Favorite Parts Of Working In Landscape Architecture As A Landscape Designer
Derek, a Landscape Designer III at OLIN, finds the most rewarding aspect of the profession to be its inherent philosophical nature, stating that the work "is at the intersection of where people are and where the environment lives". This involves grappling with significant questions about humanity's relationship with the natural world, exemplified by projects like the Sonoma project which seeks to create a harmonious balance between human habitation and wildlands.
Environmental Design, Community Development, Human-Nature Interaction, Sustainable Practices, Problem-Solving
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Derek Lazo
Landscape Designer III
OLIN
University of Southern California
UC Berkeley, Masters of Landscape Architecture
Environmental & Related Sciences
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Creative
Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. The intersection of human needs and the natural world is a core aspect of landscape architecture, allowing for exploration of philosophical questions about community and our relationship with nature.
2. Projects often involve balancing human needs with environmental concerns, such as designing spaces that minimize wildfire risk while preserving natural beauty in wildlands.
3. Landscape architecture is about creating spaces that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also promote a symbiotic relationship between humans and nature, inviting wildlife and fostering a sense of connection with the natural world.
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your industry?
I think for me, I am a pretty philosophical, intellectual person. There are big questions imbued in many decisions we make, such as what it means to be human, to live in community, and our relationship to the natural world. We often think about these questions.
A project I work on in Sonoma is at the wildlands urban interface. This raises questions about living in a more naturalistic environment with beautiful wild nature, but also the risk of wildfire. We aim to create a place where people can live while minimizing their impact on wildlands and balancing those needs.
These are beautiful aspects of landscape architecture. We are at an intersection where people and the environment meet. How do we make those edges rich for both, not just something pretty to look at? We want to invite nature, whether pollinators, birds, or animals, and foster a symbiotic relationship with the natural world, rather than a pure urban sensation.