Pioneers in Design – Walter Hood


July 27 2022

Event Recap

Pioneers in Design – Walter Hood

SF Jazz, San Francisco

On July 27, 2022 our design community joined together in person again at SF Jazz for a riveting conversation between Verda Alexander and this year’s Pioneer in Design, Walter Hood. Walter and Verda discussed how architecture/landscape architecture and memory & meaning intersect in the American landscape. Our chapter also honored, Kriss Kokoefer, President & Owner of Kay Chesterfield with the 2022 Distinguished Achievement Award.

If you missed this inspiring exchange, you can now watch the recording below. And even if you were there and just want to be reminded of this Pioneer and his vision, take a watch.

For all the background on our honorees, see the event page. If you are interested in being a part of the Pioneers in Design committee for 2023, please reach out.


Event Photos

Full photo album


Event Recording


Honor Awards – Back in Person!


May 4 2022

Event Recap

Honor Awards

The Fox Theater, Oakland

We kicked off this year’s show and celebrated our community being together again with a live, all singing, all dancing musical tribute to the heritage of the Fox Theatre. It was a wild start to the evening! Dancers greeted guests as they arrived at The Fox, posing for photos and ushering guests into the main hall. The room was packed with familiar faces clamoring for that elusive Honor Award.

Our hosts, Tom DiRenzo and Brian Graham regaled the client statements, design teams and judges comments for ten projects honored with awards on this special night. Student award winners brought their families and teachers, manufacturers and dealers brought their clients and design teams brought the ones responsible for the wins. It was a night to remember!

Revisit some of the grand entertainment from last year >>

Planning has already begun for our 2023 Honor Awards! If you are interested in volunteering for any of our event planning committees, please reach out.


And the winners were