Landscape Architect
Name: Chloe Walsh
Career stage: Early career - less than 5 years' experience
Working: Office
High School Subjects: Visual Communications, Economics, English, Maths, History, Psychology
Favourite: I actually enjoyed the diversity of the subjects that I took. I'm glad that I kept options open and didn't limit myself to just one avenue.
Further study: Univeristy
where and what: Bachelor of Landscape Architectural Design, RMIT University and in progress Masters of Landscape Architecture at UTS
"I love how diverse my job is, some days I get to draw and research bird and plant species, other days I'm trying to solve a design problem that involves a staircase or tight corner..."
the inside scoop…
What does a Landscape Architect actually do? My work is office based, so I spend most of my time at a computer, but it sometimes involves going out to site to get an understanding of a place or to look at things being constructed. The tasks I get to do are quite wide and varying like drawing, modelling, researching and documenting which involves drawing technical plans etc that are used to instruct or guide the builder how a design should look or be put together.
What's the best part of your job? I love how diverse my job is, some days I get to draw and research bird and plant species, other days I'm trying to solve a design problem that involves a staircase or tight corner. I get to be creative in many different ways but also find that I'm mentally challenged which is rewarding.
What made you realise construction could be for you? I have always felt an appreciation and connection to the landscape, or what might be called 'nature' and to be able to have an active role in affecting or designing with landscape that allows it to be healthier or thrive in some way seemed really exciting. For me, it has been more of a slow evolution of recognising and appreciating that the places we live and use every day are designed and built and that as a designer you can make choices that have the potential to benefit people or animals or plants etc.
What's a favourite project you're working on? I recently have been working on a creek restoration project in San Francisco. The creek has been poorly treated for many decades and now there is interest in how to improve the quality of habitat for the many different species that live there, but also improve access to the local community and their connections with the creek. It also tackles flooding issues and sea level rise, so it's been important to understand the creek and approach the design in a wholistic way. That is often the case with being a landscape architect is that you can't just think about a place from one angle, it must be examined and understood through a wide range of lenses; environmental, community and people perspective as well as technical.
How do you balance work with your other interests, or family? I've been able to do a range of projects like teaching, independent research as well as study outside of work and have been doing a 4 day work week up until recently. I find I have different phases, sometimes being completely absorbed in the field which is really rewarding but can come with its sacrifices. Having said that, I have a range of things I like to do completely independent of work like sewing, crafting and getting outside etc that I've been able to prioritise since having completed my masters.
What would you tell your high school self about working in construction? I think just give yourself time to explore the things you really enjoy and understand that this field is much broader than many people realise. It's really creative, it can be hands on if you want it to, but it can also be more about coordination and working with people. The pressure of making a decision around what you want to do for a career can feel like a lot in high school but inevitably you can shift and change and let it unfold organically.
Chloe is open to engaging further via: Speaking at a high school, taking a student for work experience
If you'd like to enquire more, please email hello@tomorrowswomeninconstruction.com.au with the subject: "Chloe Walsh engagement enquiry" and we'll pass your message on.