1. Where are you at in your career? (no. of years’ experience)

I began my Bachelor of Design Studies in 2010 and completed my Masters of Architecture in 2015 (after living abroad during a working holiday in Japan). I am currently in the midst of completing my Masters of Landscape Architecture at the University of Adelaide. I also do some work with the excellent team at Oxigen and run LSA (Landscape Students Association based at Adelaide University).

2. What motivated you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?

Coming from a history of art, illustration and design I was drawn to landscape architecture because of the creative scope you are given in the profession. The way that you design landscapes can be tactile - almost sculptural or painterly- and I'm driven by the passion for creating spaces or atmospheres that can positively effect or challenge how people feel in their daily lives. Landscape architecture also seems more collaborative- I think it’s exciting to be involved in the design process with industrial designers, craftsmen and artists to creative a cohesive whole. In addition, I believe that design is a universal language so the opportunity landscape architecture presents for travel is appealing.

3. What do you do in a standard day ‘in the office’/at uni?

A standard 'day at the office' entails either catching the bus or riding my bike on the way to uni, grabbing a coffee (I highly recommend Mondays coffee for great coffee and excellent morning banter) and generally arriving at uni by 9. Currently, there is a large emphasis on sketch design and model-making for our final studio, loosely utilizing strategies employed by architect Perry Kulper. Until roughly lunch-time students will collaboratively work on physical models, sketches and diagrams- with a large emphasis on considered, technically precise models. After lunch, discussion and idea development will generally be taken into the digital realm (I'm currently interested in the salt-crystallization planes in Salisbury) where we will model up our progress using Sketchup or Rhino, or in my case layering hand-drawn sketches with digital collages. This is also an opportunity to speak to one of the tutors for feed-back and direction or presentations.

4. Tell us about a favorite project or work/study related experience

A recent extra-curricular study experience I really enjoyed was during last years AIA awards. Our student cohort worked collaboratively in teams to create lighting for the awards using a waffled-plastic product called Dampalon. The process was challenging but ultimately pleasing with everyone proud of the final result titled 'Nimbus' (a set of 3 glowing clouds, suspended on a kinetic mobile). Collectively we had to engage with various professions, for example lighting technicians and mechanical engineers on campus to borrow their expertise in water-jet cutting (as laser-cutting was obsolete). An added challenge was how to maximize the material and make it work harder for us with limited resources. The lessons learned in thinking outside of the box and adapting I think can be applied to the larger realm of design and landscape architecture, and really encapsulates why I love working in this industry.

5. What advice would you give someone considering a career in landscape architecture?

I think its hugely important to hold your ideals close- why are you interested in this profession and what as an individual can you offer that is unique? It's important personally for me to be inspired and passionate about the work that I am doing, and to have a set of goals in mind to work towards. If you are considering a career in landscape architecture, my (somewhat biased) advice would be to absolutely go for it, but to also be prepared to work hard and to always always enjoy yourself.