Since 2019, Anna has led the Department of Landscape Architecture through significant progress in advancing academic excellence, community engagement, and inclusion. Key achievements included securing accreditation, restructuring the graduate program, hiring new faculty members, and collaborating with local firms and Indigenous practitioners to enhance service to students and the profession. The 2022-2023 academic year marked the department’s 50th anniversary, honouring its legacy and inspiring value-based transformation.
Anna Thurmayr
Education
- Diplom - Ingenieur Univ. Landespflege (at that time equivalent of Master of Landscape Architecture), Technical University of Munich.
- Certificate of advanced vocational training in professional desktop publishing and multimedia.
- Certificate in vocational education and training qualifications for crafts sectors (pedagogy for professional vocational training and educational psychology), Technical University of Munich, examination office.
Professional qualifications
- Co-founder of Straub Thurmayr Landscape Architects and Urban Designers.
- CSLA/MALA, licensed as Professional Landscape Architect in Manitoba, Canada.
- ByAK, licensed as Professional Landscape Architect in Bavaria, Germany.
Professional experience
Anna is a licensed landscape architect with over 30 years of experience as lead designer and project manager on high-profile projects in Germany, China, and Canada. She is a co-founder of the landscape design practice ‘Straub Thurmayr Landscape Architects and Urban Designers’ and holds full membership in both the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects (CSLA/MALA) and the Bavarian Chamber of Architects in Germany. Throughout her career, Anna has gained essential knowledge and technical expertise in landscape design, project organization, project implementation, and visual communication.
Teaching
Anna joined the University of Manitoba as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Landscape Architecture in 2008. The courses Anna teaches in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design offer valuable opportunities to expose students to the requirements of professional practice and to encourage innovative perspectives on existing methods. Anna promotes a strong knowledge base as the foundation of landscape design, fostering innovation and exploration beyond routine approaches.
EVLU 3008 Studio 4
Digital Drawing Workshop
Until 2019:
LARC 7330 Landscape Architecture Studio 3
EVLU 4002 Construction Materials
EVLU 3012 Site Morphology + Grading
Barkman Concrete Design Competition
Teaching Recognitions:
2025 Students’ Teacher Recognition, University of Manitoba.
2016 Carl R. Nelson Jr. Teaching Award, University of Manitoba.
Creative work
Anna’s creative work investigates the connection between landscapes and people, as well as between architecture and open space, across various scales, from regional planning and urban development to individual properties. From space and form to colour and the handling of themes and motifs, Anna strives to engage with all aspects of landscape architecture. Almost all projects involve the challenging task of translating a wide range of requirements, some of which are mutually conflicting, into landscape architecture designs and ensuring that these ideas are effectively communicated to all involved parties.
Research
Anna’s research on sustainable strategies for parking lots, green roofs, outdoor classrooms, the urban tree canopy, and public green spaces showcases her strong interest in navigating challenges that arise between conception and construction. The creative work of Straub Thurmayr Landscape Architects and Urban Designers enables Anna to explore design strategies, challenge representation techniques, test materials and alternative construction methods, and push beyond existing regulations. All projects are pro bono work, grounded in the mutual understanding that there is openness to new approaches and innovative ideas.
Research fields
Advanced Doodling - Visualization Techniques in Landscape Architecture and Urban Design
Sustainable Strategies for Urban Open Space Planning and Site Design
Winnipeg‘s Tree Canopy
Field Tests - Alternative Surface Consolidation, Green Roofs and Colours
National awards and international attention
Since joining the Department of Landscape Architecture, Anna’s creative work and outreach activities have been recognized within the professional community as exceptional, innovative, and advancing the field of landscape architecture. The work has received acclaim and respect at both national and international levels. The positive feedback from a wide range of juries and awarding bodies clearly demonstrates the innovative and research-oriented nature of this creative work.
2025 Announcement: Prairie Design Award 2024, Award of Merit for Science Courtyard in the Landscape Architecture category.
2025 Deutscher Landschaftsarchitektur Preis 2025, Science Courtyard nominated (shortlisted).
2024 LILA 2024 Editor’s Choice, Science Courtyard Fort Garry Campus
2023 Indigenous Initiatives Fund 2023, THE SHARED PATH: Expanding Synergies between Health, Ecology and Indigenous Knowledge and the Lake Manitoba First Nation / University of Manitoba Partnership through Workshops and Design-Build Studios, Lake Manitoba First Nation, Dog Creek 46, Manitoba, Canada. The application has been awarded with the maximum award of $60.000. For more information see: https://umanitoba.ca/indigenous/engagement/indigenous-initiatives-fund
