Do you have a professor who really inspired or challenged you? What did you learn from them?
Mike Ross has been a mentor to me since first meeting him in an undergraduate course. I’ve learned how to broaden my thinking, to incorporate living systems, and to be a support for the people around me.
Did you have an internship or externship experience? What did you learn from it?
I had the wonderful opportunity to intern with TenEyck Landscape Architecture (TELA) in Austin, TX. I learned many things, but I think most importantly I began to understand what the day to day work of a professional can look like. The experience solidified my desire to practice professionally at a high quality firm and helped me understand how I can continue to curate my education and develop as a designer. During my internship, I was able to visit many of TenEyck’s built works and experience amazing designs that have influenced my standard for design and given me the ambition to produce quality work through my career no matter the challenges of site constraints, clients, or budget.
What has been your most unique experience in the program?
My most unique experience in the program has been traveling each year to experience the national ASLA conference with my peers. So far I’ve been able to experience San Francisco and Minneapolis both of which I had never visited before. In addition to attending a variety of interesting lectures, I was able to visit notable sites like Chrissy Field in person and add to my design experience sketchbook.
Do you have any pets?
I have two cats, Dahlia and Cheddar. Dahlia loves to nap in the window, and Cheddar is a natural escape artist. He loves to be outside and will occasionally open the doors and let himself out. Dahlia often follows out of curiosity. One day I’d love to design a cat friendly yard or park for him to play in, so he can finally realize his dreams of lounging in the wild whenever he desires.
What is the last book you read?
I’m currently reading Iron Flame which is a typically fantasy novel full of dragons, romance, and magical world building. I’ve always loved reading fantasy books, and I probably always will. Recently, I’ve been thinking about how the worlds built and described by these books have influenced how I see the landscape. In my heart, I’d love to live in a world where Ents could roam the forests and dryads, sprites, and nymphs protects the trees, land, and waterways. In my work I would like to bring the richness, whimsy, and fantastic nature of these worlds into the vernacular and everyday experience. We all deserve a little magic in our lives.