To closeout Landscape Architecture Month, we're highlighting our newest landscape architecture team member Lia Delucchi, and why she chose landscape architecture.​

At the beginning of junior year of high school, when the college application process began, my parents encouraged me to think about what I wanted to do in the future. This was mainly to make sure I was applying to the right schools that carried towards my major. Apart from my younger self having an interest in animals and always playing some type of sport, I also loved to draw and sketch out what I thought my stuffed animals and dolls' bedrooms would look like if they were to have one. Then in high school, I was introduced to the concept of architecture. I was complimented on my organizational skills and precise way of thinking, which are two great qualities for an architect to have. I was fortunate enough to shadow a few local firms, who explained the various pathways into the realm of architecture that one could take. After taking four years of ceramics and studio art, I knew this would be a great fit for me. 
 
I was accepted into Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo's Landscape Architecture program in 2018 and will never forget the excitement I felt. Despite having no real experience within the profession, I decided to go for it! I remember enjoying being able to express creativity for the better of a space or people. Learning about how many different jobs a Landscape Architecture should be able to tackle/ have knowledge on always amazed me for the opportunities I would have post-graduation. 
 
Not to forget, I have a huge love for flowers. Before my father started his career as a firefighter, he owned his family's flower shop and nursery in San Francisco. I always love seeing the work he did and helping him when I could. I utilized his plant knowledge when studying for my weekly plant identification quizzes and his tips on planting design.
--Lia Delucchi

#lloyd #lloydsports #lloydengineers #lloydsportsandengineering #LAM #WLAM #WLAM2023 #thisislandscapearchitecture #CalPoly #CalPolySLO #recentgrad #landscapearchitecture #sketching #plants #sanfrancisco #ASLA 

I love to draw, and am always thrilled to do so any chance I can, and especially on a work project. From hand sketching my meeting notes or an educational session, to concept sketches, perspectives, sections, and elevations. The ability to hand sketch on the spot to convey ideas for a project, to finding personal time to shift one's mindset, and let the creative juices flow on the spot. I find sketching calming, relaxing, and at the same time fun and creative. Past time iconic artist known for some of their unique sketches that I've come to admire early on, include Le Corbusier, Degas, Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Frank Gehry, and Frank Lloyd Wright to name a few. -- Yes biased on the art and architecture side, but remember, my passion started there.  Today in the Landscape Architecture industry both locally in Arizona and nationally, you may come across some amazing sketches of folks such as Teneyke, Martino, Blossom, Sullivan, and Richardson to name a few. (Did you see National ASLA's LAM post on sketching? If not, you should!) All of these amazing designers and sketchers have inspired me at one point or another. And a special shout out goes to my dear friend Duane Blossom, FASLA, who inspired me through his own artistic sketches early on while in graduate school. And the most rewarding memory I have of Duane was watching him sketch in action over lunch. 

Sketching and drawing in the landscape architecture profession (or any design profession) provides opportunities to play with ideas, space, lines, and shapes in plan view; all with a simple drawing instrument and paper. In perspective and elevation, the sense of scale starts to unfold even further. And add color, you bring depth, aesthetics, and even emotions to a visual. Don't get me wrong, the use of technology these days is amazing, including AI, and for many, is now a substitute for sketching and drawing. But I find one's ability to sketch or draw ideas on paper, in a single instance, is far more valuable and outweighs the tedious time it can take to sometimes computer generate an idea.  As a past teaching assistant and studio reviewer I'd see the limitations that students had with the restrictions of a computer, and at times, the inability to look "outside the box"....

I've been in project meetings where ideas are verbally communicated, but visually lacking, and on the fly a diagram or perspective is formed to provide a visual. I've been in situations where technology wasn't readily available, and providing a colored sketch perspective of what the space could be, sufficed to win the client over. Sometimes sketches help to test concepts, or scale, or just bring people into a visual consideration of a design. I'll even try to find opportunities to drawing something outside of work -  a gift to a friend, custom thank you card, or even just a drawing of something one of my kids want. A quick sketch, can be far more powerful than words alone.

So start with a paper and pencil, or start carrying a sketchbook wherever you go, and get sketching! Who knows what you might come up with, what might inspire you, or who you might inspire next!

#LAM #landscapearchitecture #sketching #sketches #handsketching #WLAM2023 #LAM2023 #thisislandscapearchitecture #ASLA #lloyd #lloydsports #lloydengineers #sportsengineering #landscapearchitect #art #drawing #perspective #plan #sections #elevation #admarkers #sketchbook

For week three of Landscape Architecture Month we would like to highlight team member, Valerie Ahyong, and her unique path into landscape architecture.

