Robert Kuper is a licensed landscape architect in Pennsylvania and has practiced at Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Geller DeVellis in Boston, and Steve Martino Associates in Phoenix.
He received a B.S. in Environmental Design and an MLA from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. He has previously served as an adjunct instructor at Arizona State University and Philadelphia University.
In 2004, Rob decided to learn more about the landscape of his birthplace, Nebraska, by walking across it from west to east. The walk served as a catalyst for research regarding walking, the perception and use of space, time, and water in landscapes.
In addition, his diverse research interests include methods of representation; social, economic, and spatial implications of agriculture and immigration; vernacular landscapes, re-purposing materials, green roofs, and the aesthetics of ecologically based landscape architecture. Rob has authored or co-authored articles published in Landscape Architecture, Journal of Soil and Water Conservation, Landscape Architect and Specifier News, Land and Water Magazine, and Great Plains Quarterly.
Academic Experience
Temple University, Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture, Assistant Professor, 2007-Present; Senior Lecturer, 2006-07
Philadelphia University, School of Landscape Architecture, Adjunct Professor, 2006
Arizona State University, School of Architecture, Faculty Associate and Visiting Lecturer, 2006; Visiting Critic, 2005
University of Nebraska, School of Architecture, Visiting Critic, 2004
Auburn University, School of Architecture, Visiting Critic, 2003; Visiting Lecturer for 100th Anniversary Symposium, 2007
Professional Experience
Steve Martino & Associates, Landscape Architecture/Urban Design, Phoenix, AZ, Landscape Designer, 2005-06
Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc., Landscape Architecture, Cambridge, MA, Staff Designer, 2001-03
Exhibitions
Someday Café, Somerville, Massachusetts, “Recent Work: The Vendome,” 2004
Auburn University, School of Architecture, “Dirt, Sky, and Everything In Between,” 2002
Awards
Temple University Merit Award, Teaching/Instruction, 2006-07
Student Association Faculty Appreciation Award, Temple University Ambler, Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture, 2006-07
ASLA Student Honor Award, 2001
Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year, 2001, School of Architecture, Auburn University
Sigma Lambda Alpha, National Honor Society of Landscape Architects
MLA Design Book Award, 2000 & 2001, School of Architecture, Auburn University
Positions/Committees
ASLA Student Honor and Merit Award Program Chair, Temple University Ambler, Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture, 2007 & 2008
TURF CreWS Faculty Advisor, Temple Undergraduate Research Forum and Creative Works Symposium, Temple Ambler Student Panels 2007 & 2008
Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Student Association, Faculty Advisor, 2007-08
Sigma Lambda Alpha, Department Representative, Temple University Ambler, Landscape Architecture & Horticulture, 2007 – Present
Temple University Faculty Senate, School of Environmental Design Faculty Representative, 2007 – Present
Philadelphia Flower Show 2008, Director, “The Big Four Mississippi Meander”, Temple University Ambler
Student Mentor, Gwendolyn Johnson, Linwood Avenue Park Master Plan; Ardmore, PA; Spring 2008
Student Design Competition, Department of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture, Co-chair, Former Greenhouse and Classroom Sites, Spring 2008
Temple University Ambler ASLA Conference Tour Team, Temple University Ambler Arboretum and the Legacy of John Collins, Tour Wrangler, 3 October 2008, 8:30am to 12:30pm
Temple University Ambler Arboretum PECO Green Roof, Beautification and Visibility Project, Co-director with Dr. Mike Olszewski, Landscape Architecture Directed Studies Student coordinator/instructor, Summer 2008 to present
Undergraduate Research Incentive Fund (URIF), Faculty Mentor to Rebecca Kagle and Tim Garrett, Proposal granted for Temple Ambler Green Roof Periscopes, Spring 2009
Beury Hall Entrance and Courtyard Beautification Project, Leadership Academy Campus, Beautification Initiative, LAN ARC 3145 Design Studio Project, Fall 2008
Registration
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Certified Landscape Architect, 20 February 2008
Conference Presentations
Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) 39, Veracruz, Mexico, 28 May – 1 June 2008, “The Negotiation and Improvisation of Landscape: Recording Design-Build Ideas” – Paper Presentation, “Seeing the Plain: Visual Hydrology Beyond the 100th Meridian” – Poster Presentation
Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA), Tucson, Arizona, 14 – 17 January 2009, “A Distant View: Analyzing Metropolitan Perceptions of Agriculture in the American Great Plains.”
Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA) 40, Kansas City, Missouri, 27-31 May 2009, “Plain it Ain’t: The World-Economy and the Multi-Cultural Middle Landscape of the American Great Plains” as part of accepted half-day intensive session, “The Multicultural Landscape: Ethical, Social, Spatial, and Aesthetic Implications of Designing for Difference.”
Studio Projects
Landscape Architecture 2144 - Sophomore Studio - Spring 2009
Landscape Architecture 3145 - Junior Studio - Fall 2008
Landscape Architecture 3146 - Junior Studio - Spring 2008
Landscape Architecture 3145 - Junior Studio - Fall 2007
ROBERT KUPER, RLA, ASLA