UF Landscape Architecture Students Launch Magazine Highlighting Student Projects

Students at the University of Florida’s Department of Landscape Architecture have launched Understory, a magazine aimed at preserving student studio work and fostering dialogue through the lens of landscape architecture at the University of Florida and beyond.

Eager to share their accomplishments with peers and introduce the discipline of landscape architecture to a broader audience, students set out to create a space where their work could be both showcased and supported. Drawing inspiration from the UF School of Architecture’s Architrave, Understory Editor-in-Chief and Bachelor of Landscape Architecture (BLA) student Jack Taks said the publication came to fruition through a collaborative effort.

“I started off just having some informal conversations with my classmates where people showed some real interest in starting a publication like this,” said Taks. “Then we got to work building Understory’s identity and getting our first publication out there with the help of our professors.”

Their first edition, “No Space Wasted”, highlighted “Park(ing) Day”, a global event held annually to temporarily repurpose parking spaces by converting them to public parks and areas for recreation and socialization. The event advocates for the importance of people-focused green spaces within communities.

“Understory is a great new addition to the department and will elevate how we share the work our students produce,” said Dr. Jules Bruck, Chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture. “It provides a platform to showcase their creativity and innovation while fostering a stronger connection between our program, the broader university community, and the field of landscape architecture as a whole.”

The magazine hosts frequent meetings to discuss new projects, share ideas, and plan a path forward to include a variety of projects and perspectives. They also recently started a “Student Speaks” series where individual students present in-depth on specific techniques and ideas they’ve implemented into their work. BLA student Hayden Germanis, who serves as Co Editor-in-Chief, says the publication hopes to continue building a supportive community as they move into the future. 

“As a process, this compilation of student work is highly constructive to our academic experience,” said Germanis. “By sharing and celebrating different perspectives, we hope to build a supportive community that values collaboration, experimentation, and the unique contributions of each student.”

To learn more about Understory, check out their Instagram.