Module 2 | Generative Planting at Scale: Systems Design for Ecological Impact

Thomas Rainer is a registered landscape architect, teacher, and author living in Arlington, Virginia. Thomas, a leading voice in ecological landscape design, has designed landscapes for the U.S. Capitol grounds, Arlington National Cemetery, and The New York Botanical Garden, as well as over 100 gardens from Maine to Florida. He is a celebrated public speaker who has garnered acclaim for his passionate presentations to audiences across the U.S. and in Europe. Thomas serves as a Principal for the landscape architectural firm Phyto Studio in Washington, D.C.

Chris Landau has significantly contributed to the field of landscape architecture for over 16 years, focusing on the integration of computational design and storytelling. Land Kit, a parametric software he developed, hastens design iteration, pairing ideation with performance metrics. Users shape their concepts based on site criteria (grading and planting) and urban ecology goals (stormwater and carbon) in real time in a fluid iterative process. Chris’s tools enhance creative exploration while bolstering sustainable practices. Before founding LANDAU Design+Technology in 2018, Chris led OLIN’s technology and visualization group for eleven years.

Xun Liu, a lecturer at the University of Southern California and a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Virginia, specializes in the theory and application of AI in landscape architecture. Her extensive research covers AI in landscape visualization, generative design, and quantitative studies. With academic credentials from Harvard GSD and Tongji University and professional experience in NYC, Boston, and Shanghai, Liu acts as a technology consultant for leading landscape firms, developing computational methods and customized tools/workflows. She is dedicated to incorporating AI into landscape education, integrating AI tools into representation courses and design studios.

Lacy Shelby works at the intersection of landscape architecture and artificial intelligence (AI). A researcher and leader in infrastructure adaptation, she utilizes generative AI and digital twins to design future cities optimized for ecological performance. Her doctoral research examines the design of urban landscapes within modeled climate futures, focusing on their ecological functionality. Lacy leverages AI to explore operationalizing large-scale climate infrastructure solutions within existing and speculative policy frameworks. Previously, she held leadership roles in NYC's Green Infrastructure and Resiliency Units, where she championed climate-resilient design following Hurricane Sandy. Lacy currently serves as Deputy Director of Terminal Operations for the Staten Island Ferry, the world's busiest passenger-only ferry, where she leads efforts in planning, designing and implementing resilient coastal infrastructure.