Hank White, FASLA

As founder of HMWhite in 1993, Hank White continues to lead the firm within its belief that the designed landscape is among the most perpetual and convincing forms of cultural expression and environmental accountability. Over three decades of practice, his work demonstrates the rejuvenating power of landscape. Working at all scales, from a small garden to large public open spaces, his work examines the dichotomy of nature and culture, where responsible and sensitive land cultivation is reconciled by fulfilling the necessities of contemporary life. His firm’s work represents an evidence-based design approach that respects natural ecologies as dynamic models that consistently inform its designs. As a consummate collaborator, he strives to create enduring places where people live, work, and play that inspire deeper connections between people and the natural world. Conventional boundaries between architecture and landscape, infrastructure and beauty are continuously explored while balancing environmental performance with human interaction.

Awarded Fellow in ASLA in 2012, his firm received an ASLA Honor Award in 2013 for the landscape design for Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Visitor Center – an exemplary fusion of building, landscape design, and ecological engineering. More recently, HMWhite has received multiple awards for Radio Park, a ¾ acre rooftop landscape destination on top of Radio City Music Hall at Rockefeller Center. His team’s work at the redevelopment of the Morgan North Post Office has been recognized with several industry awards for its 2-acre “office park” rooftop landscape. Known for his noteworthy collaborations with internationally celebrated architects, Hank’s reoccurring work with Renzo Piano Build Workshop began with the New York Times Lobby Garden – considered a NYC landscape landmark. His exemplary residential garden and urban landscape designs have been featured in numerous books and publications. His environmental stewardship extends into his board memberships on civic and environmental non-profit organizations. Hank has served on Harvard Graduate School of Design Alumni Council and has been nominated for Cooper Hewitt’s National Design Award.