found in various publications and books, including Places Journal, The Third Coast Atlas, Conceptual Landscapes, 30 Trees and Why Landscape Architects Love Them, Scenario Journal, and MinnLab Publications. You can learn more about her ongoing projects, publications, teaching, and collaborations at the Great Lakes Design Labs website.

Co-Founder, Aune Fernandez Landscape Architects

Carlos is a founding partner of Aune Fernandez Landscape Architects (AFLA). Prior to starting his own firm, CJ practiced at a multi-disciplinary design studios and has a total of 19 years of experience in landscape architecture. His experience is wide ranging from master planning and urban design to small scale detail development in commercial, public, corporate, transportation, and private project types. Strong design skills and construction administration experiences provided a solid foundation for working closely with clients from programming through budgeting and construction.