We are thrilled to welcome summer interns Shunan Na, Xuanjie Zhai, and Martí Roca Busacker to the Landworks team!
Martí Roca Busacker grew up in Borgonyà, a tiny town near Barcelona.
“My childhood was filled with adventures as I roamed the outdoors, tagging along with my mom in her beautiful garden and exploring the mountains nearby. These experiences led me to study forestry and landscape design.
Later on, my interest in art and literature led me to pursue a bachelor's degree in Humanities at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. While it was an incredible journey, something was missing. I yearned for the thrill of design and the freedom of being outdoors. So, I decided to pursue a Master's in Landscape Architecture at the University of Tennessee. What drew me in was their unique focus on speculative design. I'm currently in my third year, but I have enjoyed every moment of it.
In the field of landscape architecture, my interests lie in storytelling, speculative and computational design, and crafting habitats for all kinds of creatures. When I'm out of the office, I enjoy fishing, kayaking, reading, and gardening.
My time here in Salem has been fantastic. There's something about this place that makes it feel like home.”
Shunan Na is currently pushing a Master of Landscape Architecture and a Certificate in Urban Design at the University of Virginia.
Shunan's background in Interior and Spatial Design from the Chelsea College of the University of Arts London, combined with being born in China, contribute to a unique and diverse perspective on design. This integration of cross-cultural influences and educational experiences greatly enriches Shunan's understanding of design principles, aesthetics, and spatial concepts.
Xuanjie Zhai is pursuing a Master of Landscape Architecture at the University of Virginia and will begin his third-year study in the fall.
Xuanjie earned his Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Beijing Forestry University in 2021. Born in Northern China, Xuanjie developed a strong interest in exploring nature during childhood. Those early experiences continue to inspire during his professional practice as he explores the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. In previous studies, Xuanjie sought to use the landscape to address critical challenges, from reducing environmental pollution to transforming abandoned brownfields to bridging racial divides and creating urban green frameworks. He believes that design has the potential to inspire more people to realize the vast and profound potential in the landscape that is just waiting for our discovery, exploration, and application.