OSD Principal Simon David to present at the fay jones school of architecture
February, 2024 - OSD will present recent work, and discuss the power of multidisciplinary design as we collectively face a rapidly changing planet.
FROM HOTEL TO HOUSING: New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) ANNOUNCE NEW HOUSING FOR FORMERLY HOMELESS AND LOW INCOME
December, 2023 - OSD in collaboration with clients Slate Property Group, and A/E team Aufgang and Studio Parallel design an adaptively re-used former hotel to provide housing for over 300 New Yorkers. The project emphasizes sustainability, community, biophilia, housing, and fresh food.
“Digging our city out of this severe housing shortage will require every tool in our toolbox, and our administration helped win an important fight to add this hotel conversions” —New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
“This significant investment will help to bring our state one step closer to building the affordable, supportive, and sustainable homes that New Yorkers deserve” —Governor Kathy Hochul
“This conversion project provides us with a model for how to create new housing quickly, at a time where so many New Yorkers need an affordable place to live” —Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce
OSD AWARDED FIRST WINNER IN RETHINKING THE FUTURE’S GLOBAL ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN AWARDS FOR URBAN DESIGN
November, 2023 - Rethinking the Future announces OSD as winner in Urban Design category for the master plan of Cato Springs, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Over 1,200 entries were submitted to this year’s international awards platform. The project has already broken ground, and design is ongoing.
OSD BREAKS GROUND ON A NEW 230 ACRE MIXED-USE COMMUNITY INTEGRATING NEURODIVERSITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND NATURE-BASED LIVING IN THE HEART OF ARKANSAS’ OZARKS
June, 2023 - In collaboration with SLS, South Cato Springs LLC, the City of Fayetteville, Crafton Tull, and Core, OSD designs a master plan in Fayetteville, AR, which is grounded in health, wellness, and lifelong success for neurodivergent adults and other residents of Northwest Arkansas. OSD’s plan for the new mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood includes much-needed workforce housing, a town square, a center for the University of Arkansas Medical School (UAMS), urban agricultural areas and open recreational spaces that tie into the region's bike paths. The project commences with a $3 million Community Project Funding award from the federal government secured by Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3), and a matching $3.48 million grant from the City of Fayetteville.
"As Northwest Arkansas undergoes significant growth, we believe new development must find a way to enhance the quality of both the human experience and the natural environment. South Cato Springs presents an exceptional opportunity to create a new paradigm for inclusive living where neurodivergent adults can live and thrive in harmony with nature and the broader community, while honoring and revealing the beauty of the Ozarks." - Simon David
ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT GAZETTE REPORTS ON ALICE WALTON’S AMBITIONS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HEALTH
May, 2023 - The new Alice Walton School of Medicine is designed to improve access to health, nature, fresh food, arts, and education through a holistically integrated environment of indoor and outdoor spaces.
ONE OF NYC’S MOST SUSTAINABLE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS BREAKS GROUND WITH ICONIC BROOKLYN LANDSCAPES REIMAGINED BY OSD
May, 2023 - OSD, Slate Property Group and non-profit RiseBoro Community Partnership broke ground on one of the most sustainable affordable housing developments ever constructed in New York City. The mixed-use project at 326 Rockaway Avenue in Brownsville has been designed as an all-electric passive house that uses zero fossil fuel for heating and operations, and includes a rooftop solar array to offset energy use. Slate appointed OSD to design a welcoming, warm haven for those in need. With a landscape rooted in history and a program that encourages healthy food, exercise and play, OSD designed an outdoor experience that nurtures the mind, body and spirit—the foundations of prosperity.
GROUNDBREAKING FOR ENVIRONMENT OF healing, art, and community at the alice walton school of medicine in arkansas
March, 2023 - Together with staff and the community of Bentonville, Arkansas, OSD and Polk Stanley Wilcox celebrated the commencement of construction on 14 acres of land dedicated to the new medical education facility. The ceremony featured remarks from newly appointed Founding Dean and CEO, Dr. Sharmila Makhija, Founder and Philanthropist, Alice Walton, and Principal of OSD, Simon David, among others. Designed to facilitate a holistic healing and learning environment outdoors, the 14 acre landscape is about the health of mind, body, and spirit, and features farm gardens, biking and walking trails, healing gardens, outdoor classrooms, and a 2-acre rooftop that combines a cafe, hill climb, overlook, and woodland amphitheater.
the financial times reports on the importance of play + art at the shepherd
December, 2022 - The Financial Times reports on the “The Playground Project - How the Art of Play Became a Global Movement for Good”, highlighting the work of The Shepherd.
