What We Believe


A visitor to a place is a participant in that place. Recognizing this, we believe creating landscapes and architecture that offer unexpected opportunities for access and engagement can elevate the human experience, triggering reflection, awareness, and action on the part of visitors. Well-designed places can result in more sustainable relationships between ourselves, our communities, and the earth.

What We Do


At W Architecture and Landscape Architecture, we create meaningful places where city and nature come together and form new relationships. These new relationships work at multiple scales, connecting communities to one another, people to place, and places to natural systems. We have particular expertise working with urban waterfront sites, transforming neglected, marginal areas into vital places for people to gather and experience a diversity of life.

Our work is evolutionary: our designs are rooted in context, yet the effect can be catalytic. Our designs unlock potential for positive change and healthier, resilient communities. We grow places by examining the forces that exist at a site, creating new relationships that encompass physical, social, temporal, and political realms.

Who We Are


Barbara Wilks founded W Architecture and Landscape Architecture in 1999. With an international team of urban designers, architects, and landscape architects, we are able to bring an unusual breadth of capabilities to every job. With this professional diversity, we have an innately holistic approach to work, generating solutions that simultaneously solve challenges of scale, scope, and budget. Based in New York City, our award-winning projects are found throughout the world.

W Architecture - Studio

Barbara Wilks
Founding Principal, Architect / Landscape Architect


Barbara Wilks, FAIA, FASLA, founded W Architecture and Landscape Architecture in 1999 to create a design-oriented, multidisciplinary practice focused on urban issues. As a leader in design and interdisciplinary thinking, with over 40 years of experience in urban design, public, and institutional projects, she practices as both an architect and landscape architect. “Seen as a whole, we can no longer distinguish ‘Nature’ as a place apart or separate from human endeavor and habitation. We are immersed in and shaped by it. Embracing this is essential to how we live and design.”

Amy Mitchell
Managing Principal, Landscape Architect


Amy Mitchell is an award-winning and versatile landscape architect and project manager, whose work can be found in a range of settings from streets and schools to parks and specialized children’s environments around the country. In designing spaces, Amy strives to capture the spirit and the character of the communities that use them. To do so, she manages collaborative processes with extensive community outreach and needs assessments to uncover and reflect shared values.

Laquita Birch
Office and Financial Manager


With a degree in accounting and finance from New York University, it’s no surprise that Laquita enjoys solving Sudoku puzzles—“or anything with numbers.” Laquita joined W Architecture in 2000 as a bookkeeper and has grown with the office, now managing health, administration and financial matters.

Yi Lun Yang
Landscape Architect


Yi Lun Yang, RLA, is a Project Landscape Architect at W. She manages complex urban parks and landscape projects and is dedicated to shaping conceptual ideas into reality. Having worked on various urban waterfronts in the United States and internationally, both in planning and design, Yi Lun has gained diverse experience working with interdisciplinary teams on projects that address resilience, sustainability, and the uncertainties of climate change.

Yi Lun holds a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She believes that landscape could be a fundamental medium that transforms how we interact with the natural systems within cities. Her interest in design is creating inclusive urban spaces and unique landscapes that intrinsically blend with local history, culture, and ecology.

Qi An
Senior Landscape Designer


“I believe the sensation of a space creates memories and feelings. And that’s what connects us and our environment. I am learning and sensing the world, and trying to deliver the beautiful moments through every phenomenon of the landscape.” Qi received a Master of Landscape Architecture from Rhode Island School of Design.

Ian Dillon
Landscape Designer


Ian is dedicated to designing with communities, collaborating toward, and implementing a more just, resilient built environment. He is particularly interested in historical and contemporary forms of landscape representation and their ability to communicate complex ideas. Prior to joining W, Ian received a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the Ian L. McHarg Center.

Blair Guppy
Director of Landscape Architecture


Blair is a Canadian born licensed Landscape Architect currently living in Brooklyn, New York. With international design experience and technical expertise spanning two decades, he supports an interdisciplinary approach to design and remains a committed participant in our profession’s advocacy and discussion of the public realm.

