1. What was your favorite class? What did you like about it?
My favorite class was Green Infrastructures with Mike Ross. We spent the first half of the semester learning about the different ways plants can remediate their surroundings. For the second half, we formed teams to design and build floating wetlands to install in Third Creek. I took this class first year, so I was able to learn so much by applying the concepts we learned in class to a built project.
2. What was your undergraduate degree and how did it influence your decision to pursue a MLA?
My undergraduate degree is in fine art studio at a college in Georgia, where I mostly focused on sculpture and woodworking. This is where I was first introduced to landscape architecture. I had never been exposed to landscape architecture in my upbringing in rural South Georgia, and I didn’t realize that it was its own field until one of my professors told me about it. I realized that it was the perfect way to combine my interests that I had been exploring through art but to apply them in a way that would be more accessible and experiential.
My favorite class was Green Infrastructures with Mike Ross. We spent the first half of the semester learning about the different ways plants can remediate their surroundings. For the second half, we formed teams to design and build floating wetlands to install in Third Creek. I took this class first year, so I was able to learn so much by applying the concepts we learned in class to a built project.
2. What was your undergraduate degree and how did it influence your decision to pursue a MLA?
My undergraduate degree is in fine art studio at a college in Georgia, where I mostly focused on sculpture and woodworking. This is where I was first introduced to landscape architecture. I had never been exposed to landscape architecture in my upbringing in rural South Georgia, and I didn’t realize that it was its own field until one of my professors told me about it. I realized that it was the perfect way to combine my interests that I had been exploring through art but to apply them in a way that would be more accessible and experiential.
3. What will you miss about Knoxville?
I’ll definitely miss the proximity to so many different outdoor activities. I love how close the Smokies are—I’m able to go watch the sunrise there, spend a couple of hours, and then be back before the morning is even over. It’s one of the ways I like to recharge if I need a break.
I’ll definitely miss the proximity to so many different outdoor activities. I love how close the Smokies are—I’m able to go watch the sunrise there, spend a couple of hours, and then be back before the morning is even over. It’s one of the ways I like to recharge if I need a break.
4. What aspect of the school has had the most impact on you?
My fellow classmates. In addition to UTK’s incredible faculty, I have learned so much from listening to other students within the program and hearing their perspectives, and I feel so lucky to have met them all.
5. What advice would you give to incoming students?
The school gives you a lot of room to play around with methods of representation. Use this space to experiment and figure out how you like to communicate
6. What activities do you pursue outside the school?
I love hiking, so Tennessee is a great place to be, but my favorite hobby is woodworking. Whenever we have extended breaks, I try to do at least one project where I learn a new technique. Fingers crossed, I’ll have a new desk after Christmas break.
My fellow classmates. In addition to UTK’s incredible faculty, I have learned so much from listening to other students within the program and hearing their perspectives, and I feel so lucky to have met them all.
5. What advice would you give to incoming students?
The school gives you a lot of room to play around with methods of representation. Use this space to experiment and figure out how you like to communicate
6. What activities do you pursue outside the school?
I love hiking, so Tennessee is a great place to be, but my favorite hobby is woodworking. Whenever we have extended breaks, I try to do at least one project where I learn a new technique. Fingers crossed, I’ll have a new desk after Christmas break.
7. Did you have an internship or externship experience? What did you learn from it?
This past summer, I had the privilege of interning at Hillworks in Auburn, Alabama. At the beginning, I was asked if I preferred to either work on the development of one project throughout my time there or to jump around on a few different ones. I chose to focus on one project, and I was really able to learn so much about the processes in a firm by following it from the design development to the construction docs.
8. What is the last book you read?
The last book I read was The World Without Us by Alan Weisman. He’s a journalist, and he decided to investigate what would happen to the built and natural environment if humans suddenly disappeared. It’s one of those books that you want to start again as soon as finishing.
9. How do you learn best?
I’m a die-hard tactile learner. I like to know why something works, and I benefit best by being able to hold something in my hand (and take it apart, if I’m allowed) in order to understand it. Sketching from several different points of view and making a digital and/or physical model are two very important steps in my process.
This past summer, I had the privilege of interning at Hillworks in Auburn, Alabama. At the beginning, I was asked if I preferred to either work on the development of one project throughout my time there or to jump around on a few different ones. I chose to focus on one project, and I was really able to learn so much about the processes in a firm by following it from the design development to the construction docs.
8. What is the last book you read?
The last book I read was The World Without Us by Alan Weisman. He’s a journalist, and he decided to investigate what would happen to the built and natural environment if humans suddenly disappeared. It’s one of those books that you want to start again as soon as finishing.
9. How do you learn best?
I’m a die-hard tactile learner. I like to know why something works, and I benefit best by being able to hold something in my hand (and take it apart, if I’m allowed) in order to understand it. Sketching from several different points of view and making a digital and/or physical model are two very important steps in my process.