Voices of Women in Landscape Architecture, Part 8

Left to right: Fatema Ali Tushi, ASLA, Elizabeth "Violet" Mak, ASLA, and Nicole Cleary, ASLA

ASLA's Women in Landscape Architecture Professional Practice Network (WILA PPN) is sharing the next set of profiles of women in the profession (see the previous installment right here). If you'd like to be featured, the PPN's call for submissions will remain open, with profiles being shared on an ongoing basis.

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These profiles appear on the PPN's LinkedIn group, Facebook group, and here on The Field. This post includes Elizabeth "Violet" Mak, ASLA, Nicole Cleary, ASLA, and Fatema Ali Tushi, ASLA.

Elizabeth "Violet" Mak, ASLA

What inspired you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?

I spent much of my childhood outdoors in nature, playing in the empty lot next door, in the woods and stream behind my house, creating forts in old trees, as well as helping my mom in her vegetable garden. All these experiences instilled a love for nature and its simple beauty. On my ninth birthday, I received a book called Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney. The story involves a girl who was encouraged by her grandfather's advice to travel the world, explore new places, and when she is done, to come back to where she grew up and do something to make the world a more beautiful place. When she has fulfilled her career goals and traveled the world and is ready to retire, she returns to her hometown to fulfill the final mission. Her health is declining at this point, but as she is able, she walks the roads surrounding her little town in Maine and spreads lupine seeds, which earns her the nickname 'Lupine Lady.' This book inspired me at a young age to do something in my life to make the world a more beautiful place. At the time, I didn't know exactly what that would be, but later in high school, I met a practicing landscape architect through babysitting her son. She worked from home, so I got to see the large estates that she was working on in the New England area and was really fascinated by what she did for a living. I had never heard of a landscape architect before that and decided that was what I wanted to do.

Elizabeth "Violet" Mak, ASLA / image: PEA Group

Who are the female role models who have influenced your career?

In college, Dr. Nina Bassuk was a huge inspiration in my career trajectory. She instilled in me the importance of plant and soil knowledge in the design of urban spaces. I was honored to assist her in putting together an educational brochure on a product she helped to develop called CU-Structural Soil™, which is a two-part system that is comprised of rigid stone and soil that allows roots to grow while at the same time providing a structural compacted base for paving material.

Kathryn Wolf, ASLA, was another role model for me. She was the Managing Principal for Trowbridge & Wolf, LLC, where I had a year-long internship between my junior and senior year of college. She inspired me to be a leader in my field and to own my own landscape architecture firm someday.

What advice do you have for other women pursuing a career in landscape architecture?

Follow your passion and stay true to what got you into this field in the first place. Seek out like-minded designers and mentors and learn from them.

Can you share with us a project you are particularly proud of and why?

The project I am most proud of is the Becky Gates Children’s Center Playground Renovation. This project involved a collaboration with the undergrad and MLA program at the Texas A&M University Department of Landscape Architecture, which used the site assessment and conceptual phase as a class project. They then combined all the class ideas into a final conceptual design that was then provided to my firm to take through design development, construction documentation, permitting & bidding, and finally construction administration. This project involved designing a natural outdoor learning environment for the daycare center on campus, which provided children with access to nature and its incredible health and developmental benefits.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t be hesitant to go after your dreams and take risks. The worst that can happen is someone tells you no or you don’t reach your goal, but if you never try, you definitely won’t reach your goals or dreams.

Nicole Cleary, ASLA

What inspired you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?

I grew up on a Christmas tree farm and spent my summers working for a parks department. I actually started as a physical education major with becoming a teacher in mind. I quickly realized this was not my passion. I have always loved the outdoors and was looking for a way to make an impact on the spaces that we all enjoy. I found landscape architecture at SUNY ESF and never looked back!

Who are the female role models who have influenced your career?

Sue Steele, ASLA, Joy Kuebler, FASLA, Emily O'Mahoney, FASLA, and Eugenia Martin, FASLA.

What advice do you have for other women pursuing a career in landscape architecture?

Connect with other women around you, both in the field or allied professionals. It makes a big difference having the support and inspiration of other women. Elevate other women as often as you can.

Can you share with us a project you are particularly proud of and why?

I am very proud of the City of Geneva Streetscape Improvements project. It included two separate projects that applied national Complete Streets standards. The Downtown Streetscape project redesigned the Castle and Exchange Streets corridors, created public gathering space, implemented green infrastructure, and enhanced pedestrian safety and connectivity downtown. The Route 5 and 20 corridor reconfiguration transformed the arterial into a two-lane boulevard with a cycle track and sidewalks. It also improved the connection between downtown Geneva and the lakefront.

