Landscape Architecture 300: Introduction to Landscape Architecture is a course designed to introduce and immerse new students to the field of landscape architecture. Taught by lecturer Shaunta Butler and assisted by reader/grader Piper Sallquist (MLA ’26), this intensive summer course covers a breadth of topics in a short time frame–giving students a first taste of what studio courses have to offer in the UW landscape architecture program.
Instructors aid and facilitate students in learning and practicing core skills within the field of landscape architecture: design principles, measured and perspective drawings, site analysis, model building, group collaboration, and myriad other design skills. Project 4 for LARCH300 compelled students to design for an overlooked and inaccessible site underneath University Bridge adjoining the Burke-Gilman multi-use trail. The fenced-off area, home to the “Wall of Death” art installation exists in a noisy urban context with great potential for integration with the adjacent student housing apartments in Mercer Court.
Projects leveraged the element of play in their designs to breathe new life into a historied urban space.
Students also gained experience in presenting their projects and ideas in their first studio review. The review panel consisted of lecturer Rich Desanto, recent MLA grad Nat Gregorius, and current MLA I student Sasha Crawford.
The students vibrant, colorful, playful, and engaging designs were presented to the reviewers, who provided feedback and critique on design concepts, verbal and graphic presentation elements, and integration into the real existing site.
The first review of many was an exciting milestone in their landscape architecture journey, and the reviewers and instructors commented on the quality, thoughtfulness, and growth in the student work weeks after beginning the course. Many congratulations!
