Walter Hood is a landscape designer, artist, and educator. His innovative work integrates architecture, landscape, art, and urbanism to create spaces that reflect and enhance the social and historical contexts of their environments. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, Hood’s early experiences of the built environment and nature deeply influenced his career. He earned a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from North Carolina A&T State University, a master’s degree in architecture and landscape architecture from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master of fine arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1992, Hood founded Hood Design Studio in Oakland, California, where he leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to crafting spaces that resonate with and enrich their communities. His work reflects a deep passion for the democratic potential of landscape and urbanism, providing inclusive experiences that transcend traditional architectural constraints. By infusing African American cultural arts into his design philosophy, Hood has established a distinctive voice in the field of landscape architecture, transforming spaces to meet contemporary needs while honoring their historical context. Hood’s exceptional contributions to landscape architecture and urban design have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2019 MacArthur Fellowship, the 2021 Architectural League’s President’s Medal, and the Wall Street Journal Magazine’s 2023 Innovator Award in Design.
