1. What was your undergraduate degree and how did it influence your decision to pursue a MLA?
I got my undergraduate degree in Plant Sciences at the University of Florida where I also minored in Landscape Architecture. While I thoroughly enjoyed studying hard science, my minor led me to realize that I missed having the opportunity for creative and subjective work. I started to worry that I’d missed my opportunity to be a landscape architect... but then I did some research and realized that you don’t have to have an undergraduate background in landscape architecture to get an MLA! After that, it was an easy decision.
2. Are you a part of any student groups or organizations?
I currently serve as the treasurer for the student ASLA.
3. Why did you choose the School of Landscape Architecture at UTK?
I initially applied to and got into several schools, but SoLA was the only program I ever visited because it was the one I had the most interest in. SoLA is really geared towards the future trajectory of the field; I liked that the program focuses on teaching students how to use technologies and programs that are starting to gain a real foothold in the professional world, rather than only focusing on hand-drawing and CAD. It has been so beneficial to gain a wide range of skills across many platforms and mediums. The school also has access to so many great resources and an amazing fabrication lab. And, of course, it’s hard to beat the location. The Smoky Mountains are right down the road.
4. What is the last book you read?
The last book I read was A Walk In The Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson. Through-hiking the trail is a dream of mine, and I loved getting more context on such an extensive landscape experience.
5. What activities do you pursue outside the school?
Outside of school I can be found hiking in the woods, running on a greenway, or rock climbing.
6. Where do you get the most inspiration for your work/projects?
I get most of my inspiration from my own personal experiences and my resulting opinions. I have really visceral reactions to things, so I also have really strong ideas about them. I like to take those thoughts and channel them into my work, with the intention of making some sort of statement. I also get a lot of inspiration from learning random weird facts and stretching them as far as possible—I had an entire studio project based around the fact that the capybara is considered a fish in the Catholic Canon.