Professor Hurley-Kurtz is trained as a landscape architect and horticulturalist. Her design and research interests are currently focused on memorial and healing gardens with a strong emphasis on planting design incorporating native plants.
Professor Hurley-Kurtz led the design and installation of the Ernesta Ballard Healing Garden on the Ambler Campus of Temple University. The Healing Garden includes a labyrinth edged by meadows, woodland understory plantings, and a storm water management sequence including rain gardens, a vegetated swale and wet pond. This project was inspired by the 2006 Temple Flower Show Exhibit ‘Nature Nurtures, Mind, Body and Spirit’ developed in the Design Build Studio led by Professor Hurley-Kurtz. The garden was completed in 2010. Professor Hurley-Kurtz has presented the Ernesta Ballard Healing Garden project design and related research at the Environmental Design and Research Association (EDRA) and Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) conferences.
Professor Hurley-Kurtz was the design landscape architect for the award winning Philadelphia Irish Memorial project located at Front and Chestnut streets. The project was dedicated in 2003 and includes a large figurative bronze sculpture by Glenna Goodacre within a memorial park designed by Professor Hurley-Kurtz that recalls elements of the Irish and Pennsylvania landscapes. This project has led to extensive on-going research on Irish Memorials around the world.
The John Collins Drawing Collection is a recent project where Professor Hurley-Kurtz assisted in the development of a gift of twenty-nine drawings and prints to the Temple University School of Environmental Design and the Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Department. She was also the faculty coordinator for the permanent exhibit and interpretive graphics installed in 2011. In addition, she assisted in the development of the annual John Collins Drawing Award established in 2010. The award is given to a graduating senior in Landscape Architecture for excellence in drawing and is supported by a $6,000 grant from the PA/Del Chapter of the ASLA.
Courses taught by Professor Hurley-Kurtz include design studios at all levels of the Landscape Architecture curriculum and most recently LA Design Studios I and II. These are introductory studios and emphasize a sustainable approach to site design and community planning in both rural and urban contexts. The LA Design Studio II project ‘Moving Francisville Forward’, was team taught with Professor Kuper and has recently garnered student Honor Awards from the PA/Del chapter and national ASLA. Professor Hurley-Kurtz has also taught a number of technical courses including Planting Design and Engineering II also incorporating a sustainable ecologically based philosophy.
Teaching has been a catalyst for creative endeavor and research, resulting in peer reviewed papers, presentations and exhibits in the community.
Teaching Experience
Associate Professor, Temple University, Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture.
Professional Experience
Pauline Hurley-Kurtz, Landscape Architect – Principal
Wallace, Roberts and Todd - Landscape Architect
Roger Wells Inc. - Landscape Designer
Achievements
John F. Collins Permanent Drawing Collection and Student Award. Faculty Coordinator.
‘Moving Francisville Forward’ LA Design Studio II Project. Two ASLA Student Honor Awards for Analysis and Planning. Team taught with Professor Kuper.
The Ernesta Ballard Healing Garden. Faculty Coordinator for design and installation.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Best in Show Award, Philadelphia Flower Show. “The Poetic Landscape of Ireland” Exhibit. Exhibit Concept Design. LA Design-Build Studio, Faculty Coordinator with Horticulture Faculty, Staff and Students.
American Society of Landscape Architects, PA/Del Chapter Honor Award. “Nature Nurtures, Mind, Body, Spirit” Exhibit. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia Flower Show. Design Build Studio, Faculty Coordinator.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Award of Merit and Herb Society Award. Philadelphia Flower Show. "Nature Nurtures, Mind, Body, Spirit" Exhibit. LA Design Build Studio, Faculty Coordinator, with Horticulture Faculty, Staff and Students.
American Society of Landscape Architects, PA/Del Chapter Award of Merit. The Irish Memorial Project, Philadelphia.
City of Philadelphia Award of Recognition. For the Irish Memorial Landscape Design.
PAULINE HURLEY-KURTZ, MLA, RLA, ASLA