About

Dennis Carmichael, FASLA, LEED AP

Principal

Dennis Carmichael, FASLA, LEED AP, is the founding principal of Carmichael Associates. He was a principal  with EDAW  for 30 years with a focus on placemaking in the public realm.  With dozens of built projects around the country, his work in public places is characterized by the use of narrative, cultural and historical references in landscape solutions.  Rather than a signature style, his approach to design is about revealing the special qualities of a given place, seeking to make the landscape visible, comprehensible and valuable.  Further, his work incorporates principles of sustainability at all levels and his projects have earned Silver, Gold, and Platinum ratings from LEED.

His work in the public realm has served as a catalyst for the revitalization of many American cities.  In Louisville, the West Main Street project has generated over $800 million dollars in private investment with new museums, hotels, restaurants, and residential uses lining the street.  In Chattanooga, Ross’s Landing and the Tennessee Aquarium stimulated a new riverfront neighborhood with over $300 million dollars in residential, retail, and cultural uses.  In Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park has spurred a new civic heart to that city with over a billion dollars in hotel, residential, commercial, and cultural uses around the park.

Dennis has received over forty design awards and his work has been published in such magazines as Landscape Architecture, Urban Land, and Architecture.  In 2006, he served as President of the American Society of Landscape Architects.  In 2009, he served as President of the Landscape Architecture Foundation, a national organization devoted to research and scholarship in sustainable landscapes.

awards

Award of Excellence: Crownsville Memorial Park; ASLA National; 2025

Presidents Award: Crownsville Memorial Park; Potomac Chapter ASLA; 2025

Honor Award: Crownsville Memorial Park; Maryland Chapter ASLA; 2025

Lifetime Achievement Award; Potomac Chapter ASLA; 2023

Landmark Award; Centennial Olympic Park; Georgia Chapter ASLA; 2022

Landmark Award: Wharf District Park; Boston Chapter ASLA; 2022

Merit Award: Packing House Courtyard: Potomac Chapter ASLA; 2022

Award of Excellence: Whetstone Brook Plan; Vermont Chapter ASLA; 2018

Commendation: Suitland Towne Square; Virginia Chapter ASLA; 2017

Honor Award: Whetstone Brook Plan; Potomac Chapter ASLA; 2017

ULI Award of Excellence: Dalian on the Park; Philadelphia Chapter; 2017

Merit Award: 3001 Washington Boulevard; Design Arlington Award; 2015

LEED Project of the Year: O’Neill Federal Office Building; USGBC National Capitol Region; 2014

People’s Choice Award: O’Neill Federal Office Building; AIA Chesapeake Bay Chapter; 2013

Merit Award: Wharf District Park;  Boston Chapter ASLA, 2010

Green Good Design Award: U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters; Chicago Athenaeum; 2009

Charter Award: Crystal City Master Plan; CNU; 2009

Honor Award: Wharf District Award; Maryland/Potomac Chapters ASLA; 2008

Merit Award:  North Shore Park; Maryland/Potomac Chapters ASLA; 2008

Merit Award: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; Maryland/Potomac Chapters ASLA; 2007

Honor Award: Woodland Park; Maryland/Potomac Chapters; 2006

Rudy Bruner Silver Award: Discovery Communications Headquarters; Bruner Foundation;  2005

Honor Award: International Friendship Park:  Ohio Chapter ASLA; 2004

Award for Excellence: Celebration, Florida; ULI; 2002

Who’s Who in the Southeast: 1998

Project of the Year: Ft Nelson Park; ABC Kentucky Chapter; 1998

Honor Award: Disney’s Boardwalk Resort; Georgia Chapter ASLA; 1996

Honor Award: Centennial Olympic Park; Georgia Chapter ASLA; 1996

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Annual Award; Belvedere Connecter; 1995

Honor Award: Penn State Research Park: Potomac Chapter ASLA; 1995

Honor Award: Sallie Mae headquarters; Potomac Chapter ASLA; 1994

Merit Award: 1100 Peachtree; Georgia Chapter ASLA; 1993

Merit Award: Dulles Corner; Potomac Chapter ASLA; 1991

Exceptional Amenity: Dulles Corner; Fairfax County Design Awards; 1989

APA Award: Dulles Corner; National Capital Chapter APA; 1988

APA Award: Wisner Property; Louisiana Chapter APA; 1986

APA Award: Jackson Downtown Plan; Mississippi Chapter APA; 1985

White House Award: Tenneco Regional Headquarters; American Association of Nurserymen; 1984