Quoting Rochelle Riley, Detroit’s Director for Arts and Culture: “there’s no question that art should be an integral part of the urban landscape, and not just because every child deserves to have access to it for free. Marry art and play and you have a unique opportunity to reinvigorate rundown areas and bring together communities. These spaces encourage us to slow down, to engage with the environment and with each other, to collaborate and come up with fresh ideas.”
plans for green city in richmond, va, unveiled
November, 2022 - Plans for Green City have been recently unveiled in the latest step for this adaptive re-use project that aims to re-purpose the old Best Headquarters, and infuse the site with paths and destinations immersed in local ecology.
south cato springs master plan revealed in arkansas democrat gazette
October, 2022 - OSD, in collaboration with Crafton Tull and Core Architects, has developed a master plan for over 200 acres in Fayetteville Arkansas, which creates a new home for SLS—a neurodiverse community—offering new models for living, working, and playing within the beauty of the Ozark’s Kessler mountain foothills. Congressional funding has been obtained for initial infrastructural work. The Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette reports on the unveiled plans.
Forbes reports on upcoming opening of Hôtel Barrière Fouquet’s New York
August, 2022 - OSD is working with hospitality group Hôtel Barrière Fouquet, Caspi Development, and MBDS interior design on a new 5-star hotel in Tribeca, NY.
The new Five-Star hotel will bring lush outdoor spaces from sidewalk to rooftop, adding elegance and tranquility to a world class hospitality experience in the heart of Manhattan. Read Forbes’ article below!
Design revealed for Alice L Walton School of Medicine
June, 2022 - The Alice L Walton School of Medicine releases details of its plans for an institution for health education on the Crystal Bridges Campus. The OSD-led landscape scheme at the new School of Medicine will be seamlessly fused to the Whole Health Institute and Crystal Bridges via a network of bike and walking trails weaving through a dense patch of Ozakarian forest spread across the larger campus. This, as a press announcement described, will create a “link between art, nature and healing for a holistic learning environment.”
OSD to present at architect’s newspaper’s outdoor spaces conference
May, 2022 - OSD principal Simon David to present at Architect’s Newspaper’s conference “Outdoor Spaces”, along with Snohetta, Sasaki, James Corner Field Operations, Terremoto, Nelson Byrd Woltz, Olin, and Rios. Principal Simon David will join Field Operations’ principals Megan Born and Sarah Astheimer for Panel 2: “The Past is Present is Future: Living Landscapes”.
Architect’s Newspaper Highlights OSD’s work
Architect’s Newspaper highlights OSD’s work alongside leaders in the profession.
OSD principal simon david presents at “reinventing public space” conference
March, 2022 - OSD will present at this the “Reinventing Public Space” Conference. University of Detroit Mercy, in collaboration with Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Architecture de Normandie are hosting a conference on public space and the potential for Business Improvement District’s to recast our open space as thriving social and ecological territories.
osd selected by ny state for reimagine the canals design services
February, 2022 - OSD has been selected for multidisciplinary design services for NYPA’s Reimagine the Canals initiative, announced by The New York State Governor in January of 2020, which aims to adaptively reuse canal infrastructure to improve the health and well-being of New York’s Canal communities.
Reimagine the Canals’ core ambitions include: Economic Development, Renewed Recreational Opportunities and Resilience, and Regional Focus.
AIA new york features the shepherd ‘in the news’
Dec 2021 - The Shepherd is featured ‘In the News’ by AIA New York.
NY TIMES FEATURES new art campus in detroit by library street collective
October, 2021 - The New York Times reveal OSD’s design for 2.5 acres of publicly accessible park and gardens in Detroit, as part of The Shepherd, a new Arts Campus developed by JJ and Anthony Curis of Library Street Collective. Included in the Arts Campus will be a new skatepark by Tony Hawk, a Sculpture + Play park dedicated to the Legacy of local artist Charles McGee, which is supported by Dan and Jennifer Gilbert, and the adaptive reuse of several historic buildings, led by building architects Peterson Rich Office and Undecorated.
