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Now accepting applications for the 2025 CSI program

Interested in assessing and documenting the benefits of a high-performing landscape project? Our next CSI program runs late Jan through Jul 2025. Faculty and design firms apply in partnership to study a built project. Applications are due Nov 1.

2025 CSI Program Timeline
Sep 2024 - Application materials available
Nov 1, 2024 - Faculty and firm/project applications due
Dec 2024 - All applicants notified
Jan 27 - Jul 25, 2025 - 2025 CSI program runs
Sep-Dec 2025 - Resulting case studies published

LAF hosted a program overview and "Office Hours" for potential applicants on September 18. Follow the link below to watch the recording.

Two researchers measure the length of a tree box in a landscaped plaza area near the waterfront

The Case Study Investigation (CSI) program is a unique research collaboration and training program for faculty, students, and practitioners.

Through CSI, LAF funded faculty-student research teams work with leading practitioners to document the impacts of exemplary, high-performing landscape projects. Teams develop methods to quantify the environmental, social, and economic benefits of built projects and produce Case Study Briefs for LAF’s Landscape Performance Series.

Faculty and design firms apply to CSI in partnership to produce a case study of a specific built landscape project.* Each research team is led by a faculty CSI Research Fellow and supported by a student Research Assistant. The academic team interfaces with a Firm Liaison, who provides information about the project goals, design, design and construction process, and intended performance. Clients, site managers, and other project stakeholders may also contribute data and insights.

The CSI program runs annually from February to August. During the spring, faculty-student teams work with firm liaisons to develop the research plan and case study narrative. Site visits and field data collection are primarily conducted during the summer. The academic teams use this information to craft the performance benefits and document the project in the online Case Study Brief format. Throughout this process, LAF provides training, iterative feedback, and opportunities for interaction among teams. Final case studies undergo a peer review process and are published to the Landscape Performance Series in the fall.

*LAF may be able to assist in matching prospective CSI Research Fellows with prospective firms/projects based on geographic proximity, common interests, and relevant expertise. Prospective applicants wishing to be matched should contact LAF well in advance of the application deadline to discuss.

 

Program Goals

The CSI program is highly collaborative and helps to bridge the gap between research and design practice. By investing in this research, LAF is generating much-needed information and precedents to evaluate performance, demonstrate value, and make the case for sustainable landscape solutions. The Landscape Performance Series database of over 200 case studies is used by designers, students, researchers, journalists, policymakers, and advocates.

Because resources (including time, expertise, and funding) are often limited for performance evaluation, the CSI program seeks to identify valid, defensible, and replicable metrics and methods that can be used within a short timeframe by non-experts with limited resources. This makes the 6-month CSI program an ideal testing ground for new methods.

As a training program, CSI is an important impetus in moving the landscape architecture discipline toward designing every project with specific performance objectives, documenting project goals and design intent, routinely collecting performance data, and integrating landscape performance in design education.

CSI Research Fellows discuss the Case Study Investigation (CSI) program, and highlight some of its merits  for students, researchers, firms, and the landscape architecture discipline.

Case Study Investigation (CSI)
Overview
CSI Research Fellows
CSI Firms and Projects
Application Process
CSI FAQs

The Case Study Investigation (CSI) program and Landscape Performance Series are made possible with support from our generous sponsors.

Program Sponsors

Become a Research Program Sponsor

Research sponsorship supports the Landscape Performance Series, LAF’s most popular resource, as well as Case Study Investigation (CSI), LAF's collaborative research and training program.

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