Now in its second month, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in immense loss of life and unprecedented destruction of entire cities. The invasion has forced over 10 million Ukrainians to leave their homes, and over 4 million Ukrainians to leave for neighboring countries.

The invasion has also displaced many workers, including landscape architects. Many Americans have been moved to support relief organizations that are helping Ukrainian victims and refugees, and American landscape architecture firms are also providing support.

The Houston office of SWA Group recently launched an initiative to connect Ukrainian landscape architects with American firms -- U.S. Landscape Architects in Support of Ukrainian Designers.

SWA Group first reached out to Ukrainian landscape architecture firms to learn more about the industry there and then compiled a database of designers intended to be a live document that firms can augment with their information.

The goal is to hire Ukrainian landscape architects as contract employees, working remotely in Ukraine or in neighboring countries to where they have moved. SWA Group has also drafted a consulting agreement template for firms.

The initiative is not meant to bring displaced Ukrainian landscape architects to the U.S. but rather to support them in their country or countries to which they have migrated.

It is clear from the images in the media that Ukraine has suffered tremendous damage to its cities, and even if the war were to end in the next few weeks, there is no doubt that any reconstruction efforts will last years.

SWA Group is making its tools available to all firms and professionals who wish to help and has asked that this information be shared widely. ASLA supports SWA Group’s effort to help displaced Ukrainian landscape architects and designers.

Access a list of Ukrainian designers and their portfolios, and read or watch a presentation about how to engage these designers

There are also other ways to support the Ukrainian people and below are a few organizations providing relief efforts:

World Central Kitchen

UNICEF

Ukrainian Red Cross