Meet Shuang Sang | Landscape Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shuang Sang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shuang, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Since childhood, I have been captivated by nature, specifically plants. Landscape design is a unique profession that requires plant knowledge and the integration of plants, people, the environment, and architecture. I find the design process involved in landscape architecture to be very exciting, as it requires a great deal of consideration of how various design elements will fit together. One of the primary reasons I chose a creative profession such as landscape design was the possibility of putting my plant knowledge to good use and producing tangible results.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Landscape design is a vast field that incorporates urban planning, construction/architecture, geology, botany, and ecosystems. As landscape architects, it is our responsibility to arrange these diverse elements into a coherent and meaningful design. I’m thrilled by the journeys landscape architecture has brought me on. It is crucial that we develop the habit of observing our surroundings and, more broadly, our world. As part of my job and education, I’ve had the opportunity to travel to various locations, and I’ve learned to incorporate my observations and observations from these travels into my designs. Landscape architecture has allowed me to “see more” of my surroundings, which I find extremely exciting. Moreover, Landscape Design presents its own challenges. Given the number of different factors that must be considered for a given project, it is not common to be stuck in a “thinking phase” where endless ideas are generated but no design progress is made. To combat this, I’ve devised a plan to ensure I don’t get stuck before making any progress. I begin the design process by collecting information and conducting research on the site’s natural resources, culture & history, and climate. Then I immediately begin writing down my ideas, and then I begin organizing them into a more cohesive design foundation. There will always be room for revisions and enhancements in the design process, which is a never-ending cycle. Therefore, delivering the best possible outcome within the constraints of time and resources is a challenging, yet exciting endeavor. I hope that our industry receives more global attention. Landscape is not merely the area between buildings and roads; it is the medium of communication between us and the entirety of our environment.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Despite the fact that Seattle holds the title of the Coffee Capital of the United States, Portland is still a coffee-famous city. Therefore, I always advise visitors to Portland to skip the hotel coffee and visit as many local coffee shops as possible. Soro Soro Coffee & Dessert is one of my favorite recent discoveries; they offer beverages that are uncommon elsewhere, such as banana latte and Earl Grey milk tea. As a plant enthusiast, I must mention Washington Park’s Japanese Garden and Rose Garden. Using a unique planting strategy and layout, the Japanese Garden provides its visitors with an atmosphere of Zen that is difficult to find in the city. The bonsai and four-season dry garden also provide a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. And be sure to visit the Lily Pond with Koi fish!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a big shoutout to my mother Xian for her unending support and encouragement. My mother has always encouraged me to pursue my true passions and live the life I desire. She impressed upon me the importance of being honest with myself.  I am convinced that it was her encouragement that laid the groundwork for me to be who I am and feel confident while doing so. My mother’s role in my life extends far beyond her parental responsibilities; she has always been my best friend (and biggest fan) when I needed companionship and my guide when I faced challenges. Unlike many other Chinese parents, she never pressured me to pursue a glamorous or successful profession, such as doctors or lawyers; instead, she frequently encouraged me to pursue what brings me joy. My mother has been my go-to source for life advice throughout my entire life, regardless of whether the issue is professional or personal; she has always been able to provide me with insightful counsel.  I don’t believe I could have become who I am today without my mother’s support, for which I will be eternally grateful.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shuang-sang-60778720b/