Throughout his career, he’s dedicated himself to deepening his project management, technical, and professional knowledge beyond the confines of traditional practice to better understand and more closely engage the multi-disciplinary realities of our work – the psychological, artistic, and environmental values of placemaking. His design and management expertise are grounded in a comprehensive understanding of infrastructure and utility, knowledge of landscape materials and methods, and site construction. A solid understanding of the interconnectedness of both living and technological systems inform his ideas and how he resolves design opportunities.

Awards

W Architecture and Landscape Architecture has been recognized with many regional and national awards, including a 2005 American Institute of Architects National Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design for West Harlem Master Plan and Waterfront Park, 2004 American Society of Landscape Architects National Analysis and Planning Merit Award for West Harlem Master Plan and Waterfront Park, 2003 ASLA National Design Merit Award for the Tide Point Promenade in Baltimore, and a 2004 American Institute of Architects National Honor Award for the DOMA Gallery in Maryland. In addition, Barbara Wilks was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows in 1999 and to the ASLA College of Fellows in 2010 for excellence in design.

Selected Awards List

2022

ULI Global Award for Excellence,
St. Pete Pier Approach, St. Petersburg, FL

ULI Americas Award for Excellence,
St. Pete Pier Approach, St. Petersburg, FL

The Chicago Athenaeum,
International Architecture Award,
The Riverline, Buffalo, NY

The Chicago Athenaeum,
American Architecture Award,
The Riverline, Buffalo, NY

The Chicago Athenaeum,
The International Architecture Award,
St. Pete Pier Approach, St. Petersburg, FL

ASLA Honor Award,
The Riverline, Buffalo, NY

2021

American Architecture Award
The Chicago Athenaeum
St Petersburg Pier Approach

ASLA-NY Merit Award
ASLA NY Chapter
St Petersburg Pier Approach

ENR Southeast’s Best Projects Award
Best Project in Landscape / Urban Development
St Petersburg Pier Approach

Rosa Barba Prize Selection
11th Barcelona Biennale

Special Mention: Public Projects
A+Firms Awards, Architizer

 

2020

American Architecture Award
The Chicago Athenaeum
The Edge Park

Excellence on the Waterfront
Waterfront Center
The Pier Approach

Finalist, Category: Built – Large
WLA Awards
The Edge Park

Citation – Contribution to Community Life
AIA Design Awards, CT Chapter
Westport Library

2019

ASLA New York Chapter
Honor Award
Julian B Lane Park and River Center – Tampa, FL

ASLA New York Chapter
Merit Award
The Valley Beeline – Chouteau Greenway – St. Louis, MO

Chicago Athenaeum Good Green Design
Green Urban Planning/Landscape Architecture 2019
The Valley Beeline – Chouteau Greenway – St. Louis, MO

American Architecture Award
The Chicago Athenaeum
Julian B Lane Park – Tampa, FL

American Architecture Award
The Chicago Athenaeum
Julian B Lane River Center – Tampa, FL

Future of the Region Award
Julian B Lane Park & River Center – Tampa, FL

ENR Southeast Best Projects
Julian B Lane Park & River Center – Tampa, FL

2018

Architect’s Newspaper 2018 Best of Design Awards
Honorable Mention for Temporary Installation
85 Broad Street Ground Mural, New York, NY [Concept: W; Design: FXCollaborative]

Interior Design NYCxDESIGN Awards
Urban Landscape/Outdoor Finalist
85 Broad Street Ground Mural, New York, NY [Concept: W; Design: FXCollaborative]

Colorado ASLA
Merit Award
Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, Tampa, FL

2017

American Architecture Award
The Chicago Athenaeum
St Patrick’s Island – Calgary, AB

International Architecture Award
The Chicago Athenaeum
St Patrick’s Island – Calgary, AB

Merit Award for Built Projects
International Making Cities Livable
St Patrick’s Island – Calgary, AB

Public Design Commission
Award for Excellence in Design
Downtown Far Rockaway Urban Design & Streetscape Reconstruction

Public Design Commission
Award for Excellence in Design
Taxi & Limousine Commission Woodside

