Halprin was an apprentice of Thomas Church with whom he developed the contemporary California Garden concept. His body of work includes: Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco; FDR Memorial, Washington D.C.; the Walter and Elise Haas Promenade, overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem; and dozens more American and international common spaces.
In 2004, CSI created the Michelangelo Award to pay tribute to an individual for a lifetime of distinguished, innovative service to building design and construction.