SCASLA Achievement Award
The judges highlighted the project’s strong research and analysis, with clear concepts and diagrams that were easy to understand. The evocative “Woven Basket” theme and precedent images brought a strong sense of place, while creative ideas like the tower walk stood out, even if they felt grand in scale. The sections and visuals were compelling, and the narrative showed thoughtful intent. Overall, a beautifully presented project with strong vision and creativity.
Rhythms of Place reimagines a long-vacant site at Crenshaw and Obama Boulevards, near the Expo/Crenshaw Metro station, as a public park and neighborhood gathering place. The site was cleared in 2013 in connection with Metro K Line construction and redevelopment plans. Following years of uncertainty about its future, the land remains vacant. The project proposes transforming this underutilized space into a community-serving civic landscape that responds to neighborhood needs and the corridor's rich cultural history.
Inspired by the jazz legacy of the Crenshaw–Leimert Park corridor, the design combines a central market with flexible spaces for recreation, play, and community events. Shaded gathering areas, a community garden, native planting, and stormwater features support everyday use and ecological health, while accessible pathways strengthen connections to transit and the surrounding neighborhood.
About
Charlie Leazer
My interest in landscape architecture grew from a longtime love of nature and an appreciation for design and the process of creating things. I enjoy understanding how things work, solving practical problems, and turning ideas into something tangible. My background in business has helped shape this approach, bringing a practical perspective to creative problem-solving.
I'm especially interested in how planting, natural systems, and thoughtful design come together to shape the spaces people use every day. My goal is to create harmonious landscapes that are both beautiful and functional, designed to benefit the communities they serve.