• Developed detailed landscape designs and master plans for state and commercial properties, emphasizing sustainability and aesthetic harmony.
• Represented the company at three FEFPA conferences, gaining hands-on experience in marketing strategies and networking with industry professionals.
• Contributed to roadway and highway design and construction, ensuring adherence to safety standards and project specifications.
• Conducted comprehensive surveys of city parks and participated in recreational master plan conferences and workshops, producing detailed city surveys and workshop booklets to guide strategic planning.
• Reviewed municipal codes and ensuring compliance in project designs.
• Facilitated the accurate and timely completion of real estate loan applications by coordinating documentation and adhering to loan guidelines.
• Managed client relationships by initiating
• contact, conducting follow-ups, and gathering necessary documentation for loan processing.
• Provided bilingual translation services, effectively translating documents and facilitating meetings in both Spanish and English.
ISA AGUILAR
CWC ‘HEALING GARDEN’
PHOTOSHOP | ILLUSTRATOR | AUTOCADW
PROJECT TYPE GARDEN DESIGN
LOCATION GAINESVILLE, FL
SIZE 1.5 ACRES
COLLABORATION ELLIE MENENDEZ
PROGRAMS
This project re imagines the landscape of the Counseling and Wellness Center on the University of Florida campus, enhancing the existing space to support the healing and well-being of its patients. The design concept draws inspiration from the Unalome, a Hindu and Buddhist symbol that reflects the non-linear journey of life. The spiral represents the twists and turns of life’s path, the swirls embody gaining focus and clarity, and the dots at the end signify enlightenment. Our design integrates the Unalome’s form, symbolizing the process of self-discovery and healing.
The site features a variety of programs designed to support mental health recovery. An interactive garden invites visitors to engage with their surroundings, fostering mindfulness and connection with nature. A shared path weaves through the entire site, guiding visitors along a serene water feature and leading to concentration pods for moments of quiet reflection. The pathways are illuminated at night, creating a sense of safety and calm as visitors explore the space.
As you progress toward the right side of the site, the design focuses on the “final” stages of mental health recovery. Here, the light at the end of the tunnel manifests as a peaceful meditation area centered around a majestic oak tree, symbolizing growth, strength, and enlightenment. This area serves as a culmination of the journey, offering a tranquil space for self-realization and mental clarity.
LOOKING BEYOND THE STIGMA
Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-19 year olds across the globe
13.25% of Florida’s adolescent population has some form of major depressive disorder, ranking 5th in the US
1 in 3 high school students have experienced mental health issues following 2019
This urban design project envisions a welcoming, affordable, and accessible space for high school students and young adolescents struggling with mental health. Designed to break stigma and foster connection, the site integrates therapy rooms and outdoor counseling spaces, an inclusive recreational area featuring a skate pump track, ramps, basketball courts, and an interactive garden. It serves as a supportive environment where youth and their families can learn about mental health care while forming meaningful connections. With on-site food options, the space encourages social interaction and provides a much-needed retreat beyond school.
Educate
A space for educational classes based on mental health issues for adolescents and their families to be exposed to the conversation of mental illnesses and how to apply that to their daily lives with themselves and others
Community
A space designed for adolescents + families to enjoy the green space and communicate, indulge, and converse with one another
Private and Group Therapy Offices
This space is for daily group and private therapy for visitors to feel understood by others and better understand their feelings with each other or on a more personal level.
Indoor/Outdoor Gym
A space to promote daily exercise and physical activity to enhance the sense of well-being
Art Rooms + Art Wall
This area will inspire expression through art that can help lower depression, anxiety, and stress. It will help activate brain energy and improve mood by allowing adolescents to freely express
Food Options
A variety of affordable food options located along NE 2nd street so that pedestrians can enter the site while walking by
WANDERLIGHT
This interactive garden project in Ponte de Lima, Portugal, was designed for an international competition to showcase how peace can be experienced through the ocean. The design incorporates light pastel colors reminiscent of a beach sunset, climbing features inspired by the form of a shell, and sculptures of stacked rocks and shells to evoke the calm of the sea. A bamboo fountain adds the soothing sound of water, enhancing the sensory experience. At the heart of the garden is a large shelllike structure, serving as both a peaceful seating area and an amphitheater for reflection and connection. The project emphasizes the universal yet personal connection to the ocean, inviting visitors to explore their own perspectives on how the sea embodies peace.
Point of Renewal
Organic shapes illustrate the soft
Point of Perception
Point of Exchange
Interactive elements that mimic natural features to create a visual interest and allows one to discover moments of reflection and serenity.
Point of Reflection
3D PRINT
‘Echo’ is a mound that reflects a deep engagement with both the park’s history and its natural topography. The inspiration began with a clay mold that visually represented the historical “ups and downs” of the prairie, much like a timeline shaped by key events—from its early use by indigenous tribes to its eventual designation as a state park. The resulting landform is more than just an overlook; it embodies the park’s evolving landscape and human interactions over time. The shape evokes continuity while symbolizing the shifting forces—both ecological and cultural—that have shaped Paynes Prairie.
PARAMETRIC BENCH
GRASSHOPPER | RHINO | ILLUSTRATOR
This parametric bench, designed using Grasshopper and Rhino, redefines seating on college campuses by blending functionality with fluid form. Inspired by the idea of a bench serving multiple purposes, its twists and turns create spaces for both work and relaxation. The seamless transitions in its design offer ergonomic seating while also providing surfaces for studying, socializing, or simply unwinding— encouraging a more interactive and adaptable campus environment.
