Constructing a Universe

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TEN x TEN is a transdisciplinary landscape architecture and urban design practice grounded by a shared curiosity and passion for experimentation, storytelling, and agency. As a values and mission-driven practice, we co-create compassionate, immersive, and resilient spaces that confront the issues of our time.   

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Ross is a Principal + Cofounder of TEN x TEN. Established in 2015 with Maura Rockcastle, the studio was born out of a shared vision to shift practice towards collective curiosity, agency and experimentation. Ross believes that transformative design emerges from deep ways of knowing, storytelling, and the authenticity of people and places. His process based approach engages the depth, complexity and interrelatedness of land, culture and histories. 

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Ross’s practice is rooted in a cross disciplinary ethos, holding both a Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of Virginia, and a BS in Architectural Studies from the University of Wisconsin. He is an Adjunct Professor of Practice at the University of Minnesota’s College of Design where he teaches across the Schools of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. His studio cohort was recently awarded the 2024 SOM Foundation Research Prize for their work on the Mississippi River. He currently sits on the Deans Advisory Board at the University of Virginia’s School of Architecture.

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He finds happiness through building and collaborating with teams of curious and joyful humans. His work has garnered national awards and recognition from the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the General Services Administration, the Graham Foundation and the Architectural League of New York among others.  He was a recipient of the Rome Prize Fellowship in Landscape Architecture awarded by the American Academy in Rome. With TXT and DIRT, he is a member of the design team representing the US Pavillion at the 2025 Venice Biennale.

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He credits his love of nature and culture to his mom, an environmental educator, and his love of design and innovation to his dad, an automotive worker and tinkerer. He takes play seriously and has been known to draw landscapes while running marathons, encourages snorkeling in the Boundary Waters to understand the histories of occupation, and studies the bees that nap in his native plant gardens at home.

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Q&A

What was your first car?

1983 Black Renault Lecar Sport with black checkered seats, 4 speed manual, canvas roll top, seats 4.  We had a fleet of 4 Renault Lecars that my dad would keep running. First experience of summer expansiveness, top rolled back, windows down, Peter Tosh on the tape deck.

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What was your first job? 

Door to door sales of the Waukesha County Freeman newspaper at 14.  I learned how much I love people and their stories, the art of connecting  with other humans, and all while Led Zeppelin was blasting from the Carrol College students cars that drove groups of us through the neighborhoods.

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What is your favorite season?

Summer – Fall – Winter. Most of them, I spend as much time outside as possible, exploring the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers near my house in a vintage Glastron when its warm, Nordic skiing in the winter, and running trails year-round.

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Outside of your own work, what is your strongest architectural experience?

As a child walking out of Union Station in Chicago holding my hands with my momand seeing the city and skyscrapers for the first time and experiencing awe. As a design student sitting in a chapel at night in Corbusiers La Tourette listening to John Cage and being transported through time and space. 

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