LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
TIARA RACHMAN
| EDUCATION
Tiara Rachman
2025 B.L.A and B.S Environmental Science and Policy
Gaithersburg, MD
301.820.5669
rachmantiara@yahoo.com
As a designer, my passion is driven by the belief that thoughtful intentional design has the power to enhance both the physical environment and the well-being of individuals. My approach is rooted in understanding the unique needs and desires of the community, weaving them into designs that tell a story while prioritizing sustainability. This portfolio showcases the projects that embody these principles and highlight my commitment to designing spaces that make a meaningful impact.
University of Maryland, College Park
Bachelors of Landscape Architecture
Bachelors of Science - Environmental Science & Policy
• Maryland Student American Society of Landscape Architects (SASLA)
• Abroad Experience through Landscape Architecture Department
| EXPERIENCES
Design Collective, Inc.
Landscape Architecture Intern
MHG
Landscape Architecture Intern
Groundsmith Collective
Landscape Architecture Freelancer
| REFERENCES
Philip Benenati, PLA, ASLA
Associate Landscape Architect pjbenenati@designcollective.com
David Post, PLA, ASLA, ISA
Vice President of MHG dpost@mhgpa.com
Christopher Ellis, PhD, PLA, ASLA, FCELA
Professor of Landscape Architecture cdellis@umd.edu
Aug 2021- May 2025
May 2024 - Present
May 2023 - May 2024
Jan 2023 - Dec 2023
| SKILLS
Atrium Amoris
Blending Nature, Learning, and Community
Of Maryland, College Park, MD
Atrium Amoris is a redesigned Animal Science Courtyard at the University of Maryland, designed to enhance outdoor study and learning. It features three types of study structures and an amphitheater for outdoor classes. The courtyard showcases over 30 plant species, with a sunken rain garden utilizing 10 key plants for storm water management and aesthetics.
CONNECTIONS
• The Animal Science Courtyard is next to the University Farm and part of the Animal Science Building, which hosts many Environmental Science and Technology classes.
• It serves as a venue for College of AGNR events, but its current design feels unwelcoming.
• Students frequently pass through the courtyard but rarely stay to use the space.
CIRCULATION
• The courtyard has four main entry and exit points, with the only building access on the south side.
• Uneven and broken pavement, along with poor circulation, create accessibility challenges.
CLIMATE
• The site receives full sun for 2–4 hours but remains mostly in part shade.
• Limited tree cover makes the area hot and uncomfortable.
• Poor drainage causes puddling, with the amphitheater collecting the most water and drying slowly.
CONCEPT PLAN
CIRCULATION (MINOR)
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
SCREENING
GATHERING SPACES
STUDY
SWM EXPERIENCE
GOALS
• Outdoor Study and Interaction: The design fosters spaces for both focused study and social engagement, encouraging interaction in a natural setting.
• Native Vegetation Integration: Incorporates native plants for dual purposes — offering educational opportunities and supporting storm water management.
• Active Gathering Spaces: Includes areas for outdoor gatherings and events, fostering community engagement and dynamic social experiences.
WOODPECKER Fagus grandifolia
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH Eutrochium purpureum
EASTERN BLUEBIRD Ilex verticillata
SECTION ELEVATION OF THE SUNKEN RAIN GARDEN
OUTDOOR STUDY SPACES
SUNKENRAINGARDEN
OVERLOOK INTO THE AMPHITHEATER
Unleashes
Greenscape Haven is a revitalized recreational playground in Broadway East, Baltimore, designed as a vibrant community hub. More than just a play space, it hosts events and programs that foster outdoor engagement and environmental education. With diverse play equipment and native plantings, the park encourages creativity, physical activity, and learning about local ecosystems. By blending recreation, education, and conservation, Greenscape Haven strengthens community connections and inspires environmental stewardship.
CONNECTIONS
• The site is adjacent to Collington Square Park and a baseball field, yet the community prefers a closer space near the recreational center to avoid the downhill walk.
• Positioned next to an elementary school with its own playground, the recreational building serves as a key neighborhood facility.
• The site is poorly maintained, with dying trees and uneven pavements throughout.
CIRCULATION
• The park’s circulation does not encourage exploration, leading to the creation of informal paths
• North Patterson Avenue, east of the site, experiences moderate traffic.
• Despite three main access points, the existing circulation fails to highlight them effectively.
CLIMATE
• The site lacks tree cover, making it extremely hot during summer days.
• Minimal slopes contribute to drainage issues in certain areas
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• The community desires resilient plants that withstand urban conditions and improve air quality.