2016

Excellence on the Waterfront Awards
Waterfront Center
St Patrick’s Island

Fast Company Design Awards
Honorable Mention
St Patrick’s Island

Mayor’s Award
Urban Design Catalyst Calgary
St Patrick’s Island

National Urban Design Award
Royal Architecture Institute of Canada
St Patrick’s Island

AIA NY Chapter Design Awards
Urban Design Honor Award
Plaza 33

ASLA NY Chapter Design Awards
Honor Award
Plaza 33

2015

Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
Regional Merit Award
St. Patrick’s Island

ASLA Denver Chapter
President’s Award of Excellence
St. Patrick’s Island

2014

AIA NY Chapter Design Awards
Urban Design Merit Award
St. Patrick’s Island

2012

AIA NY Chapter
Merit Award
Cornell University, Human Ecology Building

ASLA NY Chapter
Merit Award
The Edge Park

“Making City” Exhibit at Rotterdam Biennale, NYC Department of City Planning
The Edge Park

2011

Glipses 2040: NY/Amsterdam Exhibit
NYC Center for Architecture

St Patricks Island Competition
First Place (w/ Civitas)

2010

MASterworks Awards

Neighborhood Catalyst

West Harlem Piers Park

2009

Honor Award

ASLA NY Chapter

West Harlem Piers Park

Honor Award

The Waterfront Center

West Harlem Piers Park

American Architecture Awards

Sheik Rashied Bin Saeed Crossing

In partnership with FXFowle International, LLC

Role: Landscape Architecture

Merit Award

AIA New York Chapter

Sheik Rashied Bin Saeed Crossing

Dubai Roads and Transport Authority

In partnership with FXFowle International, LLC

Role: Landscape Architecture

2008

Honorable Mention

Architectural Review Award Cityscape Dubai Future Projects

Mixed Use Waterfront Development Plan

UAE Winner

First Place

The Sixth Crossing, Dubai Creek Bridge Design Competition

Dubai Roads and Trans. Authority

In partnership with FXFowle

Role: Landscape Architecture

2007

Honorable Mention

Envisioning Gateway Competition

Van Alan Institute, NPCA, Columbia U., and Tiffany and Co.

2006

Citation

American Institute of Architects

New York State

West Harlem Piers Master Plan

Second Prize – competition

Seoul Performing Arts Center

2005

National Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design

American Institute of Architects

West Harlem Master Plan and Waterfront Park

2004

Merit Award

National Analysis and Planning American Society of Landscape Architects

West Harlem Master Plan and Waterfront Park

National Honor Award

American Institute of Architects

DOMA Gallery

Excellence in Construction Award

Associated Builders and Contractors

DOMA Gallery

2003

National Design Merit Award

American Society of Landscape Architects

Tide Point

Design Excellence Award

AIA New York Chapter

DoMa Gallery

Honorable Mention

“Designing the High Line”

Competition

Friends of the High Line

2002

Design Excellence Award

Tide Point Waterfront

AIA Maryland

Juried Exhibition

The Physical Fitness of Cities

Tide Point Waterfront Park

Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City

2001

Maryland Smart Growth Award

Tide Point Office Waterfront Park

Baltimore Heritage Preservation Society Award

Tide Point Office Campus & Waterfront Park

Award for Design Merit Award

Eubie Blake National Jazz Museum

AIA Baltimore

2000

Award for Design Excellence

AIA Baltimore

Flemming Community Center

1999

Award for Design Excellence AIA Baltimore

Baltimore City Garage

1998

Honor Award

AIA Maryland

Bryn Mawr Science Building

1997

Grand Design Award

AIA Baltimore

Bryn Mawr Science Building

1993

Award for Design Excellence

AIA Baltimore

Camden Station

1996

Award for Design Excellence

AIA Baltimore

Eubie Blake National Jazz Museum & Cultural Center

1992

Award for Excellence

AIA Baltimore

Central Corridor Light Rail

Grand Award for Design

AIA Baltimore

Bryn Mawr School

1990

Award for Design Excellence

AIA Baltimore

Cho, Wilks & Benn Offices

1987

Award for Design Excellence

AIA Baltimore

Goucher College, Elizabeth Connolly Todd Dance Studio

1986

Third Prize

Coldspring Newtown National Competition

City of Baltimore National Association of Home Builders

Merit Award

Charles Plaza Renaissance '86

1984

Award Distinctive Residential Architecture, Baltimore Magazine

Ridgely's Delight Housing

Award for Distinctive Residential Architecture, Baltimore Magazine

Orphan Alley

1983

Award in Design Excellence

AIA Baltimore

Orphan Alley

1982

Award in Design Excellence

AIA Baltimore

Brown's Arcade

1980

First Place (competition)

