In Remembrance: Joseph E. Brown, FASLA

Joe Brown wearing the LAF Medal poses with Jacinta McCann — Joe Brown with Jacinta McCann at the LAF Awards Dinner after accepting the 2019 LAF Medal

November 4, 2024

We were saddened to learn that Joe Brown passed away on October 31 from Parkinson’s disease. Joe was a visionary for the landscape architecture discipline, and a long and loyal supporter of and advocate for the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF) and our mission.

Joe’s leadership and career accomplishments are widely known. As President and CEO of EDAW from 1992 to 2004, he guided the firm to international prominence and brought landscape architecture to global audiences. When the firm was acquired by AECOM in 2005, his continued leadership brought a landscape architecture perspective to the international multidisciplinary firm, creating new opportunities for impact at scale.

As a writer and thought leader, Joe always encouraged landscape architects to think big. He pushed the profession to take a leadership role in tying all aspects of built environment projects into a cohesive design, no matter how large or complex. He inspired landscape architects to step beyond their comfort zones to effect positive change by taking on non-traditional roles.

Over the years, many notable professionals have shared their memories of Joe and his impact on their careers, often quoting things Joe said that changed their trajectory.

Inspiring, enabling, learning and researching makes our profession stronger. One day a first-tier profession. I believe this and have spent my career helping people to think big, look around the next corner, take risks, and grow.

Joseph E. Brown, FASLA

Among the numerous awards Joe received in his long, influential career was the 2019 LAF Medal, our highest honor for individuals who have made a significant and sustained contribution to LAF’s mission. His colleagues prepared the video below for the awards dinner celebration.

Joe’s funeral will be on Monday November 11 at 10am at St Ignatius Church (650 Parker Street) in San Francisco, followed by a reception at 2pm at the University Club (800 Powell Street). LAF is touched and deeply grateful to be one of the organizations the family requested to make donations to in lieu of flowers:

The Joe Brown and Jacinta McCann Fund for Faculty Research at the Harvard Graduate School of Design - Additional giving details can be found here.
Landscape Architecture Foundation - Please include "In Honor & Memory of Joe Brown" in the memo line of a check or in the prompt for why you are making this online donation.

2019 LAF Medal Video