USC Landscape Architecture Community

Name: USC Landscape Architecture Community
Address: Los Angeles, CA, 90089, US
Telephone: (213) 740-2723

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Master of Landscape Architecture + Urbanism
Los Angeles Ca.

10/31/2026

Happy Halloween from USC MLA students (and Helen)! The first year students definitely won with their group costume- Prismacolor colored pencils!!

10/28/2026

Third-year Master of Landscape Architecture students are currently developing proposals for the Maloof Foundation Campus in Alta Loma, CA. In this interdisciplinary class, landscape architecture students are working with students in USC’s Bachelor and Master of Architecture programs to explore the future of a unique historic and cultural resource. The course is taught by preservation architect Kelly Sutherlin McCleod, FAIA, and professor of practice Esther Margulies, PLA.

One facet of their immersion in the topic included a week-long hands-on workshop led by master craftsman Mike Johnson of Sam Maloof Woodworker, the legacy team that continues to produce custom artisan furniture designed by Sam Maloof.

From observing master craftsmanship to working with wood firsthand, students experienced the value of material exploration, making, and learning through doing.

A special thank you to Mike Johnson of Sam Maloof Woodworker and the Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation for sharing their knowledge and inspiring the next generation of designers!

Sam and Alfreda Maloof Foundation

10/23/2026

In August, Professor Alexander Robinson’s Alex Robinson project at the Los Angeles River Integrated Infrastructure Design Lab (IIDL) was featured in Landscape Architecture Magazine. The Lab, located in Frogtown and adjacent to the river, boasts a 60ft long model of the LA River- a testament to the necessity of a physical model in a world full of technology. The model allows for alterations to test new designs as time goes on, which is especially important when working on something as dynamic and fluid as a river.

Read the full article at: https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/la-river-integrated-design-lab

Images and photos provided by Gina Clyne, Alex Robinson, and the IIDL.

10/20/2026

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: Our very own Anne Skold, 2nd Year MLA student, has served as the Peace Garden design intern since Spring 2026. We are so proud of her hard work and beautiful designs!

In June 2025, USC’s original Peace Garden closed, but has since relocated to USC Kerckhoff Hall at 734 W. Adam’s Blvd. Anne’s design features 33 different native or climate adaptive plant species to support biodiversity as well as 17 raised garden beds. The goal of this new space is to cultivate community and education through events, volunteer opportunities, and outdoor education.

*The bottom right image is Anne planting the very first plant at the garden!

Check out this article for more info on the Peace Garden: https://dailytrojan.com/2026/10/05/usc-peace-garden-blooms-in-new-site/

10/15/2026

Today the first year students had their first official mid review for their studio course. Their beautiful work explored their experience and observations while on Catalina, and the beginnings of their research into their site for the semester: The Hahamonga Watershed Park located at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Thank you to our guest jurors for providing such great feedback and advice to our students!

10/12/2026

Near the beginning of every fall semester, our first year MLA students take a trip to the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability. It’s a chance for students to connect with each other and gather a deeper understanding of Southern California’s ecology through hands on experience. Students translate their observations and findings into field work for their studio to help build a foundation for the year ahead.

This year’s adventures and activities included a trip to Catalina’s “Airport in the Sky”, a beach day and bonfire, snorkeling, and a visit to the Ackerman Native Plant Nursery to learn more about the Catalina Island Conservancy!

10/08/2026

Congratulations to Professor Alison Hirsch, founder of the Landscape Justice Initiative, for receiving the 2026 ASLA Professional Award in Analysis and Planning for her project “Allensworth Rising: Rural Resilience in California’s Freedom Colony”! Through years of work with local residents and community members, the Allensworth Community Plan was developed as a framework which recognizes the original community goals and aspirations as well as their continued shared goal of climate-resilient rural self-sufficiency. Looking forward, this project serves as a model for sustainable and equitable community planning in industrial agricultural regions.

Alison spoke on this project at the ASLA Conference with two colleagues from the Allensworth Progressive Association, who also received an ASLA award as the client for the Allensworth Community Plan. Their conference session touched on the history of Allensworth and how the community plan can serve as a roadmap for future climate resilience, economic diversity, water security, and a healthy future for a culturally rich community.

See more on Dr. Alison Hirsch’s project at this link: https://www.asla.org/awards-events-main-landing/honors-awards/pro-student-awards/2026-professional-awards/allensworth-rising-rural-resilience-in-california-s-freedom-colony

10/06/2026

The sights, sounds, scents, and flavors of Jefferson Blvd as represented by our 2nd year MLA students during their first studio review of the semester.

This review was secondary to their preliminary research done on the 13.2 mile stretch of Jefferson Blvd, which is their site for the semester, as the second year takes an urban approach to design. This project was a way for students to express their experience of walking the entire street in a more tactile manner as opposed to analytical.

09/10/2026

Join us tomorrow, Friday September 11th, at noon in the Wong Auditorium (HAR 101) for the lecture “Designing What We Remember” by Jerry van Eyck. Founder and design principal of !melk , Jerry’s work spans from large urban forms to more intimate scales of landscape, which are guided by emotion and memory in addition to structure and function.

Jerry’s lecture will touch on the thinking behind several selected works- the process of understanding, concept formation, challenges faced, and changes made along the way. “Designing What We Remember” is about ideas and memory- how we can create spaces which stick with someone long after they visit.

05/22/2026

Our ARCH542B final review covered several topics regarding transcalar water systems in Los Angeles including: wastewater, the Arroyo Seco, the Los Angeles River and flood protection, Measure W.

This studio challenges students to engage water infrastructure as landscape itself—a medium through
which ecological performance, cultural meaning, and civic life can be negotiated. Through transcalar
analysis, representation, and design, students proposed new relationships between water systems
and landscape in a city where that relationship is both urgent and unresolved.

Address

Los Angeles, CA
90089

Telephone

(213) 740-2723

Website

https://arch.usc.edu/master-of-landscape-architecture-and-urbanism

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