2022 Jocelyn Wu

Jocelyn Wu is an Urban Designer at the City of Perth. She graduated from the Master of Landscape Architecture in 2022.

This interview was undertaken by Chaofan Zeng as part of the UWA Master of Landscape Architecture history and theory unit, LACH4421: Australian Landscapes.

Chaofan Zeng – You studied both the undergraduate and Master of Landscape Architecture at UWA. What was your experience studying here? What made you interested in studying landscape architecture?
Jocelyn Wu – For my undergraduate, I started off doing an double major in Human Geography and Planning. During the first year of my degree I had a lot of units with students from both architecture and landscape architecture; that was when I discovered that landscape architecture actually existed. I became more curious about the field and later decided to change my major to landscape architecture.

It has been a great experience to study at UWA, as I was able to do electives and learn about other areas. After taking one of the first-year Urban Design units, I became interested in the area – this led me to choose Urban Design as a focus area for my Master of Landscape Architecture.

I also appreciated how dedicated and passionate the teaching staff are. It does make a difference in the way you perform and learn.

CZ – What is a moment that stands out from your time studying landscape architecture at UWA? And what was your most memorable class/Unit at UWA, and why?
JW – Studios were the most memorable for me, as I found them the most challenging but also the most rewarding. I feel like everything you learn in studio is applicable when you start your career.

The studio I had during my first year of my Master of Landscape Architecture was the most memorable for me, with Hans Oerlemans. The studio brief focused on Beaufort Street in Mount Lawley. Since it was during the start of the pandemic in 2020, my project looked at how Beaufort Street could adjust to the pandemic and provide a space for people not only to work from home but also on the streets, to help build a stronger community and avoid isolation.

It was memorable for me as we had to collect data from 9am-11pm all day, and this happened once during the week and once during the weekend. It was very tiring but looking back at it, you gain a different perspective on the place you are designing. Also, after analysing the data that you get, you can see a change in the place from day to night. There is a diverse range of people you need to design for.

CZ – How does studying relate to practice?
JW – There are so many similarities between design studios and practising. I’m so grateful for studios as they prepared me for working as a graduate and not being as clueless. Studios benefit you the most when you start working in a firm as it allows you to learn about computer programmes and how to hand sketch. Not only this, but studios also help you develop the way you think and as I mentioned before, it takes you through the typical stages of concept design. When you start working as a graduate, all the things you learn throughout the years in studio become your day-to-day tasks. Although the studios are challenging, I would recommend students to always get the most out of it because it will eventually pay off.

This interview was undertaken in 2022. It has been edited for clarity and cohesion.

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Image: Kelmscott Urban Centre by Jocelyn Wu, developed as part of the Urban Design focus area in the Master of Landscape Architecture (image via Jocelyn Wu)