Giving it 100%, Daniel Gillespie shares his Landscape Architecture experience.
I’ve grown up in and around Sydney, and I’m drawn to the natural beauty of our national parks and beaches.
There’s not much I love more than a bushwalk through a national park down to a gorgeous secret beach on a sunny summer’s day. I feel incredibly grateful to call this place home.
“One of the most empowering parts of being a landscape architect is to see your choices and designs being used and enjoyed by members of the public.”
Daniel Gillespie
Choosing Landscape Architecture
I was attracted to the scale of thinking landscape architecture demands. Being in touch with everything existing on a site such as history, culture, ecology, climate, and people before design even begins was a very intriguing prospect. To be able to have a direct impact on someone’s day-to-day and create a new experience for them, whilst also having a positive impact on the world was really inspiring to me.
Funnily enough I enrolled with the intention of changing degrees to Architecture, however once I was in the degree I enjoyed it far too much to change. I think your designs as a landscape architect have a higher chance of being open and beneficial to everyone in society, broadening the opportunity to have a positive impact.
I completed a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with Honours at UTS, graduating at the end of 2023.
Why UTS?
I had an amazing time at UTS. Being around all these talented students pushed me to be more creative within my own designs, consider completely different ways of thinking and just to make more friends!
Being taught by the academics and tutors at UTS inspired me to think more critically and creatively. The culture of inclusion and peer-to-peer learning in the classroom had a positive impact on my choice.
I was also drawn by the city campus with its stunning buildings and convenient location, including facilities available to students such as laser cutters, 3D printers and technical workshops. I found the Design Architecture and Building (DAB) location a real creative inspiration.
Expanding my horizons
I visited Barcelona and Catalunya in 2019 on a Global Study Tour. This was a highlight of my time at UTS. Twenty of us shared meals and drinks and formed close friendships which have outlasted my degree.
Working in industry
I’m working at Hassell as a Graduate Landscape Architect. I get to work on a variety of projects, from large infrastructural connections to the pedestrianisation of city streets.
We work with a variety of experts and contractors on our projects, but a base for every design comes from consultation and working alongside Indigenous designers and knowledge holders, which is a critical step in design.
Advice for future students
I think the best advice I got given was give it a shot and give it 100%. No matter what happens, as long as you are trying your hardest, you can always be proud of your efforts.
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