Gardens and Landscapes

Nelson Collection


Carl R. Nelson Jr., 1932-2002

Carl Nelson Jr. was born in Duluth, Minnesota and graduated with distinction from
the University of Minnesota in 1955 (B. Arch.) and from MIT in 1956 (M. Arch.)
before winning the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to Italy in 1957. He began his
teaching career at the University of Illinois and soon thereafter at the University of
Notre Dame. Carl and his family moved north to Winnipeg, where he joined the
Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba in 1963.

Carl's academic and professional career at the University of Manitoba spanned 38
years. His contributions to the Faculty, the University, the professional associations
and literally hundreds, indeed thousands, of students and colleagues as a teacher,
mentor, confidant and friend is a legacy in itself. Leading academics and practitioners,
both in Canada and abroad, credit Carl as a major influence in their professional
development.

Carl's work in the Faculty was instrumental to advancing a vital design curriculum in
the Departments of Environmental Studies, from 1966-1976, and Landscape
Architecture, from 1977-1998. The Faculty of Architecture benefitted from his
presence for the entire period of Carl's teaching career. Among his accomplishments,
he was recipient of two major teaching awards including the Saunderson Award for
excellence in teaching; numerous grants to conduct scholarly research, including
Canada Council and CMHC grants; professional and governmental awards including
appointment to the RAIC College of Fellows for his service to the profession, and a
Premier's Award for design excellence for the Fort Whyte Centre for Environmental
Education.

Images
Carl had a lifelong passion for the design of urban landscapes and this collection
of digital images, taken over several decades, is a legacy of Carl's love for the
piazzas and cities of Italy.

R.I. Macdonald
Professor Emeritus
Faculty of Architecture
University of Manitoba
Ted McLachlan
Department Head
Dept. of Landscape Architecture
University of Manitoba
 
 
For further information:
Mary Lochhead
Head, Architecture/Fine Arts and Music Libraries
204.474.9217
Mary_Lochhead@umanitoba.ca