June – July 2025
As part of SDLA’s ongoing commitment to education and international knowledge exchange, Sarocha Devapalin was invited to join the School of Architecture and Design at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Thailand, as a visiting lecturer for the undergraduate summer programme. She led the course Modern Landscape Design and Theory, a studio-based module designed to bridge conceptual thinking with practical application.

Rather than approaching the subject through theory alone, the course was structured around built examples and real-world projects, allowing students to understand how design ideas are translated into tangible landscapes. By analysing precedents – from everyday public spaces to internationally recognised projects – students were encouraged to reflect on what makes a landscape successful, how design decisions are made, and how theory is embedded within practice.

This example-led approach helped make complex ideas more accessible and relatable, enabling students to engage more intuitively with the subject. Discussions were centred on observation, critique, and interpretation, fostering a learning environment where students could form their own design positions rather than simply absorb theoretical frameworks.

Alongside this, the course explored key themes such as human-centred design, ecological thinking, and the role of landscape architecture in shaping resilient and meaningful environments. Students were encouraged to develop a narrative within their work – understanding not only what they design, but why.

The teaching experience also created a valuable platform for cross-cultural exchange, bringing insights from UK professional practice into dialogue with the local Thai context. This reflects SDLA’s broader ambition to contribute to design education while supporting the development of future landscape architects in an increasingly global profession.