CIRCULATION (MINOR)
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
LAWN
GATHERING SPACES
PLAYGROUND
MAIN CIRCULATION
This project was guided by community engagement, ensuring that residents’ concerns and needs were acknowledged in the design. I created a space that serves both children and the broader community while enhancing the site’s vegetation with additional trees and plants suited to the environment. My goals were influenced by the needs of the community and addressing their concerns.
Community Connection
Greenscape Haven serves as a community hub, hosting events, workshops, and programs that bring families together for outdoor activities while fostering environmental awareness and a shared sense of stewardship.
Sustainability
Greenscape Haven addresses community needs by providing a sustainable, green space where children can connect with nature through play, exploration, and education, fostering a lifelong appreciation for the environment while enhancing local greenery.
Engagement
A dynamic playground with diverse play equipment and activities that inspire creativity, physical activity, and social interaction, ensuring an engaging experience for children of all ages.
SECTION ELEVATION OF GREENSCAPE HAVEN FACING THE RECREATION BUILDING
SHADED GATHERINGSPACE
POLLINATOR GARDEN
EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE
COMMUNITY MURAL
BOLLARD
Designed and painted by Kenia Lamarr with the help from local students and volunteers in Linden Neighborhood in Columbus, OH
Palette park
Re-imaging the Urban Canvas
DATE: Fall 2024
LOCATION: 8th and Market Street
SIZE: 5.20 Acres
PROJECT TYPE: Collaboration
SOFTWARES:
SketchUp, Lumion, Photoshop, Illustrator
Palette Park is a proposed transformation of a neglected parking lot at 8th and Market Street in Philadelphia into a vibrant community hub for art and culture. The design features museums, galleries, an open plaza, and the Art Ascent—a striking 200-foot structure. Created in collaboration with my cohort members Elia, Calvin, and Zhenkai, the project aims to foster creativity and connection. Together, we envisioned a dynamic space that revitalizes the area while bringing people together through shared experiences.
CONNECTIONS
• The site is near two major neighborhoods: The Philadelphia Fashion District and Jefferson University.
• A metro station on the corner makes it a frequent passage for commuters.
• Currently, the site functions as a paid parking lot behind the Gimbels Building.
CIRCULATION
• Market Street experiences heavy traffic with a dedicated bus lane, while the other three sides have moderate one-way traffic.
• Sidewalks are wide but uneven, posing accessibility challenges.
• The site is well-connected with multiple nearby bus stops and a metro station serving several train lines.
CLIMATE
• The site remains hot, except for a shaded micro-climate at the inner corner of the Gimbels Building.
• A fifth of the site is consistently shaded, providing a cooler area.
• Poor drainage causes water to collect in the center of the parking lot, creating large puddles during rain.
CONCEPT PLAN
CIRCULATION (MINOR)
LAWN
STREET SCAPE
GATHERING SPACE
SCULPTURE
MAIN PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY
BUILDING
I contributed to designing the pedestrian corridor and street scape, focusing on creating a welcoming, accessible space that connects the features of Palette Park. My design aimed to blend aesthetics and functionality, enhancing the pedestrian experience while supporting the park’s vision as a dynamic community hub.
MARKET STREET
CHESTNUT STREET
MOSAIC TILE PAVING GATHERINGSPACES THROUGHOUTTHEPLAZA
TECHNICAL SKILLS
AutoCAD
DATE: Spring 2023 & Spring 2024
PROJECT TYPE: COLLABORATION
SOFTWARES: AutoCAD
AutoCAD has been essential for creating section elevations and construction details, allowing me to illustrate key design elements like canopy structures, stone veneer walls, and trench drains. The software helps organize line weights, scales, and annotations, ensuring clear communication of technical aspects. Through my internship, I’ve also begun learning Revit, which has expanded my skills in 3D modeling and project coordination. Using both tools is enhancing my ability to visualize and communicate design ideas effectively.
Hand graphics
Where Pen Meets Paper
DATE: Spring 2021 & Spring 2025
PROJECT TYPE: Individual SOFTWARES:
Hand Rendering and Mortfolio App
Hand graphics are essential to my design process, allowing me to reconnect with my ideas in a personal and reflective way. I enjoy using pen and marker for their dynamic layering and bold expression, while pencil sketches help me explore line weight and shading. Both techniques enhance my ability to establish color hierarchy and emphasize key design elements. Together, they provide a flexible and thoughtful way to communicate the depth of my landscape architecture projects.
WHITE CHARCOAL ON BLACK CARD STOCK PAPER