“Without creativity there can be no innovation, only blind allegiance to principles set before us,” said Sean Henderson, a third year Landscape Architecture graduate student.

Henderson’s words are more than eloquent. They are the force behind his and fellow student Matt Capps’ exceptional thesis work that the American Society of Landscape Architects has recognized.

The students’ work is commendable for both exceeding and deviating from expectations.

Capps worked in Dauphin Island, Ala. where he developed a plan for future inhabitation of the island that adapts to the dynamic forces at play on this shifting terrain. He studied various models of resilience. Capps’ recommendations for the island attempt to protect and enhance critical ecosystems while also building a sustainable social and economic infrastructure. His study of the island’s geomorphology, ecology, cultural history and contested needs and desires has supported his design proposals for a more resilient future.

Meanwhile, Sean Henderson has been employing his talents at an edge district of Memphis, Tenn. called the Art Farm. His challenge has been to contribute to this organic and tribal network of alleys and other vital spaces, while improving the area without disturbing the modesty that allows it to thrive below the radar. Henderson’s explorations through modeling, drawing and photography have placed him as a leader in design for indeterminacy.

Michael Robinson and Jocelyn Zanzot co-taught the thesis students. Zanzot anticipated greatness from the start.

“We are not surprised by the honor, only because both students in their own ways have demonstrated that landscape architecture can generate significant new knowledges,” Zanzot said. “Each of these students has developed compelling propositions regarding interventions in the built environment in two very different dynamic and vulnerable urban landscapes.”

Even though Henderson has been at work on his thesis project for about a year, he’s still a bit shocked by all of the attention.

“I was very surprised,” Henderson said. “I was nominated on a Thursday, presented on a Saturday and found out I won on a Sunday. It wasn’t until Saturday that I even knew what I was nominated for [an award].”

A few weeks ago, both works were presented to an awards jury composed of three professional landscape architects and one faculty member.

But the jury was not at all obligated to grant the award, making this even more meritorious for Capps and Henderson.

- Stephen Stock with contributions from Prof. John Pittari and Prof. Jocelyn Zanzot.