Education:    

University of Rhode Island, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, 2014

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Registration:

Rhode Island #662

Massachusetts #4383

CPSI #61270-527

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Affiliations: 
Member ASLA, American Society of Landscape Architecture

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Member, Sigma Lambda Alpha Honor Society

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Board member:

 

Co-Chair BSA Placemaking Network (current)

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2016 ASLA Emerging Professionals Committee Member 

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Volunteer:

Christmas in the City Volunteer Supervisor

At KZLA, Rob contributes skills in spatial design and a passion for exploring the benefits of tactical urbanism and collaboration through public engagement. Rob is a Registered Landscape Architect and a Certified Playground Safety Inspector.

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Mr. Barella has been involved with a variety of park projects in Boston including Codman Square Park, Peace Park, the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden, Winthrop Square, Defilippo Dog Park, Medal of Honor Park, and Paul Revere Mall. 

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Rob was the design lead for the new playground at the Rick DeCristofaro Learning Center in Quincy—a school dedicated to elementary and middle school students with special learning needs. The playground has two separate spaces for 2- to 5-year olds and 5- to 12-year olds diagnosed with autism. The playground is fully inclusive and provides spaces to allow students to calm themselves, plus play components which highlight sensory experiences. 

Rob has also been the design lead and project manager for play spaces for Spy Pond Park and the Parmenter School in Arlington, as well as the Bridge Boston Charter School in Boston. 

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For Defilippo Dog Park, Rob worked closely with neighborhood group RUFF and BPRD to redesign the urban dog park. The park re-imagined an underutilized set of terraces which resulted in a popular hang for dog owners. The site has become an example of adaptive reuse and collaboration with the community. 

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Rob has recently worked on several open space projects for the City Salem, including the Forest River Trail improvements and several restoration phases of Revolutionary Fort Pickering on Winter Island. He is currently working on construction administration for Gallows Hill Park, a multi-use community park, which includes a new baseball field, new skate park, recreational walking pathways, and green infrastructure. 

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Rob has played an essential role in several planning projects including a Master Plan for the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, The Esplanade Tree Management and Succession plan, and the University of Rhode Island Landscape Master Plan. 

 

Teaching:

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Adjunct Professor: Senior Portfolio Design, University of Rhode Island, Landscape Architecture Program, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019

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Lectures and Panels:​​

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• Presenter: BSA Placemaking Network: Presentation Series - Inspiring Interventions

• Panel board member of Design Thinking Symposium at University of RI

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Publication:​​

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• Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook, Selected Project "Wheel'n Around", 2019

• University of Rhode Island, "Big Thinker", 2016

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Awards:​​

• Boston Society of Landscape Architects, Seaport Parklets, Boston, Massachusetts, Merit Award, 2022

• Boston Society of Landscape Architects, Phillips Square Tactical Plaza, Chinatown, Boston: Merit Award, 2020

• Design Winner: “Wheeln Around: A public Art installation”, City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, 2019

• "Community-engaged Design", Selected Project "Trailer Made", Boston Society of Architects, 2018

• Design Winner: “Trailer Made: A modular community learning space”, City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, 2018

• “Westerly Gateway Design Contest”, 2nd Place, 2018

• "Art of the Arbor", Newport Art House, Juried Exhibition Artist, 2017

• Design Winner: Mytoi Pop Up Park, The Trustees, 2016

• Design Winner: “Celebrating Northern Avenue Bridge Park”, Northern Avenue Bridge Competition, City of Boston/Boston Society of Architects, 2016

• Gingerscapes "Best in Show", Boston Society of Landscape Architects, 2015

• Rhode Island Society of Landscape Architects, Student Honor Award, 2014

• University of Rhode Island, Undergraduate Research Initiative Grant, Awarded for Scholarly, Creative, and Artistic Projects, 2014

• Newport Flower Show, Miniature Landscapes, 2nd Place, 2013

• Newport Flower Show, Miniature Landscapes, 3rd Place, 2012

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