OSD AWARDED ARCHITECTURE + LANDSCAPE TERM CONTRACT FOR JERSEY CITY
OSD|Outside is thrilled to be awarded a term contract with Jersey City, NJ, for Architectural, Landscape Architectural & Engineering services! Woohoo!
We are honored to be joined by our teammates: One Architecture & Urbanism (ONE), Hatfield Group, Dagher Engineering, PLLC, DGA, Stuart-Lynn Company, Inc
osd to present at walk bike places
June, 2021 - OSD will present recent projects that transform streetscapes into social spaces at this year’s Walk, Bike, Places conference. The hybrid conference will be online and in Indianapolis, between Tuesday, June 15 - Friday, June 18. Look forward to seeing you there!
St john’s college features alum and osd principal Simon David
May, 2021 - OSD Principal Simon David discusses OSD’s creative process, the need for interdisciplinary practice in a time of climate adaptation, and the importance of learning from indigenous cultures.
OSD speaks at Urbanism Next Conference
March, 2021 - OSD principal Simon David discusses recent visioning projects and the potential for crisis to positively change our cities and public space through human-centered design, with Jerome Unterreiner of ZGF Architects and Alessandra Galletti of Project for Public Spaces
OSD shares plan for streetscapes and waterfront connections in easton, pa
February, 2021 - OSD presents their plan for Easton, PA. Working in collaboration with Easton Main Street Initiative and Pennsylvania Downtown Center as part of the Design for Distance program, the plan combines urban design and public art to create walkable and bikeable connections between the historic Centre Square and the city’s waterfront, thereby rebuilding the historic city grid and reconnecting the city to its riverfront edge once severed by urban renewal.
OSD Principal Simon David on Jury for World Landscape Architect Awards
February 2021 - OSD Principal Simon David is selected to serve on the World Landscape Architect Awards, and is honored to join an incredible group of international colleagues on the jury, including Chris Fannin (InSite), Claire Agre (Unknown Studio), Martin Koenig (Martha Schwartz Partners), and Monika Nair (Atkins)
OSD selected to the walton family foundation design excellence program
January 2021 - OSD is excited to be selected by the Walton Family Foundation’s Design Excellence Program as one of 22 firms nationwide to join or remain in the Northwest Arkansas Design Excellence Program. Other firms included this year are Todd Williams Billie Tsien Architects, Marlon Blackwell Architects, Michael Maltzan Architecture, Modus Studio, and SCAPE. We are looking forward to continued work in the NW Arkansas region.
Architect’s Newspaper recognizes OSD in 2020 Best of the Best Awards!
December 2020 - OSD is honored to be recognized by Architect’s Newspaper for our work in collaboration with Project for Public Spaces and our client - Flatirion/23rd Street Partnership - for a master plan that reimagines streetscapes and public space during the COVID period.
OSD honored to be selected for PA Downtown Center’s Design for Distance
November 2020 - OSD|Outside is extremely honored to be working with Pennsylvania Downtown Center and Easton Main Street Initiative to develop a plan for social distancing in the City of Easton, Pennsylvania. OSD is one of four firms — including SmithGroup, Bergmann Associates, and Navarro & Wright — to be working with downtowns across Pennsylvania. We look forward to sharing more soon!
OSD receives award from Rethinking the Future Architecture Awards
November 2020 - OSD receives a Third Award for Urban Design for the proposal to double the area of Madison Square Park in the form of bicycle paths and pedestrian zones as a way to provide safe social distancing during the COVID period.
OSD receives az merit award
September 2020 - OSD receives a merit award from a field of over 1,200 projects for ‘Farm to City’, the design for Gotham Greens’ new urban agricultural developments in urban US communities, which provide hyper-local food for hyper-local neighborhoods.
AM New York covers OSD’s plans for Flatiron & nomad during COVID
August, 2020 - AM New York reports on OSD’s plans for the Flatiron & NoMad district during the COVID period. OSD is working in collaboration with Project for Public Spaces on behalf of the Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership
Simon David featured in PM Network article: “The climate for change”
“Fostering interdependent relationships can also be a crucial component of city resiliency, he says, because when a crisis hits, people will be more inclined to look out for each other.
"When public space is designed the right way, it should make you feel that other people are critical to your survival, not a threat to your survival," Mr. David says. "Because of that, people spend more time around each other. They spend more time investing in the world around them, in their immediate physical environment. They participate more in the conversation about how we look after it."
