in the media
news
Jim Richards inducted as Fellow
September, 2010 - The American Society of Landscape Architects has selected TOWNSCAPE principal Jim Richards for induction into its distinguished Council of Fellows. Fellowship is among the highest honors ASLA may bestow and recognizes the significant contributions Jim has made to the profession and the public through his works, design leadership and service.
TOWNSCAPE receives award from American Planning Association
July, 2010 - The Downtown Master Plan for Edinburg has been selected to receive a project planning award from the American Planning Association Texas Chapter for 2010.
TOWNSCAPE receives award from American Planning Association
January, 2010 - The Historic Fort Worth Stockyards Master Plan has been selected to receive a project planning award from the American Planning Association Midwest Section for 2009.
TOWNSCAPE receives award from Greater Dallas Planning Council
December, 2009 - The Carrollton Downtown Transit Center Plan received the Dream Study Urban Design Award from the Greater Dallas Planning Council for 2009. Townscape provided the Transit Oriented Plan and Form-Based Code for the Transit Center Plan.
TOWNSCAPE receives three awards from American Planning Association
October, 2009 - The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association announced awards for three TOWNSCAPE projects. The projects receiving awards are:
- Commercial Design Standards, Town of Little Elm - Current Planning Award
- Major Corridor Plan, City of Southlake - Project Planning Award
- Snider Plaza Concept Plan, City of University Park - Project Planning Award
Jim Richards’ drawings featured in International New Landscape
June 2009 - The Chinese design magazine International New Landscape is publishing a three-part series of Jim Richards’ design drawings and travel sketches entitled "Freehand Visions". The series appears in their June, July and August 2009 issues. The series can be accessed by clicking the links below.
download the June PDF
download the July PDF
download the August PDF
Jim Richards authors article in Landscape Architecture Magazine
May, 2009 - The May 2009 issue of Landscape Architecture magazine features an article by TOWNSCAPE principal Jim Richards titled "Drawn to Design". Ace Torre (FASLA), who uses sketching as a catalyst for ideas, is profiled in the article. The article can be accessed by clicking the link below.
Jim Richards awarded Bradford Williams Medal
October, 2008 - TOWNSCAPE principal Jim Richards has been awarded the Bradford Williams Medal by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) for his writings on creative placemaking and visual thinking.
Jim Richards authors article in Landscape Architecture Magazine
October, 2008 - The October 2008 issue of Landscape Architecture magazine features an article by TOWNSCAPE principal Jim Richards titled "Travel as Creative Fuel". In the article, Jim promotes the idea of travel based "design immersion" to gain rapid exposure to the most instructive landscapes and best creative works a region, country, or continent has to offer. The article can be accessed by clicking the link below.
TOWNSCAPE work highlighted in MassTransit
September, 2008 - The September/October 2008 issue of MassTransit magazine features an article by Tim Balwin titled "Linking Land Use and Transit". The article highlights TOWNSCAPE's work in a Texas case study detailing efforts by Fort Worth to combine corridor planning efforts with a sincere commitment to encourage development near future stations. The article can be accessed by clicking the link below.
Dennis Wilson inducted as Fellow
April, 2008 - TOWNSCAPE principal Dennis Wilson has been inducted into the American Institute of Certified Planners’ College of Fellows for his work in utilizing planning and design to create more attractive, livable and sustainable communities.
Jim Richards authors article in Landscape Architecture Magazine
November, 2007 - The November 2007 issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine features an article by TOWNSCAPE principal Jim Richards titled "Freehand Renaissance". The article highlights the need for visual thinking and quick freehand drawing skills to help jump-start a flow of ideas early in the creative process. The article can be accessed by clicking the link below.
Jim Richards authors article in Landscape Architecture Magazine
February, 2007 - The February 2007 issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine features an article by TOWNSCAPE principal Jim Richards titled "Placemaking for the Creative Class". The article details Jim's research into the placemaking characteristics desired by the creative class and the opportunities for landscape architects offered by these emerging trends. The article can be accessed by clicking the link below.
publications
Jim Richards illustrates new book on Outdoor Classrooms
July 15, 2008 - Jim Richards produced over 150 drawings to illustrate the recently published book by Lauri Macmillan Johnson entitled, "Creating Outdoor Classrooms". This book is a step-by-step primer on the design process and a practical, hands-on guide for creating a variety of outdoor learning environments.
