Joseph James

Critic - Landscape Architecture
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Joseph James
MLA, Rhode Island School of Design

Joseph James is a registered landscape architect, educator and founder of Eponymous Practice, a studio for landscape architecture, outreach and storytelling based in Rhode Island. He shapes the work through his interests and observations of the natural and cultural worlds and grounds each project in pragmatic yet expressive solutions. Prior to founding his practice, James was an associate principal at Reed Hilderbrand with two decades of experience leading landscape projects of all scales and typologies throughout the nation. His teaching at RISD reflects the fundamental connection between landform, hydrology and plant systems and their collective ability to shape the human experience in the landscape. He shares with his students his passion for precisely shaping and sculpting the surface of the earth and developing elegantly crafted details out of simple materials.

In addition to leading his practice and teaching, James serves as co-chair of the BSLA’s K-12 Committee, where he develops programs to introduce kids to landscape architecture. He is a recipient of the Landscape Architecture Foundation’s Fellowship for Leadership and Innovation and is developing a graphic novel to further introduce his profession to a younger, more diverse audience and to foster awareness and advocacy for quality greenspace and a more humane public realm.

James has been teaching at RISD since 2010 and has also been a critic at Michigan State University, the University of Pennsylvania, Wentworth Institute of Technology and the Boston Architectural College.
 

Courses

Wintersession 2024 Courses

LDAR W207-101 - CONSTRUCTED GROUND: TERRAIN AND LANDFORM
Level Graduate
Unit Landscape Architecture
Subject Landscape Architecture
Period Wintersession 2024
Credits 3
Format Seminar
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

LDAR W207-101

CONSTRUCTED GROUND: TERRAIN AND LANDFORM

Level Graduate
Unit Landscape Architecture
Subject Landscape Architecture
Period Wintersession 2024
Credits 3
Format Seminar
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-01-04 to 2024-02-07
Times: W | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 02/05/2024 - 02/07/2024; MTW | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/22/2024 - 01/24/2024; MTW | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/08/2024 - 01/10/2024; T | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/16/2024 - 01/16/2024; MT | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 01/29/2024 - 01/29/2024 Instructor(s): Joseph James Location(s): Weybosset St Studios, Room 105B Enrolled / Capacity: 15 Status: Open

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 2291-01 - PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
Level Graduate
Unit Landscape Architecture
Subject Landscape Architecture
Period Spring 2024
Credits 3
Format Lecture
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

LDAR 2291-01

PRINCIPLES OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Level Graduate
Unit Landscape Architecture
Subject Landscape Architecture
Period Spring 2024
Credits 3
Format Lecture
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-02-15 to 2024-05-24
Times: F | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Instructor(s): Joseph James Location(s): Weybosset St Studios, Room 307 Enrolled / Capacity: 12 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

Since it's creation over 100 years ago, landscape architecture has expanded beyond horticultural preoccupations to a discipline that engages natural, political and cultural systems to build ecological and social resilience. This professional practice seminar explores contemporary practices of landscape architecture through the exploration of six current trends in practice: operating, researching, engaging, constructing, programming, and sustaining. These topics are explored and discussed through student research initiatives, in-class lectures, readings, case study presentations from a wide range of practitioners, office visits, and site visits. The goal of the course is to expose students to the variety of ways to practice landscape architecture today. Students are encouraged to ask questions, bring their own experiences to class, and be open to new ideas and perspectives. Please see 2014 class blog for student content and writing samples: http://principlesofpractice2014.tumblr.com

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

Image
Joseph James
MLA, Rhode Island School of Design