James Lord founded Surfacedesign in 2001 and brings 27 years of experience to his role as Design Critic at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. He leads the firm’s diverse portfolio of award-winning landscapes and has established Surfacedesign’s international reputation in urban design and sustainable landscape architecture. Notable projects include the Western Reclamation–Wynyard Quarter Waterfront Masterplan in New Zealand, Long Bay Regional Development in New Zealand, Auckland International Airport, Highbrook Business Park, and the AIA-award winning Smithsonian Masterplan in the United States. His work on the Golden Gate Bridge's 75th Anniversary Plaza and the ASLA award-winning IBM Plaza in Honolulu further exemplifies his commitment to innovative design. James' ideals balance cultural and ecological considerations with design vision and fiscal realities, ultimately creating poetic spaces and experiences that resonate whether in large or small projects.
Harvard Graduate School of Design • Gund 405
Visiting Faculty with expertise in landscape architecture and urban design.