Rob Barella has worked in several different fields of the landscape profession. At KZLA, Rob contributes skills in graphic design, 3D modeling, and a passion for exploring the ideas and benefits of tactical urbanism.

 

Rob has played an essential role in several planning projects including a Master Plan for the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and the University of Rhode Island Landscape Master Plan. For the University of Rhode Island, Rob contributed to the planning efforts with a focus on campus trees and maintenance. Rob is also a key contributor to the Esplanade Tree Management and Succession Plan in Boston.

​

Mr. Barella has been involved with a variety of Boston Parks & Recreation projects including the James P. Kelleher Rose Garden, Winthrop Square, Defilippo Dog Park, Medal of Honor Park, Paul Revere Mall, and Mission Hill Playground.

​

For Medal of Honor Park, a historic 6-acre park located in South Boston, MA. Rob focused on the facilitation of public community meetings and was responsible for the design of a historically-inspired fence and the redesign of the playground. He is currently working on an expansion of the playground in a collaboration with Colin’s Joy Project and BPRD.

​

For Defilippo Dog Park, Rob worked closely with neighborhood group RUFF and BPRD to redesign the urban dog park. The park reimagined 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. 

​

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. 

 

Teaching:

​

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

​

​

Lectures and Panels:​​

​

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

​​

Publication:​​

​

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

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

​​

Awards:​​

• 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

​

​