Elaine Stokes

Elaine Stokes is a landscape architect and educator focused on the critical adaptation of dismantled landscapes and infrastructures in the North American hinterland. Stokes studied architecture and urban design at Washington University in St. Louis and landscape architecture at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, where she graduated with distinction. She currently practices at Sasaki and previously worked at Stoss Landscape Urbanism, focusing on regional networks of public space where recreation, commerce and transit intersect. Her recent research explores the relationship between landscapes and fictional narratives, considering the ways in which riparian infrastructures promote certain cultural narratives at the expense of others. Her writings and exhibitions have been featured in digital and print publications, including Pidgin, WLA and various other edited collections, focusing on diverse topics including social justice within public spaces and the role of maintenance in landscape design.
Courses
Wintersession 2024 Courses
LDAR W207-102
CONSTRUCTED GROUND: TERRAIN AND LANDFORM
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This seminar explores the parallels between designing and constructing the ground. It's focus is on landform - analyzing it as part of a larger natural system; understanding its inherent opportunities and limitations; altering it for human use & occupation; and building it with varying construction methodologies. The means for this exploration will primarily be through three-dimensional representations with two dimensional contour plans; however, diagrams, sketches, sections, and narratives will be necessary throughout the semester.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Enrollment is limited to Landscape Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MLA-I, MLA-II Landscape Architecture
Spring 2024 Courses
LDAR 225G-01
THEORY I
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Landscape is a term that can refer to a specific locale, design, or a collection of ideas. The term usually implies a system of interrelated cultural and natural forces operating within a context of a defined scale or disciplinary boundaries. In this course we examine and discuss the foundational definitions of the term landscape and the theoretical stances that are active in the creation of contemporary landscape architecture, land art and other creative disciplines. Writing assignments will be based upon fundamental texts, direct experience, and contemporary projects. Weekly readings will be discussed and diagrammed in class for content and structure. Students will produce a series of five short (2 to 3 page) analytical essays and case studies. There will be weekly discussion sections with course TAs to review readings, two field assignments, and one field trip to the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum in Boston.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Preference is given to Landscape Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MLA-I, MLA-II Landscape Architecture
LDAR 225G-02
THEORY I
SECTION DESCRIPTION
Landscape is a term that can refer to a specific locale, design, or a collection of ideas. The term usually implies a system of interrelated cultural and natural forces operating within a context of a defined scale or disciplinary boundaries. In this course we examine and discuss the foundational definitions of the term landscape and the theoretical stances that are active in the creation of contemporary landscape architecture, land art and other creative disciplines. Writing assignments will be based upon fundamental texts, direct experience, and contemporary projects. Weekly readings will be discussed and diagrammed in class for content and structure. Students will produce a series of five short (2 to 3 page) analytical essays and case studies. There will be weekly discussion sections with course TAs to review readings, two field assignments, and one field trip to the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum in Boston.
Majors are pre-registered for this course by the department. Preference is given to Landscape Architecture Students.
Major Requirement | MLA-I, MLA-II Landscape Architecture