Landscape Design 1
Site Design Basics
This course explores basic design elements, principles, and issues relevant to landscape architecture. Projects emphasize abstract 3D space and form; the basics of site design: conceptual design, imagery, and symbolism; and basic issues of proportion, scale, and composition.
Instructor
STEVEN CHAVEZ
Project Location
MACGOWEN HALL UCLA
judges
EVAN MATHER – MIG
DEAN HOWELL – GRUEN ASSOCIATES
SCRIBES
ALICIA BARTOLI-ARNOLD
HOLLY CORY
Earth + Water
Student: Bella Smith
Students were tasked with redesigning the Courtyard of Theaters at Macgowan Hall on UCLA’s campus. My design’s goal was to merge nature with Macgowan Hall with the intent of providing a beautiful and peaceful place for students to rest, gather, and enjoy during classes and before and after the theater.
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SCASLA Honorable Mention
The judges found the boulder rain chain bold and interesting Renderings and materiality are strong. The project shows good context—entry is clear, the building’s brick is well referenced—and the overall approach is ambitious with solid modeling. It demonstrates understanding of the assignment and integrates sustainability (rain and habitat). Functionality and circulation read well. The plant palette uses appropriate materials.
Unearthing the Canyon
Student: Brian Bautista
The project focuses on a redesign of Macgowan Hall. The design was inspired by the former canyon that Macgowan Hall is built on top of. It focuses on an ecological restoration of the site’s original ecology and topology along with integration of programming to produce a much needed third space for both humans and native fauna in the UCLA North Campus.
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SCASLA Excellence Award
The judges praised the clear exploration of distinct concepts—geometric, radial, and organic—and how the organic forms work convincingly within a geometric framework. They valued the indoor–outdoor connections, good renderings, and a cohesive material and color palette that creates a unifying, pleasing space that looks inviting. Overall, a strong, intriguing design with clear spatial appeal.
Circle Grid
Student: James Kang
Courtyard of Theaters redesign.
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Wooded Reprieve
Student: Kelsey Woodworth
Redesign of Courtyard of Theaters at UCLA campus. First project with SketchUp.
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SCASLA Achievement Award
The judges found the concepts engaging—especially the original idea—and praised Concept 1 for its simple, geometric clarity. Plans are easy to read, distinct, and supported by strong precedent images. Page 2 reads formal (evoking Paley Park in scale) with thoughtful ADA planning. Page 3’s sunken garden smartly addresses ADA with appealing level changes; the simple design is well done. The tree palette is consistent and the layout/labeling is clean. Overall, the space feels calm, formal, and architecturally aligned with good colors and materials—renderings are effective
Reflection in Form
Student: Laura Williams
A proposed design for a courtyard located at UCLA’s Theater School. The project proposes three design alternatives then hones in on one final design, showcasing a site plan, section/elevations, perspectives and model renderings.
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SCASLA Excellence Award
The judges were genuinely impressed by this project — they loved the clear site analysis, confident linework, and thoughtful exploration of challenges and opportunities. The concept stood out as creative, unique, and beautifully expressed through strong sketches and presentation graphics. They also noted the excellent handwriting and how the collage and design evoked real emotion.
Echo
Student: Maria Pugacheva
My project in the Landscape Design winter course focused on the Courtyard of Theaters at McGowan Hall, UCLA. The work involved documenting the site’s existing conditions and exploring how scale, circulation, and plantings influence user experience. I developed design studies that considered both functional improvements and opportunities for aesthetic enhancement. The process highlighted the importance of integrating context, atmosphere, and human activity into outdoor space design. Overall, this project deepened my understanding of site-specific design strategies and strengthened my creative approach to landscape architecture.
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Cenote
Student: Ricardo Gálvez
The Landscape Design 1 project consisted of a re-imagining of the McGowan Theater and courtyard. I designed three possible approaches, all with different themes. Of the three I chose one and designed the project a logical end point.
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Floating Stage
Student: Ryan O’Leary Jones
This project involved designing an underutilized courtyard on the UCLA campus to serve two adjoining theaters in addition to students and faculty. The process emphasized functional circulation, integration with surrounding environment and attention to how various elements shape the courtyard experience
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