2021 CSLA National Award of Excellence. Category: Residential Landscapes.
2019 LILA – Landezine International Landscape Award in the Gardens category.
2019 CSLA Jury’s Award of Excellence 2019. “Rooted in Clay - WY Garden in Winnipeg”
2019 CSLA National Award of Excellence 2019, Category: Residential Landscapes.
2019 CSLA National Award of Excellence 2019, Category: Small-Scale Public Landscapes.
2019 Deutscher Landschaftsarchitektur Preis 2019, selected and shortlisted.
2019 LILA – Landezine International Landscape Award, shortlisted, category Residential Housing.
2017 Western Living Designers of the Year Award.
2016 Urban design competition, Regensburger Straße Nürnberg, Germany, 5th prize.
2015 Manitoba Premier’s Award for Design Excellence, Category Landscape Architecture.
2015 CSLA Award of Excellence 2015, Regional Merit Award, Category: Design.
2014 Prairie Design Award 2014, Award of Merit in the Category Landscape Architecture.
2014 CSLA Award of Excellence 2014, National Merit Award, Category: Design.
2014 AZ Award for Design Excellence 2014, Finalist in the Landscape category.
2014 AZ Award for Design Excellence 2014, People’s Choice Award.
2014 Manitoba Excellence in Sustainability Award 2013 in the category of Sustainable Community for Folly Forest.
2013 Deutscher Landschaftsarchitektur Preis 2013: “Würdigung/Commendation“ for Folly Forest.
2013 CSLA Award of Excellence 2013, National Citation Award, Category: New Directions for Folly Forest.
2012 CSLA Award of Excellence 2012, Regional Merit Award, category: New Directions for Instant Garden.
2012 Western Living Designers of the Year Awards 2012, One To Watch, Landscape Design.
2012 Prairie Design Award 2012, Award of Merit in the Category Landscape Architecture.
2012 Best private plots - Die besten Gärten 2012, Finalist. 2012 AZ Award 2012, Finalist in the Landscape category.
2012 Chinese Design Award for the Chenshan Botanic Garden in Shanghai. 1st price for Outstanding Infrastructural Projects.
2011 Design Exchange Award in the category Landscape Architecture for the Instant Garden.
2009 Landscape and Urban Design competition Kaufbeuren Neugablonz, Germany, honorable mention.
2008 Best private plots 08 - “Garden Kistler - a Place for Plants and People”, shortlisted.
2008 Landscape and Urban Design competition New South Coburg, 4th prize.
Publications
Through public speeches, publications, awards, and exhibitions showcasing her work, Anna has advanced landscape architecture as a powerful design discipline and enhanced the reputation of the Faculty and Department as a leading place for learning and research.
Thurmayr, A. (2024). Strikingly Genuine: Blending Technical Skills, Visual Poetry, and True-Scaled Renderings. Keynote at the 2024 Vectorworks Design Day in Vancouver on October 16. https://designday.vectorworks.net/vancouver-anna-thurmayr-bio https://university.vectorworks.net/mod/scorm/player.php?a=689¤torg=articulate_rise&scoid=1412
Straub, D., & Thurmayr A. (2024). Let’s face it: whom do we want to impress? Landscapes Paysages, Landscape Architecture in Canada, L’Architecture de Paysage au Canada, 26(3), 54.
Thurmayr, A. (2024). David J. Paterson Entrance Scholarship: Supporting Future Landscape Architects. UMtoday News, (2024, November 06).
Thurmayr, A. (2024). Master of Landscape Architecture Program 50th Anniversary Student Recruitment Scholarship. UMtoday News, (2024, December 06).
Straub, D., & Thurmayr A. (2023). MLA 50th Anniversary Celebration: TREEMORIAL. UMtoday News, (2023, August 21).
Thurmayr, A. Straub, D. (2022). Master of Landscape Architecture 50th Anniversary Homecoming Gathering on September 23, 2022. UMtoday News, (2022, December 6).
Straub, D., Thurmayr, A. (2022). Master of Landscape Architecture 50th Anniversary Community Planting November 2022 / LOTS OF BULBS. UMtoday News, (2022, November 21).
Straub, D., Thurmayr, A. (2021). Who wants to live in a naked city?. In C. Colburn, T. Lyons (Eds.), Warehouse 30 (pp. 8-11). Winnipeg: University of Manitoba, 2021.
Straub, D., & Thurmayr A. (2021). Instant Garden in Winnipeg. Mooool.
Straub, D., & Thurmayr A. (2021). Jardin sumac garden. Landscapes Paysages, Landscape Architecture in Canada, L’ Architecture de Paysage au Canada, 23(2), 56-57.
Thurmayr A. (2020). Die unendliche Versuchung, das Neue zu entdecken: Ein Muenchner Kindl in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kanada. Nodium: Zeitschrift des Alumni Club Landschaft der TU Muenchen, 12, 20-21.
Thurmayr A. (2019). I love sketching because... Warehouse Journal, 28, 88-89
Thurmayr, A. (2019). Expertise and commitment. Barkman Mixer 09, 32-33.
