Capstone Projects

The final design class culminates in a self-directed project that demonstrates competency in site selection, analysis, programming a site, conceptualizing a design, and rendering a final conceptual design proposal booklet.

Instructor

MEG COFFEE

Project Location

VARIOUS

judges

RON LEE – WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING

MIKE HEE – STUDIO MLA

MELANIE BUFFA – AGENCY ARTIFACT

JENNIFER MOK – WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING

SCRIBES

JEN MOODY

ROGER VASQUEZ

THERE WILL BE PLANTS
RESTORING URBAN ECOLOGY IN A POST-OIL LOS ANGELES

AARON BUYNAK

DESIGNING THE WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE:
NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS FOR WILDFIRE MITIGATION AND EQUITABLE LAND ACCESS WITHIN A POST FIRE LOS ANGELES

AIMEE KIRBY

FROM HARDSCAPE TO HABITAT
CREATING CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN URBAN PUBLIC SCHOOLYARDS

ALICIA BARTOLI-ARNOLD

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL:
CREATING A REGENERATIVE LANDSCAPE ROOTED IN CULTURE, ECOLOGY, AND JUSTICE

AMY DOUGLAS WHITE

heritage to horizon:
reimagining the ken dyda civic center

CATHERINE EISENBERG

the garden at garden street:
a place for community and nature to thrive in the funk zone

EDDY ZHU

HAHAMONGNA
WATERSHED PARK
A VISION FOR RENEWAL

HEATHER WU

OPEN GATE
A LINEAR PARK FOR WEST LOS ANGELES

Justin lillehei

BEYOND THE BERM
DESIGNING A CLIMATE-RESILIENT FUTURE FOR CARPINTERIA’S SHORELINE

MACKENZIE DOYLE

Congratulations to

The Capstone Experience – Class of 2025!

The Capstone course is the ultimate test drive into the world of professional practice — where students take everything they’ve learned and channel it into a bold, self-directed design project. It’s not just a class; it’s the big stage where site selection, analysis, programming, conceptualization, and vision all come together in one powerful final design proposal.

This year, the 2025 Capstone Class went above and beyond, producing projects that are as innovative as they are inspiring. From local sites in Los Angeles to ideas stretching beyond, each project proves the creativity, resilience, and passion of this graduating cohort.

Under the expert mentorship of Professors Meg Coffee, students pushed themselves to new heights — researching, analyzing, designing, and reimagining landscapes with heart and vision.
The results?
Oral presentations that wowed the room.
Beautifully crafted Capstone books that capture every detail: site analysis, design process, big ideas, final solutions, and stunning renderings.
A collection of work that doesn’t just meet the bar — it raises it.