Dennis Wilson authors chapter in new urban planning book
January 1, 2007 - TOWNSCAPE principal Dennis Wilson, with Karen Walz, authored the Dallas Area chapter in the recently published book by Richard B. Peiser entitled "Regenerating Older Suburbs". How can aging inner-ring suburbs remain vital and attract investment from private development? This book describes the strategies and solutions employed by 10 inner-ring suburbs—some experiencing significant redevelopment and others striving to attract redevelopment.
speaking engagements
Concept Sketching Workshop
June 2010 - Jim Richards on concept sketching at Istanbul Technical University in Istanbul, Turkey on June 24.
Commencement Address
May 2010 - Jim Richards will deliver the commencement address for the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas on May 8.
Landscapes for Living
May 2010 - Jim Richards will speak at The Cultural Landscape Foundation’s “Pioneers of Modernism” symposium at the Dallas Museum of Art May 7.
Drawing for Designers Workshop
April 2010 - Jim Richards on concept sketching at Greensboro, for students from North Carolina State, North Carolina A&T, and the North Carolina Chapter of ASLA.
Freehand Renaissance
February 2010 - Jim Richards on design drawing at Louisiana ASLA Conference, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Urban Design: Why What and How
October 2009 - Dennis Wilson at Texas APA Conference, Galveston, Texas
Placemaking for the New Economy
October 2009 - Jim Richards at national “RailVolution: Building Better Communities through Transit” conference, Boston, Massachusetts
Drawing Workshop
October 2009 - Jim Richards at Fay Jones School of Architecture, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Placemaking for the creative class
July 2009 - Jim Richards at Florida ASLA Conference, Sanibel Key, Florida
Concept Sketching Workshop
March 2009 - Jim Richards at Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississipppi.
Form-Based Code Implementation in Texas
November 2008 - Dennis Wilson at Texas Society of Architects Annual Conference, Fort Worth, Texas.
Principles of Placemaking
November 2008 - Jim Richards at National “RailVolution: Building Better Communities through Transit” Conference, San Francisco, California.
Sustainable Communitites - Trends and Challenges
August 2008 - Dennis Wilson at Tarrant County Leadership Forum, Fort Worth, Texas.
Freehand Renaissance
July 2008 - Jim Richards at Florida Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects Conference, Jacksonville, Florida.
Drawing for a Digital Age
April 2008 - Jim Richards at Texas Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects Conference, Fort Worth, Texas.
Placemaking for the New Economy
March 2008 - Jim Richards at Round Rock Economic Development Council, Round Rock, Texas.
community activities
Fay Jones School of Architecture
Jim Richards is president-elect of the Advisory Board for the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas. Jim Richards has also served on the Executive Committee of the board.
Greater Dallas Planning Council
Dennis Wilson has been elected President of the Greater Dallas Planning Council. The GDPC is a highly regarded 63-year old civic organization which addresses planning issues in the Dallas region. It is comprised of business and financial leaders as well as planning and design professionals. He has served on the board of directors for more than 20 years in several capacities. In 2009 he served as the Vice President for Issues and in 2007-2008 he served on the Executive Committee as Secretary.
Congress for New Urbanism, North Texas Chapter
Dennis Wilson and Jim Richards are founding members of the North Texas Chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism. Dennis Wilson serves on the chapter’s Board of Directors.
River Legacy Foundation
Jim Richards serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors and is the immediate past president of the River Legacy Foundation, a non-profit advocating and funding conservation, recreation and environmental education on the Trinity River.
Vision North Texas
Jim Richards serves on the Advisory Board for Vision North Texas, which is spearheading long range planning efforts for the 16-county north Texas region.
Professional Advisory Boards
Jim Richards serves on the Professional Advisory Boards for LSU's Reich School of Landscape Architecture, the University of Arkansas School of Architecture, and the University of Texas at Arlington's Program in Landscape Architecture.