Dezeen School Shows: a garden intended to educate children on sustainability are among the architecture and design projects from Academy of Art University.

Also featured is a proposal for an aquatic park in San Francisco, USA, and a bike trail among riparian habitats.

Academy of Art University

Institution: Academy of Art University
School: Academy of Art University
Courses: LAN 670 Regional Planning and Analysis Studio, LAN 679 Advanced Landscape Graphics, LAN 300 Urban Places Studio, LAN 712 Landscape Architecture Site Design, LAN 611 Design Studio​, LAN 498 Equitable Cities, LAN 680 Site Planning and Sustainable Design Studio and ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects)
Tutors: Katharine Anderson, Matt Perotto, Toni Bava, Steven Tucker​, Mark Yin and Chih-Wei Chang

School statement:

"The world needs landscape architects to create solutions for climate change, to improve the quality of urban life for all, to protect natural environments and to create beautiful and inspiring places.

"Landscape architecture combines art and science, living systems and designed form, and historical precedent and innovative vision.

"At the School of Landscape Architecture, you will learn from practicing professionals, collaborate with other art and design students, and advocate for a healthier, more sustainable future.

"Our graduates enter the profession well-versed in responsive design processes, ecological systems, sustainable strategies and materials, site planning and advanced drafting and rendering techniques."

Santa Rosa Southeast Greenway by Nahal Sohbati

"The Southeast Greenway is a two-mile-long park that connects downtown Santa Rosa to a regional park, Spring Lake Park.

"This site is currently Caltrans surplus land previously slated for a highway extension. The design provides two trails, one for fast bike movement and the other for meandering through the park.

"An existing walnut orchard is preserved to create a tonal transition from an enclosed orchard to an open field. Two infiltration ponds adjacent to the creek capture the flood runoff and recharge the ground water in storm seasons.

"An amphitheatre and perforated metal bridges create educational opportunity for people to learn about daylighted creeks and riparian habitats."

Student: Nahal Sohbati
Course: LAN 670 Regional Planning and Analysis Studio
Tutor: Katharine Anderson
Email: sohbatia[at]topophyla.com

Mission Bay Wetlands by Sarah Getz

"The San Francisco Bay Trail runs along the edge of a six-point-six-acre waterfront site in the Mission Bay neighbourhood of San Francisco.

"Though a brownfield today, this site was a tidal wetland in the past. The area is prone to flooding, and the natural tendency of the site is to return to being a wetland.

"The site redesign features earthwork berms to block the wind, native meadow planting to create habitat and a natural wetland edge to restore a rich ecology to the site.

"The views of the bay from this site are unparalleled and the design aims to provide every opportunity for users to enjoy them."

Student: Sarah Getz
Course: LAN 300 Urban Places Studio
Tutor: Toni Bava
Email: sarahrb1989[at]yahoo.com

Fort Baker National Park: Waterfront Park and Marshland Restoration by Yu Meng Tsai

"Fort Baker, the final 'post-to-park' transformation in the Golden Gate National Parks, is a 335-acre former US Army post established in 1905.

"Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge, it features over 30 historic military buildings around a central parade ground, now home to park partners like Cavallo Point Lodge, the US Coast Guard and the Bay Area Discovery Museum.

"The site also boasts a scenic harbour, historic gun emplacements and trails with stunning views. The Fort Baker master plan aims to preserve and enhance the site while integrating it into the national park system.

"It balances conservation, recreation and adaptive reuse by restoring historic structures, protecting natural habitats and improving visitor experiences.

"This ensures Fort Baker remains a vital part of the Golden Gate National Parks for future generations."

Student: Yu Meng Tsai
Course: LAN 712 Landscape Architecture Site Design
Tutor: Toni Bava
Email: yumeng.tsai[at]gmail.com

Aquatic Park: Carbon Positive Initiative by Andrew Normand

"The Aquatic Park Pier acts as a protective harbour creating a man-made cove bringing visitors closer to nature while mitigating humankind's impact on the environment.

"Circular boardwalks create a protective barrier to establish a wetland habitat. The proposal offsets eight per cent of San Francisco transportation's carbon footprint or 3,188 cars per year.

"A promenade offers seating and views for visitors traveling to and through the park along the San Francisco Greenway.

"A new outdoor auditorium provides space for gatherings inset from the water. Oak groves act as a wind, sound and visual break between the bay and the city."

Student: Andrew Normand
Course: LAN 679 Advanced Landscape Graphics
Tutor: Steven Tucker
Email: hire[at]andrewnormand.info

A Distant Traveller: Angel Island Immigration Station Poetry Garden by Yu Meng Tsai

"Poems carved into the walls by detained immigrants between 1910 and 1940 are preserved at the Angel Island State Park barracks.

"The poems express loneliness, hope for a new life in San Francisco and frustration over discrimination. The verses offer a powerful glimpse into the struggles and resilience.

"The proposed Poetry Garden, planted with native species, fills the abandoned space between historic buildings and newly constructed hardscape areas.

"It offers space for visitors to reflect and connect with the island's troubled history. The connection between the intimate garden and the seashore is mediated by a series of walls modulating light and sightlines."

