California is where I earned my Master’s in Landscape Architecture at USC and where I really developed my approach to design. Between classes, I took every opportunity to get outside and explore the region’s unique landscapes. Joshua Tree, with its raw, minimal desert environment, taught me a key lesson: you don’t need much to create something beautiful—just a deep respect for what’s already there. As Robin Wall Kimmerer says in Braiding Sweetgrass, “to love a place is not enough. We must find ways to heal it.” That’s a principle I try to bring into every project.

Big Bear was another favorite spot. The cool mountain air, dense forests, and quiet lakes gave me a break from the busy life in LA and reminded me how important it is to design spaces where people can escape and reconnect with nature.

Living in Los Angeles itself was an entirely different experience. It’s a city that demands creativity, especially when it comes to integrating green spaces into such a dense, urban environment. It challenged me to think about how to bring nature into people’s lives in ways that are meaningful and lasting.

California wasn’t just where I studied, it’s where I learned how to adapt my designs to incredibly diverse environments—from deserts and mountains to urban jungles.