Cornelia Hahn Oberlander, recognized as one of the world’s leading landscape architects, was known for her research, creativity, artistry, innovation, risk-taking and recognition of the importance of the preservation of the environment.

Cornelia was among the first class of women to graduate from the Harvard Graduate School of Design with a degree in landscape architecture and, from the beginning of her career, placed a high value on collaboration with allied professionals, education, and mentoring young landscape architecture graduates.

She worked in collaboration with some of the world’s most renowned architects, such as Arthur Erickson and Moshe Safdie. Many public spaces around the world reveal her influences. Her design for the play area at the Children’s Creative Centre at Expo 67 in Montreal changed the way that the public thought about children’s play and playgrounds.

Cornelia pioneered respectful references to the landscapes of First Nations People as seen at the UBC Museum of Anthropology. Her green roof design of the Visitor’s Centre at the VanDusen Botanical Garden answers to the issues of climate change, environmental responsibility and the Living Building Challenge.

Cornelia received many honorary degrees, the Order of Canada, several lifetime achievement awards, honorary memberships, medals and fellowships in Canada and abroad.