An Organic Landscape Architecture Job at the de Young Museum

By Marianne Salina
Marianne.salina@hqeduction.com

HQ Education Columnist

After an earthquake in 1989, San Francisco lost one of its prized museums, and until a chunk of money and a couple of Swiss architects appeared, it didn't look like the famed de Young Museum would see rebirth. The museum was reborn, however, when architects Pierre de Meuron and Jacques Herzog created a landscape architecture design that creates the interplay of Golden Gate Park, historic art, and the people who wander into its natural structure.

Having created famous landscape architecture throughout the world, de Meuron and Herzog emphasize the importance of materials and recognize how to design a structure that coexists with its surroundings. Their success in San Francisco is a testament to artistic intuition and the importance of a landscape architecture degree.

Landscape Architecture Schools

One of the biggest concerns in creating the landscape architecture design of the new de Young was that its lines and spaces be well matched with the city's lines. With an open procession from one room to the next, the inside matches the outside, a feature that was essential to this landscape architecture job finding success.

A design that would meet the expectations of a city like San Francisco was only possible through extensive study of architecture and a landscape architecture degree.

Many landscape architecture schools offer courses such as:

• Urban design and planning
• Surveying
• Landscape ecology

Landscape Architecture Degree

It can take about three years to finish a master's landscape architecture degree, but upon completion, you can jump into urban and rural environments to enhance landscape architecture design and conservation of space. Choosing from a number of landscape architecture schools throughout the country, you can pursue your degree either on campus or online to help you achieve your design goals.

Sources:

"Going for Cozy Glamour in San Francisco" by Nicolai Ouroussoff, New York Times
Harvard Landscape Architecture

About the Author

Marianne Salina is a freelance writer and columnist in Spokane, Washington. She graduated with honors upon receiving her B.A. in Literature and Creative Writing from UC Santa Cruz. She is currently involved in research for her next volume of short fiction. Her varied coursework in critical theory and Women's Studies is an undercurrent within her fiction and her careful study of educational programs is reflected in her column.