When the last remaining tree behind a downtown Lawrence architecture firm died, the staff recognized a meaningful opportunity to honor a cherished former colleague. The team at Multistudio, located at 706 Massachusetts Street, transformed the small patch of land into a beautiful memorial garden dedicated to Jackson Clark, an architect who had devoted nearly three decades of his career to the firm.
Jackson Clark worked as an architect at Gould Evans for almost 30 years before retiring. He passed away in April 2024 at the age of 76, approximately 10 years after his retirement. Gould Evans has since rebranded itself as Multistudio, but the company's commitment to honoring Clark's memory remains strong.
Robert Whitman, a landscape architect at Multistudio, took on the responsibility of designing the memorial garden for his former colleague of many years. The garden now features a carefully selected variety of plants, including blue grama grass, Montrose White calamint, and Baptisia American Goldfinch, all thriving in the intimate space. A local Lawrence landscaping company called Gardens and Grass handled the installation of trees, shrubs, and various other plants throughout the garden.
The connection between Whitman and Clark ran deeper than just their professional relationship. Both men shared a genuine passion for landscaping and gardening, often extending their conversations about perennials well beyond normal work hours. "I'd say everyone that works in the office knew how much Jackson loved landscaping," Whitman explained. "He was an architect, but he was really fond of gardens and trees in particular. He, as I understand it, would assist folks with measuring champion trees. And so when he would go on these tours or these excursions to look at trees, I'd get to hear about it."
Brigid Murphy, Clark's wife of 35 years, expressed her amazement at the outpouring of affection from people who knew her husband. Many individuals told her after Clark's passing that he had been the closest friend they'd ever had. A bronze plaque, crafted by Schurle Signs and mounted on the building near the garden, honors Clark as a colleague, mentor, and friend. "I was just really touched," Murphy said. "I guess I sometimes thought maybe he was a bit curmudgeonly, and I think even some people at Gould Evans were a little intimidated by him. It's just gratifying to be shown how much he was appreciated. And, of course, they appreciated him through the years when he had work anniversaries, but it was just a lovely thing. It's a real tribute to him."
John Wilkins, who now serves as a principal at Multistudio, first met Clark when they were both freshmen at the University of Kansas in 1980. While Wilkins was a typical teenager beginning his college experience, Clark was at a different stage in his life, bringing maturity and wisdom to their friendship. In 1985, both men began their professional careers when they were hired at Gould Evans. "He was a great resource to many people who were starting their careers, just because on the one hand, he was one of us, but on the other hand, he was a lot more mature than the rest of us," Wilkins reflected. "So he became a great mentor to many people."
Murphy described her late husband as "a real renaissance man" with incredibly diverse interests and expertise. Clark played an instrumental role in building science at the firm, where he analyzed energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and other systematic factors that affected their architectural projects. His approach to architecture emphasized substance over style. "Jackson had a lot of integrity, and he felt really strongly that buildings should be not just showy but have a lot of integrity in the way they're built," Murphy explained.
The completion of the memorial garden was celebrated with a private reception held earlier this month, where close friends and colleagues gathered to honor Clark's memory. The timing was particularly meaningful, as staff members now begin and end each workday with a fresh, beautiful view of the garden. The space is also accessible to passersby, who are welcome to observe and enjoy the seasonal plants as they bloom throughout the fall, spring, and summer months.
The garden was thoughtfully designed with environmental considerations in mind. Most of the plants selected for the memorial garden are native to the local area, providing important benefits to native pollinators and supporting the local ecosystem. This choice reflects both Clark's love of nature and the firm's commitment to sustainable, environmentally conscious design practices.
The memorial garden now serves as a living testament to Jackson Clark's legacy, combining his professional dedication to architectural integrity with his personal passion for landscaping and nature. Staff members, clients, and community members can experience this peaceful space as a daily reminder of Clark's lasting impact on both his colleagues and the broader Lawrence community.
