Mauricio Machado
Professional Summary
Landscape Architecture Graduate fluent in multiple online programs involving graphic design, 3D renderings, and architectural plans. Excited to learn more about the field and what it takes to be a creative and sufficent landscape architect.
Background
Since I was a kid, imagination has always been one of my strongest qualities. I’ve always found the most joy in projects where I could take an idea from my mind and bring it to life. When I designed my high school garden, for example, I envisioned a space filled with fruits and vegetables that students and teachers could enjoy for years. That experience sparked my passion for landscape architecture — a field that perfectly blends my love for creativity and nature. Beginning my degree during the COVID year of 2020 came with its challenges, especially since much of my learning took place online. Still, my dedication and genuine interest in the subject helped me grow and adapt through those early years. I know I still have so much to learn, but I’m motivated and excited to see where this journey takes me. Outside of school, I also enjoy photography and clothing design, which allow me to express creativity in different ways.
Experience
Cal Poly Pomona | Pomona, CA
Landscape Designer | Restoration Project
01/2024 - 05/2024
• Assessed water quality issues and habitat degradation due to algae buildup and freeway smog
• Proposed a multi-system ecological restoration strategy, including gravel filter beds, vegetative buffers, aeration systems, and green walls
• Designed vegetative buffers using native species to filter pollutants and reduce smog impact
• Integrated smog-eating pavement to address airborne pollutants from adjacent highways
• Promoted biodiversity by selecting climate-adapted native species like sages, sycamores, ceanothus, and manzanitas
• Illustrated system concepts with diagrams to communicate ecological processes and design logic
• Focused on long-term sustainability and ecosystem health restoration
Cal Poly Pomona | Pomona, CA
Latino Cultural Landscape Design | Disney Studio
08/2023 - 12/2023
• Collaborated on the design of an outdoor landscape surrounding a Latinofocused museum in Central Washington, D.C., alongside other major cultural institutions.
• Presented final concept proposals to a panel of Disney Imagineers, receiving feedback from industry leaders in themed design.
• Coordinated design tasks with student peers and exchanged ideaswithfacultyandprofessionalmentorstoensureacohesive and culturally sensitive design.
• Created immersive 3D visualizations using Rhino 3D and Twinmotion to effectively communicate spatial concepts and user experience to stakeholders.
• UtilizedPhotoshopandAdobeIllustratortodeveloppresentation boards and conceptual diagrams.
• Conducted plant research to select species that reflect Latino culturalidentity and thrive in the D.C. climate.
• Designed on-site programming and interactive elements to encourage cultural education and visitor engagement.
ElephantHillPark DisneyStudioDCMuseum
TheQuest- Personal Interpretation 2025
Project: The Quest – Personal Interpretation
Software: SketchUp + D5 Render
For this project, I recreated “The Quest” by Ström Architects — a single-story home located in Swanage, UK. Using reference plans and photos, I sketched the full property in SketchUp, focusing on the building’s strong horizontal form, cantilevered structure, and its relationship to the sloped, wooded site.
After modeling, I brought the scene into D5 Render to develop my own visual interpretation. I focused on lighting, atmosphere, and material contrast to capture the calm and modern tone of the design while adding my personal touch through landscape choices and sky conditions. My goal was to highlight how the structure blends into nature while still standing out through clean geometry and minimalism. This project helped me practice modeling accuracy, scene composition, and realistic rendering—skills I continue to develop for architectural visualization and design storytelling.
Isometric View
The Quest features a clean and open single-story layout designed around comfort and connection to the landscape.
The house includes spacious living, dining, and kitchen areas that open toward the southern view, with large glass walls bringing in natural light. Private spaces like the bedrooms and bathrooms are arranged along one side for privacy, while utility and storage areas are tucked discreetly behind.
The design also includes outdoor terraces, a retaining wall with a stone finish, and surrounding greenery that blends the home into its wooded hillside setting. Below are photographs of the actual site.
1318LucyDriveCA
2025 Revit / Enscape Project
Front Elevation
Rear
First Floor Second Floor
ElephantHillPark
ProjectStages
The inital investigation began with the idea of restoring locations in the LA area that were once lush landscapes that were now destroyed due to human activity or unmaintenance. Landing on Elephant Hill in Pasadena, I dedicated a semester on figuring out methods on restoring it as well as adding systems for locals to enjoy.
