Attending National Conference Expands Landscape Architecture Students' Perspectives

Photo Submitted

Landscape architecture students, faculty and alumni of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design pose for a group photo at the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) 2024 Conference on Landscape Architecture, held in early October in Washington, D.C.

A record number of U of A landscape architecture students recently traveled to the American Society of Landscape Architects' 2024 Conference on Landscape Architecture in Washington, D.C. More than 40 students attended the conference in early October, led by Scott Biehle, teaching associate professor of landscape architecture, and Katie Dunn, teaching assistant professor of landscape architecture, in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design.

This was the largest group of landscape architecture students from the U of A to attend the annual gathering of landscape architecture and allied professionals — all coming together to learn, connect, share knowledge, gain inspiration and bring value to their practice.

Dunn, also an alumna of the program, said this was her first time attending the national conference.

"The size of the group we took is a testament to how the program has grown in even just the last 10 years," Dunn said. "It was an experience for students to get outside of their school bubble and start making connections in the industry."

Fourth-year students Matt King, from Fayetteville; Hannah Soechting, from Cedar Park, Texas; and Elijah Willis, from Bradford, Arkansas, led a panel discussion for the Historic Preservation Professional Practice Network leadership meeting. The three shared their experience working on historical and cultural landscapes along the Buffalo River under the direction of Kimball Erdman, professor of landscape architecture, and Robyn Lane, teaching assistant professor of landscape architecture. A large part of that work was creating a website that mapped out the stories of Civilian Conservation Corps work at Buffalo Point, on the Buffalo National River, and Rush, Arkansas, a ghost town also near the Buffalo National River.

Soechting said presenting their work was just one way the conference offered opportunities for students.

"It gives just the right amount of business and play, pushes you out of your comfort zone while also providing a lot of fun opportunities and experiences, and teaches you a lot about the profession overall and current events in the field," Soechting said. "It helps bring you more into the community of landscape architecture and begin creating important and meaningful work relationships."

For many students, this was their first time in a large metropolitan area. In Washington, D.C., the group visited national memorials, many of which were designed by landscape architects. These included the World War I Memorial designed by an architecture alumnus and Fayetteville native Joe Weishaar, working in collaboration with Sabin Howard, the artist who created the sculpture component called "A Soldier's Journey."

This was the second time that Kelsey Vogel, a fourth-year landscape architecture student from Tulsa, Oklahoma, attended the conference. She said that visiting Washington, D.C., stood out to her because of the sheer number of national artifacts and history embedded throughout the city.

"The conference itself was incredibly educational, but the mere experience of being in the city — taking public transportation, walking through the National Mall and seeing how the neighborhoods convert their streets for farmers markets and community events — felt like lessons in successful landscape architectural design," Vogel said.

Their time in Washington, D.C., enabled students to see past their schooling in landscape architecture and see what they could do with the degree.

There were also tangible benefits for students who attended the conference. Attending conferences is an opportunity to learn about the diversity of the profession and about the opportunities it can provide.

"It's a great way to keep up with new trends in the design world and meet new people," Vogel said. "Traveling allows students to see how landscape architecture looks and functions in other places. It is also great for inspiration, developing patience and tolerance for unfamiliarity and for being exposed to new ways of designing."

In addition to the networking and session discussions, Dunn said students interacted with advancements in technology and materials through the more than 275 vendors in attendance. Interactions with vendors producing elements used in landscape architecture and design strengthened and grounded students' understanding of the discipline.

This was especially beneficial for third-year students, who are currently taking a materials and methods course. This hands-on interaction with materials helps them as they work on projects. Following the conference, Dunn has seen how they have begun incorporating these cutting-edge materials and technology in their designs.

"You get to see designed landscapes in real time while also attending lectures that can increase your awareness of all the ways that landscape architecture impacts the world around us," Vogel said. "Attending the conference is important for finding mentorship, gaining new experiences and opportunities, and feeling like you are a part of a community that cares about you and your success."

Dunn said the conference experience strengthened the bond among current students but is also beneficial for students not even in the program yet.

"Potential students see this draw of traveling with their classmates and see how students use that experience in school. Plus, the exposure to professionals and practitioners is an opportunity for students to go outside their region," Dunn said. "The experience opens the program outside of Arkansas while also staying grounded within the university experience."

Dunn said many students are already looking forward to next year's national conference, which will be held in New Orleans in October 2025.