Oehme, van Sweden & Associates
Encyclopedia
Oehme, van Sweden & Associates http://www.ovsla.com/ (OvS) is a professional practice of landscape architecture
established in 1977 and located in Washington, DC. The firm is known for its artistic design solution
s that balance sustainable practices with concerns about life-cycle costs and maintenance.{cn}} Oehme, van Sweden's appreciation of nature and its processes inspired the firm's widely recognized "New American Garden" style. The approach is based on the year-round qualities of the natural environment and is driven by a deep understanding of natural science
.
The firm's widely diversified mix of clients includes federal-government agencies such as the National Park Service
, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Department of State, Smithsonian Institution
, Federal Reserve Board, American Battle Monuments Commission
, and the National Arboretum
as well as private institutions, universities, municipalities, private businesses and home owners.
Over the past decade, OvS has expanded landscape architectural services to include security design for federal government buildings in Washington, DC, and around the world. This work includes designing mission critical facilities in high-security locations such as the new United States Embassies in Kathmandu, Nepal
, and Kabul
, Afghanistan
. The firm’s security designs in Washington, DC, include perimeter security upgrades for the Federal Reserve System and perimeter security for the International Chanceries Center, a campus of twenty-two chanceries and Intelsat Headquarters located in an historic neighborhood. In every case, the designs are both contextual and functional, providing security within historic or culturally significant landscapes.
The professional staff consists of twelve landscape architects. The firm’s work has been chronicled in books, professional journals and popular periodicals. These include, Architecture in the Garden http://www.amazon.com/dp/0375501541 (2002), Gardening with Nature http://www.amazon.com/dp/0823020789(1997), and Gardening with Water http://www.amazon.com/dp/0679429468 (1995). The Arts and the Garden, scheduled for publication in 2010, is next in the series.
Landscape architecture
Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor and public spaces to achieve environmental, socio-behavioral, or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions...
established in 1977 and located in Washington, DC. The firm is known for its artistic design solution
Solution
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of only one phase. In such a mixture, a solute is dissolved in another substance, known as a solvent. The solvent does the dissolving.- Types of solutions :...
s that balance sustainable practices with concerns about life-cycle costs and maintenance.{cn}} Oehme, van Sweden's appreciation of nature and its processes inspired the firm's widely recognized "New American Garden" style. The approach is based on the year-round qualities of the natural environment and is driven by a deep understanding of natural science
Natural science
The natural sciences are branches of science that seek to elucidate the rules that govern the natural world by using empirical and scientific methods...
.
The firm's widely diversified mix of clients includes federal-government agencies such as the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Department of State, Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, Federal Reserve Board, American Battle Monuments Commission
American Battle Monuments Commission
The American Battle Monuments Commission is a small independent agency of the United States government. Established by Congress in 1923, it is responsible for:...
, and the National Arboretum
National Arboretum
National Arboretum may refer to*National Arboretum Canberra in Australia*National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas, UK*United States National Arboretum...
as well as private institutions, universities, municipalities, private businesses and home owners.
Over the past decade, OvS has expanded landscape architectural services to include security design for federal government buildings in Washington, DC, and around the world. This work includes designing mission critical facilities in high-security locations such as the new United States Embassies in Kathmandu, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, and Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
, Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. The firm’s security designs in Washington, DC, include perimeter security upgrades for the Federal Reserve System and perimeter security for the International Chanceries Center, a campus of twenty-two chanceries and Intelsat Headquarters located in an historic neighborhood. In every case, the designs are both contextual and functional, providing security within historic or culturally significant landscapes.
The professional staff consists of twelve landscape architects. The firm’s work has been chronicled in books, professional journals and popular periodicals. These include, Architecture in the Garden http://www.amazon.com/dp/0375501541 (2002), Gardening with Nature http://www.amazon.com/dp/0823020789(1997), and Gardening with Water http://www.amazon.com/dp/0679429468 (1995). The Arts and the Garden, scheduled for publication in 2010, is next in the series.