Student: Yu Meng Tsai
Course: LAN 611 Design Studio
Tutor: Mark Yin
Email: yumeng.tsai[at]gmail.com

Fort Baker Educational Park: Engaging Minds, Embracing Nature by Justin Wagner

"This project aims to transform a historical site into a vibrant hub for environmentally-focused learning.

"It includes the installation of an innovative water collection and replenishment system that demonstrates sustainable practices, leading water from collection points to the bay.

"The project also features educational gardens and interactive learning spaces, enhancing the programming of an existing children's museum at the site.

"This redesign respects the site's history, preserving the Parade Field and integrates hands-on experiences for children to learn about sustainability and the environment in a historical context."

Student: Justin Wagner
Course: LAN 498 Equitable Cities
Tutor: Toni Bava
Email: jswagner0002[at]gmail.com

Warm Water Cove by Nahal Sohbati

"Warm Water Cove is a small waterfront park located in an industrialised area to the north of Hunter's Point in San Francisco.

"It used to be known as 'toxic beach' for the large quantity of discarded tires later cleaned up by the San Francisco Parks Alliance.

"Developing Warm Water Cove would improve the Bay Trail condition that runs through Illinois street parallel to Warm Water Cove by providing a shoreline trail.

"The design intention of this project is to find a sustainable solution to solve the issue of contaminated storm runoff from this highly industrialised neighbourhood in storm seasons.

"To achieve this goal, vegetated buffers were created to filter storm runoff before it reached the bay. Several vegetated hydrozones were designed to maximise on-site storm water retention.

"The tidal characteristics of this park are highlighted by expanded tidal pools to provide accessibility to these different zones.

"Amphitheatres and shoreside trails provide opportunity for people to have direct contact with the tidal flats and learn about different habitats of each zone."

Student: Nahal Sohbati
Course: LAN 680 Site Planning and Sustainable Design Studio
Tutor: Chih-Wei Chang
Email: sohbati[at]topophyla.com

Fort Baker: Ecological Resilience, Public Accessibility and Cultural Preservation by Sol Lee

"The Fort Baker Master Plan aims to address climate adaptation by enhancing ecological resilience, accessibility and historical significance.

"As part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Fort Baker holds cultural and natural importance but faces challenges such as sea level rise, habitat loss and outdated infrastructure.

"This project focuses on restoring native ecosystems, including eelgrass, oyster reefs and coastal scrubland, to support biodiversity and improve water quality.

"Waterfront improvements will mitigate erosion and flooding while enhancing visitor access. Upgraded trails, open spaces and facilities will accommodate diverse users, from day-trippers and local residents to researchers and educators.

"By integrating conservation with recreation, Fort Baker will evolve into a resilient, multifunctional landscape that preserves its natural and cultural legacy.

"A key focus is restoring native plant communities and reinforcing the shoreline to address sea level rise. Public access improvements include expanded pedestrian and bicycle-friendly routes.

"Historical education will be integrated through interpretive signage and interactive installations highlighting the site's military and indigenous histories.

"Recreational opportunities, such as picnicking, kayaking and waterfront activities, will enhance visitor experiences.

"Respecting Fort Baker's past while ensuring its long-term ecological and cultural sustainability fosters a meaningful connection between people, history and nature."

Student: Sol Lee
Course: LAN 712 Landscape Architecture Site Design
Tutor: Toni Bava
Email: leesol8771[at]gmail.com

Subsume: Healthy Ecosystems for Coast Live Oak Trees by Christine Gonzales, Andrew Normand, Antje Kann, Yu Meng Tsai and Yining Li

"Subsumption, the absorption of one substance into another, is the imperceptible symbiotic relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and the root systems of native plant community in the San Francisco Bay Area.

"​Mycorrhizal fungi contribute to plant health by promoting a substrate more readily available to 'subsume' water and vital nutrients.

"The garden celebrates the Golden Chanterelle, California's new state mushroom and its symbiotic relationship with Coast Live Oaks.

"When oak woodlands thrive, so do chanterelles and vice versa. Lights represent vital nutrients subsumed through the root systems. A bench rising from and returning into the ground further interprets the concept."

Students: Christine Gonzales, Andrew Normand, Antje Kann, Yu Meng Tsai and Yining Li
Course: ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) Student Entry for San Francisco Flower and Garden Show Installation
Email: chcmateo[at]gmail.com

Aquatic Park Revived by Antje Kann

"A proposal for the decaying aquatic park invites a new generation of San Francisco residents to rediscover the waterfront park. The design leverages the park's stunning vistas, enhances existing programs and improves access to the boardwalk.

"A floating heated saltwater pool expands access to water activities for swimmers who prefer not to brave the chill of the San Francisco Bay.

"The pool creates an interface between the cove and the pier. During unsafe swimming conditions in the cove, the pool provides a safer alternative.

"In fair and inclement weather, the aquatic park offers a dramatic view of San Francisco skyline."

Student: Antje Kann
Course: LAN 679 Advanced Landscape Graphics
Tutor: Matt Perotto
Email: antje[at]akdm.net

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Academy of Art University. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

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