Rich Desanto

Lecturer + Affiliate Faculty

Rich Desanto is an artist, designer, researcher, and educator based in Seattle, Washington. Deeply moved and motivated by relational narrative, Rich leverages their training in landscape architecture to trace the sociopolitical and cultural frameworks through which our landscapes are shaped in an effort to inspire a more just relationship between humans and their environment. Rich currently works in professional practice with Haddad|Drugan, creating site based public art works across the country that manipulate environmental phenomena in the built environment. He also works as an instructor with the Department of Landscape Architecture and the Department of Urban Planning and Design, supporting students as they develop their thinking and skill sets on their journey to a degree. His pedagogical approach fosters creative experimentation throughout the design process, from conceptual design framework development to graphic communication of design intent. Rich holds a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington and Bachelor degrees in Art (focus in intermedia/sculpture) and Anthropology (focus in cultural) from the University of California Santa Cruz.