Foster Conant turns 35

ORLANDO – Orlando’s oldest landscape architectural practice, Foster Conant & Associates (FCA), turned 35 this year.  Established in 1969 by the late Bert T. Foster, many of the area’s leading landscape architects began their careers during the firm’s history.

Established as Bert T. Foster & Associates, the firm had a short transition as
Foster Herbert Associates, before taking on its present moniker in 1977.

Richard Conant, the firm’s present managing partner, joined the firm in 1973 after graduating from the University of Florida. “Having begun my career under the mentorship of Bert Foster, I formed a strong professional work ethic that is firmly engrained in our corporate philosophy today,” Conant says.

For the past two years, FCA has won the highest award given by professional associations in Florida for landscape architecture.  In 2003, the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects presented FCA with its highest honor, the Frederic B. Stresau Award, for the Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Studios.  In 2002 the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association bestowed the Roy S. Rood award for a private residence to the firm, and in 2001 FCA was honored by its peers as “Firm of the Year” by the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.  FCA has won more than fifty awards in the past 35 years.

FCA is known for its award winning designs for site-specific landscape architecture for large complex projects such as Orlando International Airport, MetroWest, Isleworth, Starwood's Vistana Resorts, U.S. 192 Streetscape, Valencia Community College, CED Apartments, Team Disney Headquarters, Universal Studios Florida, Discovery Cove-Sea World and Busch Gardens Tampa-Edge of Africa.

The firm continues today through three key principals: Richard Conant, FASLA, Managing Principal; Keith Oropeza, ASLA, Principal in Charge of Design; and René Ramos, ASLA, Principal in Charge of Production. 

For additional information visit www.fosterconant.com.