Sophie Muschel-Horton is an associate designer at Future Green Studio, where she has worked for 6 years. Sophie's work at Future Green has included four installations in the Rockefeller Cener Channel Gardens, the award-winning redesign of Whitman-Walker Health Center in Washington, D.C., a number of programs with Rice University in Houston, TX including a master plan and numerous design/build interventions, and several design and construction projects at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. Sophie's interdisciplinary background in science and art led ehr to the field of landscape architecture, where her designs merge interests in theory, history, and ecological function. Prior to pursuing her MLA, Sophie worked in outdoor education, community organizing, and as a volunteer coordinator in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Sophie earned her Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley in 2016, and her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Art History from Vassar College in 2009.
1. What was your undergraduate experience and how did it influence your decision to pursue a MLA?
I majored in environmental studies, which was an interdisciplinary program at my school, so I also concentrated on art history, studio art, and geology. I then worked for the Prospect Park Alliance in Brooklyn, NY, where I first encountered professional landscape architects. I never knew landscape architecture existed as its own field before, but realized at that point it was a perfect segue from what I’d studied in college.
I majored in environmental studies, which was an interdisciplinary program at my school, so I also concentrated on art history, studio art, and geology. I then worked for the Prospect Park Alliance in Brooklyn, NY, where I first encountered professional landscape architects. I never knew landscape architecture existed as its own field before, but realized at that point it was a perfect segue from what I’d studied in college.
2. What activities do you pursue outside of work?
Outside of teaching and work, my favorite activities are backpacking off the grid and skiing—also my favorite forms of meditation.
Outside of teaching and work, my favorite activities are backpacking off the grid and skiing—also my favorite forms of meditation.
3. How do you like to start and end your day?
I start every day with a big cup of coffee, as I can’t function at all without it, and try to make sure I always save at least 10 minutes to read—either a novel or the New Yorker.
I start every day with a big cup of coffee, as I can’t function at all without it, and try to make sure I always save at least 10 minutes to read—either a novel or the New Yorker.
4. Do you have a favorite project you have worked on?
My favorite project in graduate school was a design for an artist residency program within the ruins of an old concrete factory in Napa Valley, CA. At work, my favorite projects have been seasonal installations for the Rockefeller Center Channel Gardens, and a number of design-build elements for the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, including an insect hotel.
My favorite project in graduate school was a design for an artist residency program within the ruins of an old concrete factory in Napa Valley, CA. At work, my favorite projects have been seasonal installations for the Rockefeller Center Channel Gardens, and a number of design-build elements for the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, including an insect hotel.
5. Do you have any pets?
I have two cats—Marcel and Rita—who are both excellent office assistants when I’m working from home.
I have two cats—Marcel and Rita—who are both excellent office assistants when I’m working from home.
DESIGN WORK WITH FUTURE | GREEN
Brooklyn Botanic Children's Garden
Brooklyn Botanic Garden Insect Hotel
Brooklyn Botanic Discovery Garden Nest
Rice Village Screen Printed Planter
Rice Village Playhouse
Rice Village Streetscape Activation
Summer 2021 Bark Clad Bench
Summer 2019 Sandbox
Spring 2019 Installation
Whitman Walker Health Center