Implementing the system Diagram, the following landscape was designed; having additional paths and spaces to include the following actvities.
A systems diagram for a landscape helps visualize and understand the interactions between its components, aiding in effective planning, management, and communication of ecological relationships and impacts. It serves as a tool for predicting and monitoring how changes in one aspect of the landscape may affect others over time.
The following activities include: stargazing nights hosted by astronomers, art workshops for all ages, community volunteer days every month, early morning meditation sessions, hikes, and much more.
The Restoration and Preservation of Elephant Hill
Project Introduction
Elephant Hill has been around for centuries and was once even used as a field for cattle to enjoy in the 1900’s. However in more recent events, people have used the landscape to drop hundreds of pounds of liter and even use it to go offroading. Local families have started a movement called “Save Elephant Hill” in an attempt to not only stop what is going on but to restore it to its natural state. The hill is located in South Pasadena where many wildlife hop from landscape to landscape in search of food, water, and shelter. With the programs in this project we not only address this wildlife needs, but help create activities for everyone to enjoy as well without interfering with them.
Inventory & Analysis
Inventory & Analysis
Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies
Professor
Systems Concept
Restoring Life and Water: A Vision for the Lyle Center
System Solutions for Fauna & Water Quality Improvement
System Details
Vegetative Buffers (Tree Plantings)
Solution: Planting trees and shrubs along the freeway edge to act as a buffer can help filter out particulate matter and pollutants in the air, reducing the impact of smog. Trees such as eucalyptus, sycamore, and other hardy species known for their ability to absorb pollutants can be selected.
Smog-Eating Pavement
Solution: Use smog-eating or photocatalytic pavement materials that can help reduce air pollution. These types of materials break down pollutants in the air, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), by using sunlight and chemical reactions to neutralize them.
Provide Suitable Habitat for Ducks and Other Wildlife
Solution: Ducks require specific conditions such as shallow, clean water for feeding and nesting, as well as vegetation and shelter along the water’s edge. By enhancing habitat features, you can attract and support wildlife.
Aeration Systems
How it works: Aerators or fountains circulate the water and add oxygen, which helps break down organic matter and prevents algae blooms.
Benefits: Improves water clarity and supports aquatic life by increasing oxygen levels.
Types Of Systems
LA 4781.01
Cal Poly Pomona
Landscape Architecture
Professor Cheryl Lough
Mauricio Machado
CPPLA Fall 2024
Encourage Biodiversity with Existing Native Plants
Photos
Fauna
ProjectIntroduction
Who is the client?
Hosted by Walt Disney Imagineering, our class ( Bobby Brooks Studio 2023 ) was tasked with the objective of creating a Latin Museum and a landscape in the heart of Washington DC side by side other museums that represented Latinos and everything about them.
What
was the challenge?
Figuring out what methods were best to highlight our goals was a matter of trial and error. Many concept ideas were made and even more didn’t make it to the final presentation. Above is a collage of every latin country in the world united as one, each flower representing the core flower of the country.
What was your solution?
The Illumination of the Latino Communities Resiliency is explored through the themes of Unity and Origin. The programs of Learning, Celebration, and Connection showcase these themes with spaces throughout the site.
Each spectrum of color represents the color of a plant group throughout the seasons (months) of the year. The five spectrums are a combination of all 23 plant types hand selected to be a part of our site ( as illustrated in the United Mural ). Our five groups include herbs, trees, ferns, succelents, and grasses. This change in the spectrum allows us to support our overall theme of color within our site while creating a vibrant evironment for visitors to enjoy.
Making
Site Surroundings
AdditionalWork
AutoCad / Rhino3D Project
The process started with drafting the floor plan and elevations in AutoCAD to establish precise dimensions and layout. The 2D drawing was then imported into Rhino 3D, where the structure was modeled in detail, including walls, windows, roof elements, and any custom design features. Once the 3D model was finalized, it was exported to Twinmotion for rendering. In Twinmotion, materials, lighting, and environmental elements like landscaping and sky settings were applied to bring the design to life. The final rendering captured realistic textures and lighting, transforming the original sketch into a fully visualized residential concept.
AdditionalWork
During a recent project, a client was in need of a revovation on their roof at his house located in Lakewood. Given the task to create a plan to show to the city, I created the following shown. This file shows all perpectives of the house, the square feet, before pictures, and 3d renderings to give the city any information they might need. As of now the project was completed in August 2024.
