{"id":41495,"date":"2025-08-05T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-05T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/muse.international\/?p=41495"},"modified":"2025-08-04T03:40:59","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T03:40:59","slug":"interview-melody-zhao-london-design-awards-winner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/muse.international\/index\/interview-melody-zhao-london-design-awards-winner\/","title":{"rendered":"Discussing with Melody Zhao about Landscapes and Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Melody Zhao is a landscape designer whose work explores the connection between culture, memory, and social justice through community-driven spaces. With experience across military, institutional, and residential projects in North America, she brings a grounded yet poetic approach to inclusive and emotionally resonant design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Melody Zhao Q1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m Pu \u201cMelody\u201d Zhao, a landscape designer whose work lies at the intersection of culture, heritage, social justice, and community. Over the past few years, I\u2019ve practised in various firms across North America\u2014ranging from military land use and institutional spaces to my current focus on residential design, where I\u2019m deepening my hands-on construction experience through small-scale projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hold a Master of Landscape Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor\u2019s degree from Virginia Tech. These two experiences offered me contrasting yet complementary perspectives\u2014from practical, site-based skills to large-scale ecological thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of my design philosophy is a passion for creating inclusive spaces that uplift marginalised communities, preserve cultural heritage, and foster human connection. I\u2019m especially draw to how design can serve as a language. one that communicates care, evoke emotion, and nurtures the spirit. I believe landscape has the power to hold memory, heal wounds, and bring people together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Being recognised by the London Design Awards is both deeply humbling and incredibly meaningful to me. It feels like a gentle affirmation that the values I hold close. C ommunity, justice, cultural memory\u2014have a place in the global design dialogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As someone who has always approached design as a way to give voice to the overlooked. And create spaces that heal, connect, and empower, this recognition tells me that those intentions are being seen and felt. It\u2019s not just a personal milestone\u2014it\u2019s a reminder that design rooted in empathy and care can resonate beyond borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This award also honours the people and stories that inspire my work\u2014especially those from underrepresented communities. It gives me the encouragement to keep showing up, to keep listening, and to keep designing with tenderness and purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/i><\/a><\/i><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(read more here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

here<\/a>.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Melody Zhao is a landscape designer whose work explores the connection between culture, memory, and social justice through community-driven spaces. 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