Daniel Watt from Lincoln University has been awarded the 2024 NZILA Vectorworks Landmark Student Scholarship

Daniel is a final year student of the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University.

We asked Daniel to tell us more about his research

Q: Tell us what drew you to this area of research.
I was really interested in looking into a current issue: one that is highly relevant to the context of New Zealand and has a strong need to be addressed.Growing up in Canterbury, I’m very familiar with the landscapes of braided rivers. Later, I learned how globally unique these rivers are and how dominant of a feature they are, particularly through the South Island. This piqued my interest in how we currently design for these unique systems and if there may be a more sustainable alternative.

Additionally, being from Christchurch, I experienced the devastating effects of the 2011 earthquake and the impact natural disasters like these can have on the city and its people.
These two interests are what led me to my topic of research: designing for resilience and the multiple layers that this encapsulates. The project looks at developing innovative landscape architectural solutions utilizing Franz Josef township as the case study. This community faces a complex array of interconnected challenges, including natural hazards, urban design, and tourism, all within a sensitive ecological context.

This research is highly important for the future of New Zealand, as it tackles pressing issues that need to be addressed. There’s a lot of work happening in this area, and I’m excited to contribute to finding solutions for our unique landscapes and communities.

Q: How do you see winning the Vectorworks Scholarship helping your research?
This scholarship is a great opportunity for me to showcase my research by design. It allows me to highlight this important area of research and the need for adaptive design approaches. I hope to encourage conversations about designing for dynamic natural environments and inspire others to think creatively about resilience in their projects. I'm excited about the opportunities the visibility of this scholarship may provide, as I hope to continue exploring this area. The Vectorworks license included with the scholarship will be extremely valuable in supporting these efforts, and I'm excited to see where these ideas lead me.

Q: How did you feel when you heard you had won the scholarship?
It was such a great feeling when I received the news—I couldn’t believe it! My thinking in applying for this was it would be a good opportunity to share the hard work I’d put in over the year, but I didn’t know what to expect. Having my work recognized in this way is incredibly rewarding and makes all my efforts feel worth it. It’s also encouraging to see a genuine interest in this type of research, which motivates me to continue exploring these important topics.

Q: What advice would you give students who are interested in applying for next year's scholarship?
My advice for anyone considering applying for next year's scholarship is simple: just go for it! You never know what the result will be, so back yourself and your ideas. You’ve already put in all the hard work, so the process is straightforward and well worth giving it a shot. For me, the key to a strong application is clearly showcasing how your project brings a new perspective to landscape architecture in New Zealand and its relevance to the future of the profession here. Best of luck!

NZILA wishes to thank Vectorworks for generously sponsoring this scholarship