The Council is pleased to announce Brenda Levin (MArch ’76), Peter Coombe (MArch ’88), and Wannaporn Phornprapha (MLA ’95) as the winners of the fifth annual Harvard GSD Alumni Award. These extraordinary alumni exemplify the mission, vision, and values of the GSD by working diligently toward a resilient, just, and beautiful world.
“The jury’s goal was to highlight the work of our colleagues that inspires us and would provide hope and energy to other alumni and current students,” shared Zeerak Ahmed (MDE ’18) and Chelina Odbert (MUP ’07), co-chairs of the 2025 Alumni Award jury. “In a time of challenges, we can look to each other to find ways to make the world a better place. And this year we are honored to celebrate the work of Brenda, Peter, and Wannaporn—guiding stars in a moment where their light is desperately needed.”
A distinguished architect and advocate for historic preservation, Brenda Levin, FAIA, has stood at the helm of numerous restorations and adaptive reuse projects for iconic Los Angeles landmarks, from the Griffith Observatory to the Bradbury Building. Her firm, Levin & Associates Architects, ensures these cultural landmarks remain accessible and relevant to the diverse communities they serve. In 2017, Brenda donated the archive of Levin & Associates to the Getty Research Institute .
Former co-chair of the Alumni Council’s Student Alumni Exchange Committee, Brenda encourages the next generation of design leaders to approach their work with technical excellence and social responsibility. Brenda receives this award for her impact on the urban, historic, and cultural landscape of Los Angeles and her generous service to the GSD community.
“To be recognized by my peers whose work I so deeply admire is humbling,” Brenda said. “It affirms how the focus of my career—advancing solutions through the built environment, shaping more livable communities, and aligning design with the broader public good—truly resonates with the GSD community. It feels like a recognition not just of my individual and firm’s work, but of the collective progress we can make when we bring diverse voices together to rethink how cities evolve, to respect the past and imagine the future.”
Peter Coombe is a founding partner of the NYC-based firm Sage and Coombe Architects. Over three decades, Peter has cultivated a diverse portfolio of projects centered on social infrastructure; he is perhaps best known for the three-phase renovation and reimagination of the Noguchi Museum in Long Island City, as well as his continued collaboration with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Only the second architectural studio to successfully unionize , Sage and Coombe Architects almost exclusively serves nonprofit institutions and public agencies, a reflection of Peter’s steadfast commitment to equitable, inclusive, and sustainable design.
Peter is the former chair of the GSD Alumni Council and a current member of the Dean’s Council, where he serves as an ambassador, steward, and advocate for the School. In addition to his leadership within the GSD, Peter actively contributes to the Harvard Alumni Association and AIA New York. A dedicated mentor and gifted connector, the Council recognizes Peter for his efforts to strengthen the alumni community and uplift emerging design professionals.
When asked what advice he’d give to current GSD students, Peter said, “What makes the GSD exceptional is the diversity of disciplines and, more significantly, the people. Whether in your degree program or not, other students will become your future trusted colleagues and some of your closest friends. Please reach out beyond your sections, your degree programs, to get to know as many people as possible.”
Wannaporn Phornprapha is the founder and managing director of P Landscape, a Bangkok-based firm specializing in high-end resort, hotel, and residential projects. Wannaporn leads with creativity and integrity, steered by a belief that landscape architecture is an art that transcends the physical and functional to create meaningful connections between humans and nature. With over two decades of experience, Wannaporn has transformed the urban fabric of Bangkok City through significant projects such as One Bangkok and The King Rama IX Memorial Park.
As a member of the Dean’s Council and Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Foundation Committee, coordinator of the ongoing Bangkok Studio Series, and mentor with Connect GSD Career, Wannaporn is generous with her time and expertise. She receives this award for her inspirational leadership and resolute dedication to fostering environments that celebrate cultural and natural diversity.
“The GSD taught me not to stay within boundaries, but to explore across them,” said Wannaporn. “That philosophy continues to guide me today, in both design thinking and in how I collaborate with others. It’s a way of working, and a way of seeing, that has stayed with me ever since.”
Brenda Levin, Peter Coombe, and Wannaporn Phornprapha will be honored at the next GSD Comeback: Alumni & Friends Celebration, September 25–26, 2026.
Nominations for the 2026 GSD Alumni Award are open now. Learn more.
