November, 2025
“Media Matters in Landscape Architecture,” written by EMLab Co-directors Karen M'Closkey and Keith VanDerSys, was released by AR+D Publishers. The new book critically examines the ways in which various tools, methods, and images shape our conceptions of landscapes and environments. Learn more by visiting our Publication Page.
“Media Matters in Landscape Architecture,” written by EMLab Co-directors Karen M'Closkey and Keith VanDerSys, was released by AR+D Publishers. The new book critically examines the ways in which various tools, methods, and images shape our conceptions of landscapes and environments. Learn more by visiting our Publication Page.
September, 2025
The McHarg Center published an interview with EMLab Co-directors Sean Burkholder, Karen M'Closkey, and Keith VanDerSys as part of their PERSPECTIVES series. The full conversation, which includes discussions of the land-water divide in data and technology, the importance of landscape architects’ involvement in creating environmental data, and the potential of applied research within academia, can be read on the McHarg Center Website.
The McHarg Center published an interview with EMLab Co-directors Sean Burkholder, Karen M'Closkey, and Keith VanDerSys as part of their PERSPECTIVES series. The full conversation, which includes discussions of the land-water divide in data and technology, the importance of landscape architects’ involvement in creating environmental data, and the potential of applied research within academia, can be read on the McHarg Center Website.
September, 2025
The EMLab, with our partners at The Wetland Insitute, received a National ASLA Research Honor Award. The honored project, entitled "About Time: Adaptive Management for Coastal Salt Marshes," can be viewed on the ASLA Website.
The EMLab, with our partners at The Wetland Insitute, received a National ASLA Research Honor Award. The honored project, entitled "About Time: Adaptive Management for Coastal Salt Marshes," can be viewed on the ASLA Website.
August, 2025
The EMLab received a World Landscape Architecture (WLA) “Outstanding Award” in the Concept - Analysis and Planning category! The honored work, entitled “About Time: Adaptive Management for Coastal Salt Marshes,” presents the EMLab’s collaborative efforts to model and monitor six wetland restoration sites in New Jersey.
The EMLab received a World Landscape Architecture (WLA) “Outstanding Award” in the Concept - Analysis and Planning category! The honored work, entitled “About Time: Adaptive Management for Coastal Salt Marshes,” presents the EMLab’s collaborative efforts to model and monitor six wetland restoration sites in New Jersey.
July, 2025
The EMLab was shortlisted for a World Landscape Architecture (WLA) Award in the Concept - Analysis and Planning category.
The EMLab was shortlisted for a World Landscape Architecture (WLA) Award in the Concept - Analysis and Planning category.
May, 2025
The Philadelphia Inquirer published an article entitled "Racing to save Stone Harbor’s Scotch Bonnet Island before it’s swallowed by rising seas," which reports on collaborative marsh elevation efforts between The Wetlands Institute, New Jersey DEP, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and EMLab.
The Philadelphia Inquirer published an article entitled "Racing to save Stone Harbor’s Scotch Bonnet Island before it’s swallowed by rising seas," which reports on collaborative marsh elevation efforts between The Wetlands Institute, New Jersey DEP, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and EMLab.
March, 2025
Reports from the EMLab’s Four Coasts project were recently published online! The reports cover findings from a research cooperative agreement with the USACE’s Engineer and Research and Development Center (ERDC) entitled W912HZ-18-2-0008 Incorporating Engineering With Nature (EWN) and Landscape Architecture (LA) Designs into Existing Infrastructure Projects. In addition to members of the EMLab, the project team included researchers from Auburn University and University of Virginia, engineers from AnchorQEA, and design consultants from the Dredge Research Collaborative. The Philadelphia District Report was led by EMLab co-director Sean Burkholder.
Reports from the EMLab’s Four Coasts project were recently published online! The reports cover findings from a research cooperative agreement with the USACE’s Engineer and Research and Development Center (ERDC) entitled W912HZ-18-2-0008 Incorporating Engineering With Nature (EWN) and Landscape Architecture (LA) Designs into Existing Infrastructure Projects. In addition to members of the EMLab, the project team included researchers from Auburn University and University of Virginia, engineers from AnchorQEA, and design consultants from the Dredge Research Collaborative. The Philadelphia District Report was led by EMLab co-director Sean Burkholder.
January, 2024
The EMLab recently received funding for its Natural Infrastructure Innovation Project (NIIP) research proposal from USACE’s Engineer and Research and Development Center (ERDC). This multimillion-dollar, multi-year research initiative is a collaborative effort between Auburn University (Co-PI Rob Holmes), the University of Virginia (Co-PI Brian Davis), and UPenn (Co-PI Sean Burkholder, Co-I Keith VanDerSys). Looking specifically at the bays and estuaries of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the NIIP will identify and develop novel and innovative forms of coastal infrastructure inspired by nature's complexity, adaptability, and resilience.
The EMLab recently received funding for its Natural Infrastructure Innovation Project (NIIP) research proposal from USACE’s Engineer and Research and Development Center (ERDC). This multimillion-dollar, multi-year research initiative is a collaborative effort between Auburn University (Co-PI Rob Holmes), the University of Virginia (Co-PI Brian Davis), and UPenn (Co-PI Sean Burkholder, Co-I Keith VanDerSys). Looking specifically at the bays and estuaries of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the NIIP will identify and develop novel and innovative forms of coastal infrastructure inspired by nature's complexity, adaptability, and resilience.
December, 2023
The EMLab (Co-PIs Keith VanDerSys and Sean Burkholder) is part of a team led by The Wetlands Institute (TWI) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) that recently received a $630,000 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NWFW) Coastal Resiliency grant for our Jenkins Sound Resiliency Study. This award covers an initial phase of work that involves data collection, assessment, design, and monitoring of multiple salt marsh sites in two Delaware Bay regions. This multi-year endeavor will include a second phase of support (pending) for an additional 2 years of data collection and monitoring.
