Despite everything that is happening, the culminating presentations artfully produced by the 2020 Capstone Class exceeded expectations. Under the superb instruction of Meg Coffee and Jim Pickel, students were not daunted by their current circumstances. They assiduously worked from in and outside the country to deliver both interesting and relevant concepts.
This year we had a great mixture of proposed conceptual designs and master plans. Locationally specific projects offer an alternative view for 'Connecting the Pacoima Wash;' 'Reclaiming Trabuco Creek;' ' Restoration of Elephant Hill for El Serano;' a revival of 'The Chavez Ravine Arboretum in Elysian Park;' and 'Weaving Ventura.' Conceptual projects studied 'Greening Schoolyards;' Stormwater Management Through Green Infrastructure; 'Creating Habitat in Urban Landscape;' 'Reclaiming Underused Roadways;' 'A Therapeutic Landscape Retreat;' and 'The Neighborhood Park 2.0.'
Each student prepared an oral presentation and compiled a booklet containing detailed site analysis and artistic renderings of their prepared concept. Capstone booklets are meticulously assembled to include research, design process, and final design solutions and supporting materials, then submitted for final grades.
Oral presentations were given via Zoom over the weekend of September 5th and live critiqued by a panel of licensed Landscape Architects. The Capstone Review Panel were: Vaughn Rinner, FASLA, Past President of ASLA National, Principal Vaughn Rinner Landscape Architecture, Seattle, WA; Pamela Brief, ASLA, President of Southern California Chapter of ASLA, Principal Pamela Studios, Los Angeles; Allen Compton, Principal, SALT Landscape Architecture, Los Angeles; Allan Spulecki, ASLA, Associate SWA Group, Los Angeles.
Please click on one of the photos of our 2020 Capstone members below to appreciate their beautiful work.