Inner Harbor Piers 5 and 6 AIA Baltimore

Publications

2021

Dynamic Geographies, Barbara Wilks, ORO Editions

2018

Morabito, Valerio.“Water ‘Scape – West Harlem Piers Park”  PAYSAGE TOPSCAPE, isuue33, 2018

WillisBeverly.“Unknown New York – The City That Women Built”Beverly Willis Architecture Foundation (BWAF), June 6, 2018

2017

Ahel, Ana.”Ekon Chic”Elle Decoration Magazine Croatia”, March, 2017.

2016

Barbanel, Josh. “Urban Sanctuary Takes Shape Near West Street”The Wall Street Journal, July 21, 2016

Wilks, Barbara. “Going With The Flow” Parks & Rec Business, September, 2016

“St Patrick’s Island” International new Landscape, 09.10.2016.

Landscape Architecture Korea, Issue 342, 10.2016, pgs 16-27
2015

Zarate, Mozes. “At Plaza 33, a Break From the Crowd”The Wall Street Journal, Thursday August 27, 2015

 

Polsky, Sara. “Here Are Five Wacky Visions of New York City in 2040” CurbedNY, June 15, 2011.

Dailey, Jessica. “Penn Station’s New Public Plaza Is Actually Kind of Nice” CurbedNY. August 10, 2015.

2014
Structuring Confluence: The Work of W Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Structuring Confluence: The Work of W Architecture and Landscape Architecture

2012
Lasky, Julie. “The Edge is the Center” Landscape Architecture Magazine, June, 2012.

Lasky, Julie. “The Edge is the Center” Landscape Architecture Magazine, June, 2012.

Silvestro, Tyler. “Troy, Troy Again! Architects revamping an Aging Waterfront”AN Blog, April 9, 2012.

Silvestro, Tyler. “Troy, Troy Again! Architects revamping an Aging Waterfront”AN Blog, April 9, 2012.

Mcmurray, Jenna. “St. Patrick’s Island Extreme Makeover Edition” Calgary Herald, 3, April 26, 2012.

Mcmurray, Jenna. “St. Patrick’s Island Extreme Makeover Edition” Calgary Herald, 3, April 26, 2012.

Pinet, Sophie. “Un Musee Suspendu” French Architectual Digest, 48-49, April 2012.

Pinet, Sophie. “Un Musee Suspendu” French Architectual Digest, 48-49, April 2012.

2009
“West Side Pier Helps Bridge Greenway Gap” NY1. May 20, 2009.

“West Side Pier Helps Bridge Greenway Gap” NY1. May 20, 2009.

“Expanding the Long and Linear Open Space” Landscape Architect China, May 20, 2009: 08-17.

“Expanding the Long and Linear Open Space” Landscape Architect China, May 20, 2009: 08-17.

Son, Seok Beom. “West Harlem Piers Park” ELA: Environment, & Landscape Architecture of Korea 253, May 2009: 58-67.

Son, Seok Beom. “West Harlem Piers Park” ELA: Environment, & Landscape Architecture of Korea 253, May 2009: 58-67.

Son, Seok Boem. “Tide Point” ELA: Environment & Landscape Architecture of Korea 252, April 2009: 58-67.

Son, Seok Boem. “Tide Point” ELA: Environment & Landscape Architecture of Korea 252, April 2009: 58-67.

2007
Dal Verne, Enzo. “La Grande Mela Verde.” LUNA magazine. October 2007.

Dal Verne, Enzo. “La Grande Mela Verde.” LUNA magazine. October 2007.

Pollak, Linda.

