ABOUT
How we got here...
The Urban Studio, run by a collective of 4 trained landscape architects of color, is a non-profit organization whose focus is on - advancing design thinking for equitable and sustainable urbanism. As designers of color working in communities of color, our goal is simple, to green cities for all people.
To do this, we need to transform how urban planners, landscape architects, and engineers think about urban design and we need residents to learn about sustainable urbanism to better advocate for sustainable design in their own communities.
To date, we have piloted programs in DC and Los Angeles that teach college bound high school students the principles of great urban design. We have also partnered with university students of color and professors to serve as mentors who can open up opportunities for our program participants. We have also worked to bridge the digital divide by piloting a Virtual Reality week with students from the Utah State University’s Landscape Architecture program.
By teaching students of color design thinking and supporting designers of color in their own careers, we can create better designed, more sustainable, and more inclusive cities.
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ABOUT
THE URBAN STUDIO
Launched in the summer of 2019, the mission of the Urban Studio is “to advance design thinking for equitable + sustainable urbanism.” As designers of color working in communities of color, our goal is simple, to green cities for all people.
INITIATIVES
STUDIO DC
STUDIO SOUTH CENTRAL
STUDIO DIGITAL
The Studio DC initiative is working to engage high school students in the transformative power of design-thinking. Students will become experts in water quality issues impacting their family, neighbors, and friends. The multi-age, interdisciplinary program is led by design professionals, college students of design, and a variety of volunteer professionals that are all working toward creating a more sustainable and equitable city.
STUDIO DIGITAL
STUDIO SOUTH CENTRAL
STUDIO DIGITAL
The focus of the Studio Digital initiative is to leverage partnerships with firms and allied organizations to ensure the best technological practices are available to minority firms and communities in relation to the profession of Landscape Architecture. Studio Digital aspires to create a large open-source network of knowledge to help pioneer the use of technology in the field of Landscape Architecture.
STUDIO SOUTH CENTRAL
STUDIO SOUTH CENTRAL
STUDIO SOUTH CENTRAL
To cultivate the next generation of leaders in urban planning and landscape architecture, the Studio South Central initiative launched an urban sustainability youth leadership program for high school students in South Central Los Angeles. Participants learn what it means to have a community at the center of design in addressing the legacies of environmental injustice and redesigning their own community.
values
Design As Liberation
Description
Authentic + Meaningful Engagement
Description
Co-Design + Co-Creation w/ Communities of Color
Description
Elevating Experts of Lived Experience
Description
Intergenerational Leadership + Mentorship
Description
Our core Values
Co-Design + Co-Creation w/ Communities of Color
Design As Liberation
Authentic + Meaningful Engagement
Elevating Experts of Lived Experiences
Intergenerational Leadership + Mentorship
Our Leadership
Maisie Hughes
Andrew Sargeant
Maisie Hughes
Co-Founder + Board Treasurer
Kendra Hyson
Andrew Sargeant
Maisie Hughes
Co-Founder + Board President
Andrew Sargeant
Andrew Sargeant
Daví de la Cruz
Founding Member + Board Vice-President
Daví de la Cruz
Daví de la Cruz
Daví de la Cruz
Founding Member + Board Administrator
Jenn Low
Daví de la Cruz
Jelani Byrd
Board Member + Communications
Jelani Byrd
Daví de la Cruz
Jelani Byrd
Student Board Member