Walter J. Hood, a multidisciplinary designer from Charlotte, North Carolina, is globally recognized for his contributions in art, landscape architecture, urbanism and research. Founding Hood Design Studio in Oakland, California, in 1992, he now leads as its creative director. Hood earned a degree in architectural engineering at North Carolina A&T State University. Further studies led him to the University of California, Berkeley. Infusing African American cultural arts into his philosophy, he established a unique voice, reshaping spaces to reflect contemporary needs without erasing their history. A professor at UC Berkeley and former Harvard educator, Hood penned “Black Landscapes Matter” and has received accolades such as the 2019 MacArthur “genius grant” Fellowship, the 2021 Architectural League’s President’s Medal award and 2024 Vincent Scully Prize.
Hood will speak April 11 at 3:30 p.m. in Old Cabell Hall’s auditorium.