Garr Campbell

Biography

Garr Campbell got his start in landscape architecture at Utah State University. He went on to get a degree in landscape architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Garr first worked for Sasaki Dawson Demay in Watertown, Massachusetts and much of his time there was spent on a project for the State University of New York at Buffalo.

It was while Garr was with Sasaki Dawson that he first started working with His Highness the Aga Khan. The Aga Khan was planning on building a project in Chantilly, France. The project would include his residence, a business office, and a training stable for the Aga Khan’s racehorses. Garr’s role was to create a master plan for this project. Garr’s work for the Aga Khan continued to include medical units in the mountains of Pakistan, a hospital and nursing school in Karachi, a mosque in Burnaby just outside of Vancouver B.C, and a plan for a park in Cairo Egypt.

Garr also served on the original steering committee for the Aga Khan award for Architecture. In the 1980s, Garr opened his firm Garr Campbell and Associates. One of his first projects included the 100 acre palace grounds for the Saudi Royal Family. Garr’s work in the US includes Newtown Developments namely Kentlands and Evans Farm. Kentlands has won many awards and drawn National attention for the town’s ground breaking classical design. Garr Campbell and Associates received two awards for their efforts in the realization of Kentlands. The awards are from the State of Maryland and Builder’s Magazine.

Garr’s projects are noted for the seamless integration of the larger environment with the site and its structure. His approach to design is based on the logic proscribed by site conditions and the requirements of the users. Garr enjoyed his clients. Among his many International clients are the Saudi Royal Family, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Prince Sultan Bin Salaman of Saudi Arabia; the Aga Khan Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland; His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, Aiglemont, Gouveiux, France. Nationally, his clients included, Mr. and Mrs . J.W. Marriott, CEO of Marriott Corporation; Mr. and Mrs. Ian Cumming, CEO of Leucadia Financial Corporation, (private residence as well as American Investment Bank, downtown Salt Lake); Mr. Nolan Archibald, President and CEO of Black and Decker; Mr. and Mrs. Joel Peterson, President of Peterson Ventures and finally, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Holding.

One of his favorite projects was the Grand America Hotel located in downtown Salt Lake City. The terraces, fountains and gardens create a unique environment reflecting Garr’s love of intricate stone work and lush plantings. At the time of his death, Garr was working on the ongoing renovation of the Little America Hotel. Garr Campbell has left behind a legacy of beautiful gardens and monuments. His works act as constant reminders of the power of imagination and creativity.