Research
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Leila Tolderlund's main area of expertise and research is in Landscape Architecture and Urbanism --Design, Planning and Theory. She currently teaches Landscape Architecture Core and Advanced Vertical Design Studios, Integrated Cross-Disciplinary Site Planning seminars, Green Roof, Vertical Gardens and Other Living Systems/Design and Implementation seminars, Design Inspiration seminars, Study Abroad + International Practicum and Urban International Studio.
Leila Tolderlund also practices Landscape Architecture with her own firm - primarily on projects related to green roofs, living walls and green facades. Her primary focus is promoting a holistic approach to sustainable design strategies using green infrastructure and living systems in dense urban settings. Her teaching and practice has been largely focused on addressing trans-disciplinary, intelligent, and resilient design using Participatory Action Research (PAR) strategies to help mitigate global social, environmental and economic challenges. She believes that PAR projects that are collaborative and ‘hands-on’ generate student participation, set the stage for holistic design thinking and are engaging to all.
SELECT RESEARCH PROJECTS
2014 Infrastructure and Research for Integrated Systems (IRIS). Senior Instructor + Research Associate. Forming and guiding a trans- disciplinary partnership between University of Colorado Denver’s College of Engineering and Applied Science, College of Architecture and Planning, Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) and Urban Drainage and Flood Control District (UDFCD). (2012-2014)
2013 North Class Room Green Roof Research Project at UCD. Senior Instructor and Research Associate for PAR collaborative classes and professional interaction to envision and fund green roof project. (2012-2013)
2012 Carlsberg Byen, UCC University and future transit station - Copenhagen, Denmark: Trans- disciplinary collaboration using living systems and green infrastructure to improve public space and urban sustainability.
2012 University of Colorado Denver Green Roof Research Project. Senior Instructor + Research Associate for educational and independent studies for conceptual design, design development, construction documentation, website design and grant writing/ funding.(2006-2012).
Publications and Presentations
SELECT PUBLICATIONS
Tolderlund, L. Frederiksen E., Frederiksen, B., Jørsboe, F., and Alectia. ‘Green Roofs Analyses for Stormwater Management, Urban Heat Island and Energy Efficiency for City of Frederiksberg, Denmark’
Tolderlund, L., Viitanen, W. Flynt, A.
Living Folds. World Green Infrastructure Conference, Nantes, France. Fall 2013. (Published Conference Abstract)
Tolderlund, L., Brunnette, J., .Aldena, C.
Illusive Skin. World Green Infrastructure Conference, Nantes, France. Fall 2013. (Published Conference Abstract).
Tolderlund, L. and Rocamore, J..
Digestive Skin. World Green Infrastructure Conference, Nantes, France. Fall 2013. (Published Conference Abstract).
Tolderlund, L., Flinch, H. and Xiaojiao, G.
Space as Sponge. World Green Roof Congress, Green Infrastructure Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark. Fall 2012. (Published Conference Abstract).
Tolderlund, L., Pisa, H. and Bosco, C.
Green Roofs in the Semi-Arid and Arid West. American Public Works Reporter Magazine. September 2011.
Tolderlund, L.
Advanced Maintenance for Green Roofs (training manual for GRP exam). Collaboration with Green Roofs for Healthy Cities/Committee member. April 2011.
Tolderlund, L.
Design Guidelines and Maintenance Manual for Green Roofs in the Semi-Arid and Arid West .
SELECT PRESENTATIONS
2013 PostHaus Fate 2013 National Conference, Savannah, Georgia. “Earthworks: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” – historic and contemporary earth works.
2013 Denver Art Museum Denver, Colorado “TURF TALK - 51st Untitled”.
2013 American Indian Council of Architects and Engineers, Denver, Colorado. “Innovative Green Infrastructures”.
2013 IOWA State University, Ames, Iowa. “Innovative Green Infrastructures”.
2011 American Public Work Association - International Public Works Congress and Exposition, Denver, Colorado “Green Roofs in the Semi-Arid and Arid West”.
2011 ProGreen. Denver, Colorado “Living Walls and Green Facades – opportunities and constraints”
2010 “Green Roof in the Semi-Arid West”. Denver Botanic Gardens. Denver, Colorado
2010 “Green roofs in semi-arid and arid climates” and tour visiting green roofs in Lower Downtown Denver and Denver metro area for the Denver Metro Mayors Caucus”
2010 “Green Roof in the Arid West”. Urban Drainage and Flood Control District Headquarters. Denver, Colorado
2010 Green roof tour in Denver Metro Mayors and City of Denver Officials.
SELECT EXHIBITIONS, ART AND DESIGN INSTALLATIONS
2013 Pop-up Dye Garden at the Denver Art Museum. A commissioned exhibition of a Dye Garden installation over five months at the front entrance during the Denver Art Museum's ‘SPIN’ exhibits. Professional practice commission + University of Colorado Denver and Denver Art Museum (DAM) collaboration. Landscape Architecture, Project Manager and Senior Instructor.
2012 Carlsberg Properties Galleries, Copenhagen, Denmark - Living Systems - a new way of understanding green building technologies.
2012 910 Arts Gallery, Denver, Colorado - Outdoor live-work-grow – green infrastructures and renewable energies at 910 Arts.
2012 Denver Public Library, Denver, Colorado - Conceptual design for the new green roofs at the Denver Public Library on display.
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