ASLA announced its 2012 Professional Awards two days ago and I recognized a few of the projects. The awards are given in several categories: General Design, Residential Design, Analysis and Planning, Communications, Research, Collaboration and Community Service. Over several posts I will showcase the landscapes I have seen or can easily visit. The list includes 200 5th Avenue (NYC), National 9/11 Memorial (NYC), and Powell Street Promenade (San Francisco) which is featured below. On my way to Union Square in May, I took out my camera as soon as I saw the Powell Street Promenade designed by Hood Design Studio of Oakland, Calif. The materials and forms stand-out against the traditional materials lining this iconic San Francisco street. The promenade received a Honor Award in the General Design Category. Here is the project statement from ASLA website: On one of the busiest thoroughfares in San Francisco, four city blocks of parallel parking are replaced with a new pedestri