Thurmayr, A. (2018). Treemocracy: Giving a voice to the voiceless. Landscape Architecture in Canada, L’ Architecture de Paysage au Canada, 20(3),17.
Thurmayr, A. (2018). Saving the city’s shade: Good reasons to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for Winnipeg’s elm trees [Abstract]. CELA 2018 Conference Proceedings, Transforming the Discussion, 173. Retrieved from
Thurmayr, A. (2018). The curious gardener. In U. Weilacher, L. Hopstock & S. Weber, Lehrstuhl für Landschaftsarchitektur und industrielle Landschaft (Eds.), Inspiration High Line (pp. 62-63). Munich: Technical University of Munich.
Thurmayr, A. (2014). Questions and Answers: The gravel lawn. The 2015 Prairie Garden - Western Canada’s only gardening annual: Grasses and Succulents, pp76-80.
Thurmayr, A. (2014). Call before you cut! The importance of tree protection. Atmosphere 2014. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba. Abstract retrieved from http://umanitoba.ca/architecture/atmosphere/presenters-thurmayr.html#thurmayr
Straub D., & Thurmayr, A. (2013). Tactile models carved by binary numbers: Connecting digital and physical design methods. In E. Buhmann, S. Ervin & M. Pietsch (Eds.). Peer reviewed proceedings of Digital Landscape Architecture 2013 at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. Berlin and Offenbach, Germany: Herbert Wichmann Verlag, 40-47.
Thurmayr, A. (2013). Manitoba’s best kept secret: Living roofs. The 2014 Prairie Garden - Western Canada’s only gardening annual: 75th Anniversary Edition Gardens, 75, 165-169.
Thurmayr, A. (2012). Materials and Digital Representation. In E. Buhmann, S. Ervin & M. Pietsch (Eds.), Peer reviewed proceedings of Digital Landscape Architecture 2012 at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences (147-154). Berlin and Offenbach, Germany: Herbert Wichmann Verlag. Thurmayr, A. (2012). Parking as a creative challenge. The International Journal of the Constructed Environment, 2(4), 81-92.
Thurmayr, A., & Straub, D. (2012). On the Preparation of Images. In E. Buhmann, S. Ervin & M. Pietsch (Eds.). Peer reviewed proceedings of Digital Landscape Architecture 2012 at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences. Berlin and Offenbach, Germany: Herbert Wichmann Verlag, 59-64.
Featured in publications
Škerl, U. (2025) Straub Thurmayr: Horizon of understanding. Landezine, June 23, 2025
Zacharias, C. (2024). U of M courtyard receives prestigious award. New garden project cultivates unexpected beauty, learning, and craftsmanship. Winnipeg Free Press, August 10, 2024.
Ajene, E. (2023). Landscape design in a changing world: Research, experimentation at the core of Straub Thurmayr design practice. The Manitoban, the official University of Manitoba Student’s newspaper, Nov. 21, 2023.
Breedon, A., Mouritz L. (2023) Lofi landscapes: Straub Thurmayr. Landscape, May 2023 issue of Landscape Architecture Australia, Issue 178, p. 50 – 56
Zacharias, C. (2023). More than meets the eye. LOTS OF BULBS project celebrates U of M’s master of landscape architecture 50th anniversary. Winnipeg Free Press, May 20, 2023.
Barth, B. (2020). Have Van, Will Garden. The Radical Landscape Architecture of Straub Thurmayr. Landscape Architecture Magazine, March/2020 Vol.110 No.3, p. 108 – 123.
Breedon, A., Mouritz L. (2023) Lofi landscapes: Straub Thurmayr. Landscape, May 2023 issue of Landscape Architecture Australia, Issue 178, p. 50 – 56
Straub Turmayr Landscape Architects
Landezine International Landscape Award. Rooted in Clay_ WY Garden Winnipeg
Landscape Lecture: Anna Thurmayr and Dietmar Straub
UMtoday News, (2020, March 27). “A Sense of Anarchy in the Pantheon of Norm Breaker. The Radical Landscape Architecture of Straub Thurmayr”, an article refering to the LAM March 2020 issue presenting Prof. Dietmar Straub, Prof. Anna Thurmayr and their work.
UMtoday News, (2019, October 8). “Prestigious awards for purposeful purposelessness”, an article featuring the awards and the work of Prof. Dietmar Straub and Prof. Anna Thurmayr.
UMToday News (2017, September 28). “Expressive…lively…ephemeral…wild”, Straub Thurmayr announced as Landscape Designers of the Year 2017.
UMToday News (2017, January 24). Faculty and staff recognized for exceptional community service.
Zacharias, C. (2023). More than meets the eye. LOTS OF BULBS project celebrates U of M’s master of landscape architecture 50th anniversary. Winnipeg Free Press, May 20, 2023.