-LANDSCAPE
LANDSCAPE
BY_ DANIELLE BUSTA
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO YEAR: 2025
INTRODUCTION
WELCOME TO MY LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO 2025
I am a master’s student in Landscape Architecture with a background in anthropology, passionate about the relationship between people, health, and the environment. My work focuses on designing landscapes that foster resilience, sustainability, and well-being by integrating natural systems into both urban and rural spaces. I believe that the way we shape our surroundings has a profound impact on mental and physical health, social connection, and ecological balance.
By blending science, design, and social impact, I hope to create spaces that not only support environmental sustainability but also strengthen communities and reconnect people with the land. Through Landscape Architecture, I aim to contribute to a future where both people and ecosystems can thrive together.
SKILLS
PROJECT -01
CUDAHY KIDNEY
TASK : Conduct research and analysis based on a topic of your choice and use findings to propose a design that addresses issues or community needs that you find in your research.
SKILLS : RESEARCH & ANALYSIS, AUTOCAD, PHOTOSHOP
Design is a multi-functional park in Cudahy that combined groundwater remediation with community engagement. The site treated contaminated groundwater while providing a welcoming public space where residents could relax and learn about local water issues.
Cudahy faced a water crisis: one of its two wells had been shut down due to contamination, forcing reliance on costly imported water. The design introduced a
pump-and-treat wetland system that naturally filtered pollutants, then returned clean water to the aquifer through a percolation pond. Over time, this process aimed
to restore the city’s groundwater supply, reduce dependence on imported water, and lower costs for residents.
PROJECT -02
WASHINGTON SQUARE
TASK : Select a public square to draft in AutoCAD and render in Photoshop. Create sections through the site map to render section views in Photoshop as well.
SKILLS : CREATIVITY , AUTOCAD, PHOTOSHOP
RENDERED SITE PLAN
SQUARE : WASHINGTON SQUARE
LOCATION : Filbert and Stockton Street San Francisco, CA 94133
SIZE : 3.17 ACRES
A popular North Beach stop for visitors and locals alike, this lively urban oasis is bordered by sidewalk cafes and restaurants, as well as Saint Peter and Paul's Church. The Square is a natural community gathering place
with a long and fascinating history, hosting festivals, free movie nights and other special events throughout the year. It's also a great spot to people-watch, walk your dog, toss a Frisbee or just relax on the lawn on a sunny day.
PROJECT -03
DEUKMEJIAN WILDERNESS PARK
TASK: Choose an empty lot or an existing site in the city where you grew up, and propose a design or redesign inspired by the values that landscape instilled in you.
SKILL : CREATIVITY , HAND RENDERING, PHOTOSHOP
Deukmejian Wilderness Park, a 709acre expanse in the San Gabriel foothills, features diverse habitats, the Stone Barn Nature Center, and scenic trails. Bordering the Angeles National Forest, it ranges from 2,159 to 4,775 feet in elevation.
Growing up in La Crescenta, I formed a deep bond with this rugged landscape. Living in the wildlandurban interface, fire shaped my environment—especially when my home nearly burned in the 2009 Station Fire. This fear-driven approach to fire has led to suppression tactics that often ignore the benefits of Indigenous fire management. To address today’s escalating wildfires,
we must restore our relationship with fire, a mission I’m committed to.
The project aims to foster community engagement with fire by introducing interactive fire features, such as pits and circles, available through a permit system to encourage safe and meaningful gatherings. Lastly, the design includes educational programming to help children understand fire’s essential ecological role in foothill plant communities.
In northern Australia, Traditional Owners, rangers, and pastoralists use controlled burns to reduce wildfire risk. Since 2003, the NAFI platform’s satellite imagery has supported planning and carbon programs, showing how Indigenous knowledge and technology can sustainably manage fire.
PROJECT
ELEMENTS OF LANDSCAPE
TASK : Define comfort and apply your definition to a proposed landscape that utilizes built, land, and life form. Build a model 100’ x 100’ model at 1”=10’ scale. Use this model to bring the space to life in renderings with people in there.
SKILL : MODEL BUILDING, AUTOCAD, PHOTOSHOP
POMONA STREET DESIGN
TASK : Analyze the street network within District 2 to assess current configurations, levels of service, and safety concerns. This evaluation may lead to recommendations for street reclassification, the development of a street typology with corresponding design elements, and proposed redesigns to better serve the needs of District and City residents.
My design recommendations for Dudley Street focus on improving safety, connectivity, and community use. I propose converting Dudley and Hansen into paired one-way streets to calm traffic and create space for a protected two-way bike lane and walking path through the central median in Dudley South. Expanding green space with planted parkways and street trees will improve shade and visual appeal, while redesigned
intersections at Phillips and Jess Street will enhance clarity and pedestrian safety.
PROJECT -05
Adding stop controls, crosswalks, and barriers, especially in the middle and north sections, will further protect pedestrians and cyclists, creating a safer, more connected corridor for the neighborhood.