The EMLab (Co-PIs Keith VanDerSys and Sean Burkholder) is part of a team led by The Wetlands Institute (TWI) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) that recently received a $630,000 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NWFW) Coastal Resiliency grant for our Jenkins Sound Resiliency Study. This award covers an initial phase of work that involves data collection, assessment, design, and monitoring of multiple salt marsh sites in two Delaware Bay regions. This multi-year endeavor will include a second phase of support (pending) for an additional 2 years of data collection and monitoring.
August, 2023
The EMLab (Sean Burkholder, PI) has received research funding from the Cornell Water Resources Institute and the State of New York to develop a classification methodology and typological design principles for future coastal work along the Lake Erie shore of New York State. This multi-year effort will begin with $72,000 in funding for FY23-24.
The EMLab (Sean Burkholder, PI) has received research funding from the Cornell Water Resources Institute and the State of New York to develop a classification methodology and typological design principles for future coastal work along the Lake Erie shore of New York State. This multi-year effort will begin with $72,000 in funding for FY23-24.
November, 2022
The November issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine features a wonderful new article showcasing some of the work by the EMLab and its members.
The November issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine features a wonderful new article showcasing some of the work by the EMLab and its members.
May, 2022
In collaboration with the USACE’s Engineer and Research and Development Center (ERDC), the EMLab was part of a team recently awarded a $750,000 Engineering with Nature research grant. The EMLab will provide remote sensing and field collection support for their ongoing collaboration with the USACE in Maurice River, NJ. The research team is led by ERDC’s Dr. Brian Harris.
In collaboration with the USACE’s Engineer and Research and Development Center (ERDC), the EMLab was part of a team recently awarded a $750,000 Engineering with Nature research grant. The EMLab will provide remote sensing and field collection support for their ongoing collaboration with the USACE in Maurice River, NJ. The research team is led by ERDC’s Dr. Brian Harris.
February, 2022
The EMLab recently organized a multi-day symposium entitled “Instruments of Change.” A video archive of the symposium is on the Events page.
The EMLab recently organized a multi-day symposium entitled “Instruments of Change.” A video archive of the symposium is on the Events page.
November, 2021
EmLab co-founder Sean Burkholder was part of a collaborative team, led by landscape architects Mahan Rykiel, that recently received an Honor Award in Analysis and Planning from the ASLA. This project looked to establish an adaptable and culturally responsive plan for the future of a quickly disappearing island in the Chesapeake Bay. Sean’s role consisted of design consultation on coastal infrastructure and adaptation planning. This project represents a growing body of work that considers how we can live with increasing water in coastal communities levels by leveraging and protecting cultural landscape assets through a process of public awareness and engagement, coupled with nature-based infrastructures.
EmLab co-founder Sean Burkholder was part of a collaborative team, led by landscape architects Mahan Rykiel, that recently received an Honor Award in Analysis and Planning from the ASLA. This project looked to establish an adaptable and culturally responsive plan for the future of a quickly disappearing island in the Chesapeake Bay. Sean’s role consisted of design consultation on coastal infrastructure and adaptation planning. This project represents a growing body of work that considers how we can live with increasing water in coastal communities levels by leveraging and protecting cultural landscape assets through a process of public awareness and engagement, coupled with nature-based infrastructures.
June, 2021
The EMLab recently presented its ongoing dredge placement monitoring and high marsh mapping work as part of the Seven Mile Island Innovation Lab (SMIIL). SMIIL is a collaboration between The Wetlands Institute/ USACE to study and advance innovative dredge and marsh restoration techniques.
The EMLab recently presented its ongoing dredge placement monitoring and high marsh mapping work as part of the Seven Mile Island Innovation Lab (SMIIL). SMIIL is a collaboration between The Wetlands Institute/ USACE to study and advance innovative dredge and marsh restoration techniques.
May, 2021
Karen M’Closkey and Keith VanDerSys’s “Fantasy Island: The Galapagos Archipelago” project honored with 2021 WLA Professional Awards Concept- Analysis and Planning Honorable Mention Award.
Karen M’Closkey and Keith VanDerSys’s “Fantasy Island: The Galapagos Archipelago” project honored with 2021 WLA Professional Awards Concept- Analysis and Planning Honorable Mention Award.
April, 2021
The EMLab’s website is now live!
The EMLab’s website is now live!
April, 2021
The EMLab's remote sensing research was recently showcased in RI Vista "Landscape Representation Skills" (Vol 19, No 2)
The EMLab's remote sensing research was recently showcased in RI Vista "Landscape Representation Skills" (Vol 19, No 2)
August, 2020
Sean Burkholder’s “Sensitive Structures: A Landscape Approach for Great Lakes Coasts” Healthy Port Futures project honored with a National ASLA Analysis and Planning Honor Award.
Sean Burkholder’s “Sensitive Structures: A Landscape Approach for Great Lakes Coasts” Healthy Port Futures project honored with a National ASLA Analysis and Planning Honor Award.
August, 2020
Karen M’Closkey and Keith VanDerSys’s “Fantasy Island: The Galapagos Archipelago” project honored with a National ASLA Analysis and Planning Honor Award.
Karen M’Closkey and Keith VanDerSys’s “Fantasy Island: The Galapagos Archipelago” project honored with a National ASLA Analysis and Planning Honor Award.
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© 2020 University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design
© The Ian L. McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology
119 Meyerson Hall
210 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
210 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
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© 2020 University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design
© The Ian L. McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology
© 2020 University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design
© The Ian L. McHarg Center for Urbanism and Ecology
Office of the Director
102 Meyerson Hall
210 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
210 South 34th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104