As a child I grew up drawing a lot. I also took a lot of art and vocational courses throughout high school, including drafting classes. I really enjoyed hand drafting, and in my sophomore year I competed in my first AIA Alaska Frank Maier High School Design Competition and placed third in State, then first the following two years after. I attended architecture school for two years in southern California. I then took a break and transferred to Arizona State University (ASU) finishing my degree in Business and Marketing, while interning at CMX Sports Engineers as a marketing coordinator. Upon graduation I stayed with CMX providing both marketing and business development support, and assisting with reports for the planning department. The exposure to local design firms through proposals re-peaked my interest in design. I returned ASU for a dual masters, and within my first year, I began to fall in love more with landscape architecture. I have my then professors Ken McCowan and Joe Ewan to thank -- Ken exposed me to bioregional design, while Joe taught me to appreciate the Sonoran Desert and landscape design -- and at that instance I chose to just finish my masters in landscape architecture.

After graduation, I landed a job with JJR|Floor,(now Smithgroup). I had wonderful opportunities to work on projects across the country and overseas. My very first project through design was the Madison Improvement Club in Phoenix. Others included Sky Harbor T3 Renovations, CAC Phase 1, and Mountain View Health Center. I eventually returned to Floor, working on ASU Health Innovations, ASU Wexford, and Pima Dynamite Trailhead. After having my second child, I wanted to work closer to home and an opportunity to work for the City of Mesa became available. As a City Landscape Architect I managed a handful of bond park projects, and designed projects such as the view park renovation at Falcon Field Airport and the IDEA museum courtyard renovations project. Working in public sector definitely gave me a different perspective and opportunity to work with the general public, councilmembers, and various City departments. I eventually made a switch back to private development and landed here at Lloyd.

​​My path into the profession was definitely not a typical journey for most Landscape Architects. My involvement with ASLA National and the Arizona chapter over the past 15 years have given me life-long friendships and opportunities; being a working mom of two has given me challenges and major life decisions in my career; and I will always be forever grateful for all of the opportunities, projects, and life-long connections I've made along the way. - Valerie Ahyong, PLA

#thisislandscapearchitecture #LAM #LAM2023 #WLAM2023 #landscapearchitecture #sportsengineering #sportsengineers #lloyd #lloydsports #lloydsportsandengineering #lloydengineers #landscapearchitecturemonth #projecthighlights #AZASLA #WxLA #floorassociates #smithgroup #cityofmesa #publicworks #parks #commercial #healthcare #highered #landscapedesign #sonorandesert #aridregion #details #AIA #architecture #ketchikan #kayhi 

Many perceive the design of a sports field or facility to be simple, however there are several decisions to be made, that impact the quality, usability, performance, aesthetics, environment, or a sense of place. Landscape Architects are uniquely qualified to design such facilities because it’s not only the field that makes a venue great, but it’s everything else around the field that can make the venue notable.
 
While designing a sports facility, Landscape Architects are looking at the bigger picture of how all the sport specific components will work with the needs of the athletes, visitors, maintenance personnel, facilities operations staff, as well as the site topography, existing circulation patterns, and utility connections. There are sport specific needs that can be less visually appealing or impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation. However, with a little thought, these elements can gently slip into the landscape, while remaining completely functional. Take a look at some of these sports facilities where it’s more than just a field. 

#thisislandscapearchitecture #landscapearchitecture #sportsengineering #sportsengineers #lloyd #lloydsports #lloydsportsandengineering #lloydengineers #LAM2023 #LAM #landscapearchitecturemonth #projecthighlight #sportsfacilities #athletes #pedestrians #circulation #aesthetics #senseofplace #venues #morethanjustafield

As we continue to highlight our team for Landscape Architecture Month, we'd like to feature Associate, Jane Theobald, and her interesting background into the profession!

As a kid, I was always drawing house floor plans or building houses with Legos or blocks. Somewhere in middle school, I remember my Mom suggesting landscape architecture instead of architecture since I was the one who kept creating gardens at our new house. In high school, I did a year long research project on landscape architecture, for an “Honors Diploma” and was also allowed to convert my parents grass filled front yard, to a drought tolerant landscape and I loved every minute of both projects.
 
While I was in college, I worked on the Cal Poly Rose Floats for three years, and ultimately ended up as the Program Leader, my last year. It was through this demonstration of leadership and project management skills, plus a background of building things with my dad, that I landed my first job as a project manager at a landscape construction firm. That’s where I learned how important correctly detailed information really is…
 
After getting my license, I transitioned back into the design world where I landed on the Sports and Recreation team at a large, multi-disciplinary firm. I’ve helped design facilities for public schools, private schools, Cities, Community Colleges, and Universities. I love being able to personalize each facility, based on their needs as well as the community at large.
-- JANE THEOBALD, PLA

#LAM #thisislandscapearchitecture #landscapearchitect #landscapearchitecture #landscapedesign #landscape #lloyd #lloydsports #lloydsportsandengineering #lloydengineers #sportsdesign #iamalandscapearchitect #WLAM #WLAM2023 #iworkhere #green #biodiversity #publicspaces #designprocess #design #calpolySLO #calpolySLOalumni #calpoly #droughttolerantlandscape #calpolyrosefloats #projectleader #leadership #landscapeconstruction #projectmanager #sportsandrecreation