OSD Admitted as members of P4CA by un-habitat
OSD is honored to be admitted as a member of P4CA (Planners for Climate Action), through UN-HABITAT's Climate Change Planning Unit.
As part of our essential mission to plan and design for a sustainable and resilient future by asking questions of climate, ecology & people first, OSD is excited and honored to participate in a global conversation about the potential for a thriving planet that ensures our future.
OSD selected as finalists for the 2020 AZ Awards
OSD is selected as a finalist from over 1,240 entrants, from 47 countries, for Farm to City, a project that creates a new typology for hyper-local agriculture in re-emerging urban neighborhoods
OSD named in landizer’s international list of top 10 emerging practices
OSD is honored to be in great company with other excellent firms, as part of a list recognizing “some of the most promising emerging landscape architecture practices that exemplify innovative and experimental aspects of the landscape architectural profession. These firms often work across disciplines and scales, and manage to push the envelope despite their small size, geographical constraints or youth.”
the providence journal explores gotham greens’ new providence site!
Combining a revolution in urban agriculture and the infill of fallow urban brownfield sites, Gotham Greens’ Providence site is transformative for bringing hyper-local greens as well as improving urban conditions.
OSD begins project with harpoon brewery in boston’s historic seaport!
January 2019 - OSD wins project with Harpoon Brewery on historic seaport site.
OSD wishes happy holidays & new year to all our friends & collaborators!
December 2019 - Happy holidays to all our friends, clients, cheerleaders, colleagues, and collaborators, who are the reason we love doing what we do!
the chicago tribune covers the opening of gotham greens chicago
November 2019 - Gotham Greens’ latest greenhouse for Chicago and Midwest region is now open for business! This is the first of three projects with OSD that transform brownfields into productive centers of urban farming that provide hyper-local and hyper-fresh food. Read about all this new room for growth in The Chicago Tribune
school’s in session! the wilson school officially opens in arlington, va
October 2019 - The Wilson School in Rosslyn Heights, Arlington, VA, officially opened. The school is a fanning cascade of classroom bars, each with its own learning terrace, which provides a natural backdrop for learning and play. Simon David worked on the design of the terraces and the surrounding park and landscape while at Bjarke Ingels Group. Congrats to team and the City!
ASLA’s the dirt covers Simon david’s recent talk on resiliency
OSD principal Simon David interviewed by france 24 about resiliency & climate change
September 2019 - In advance of the UN Climate Summit, Simon David speaks to France 24 about Manhattan’s resiliency plans, in the face of global warming and continued sea level rise
OSD Outside Selected as Finalists for NY park redesign!
July 2019 - OSD Outside very honored to be selected as Finalists for the revitalization of NY’s very first park - Promenade Hill Park - in Hudson, NY
OSD discusses multidisciplinary practice at national aia conference
June 2019 - OSD Outside presents at the National AIA, discussing multidisciplinary practice with Weiss/Manfredi, HR&A, and Sherwood Design Engineers
simon david teaches class on the future of mobility + urban communities
Spring 2019 - OSD Principal Simon David teaches graduate course on the relationship between emerging trends in mobility and urban communities. The course explores how, as designers, we can leverage transportation technology as a means to reshape our streetscapes and public space for a more accessible, economically vibrant, and community-enriching future.
Guest speakers include: Gehl Institute’s Executive Director Shin-Pei Tsay, Mobility-in-Chain’s Director Francesco Cerroni, Grimshaw’s Gregory Haley, The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy’s (ITDP) Director of Global & US Initiatives Mike Kodransky, Bjarke Ingels Group’s Hyperloop Project Leader Soren Grunert, NYC Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) Director of Freight Initiatives Ryan White, ONE Architecture’s Mat Staudt, and New York Restoration Project’s (NYRP) Government Affairs Director Tara Gitter.
OSD outside Principal Simon David discusses Resiliency & Recreation at Dumbarton Oaks
May 2019 - OSD Principal Simon David presents on Resiliency and Recreation in the Age of Climate Change at Dumbarton Oaks annual landscape symposium, organized by Sonja Dumpelmann and John Beardsley
Gotham Greens site welcomed by RI Governor + Providence Mayor
March 2019 - The construction of a new site for Gotham Greens is welcomed by the Governor Gina Raimando of Rhode Island, and the Mayor Jorge Elorza of Providence, ushering a new era of community-minded urban agriculture to Providence
OSD Outside Selected as Finalists for Detroit’s 30 Mile Joe Louis Greenway!