This was not a project I managed but was the lead designer for the concept design and initial detailed design work prior to going on maternity leave. When I returned following maternity leave, the project was still in final design phase. So my involvement was able to remain at a capacity that worked for me and my family throughout.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Learn from other as you grow, but always find your dreams and pursue them. Don't let the expectations of others crush your creativity or true passion within our field.

Fatema Ali Tushi, ASLA

What inspired you to pursue a career in landscape architecture?

As I stepped into architecture, I began to travel, exploring not just Bangladesh but also many countries in South Asia. This journey deepened my love for nature as I saw different landscapes, mountains, rivers, forests, trees, and animals in each place. I found solace and inspiration in outdoor spaces, whether it was exploring forests, hiking trails, or simply spending time in a well-designed garden. I became increasingly aware of the impact that human development was having on our natural environment. This awareness, combined with my passion for nature, led me to pursue a career in landscape architecture.

Working as an architect in Bangladesh for seven years taught me a lot about sustainable design and managing projects well. Now, I want to learn even more about reducing pollution, eco-friendly design, and managing projects efficiently. These skills help us design buildings that work well and do less harm to the environment.

My time as a landscape architect in Texas gave me new experiences and a deeper love for nature. I was inspired by the idea of creating outdoor spaces that not only enhance the lives of people but also respect and protect the natural world. Landscape architecture offers a unique opportunity to blend art, design, and environmental science to create sustainable and aesthetically pleasing diverse landscapes, which serve not only humans but also all the living beings in the world. Landscape architects can design a home where all living things can share the space together and live peacefully.

Who are the female role models who have influenced your career?

Marina Tabassum is my idol as a landscape architect for several reasons. First, her architectural designs embody a profound sense of place and cultural sensitivity, traits that I strive to incorporate into my own work. Her ability to seamlessly blend modern design with traditional architectural elements while still honoring the local context is truly inspiring.

Additionally, Tabassum's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility resonates deeply with me. I admire how she integrates sustainable design principles into her projects, ensuring minimal impact on the environment while prioritizing the comfort and well-being of occupants. Her dedication to creating eco-friendly landscapes serves as a guiding light in my own practice. Her commitment towards positive changes makes a big impact in the design and shows in her work. Coming from a conservative small country like Bangladesh and making a big impact in the world inspires me. She is my idol.

What advice do you have for other women pursuing a career in landscape architecture?

For women pursuing a career in landscape architecture, I offer the following advice:

Embrace your unique perspective: As a woman in a male-dominated field, your perspective and experiences bring valuable insights to landscape architecture. Do not be afraid to speak up and present your creative ideas to the world. Remember, no idea is small.

Build a strong support network: Surround yourself with the people who are kind and supportive. Help each other, and seek out opportunities to connect with other women in landscape architecture through professional organizations, networking events, and online communities.

Advocate for yourself: Don't be afraid to speak up and assert yourself in the workplace. Advocate for your ideas, opinions, and career advancement opportunities. Remember that your voice matters and deserves to be heard.

Pursue continuing education: Stay informed about the latest trends, technologies, and practices in landscape architecture through ongoing education and professional development. Invest in acquiring new skills and knowledge that will enhance your capabilities as a landscape architect.

Foster resilience: The world can be a tough place, and the path is not easy as a woman; there are many obstacles to overcome. You need to keep on being resilient and keep fighting.

Lead by example: As you progress in your career, share your experiences, insights, and expertise to empower and inspire the next generation of female landscape architects.

Can you share with us a project you are particularly proud of and why?

My first professional exposure to architecture was an expansion of infrastructure facilities for 12 existing Cadet Colleges and the master plan for Rangpur Cadet College. These projects were mostly focused on improving young cadets’ living conditions to make them more suitable for their physical and mental development. Merging nature with the buildings and creating more adaptable environment for the students were the primary goals. Through these projects I gained practical knowledge about master planning, designing, project planning, and scheduling. This helped me to gain exposure to work pressure, team management, understanding of landscapes, topography, stormwater management, and hands-on experience in a real-time work environment.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Life is not a race; enjoy the present and keep fighting. As long as you are trying, you are making progress, even if you fail sometimes—failing is also a lesson.

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2024 WILA Profiles:

Voices of Women in Landscape Architecture, Part 1