Adapting to unprecedented circumstances, the 2021 Capstone Class produced a range of remarkable projects that showcased their ability to synthesize all they've learned into compelling and highly relevant culminating presentations. Under the guidance of instructors Meg Coffee, Jim Pickel, Pamela Brief and Eileen Alduenda students worked tirelessly to research, analyze, and design solutions to a variety of sites in the greater Los Angeles area and beyond.
This year, our projects touched on the topics of equity, community, revitalization, and resilience. With the pandemic serving as an urgent reminder of the importance of quality outdoor spaces for all, projects “A Community Park in Boyle Heights;” “Community Green Space;” and “Transforming a Brownfield Site into a Neighborhood Park” look to improve access to green spaces in underserved communities. “Alliance Park;” “Alvarado Street;” “Interweave;” “Mountain View;” “Common Ground;" and the “Lincoln Park Restoration Plan" explore interventions to improve and strengthen existing communities. “R E - charge;” “Public Housing Re-Imagined;” “Nature that Nurtures;" “Landscape Reparations;” and “Designing a High Quality Environment near High Voltage Overhead Lines” look to reclaim and transform poorly utilized land for a greater purpose. “Fire-Adapted Future;” “REEFortifying, REEFocusing, and REEFueling;” and “Yerba Buena Cove” highlight the importance of resilient strategies in the face of ongoing climate change.
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, final design solutions and all supporting materials, and then submitted for final grades.
Oral presentations were given via Zoom over the weekend of September 4th and critiqued live 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; Andy Bowden, FASLA, LATC Committee Member, Principal Land Concern, Santa Ana, CA; Carlos Flores, ASLA, President of Southern California Chapter of ASLA, Planner at National Park Service; John Hourian, ASLA, Principal Hourian Associates, Dana Point, CA; Deborah Richie-Bray, ASLA, Principal Richie-Bray, Inc, Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA; and Patricia Trauth, ASLA, LATC Committee Member, Associate Principal Rick Engineering Company, San Diego, CA.
Please click on one of the photos of our 2021 Capstone members below to appreciate their beautiful work.