January 2019 - The City of Detroit, DEGC, have selected OSD Outside as one of four finalists for the Master Plan of the 30 Mile Joe Louis Greenway - a multimodal bicycle and pedestrian corridor that connects outer neighborhoods with the River & Downtown, integrating with existing infrastructure, connecting neighbors, districts, cultural events, and stimulating economic vitality throughout the Detroit area.
The team includes experts in community engagement, economy, transportation, arts, and engineering: CDAD, James Lima Planning + Development, Project for Public Spaces, Mobility in Chain, Giffels Webster, Playground Detroit, NTH and Stuart Lynn.
Finalists were OSD, WXY, Spackman Mossop Michaels, and SmithGroup
Simon David Serves on NYASLA Annual Awards Jury
January 2019 - OSD Outside Principal Simon David serves on NY-ASLA annual awards jury, this year reviewing the great work coming out of Texas
osd outside principal Simon David invited to CityLab by The atlantic, the Aspen Institute, and Bloomberg Philanthropies
Simon David invited to CityLab, a global summit of mayors, government officials, and urban thinkers, who are examining the future of the urban environment. The event is hosted by The Atlantic, The Aspen Institute, and Bloomberg Philanthropies
OSD Outside presents at asla annual conference
October 2018 - OSD Principal Simon David speaks at National ASLA Conference in Philadelphia, on the future of interdisciplinary practice, with Catherine Seavett Nordenson (CCNY), Andrew Zientek (ASLA, Weiss Manfredi), and Jennifer Cooper (ASLA, Perkins+Will)
simon david teaching design studio on coastal resiliency + equitable growth
Fall semester 2018 - Simon David co-teaching Urban Design studio on the future of Mott Haven, The Bronx, with Mat Staudt, Director of ONE Architecture at NJIT, focusing on how equitable, community-centered growth, and climate change can be addressed in a community that is primed for development.
OSD Principal Simon David publishes co-authors article in Kongjian Yu’s Landscape Architecture Frontiers magazine about coastal resiliency
Summer 2018- Simon David co-authors article on The BIG U, the East Coastal Resiliency Project, and Climate Change, with Bjarke Ingels + BIG, edited by Kongjian Yu
humanhattan exhibited at the venice biennale
Summer 2018 - The design of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, and future resiliency projects in the speculative phases of the BIG U project, are exhibited as part of Bjarke Ingels Group’s Venice Biennale show.
Simon David presents at Architectural record’s innovation conference, NYC
October 2017 - Simon David discusses coastal resiliency with Rebuild by Design’s Managing Director Amy Chester, and David Waggoner of Waggoner & Ball.
Other speakers include Shohei Shigematsu of OMA, Michael Kimmelman, Sharon Johnston & Mark Lee of Johnston Marklee, and Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi of Weiss/Manfredi.
OSD Principal Simon David presents to the Regional Plan Association
2017 - Simon David discusses urban design and coastal resiliency with the Regional Plan Association (RPA)
Publications & Exhibitions
2018 | Landscape Architecture Frontiers Magazine | A New Waterfront for Manhattan | Author
2018 | AIA Dallas | Gabriel Prize Exhibition
2017 | ASLA National Conference | Creative Friction: The Multidisciplinary Studio from a Landscape Perspective | Speaker
2017 | Architectural Record, Innovation Conference | Panelist
2017 | Regional Planning Association | NY Regional Climate Adaptation Network | Lecturer
2017 | Future of Design Conference | IABSE | Speaker
2014 | “A New World Image” | Human Rights Exhibition | Danish Royal Library | with Columbia Univeristy | Copenhagen, DK
2011 | “Site Reading, Site Writing” | Solo architectural exhibition | Cite Internationale des Arts | Paris, France
2010 | “Disclosed” | Group show | Chroma Art Lab | Charlottesville, VA
2010 | “...In the Beginning” | Group show | Chroma Art Lab | Charlottesville, VA
2010 | “Dorchester Flats: A Re-newed Boston Waterfront” | Group show | ICA, Boston, MA