Pollak, Linda. “The Landscape for Urban Reclamation.” Lotus 128, Summer 2007: 36-45

2005
Scheineson, Andrew. “Officials Start Pier Renewal: Bloomberg Announces $18.7 Construction Plan for New Harlem Pier.” Daily Columbia Spectator. 1 Nov 2005: 1,4.

Scheineson, Andrew. “Officials Start Pier Renewal: Bloomberg Announces $18.7 Construction Plan for New Harlem Pier.” Daily Columbia Spectator. 1 Nov 2005: 1,4.

Schwartz, Neal J.Z., ed. “Constellations of Hope.” Emergent Memory: The National AIDS Memorial Competition. 2005: 62-63.

Schwartz, Neal J.Z., ed. “Constellations of Hope.” Emergent Memory: The National AIDS Memorial Competition. 2005: 62-63.

Jones, Will. “Radical Approaches to Contemporary Housing: New Residential Architecture: DoMa Gallery.” New Residential Architecture. 2005: 164-167.

Jones, Will. “Radical Approaches to Contemporary Housing: New Residential Architecture: DoMa Gallery.” New Residential Architecture. 2005: 164-167.

“American Institute of Architects: 2005 Honor Awards: 10. West Harlem Waterfront Park.” Architectural Record. May 2005: 151.

“American Institute of Architects: 2005 Honor Awards: 10. West Harlem Waterfront Park.” Architectural Record. May 2005: 151.

“West Harlem Master Plan and Waterfront Park” Landscape Design. 2005: 14

“West Harlem Master Plan and Waterfront Park” Landscape Design. 2005: 14

“Barn Raising: Two art lovers turn a dilapidated barn at their weekend farm near Baltimore into a guesthouse that uniquely connects the old with the new.” House Beautiful. May 2005: 84-90.

“Barn Raising: Two art lovers turn a dilapidated barn at their weekend farm near Baltimore into a guesthouse that uniquely connects the old with the new.” House Beautiful. May 2005: 84-90.

Boschi, Antonello. “Doma Gallery 2003.” Case in vetro. Milano: Federico Motta Editore. 2005:336-45.

Boschi, Antonello. “Doma Gallery 2003.” Case in vetro. Milano: Federico Motta Editore. 2005:336-45.

2004
Buiso, Gary. “Red Hook: Waterfront Hamlet?: New Vision For Downtown Community.” Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill Courier. Vol. XXVLI No.15, 12 April 2004: 1, 8.

Buiso, Gary. “Red Hook: Waterfront Hamlet?: New Vision For Downtown Community.” Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill Courier. Vol. XXVLI No.15, 12 April 2004: 1, 8.

2003
Hoffberger, Catherine. “Shining Through: Even with two of its original walls gone, this structure remains a barn at heart.” Style: Smart Living in Baltimore. Dec 2003:174-181.

Hoffberger, Catherine. “Shining Through: Even with two of its original walls gone, this structure remains a barn at heart.” Style: Smart Living in Baltimore. Dec 2003:174-181.

To the Point

Freeman, Allen. “To the Point.” Landscape Architecture. Nov 2003: 2-11.

DoMa Gallery Baltimore County, Maryland

Amelar, Sarah. “DoMa Gallery Baltimore County, Maryland.” Architectural Record. July 2003.

Designing the High Line: Ideas for Reclaiming 1.5 Miles of Manhattan

“Designing the High Line: Ideas for Reclaiming 1.5 Miles of Manhattan.” High Line. 2003:306-307.

2002
Principles for the Rebuilding of Lower Manhattan

“Principles for the Rebuilding of Lower Manhattan.” New York Visions. 2002 Feb: 8-9.

“Designed Landscape Forum III: Tide Point.” Land Forum 13: The International Review of Landscape Architecture Garden Art Environmental Planning and Urban Design. 3rd ed, 2002

“Designed Landscape Forum III: Tide Point.” Land Forum 13: The International Review of Landscape Architecture Garden Art Environmental Planning and Urban Design. 3rd ed, 2002

“Project 2002: W Architecture: DoMa Gallery House.” GA Houses. 70, 2002: 52-53.

“Project 2002: W Architecture: DoMa Gallery House.” GA Houses. 70, 2002: 52-53.