Sarah Astheimer, ASLA

Sarah Astheimer, ASLA, PLA, is a Partner at Field Operations. Sarah believes in the power of nature-based design and the potential of an extraordinary public realm to transform the health of our cities. From innovative stakeholder workshops to design and construction administration, Sarah successfully leads complex urban projects with compassion, powerful listening, and a collaborative spirit.

With over 19 years at Field Operations, Sarah is actively leading transformative work in Nashville, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Portland, and Los Angles. Formative projects include the award-winning equity and resilience plan for the Middle Branch in Baltimore, the 1400-acre master plan for the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the Tidal Basin Ideas Lab, the Amazon HQ2 public campus in Arlington, ComcastNBCUniversal’s creative campus in Burbank, the 2012-2016 renovation of Chicago’s Navy Pier, and Tongva Park. These projects give rise to memorable places, which are rooted in their site and context as they foster interaction, civic discourse, play, beauty, and environmental resilience.

Outside the office, Sarah works to promote the advancement of sustainability and supported the development of SITES®, the most comprehensive international system for developing sustainable landscapes. Chicago’s Navy Pier was the first gold-certified SITES® project and the Woodland Discovery Playground at Shelby Farms Park was the first certified pilot project. As a respected professional, Sarah is a frequent speaker at national events and symposiums. She sits on the Dean’s Council at the University of Pennsylvania School of Design where she is an active guest critic and was a lecturer for five years.

Sarah’s Master of Landscape Architecture is from the University of Pennsylvania, where she won the Ian McHarg Prize for Excellence and ASLA Honor Award. Her Bachelor of Arts in the Growth and Structure of Cities is from Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges, where she won the Bolton Senior Prize.