Georgia graduated from the University of Tennessee with her Bachelor in Architecture in 2021 and her Master in Landscape Architecture in 2022. She loved Knoxville so much she decided to stay after graduation, and now works for McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects and Interior Designers, or MHM, in downtown Knoxville.
Tell us a little about your career trajectory since you graduated from UT.
After graduating from UTK SoLA, I got an entry level job at a firm that housed both architecture and landscape architecture, which was an incredible opportunity for continued learning and using both my degrees and skill sets simultaneously. I got to dip my feet into both architectural projects with a little bit of landscape, and landscape projects with a little bit of architecture. From master plans and residential complexes, to small commercial structures, planting plans, and everything in between, I was able to collaborate with professionals in architecture, landscape architecture, and engineering, and be the liaison between each method of design. After almost a year at that firm, I switched gears into a predominantly architecture firm. I am now able to get back to my roots where my love for design first began, but also able to use my landscape knowledge to bring new insights to the firm and our designs.
Georgia graduated from the University of Tennessee with her Bachelor in Architecture in 2021 and her Master in Landscape Architecture in 2022. She loved Knoxville so much she decided to stay after graduation, and now works for McCarty Holsaple McCarty Architects and Interior Designers, or MHM, in downtown Knoxville.
Tell us a little about your career trajectory since you graduated from UT.
After graduating from UTK SoLA, I got an entry level job at a firm that housed both architecture and landscape architecture, which was an incredible opportunity for continued learning and using both my degrees and skill sets simultaneously. I got to dip my feet into both architectural projects with a little bit of landscape, and landscape projects with a little bit of architecture. From master plans and residential complexes, to small commercial structures, planting plans, and everything in between, I was able to collaborate with professionals in architecture, landscape architecture, and engineering, and be the liaison between each method of design. After almost a year at that firm, I switched gears into a predominantly architecture firm. I am now able to get back to my roots where my love for design first began, but also able to use my landscape knowledge to bring new insights to the firm and our designs.
Tell us a bit about your current firm and projects or type of work you are doing.
Since my current firm is primarily architecture and interior design, that is where a majority of my work now lies. Much of my time has been spent working on a masterplan project since beginning my employment here, which was the perfect project placement for me allowing me to demonstrate those combined architecture and landscape architecture skills. But as a whole, we do work in all sectors- education, hospitality, sports, residential, corporate, healthcare, historic restoration, and more, leaving a lasting legacy all over Knoxville with our successful and memorable designs.
How has your degree in landscape architecture helped you to achieve your goals?
I decided while obtaining my undergraduate architecture degree that without having knowledge in landscape design, I would never be as well-rounded of a designer as I was striving and intending to be. I realized in undergrad that, to me, an architect should not just have the knowledge to design the building alone, but also must possess the knowledge to design the landscapes around it. I knew pursuing the Master of Landscape Architecture was going to build off my architecture knowledge and teach me valuable lessons and methods to move forward with throughout the rest of my career. I feel confident in my abilities now to wholefully and intentionally design cohesive site and structure pairings that play off of one another and enhance the overall design.
Do you have any advice for future landscape architecture students?
Do whatever you want.
The real world is limited. Code, clients, budget, etc. They’re all very real limitations on the final design outcome. In school, when you don’t have those limitations, cherish it. Let that freedom drive you to create and design whatever you can dream of. Take advantage of all the weirdness, randomness and unlimited possibilities of execution because, I promise, you’ll miss it when it's gone!
Any fond memories of your time at UTK that you would like to share?
Studio time. Whether that was in class or outside of class, time in studio holds such a special place in my heart. The memories made, the knowledge shared, the lessons learned. Being surrounded by some of your best friends and likeminded classmates in a relaxed creative environment. Everything about it, from the stressful and anxiety-inducing lows, to the creative and awe-inducing highs, truly encompasses some of the most pivotal moments in my life. Looking back, studio is truly where I learned most about not only design but also myself throughout my time in college.
Honorable mention: the River Tour during the RiverLine studio. I got to wrap up my final year in college with a five day field trip that actually went through my hometown. It was so cool learning about the Tennessee River and spending time in rural landscapes with some of my best friends and classmates.
What skills that you learned in your MLA program have you found to be the most helpful?
Versatility of thoughts: thinking on large and small scales simultaneously. Sometimes I find myself focusing on the details and being a perfectionist, other times I try to think bigger, about the design idea as a whole. In our profession, sometimes we’re working in inches, other times we're working in acres. Basically everything can be designated into a certain scope or scale. While there's no right or wrong way to go about your design process, being able to think about moving traffic across acres of land all the way down to specific plant types is so important. Landscape architecture requires you to think from both perspectives, detailed and broad. Big and small. Being able to tackle projects from multiple vantage points is probably one of the most valuable takeaways from college. Not only does it help in design, it helps to make you a better person in general, always able to see the other side of things.
How has your degree in landscape architecture helped you to achieve your goals?
I’ve already elaborated on this in earlier answers, but again, my goal was to be a successful and well-rounded designer, capable of handling any design problem with intention and knowledge/fact based solutions. Hands down, my degree in landscape architecture has and is continuing to help me achieve my goals.