Join AIA Southwest Wisconsin for a screening of SITTING STILL.

Sitting Still is a documentary portrait of Laurie Olin, widely regarded as one of the most influential landscape architects of the modern era. Through his lifelong practice of wandering cities with a sketchbook in hand, observing, drawing, and reflecting, Olin has helped shape the public spaces where Americans gather, connect, and engage with their communities. The film explores landmark projects such as Bryant Park, Columbus Circle, and the Washington Monument Grounds, while highlighting Olin’s belief that public spaces should serve as democratic civic assets rather than mere decoration. Featuring insights from Frank Gehry, Billie Tsien, and Walter Hood, the documentary celebrates both the artist and the enduring importance of the spaces between our buildings.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze urban open space strategies that promote equitable public welfare - Evaluate design frameworks demonstrated in projects like Bryant Park and Columbus Circle to identify spatial layouts, seating options, and accessibility measures that encourage social inclusion, prevent privatization, and serve diverse public demographics.
• Evaluate landscape interventions for environmental resilience and climate adaptation - Examine nature-based design solutions featured in the film—such as urban canopy expansion, stormwater management, and soft-edge coastal strategies—to mitigate urban heat island effects and protect communities against natural hazards.
• Formulate site design approaches that protect public safety and physical well-being - Assess site circulation, pedestrian-vehicle separation, and active threat/perimeter security design (as highlighted in the Washington Monument Grounds project) to improve occupant safety without compromising site accessibility or human scale.
• Apply observational hand-drawing and field-sketching techniques as programming tools - Utilize direct site-observation methods and freehand visual documentation to analyze complex site conditions, historical contexts, and microclimates during the pre-design and programming phases.

Submitted for AIA/CES approval

No refunds day of event. 

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