Architecture graduate Mariëtte de Kock is currently completing her honours degree in landscape architecture, which she hopes to follow up with a master’s degree. She believes that a degree from the University of Pretoria’s Department of Architecture provides many opportunities as it is accredited both local and internationally. “You can be assured that the hard work you put in during your studies will open many doors for you afterwards.”

Mariette chose to pursue studies in architecture because she found it to provide a good balance between art and science. “You also get to think about solutions to real-world problems, which I found very rewarding.”

She feels that it is really important for architects in all fields of specialisation to become vision makers for the smart cities of the future, and to guide the direction of urban development. “In landscape architecture, specifically, there are so many opportunities to improve the current urban design of cities in ways that are more self-sufficient.” She explains that a landscape architect helps ensure that the urban landscape does not become an over-engineered city, but rather one that helps improve our lives, while protecting the natural environment. She considers landscape architecture to be a human-centred discipline as its main focus is to improve people’s lives through the built environment.

Mariëtte believes that landscape architecture is definitely a career with good future occupational prospects, both locally and overseas. “There is increasing concern about protecting our natural environment, and landscape architecture is the perfect way to ensure this. It focuses on systems that benefit the built environment, while sustaining nature.” Landscape architects will therefore continue to be in high demand.

“I would recommend this degree to anyone interested in making a difference in the world. I have gained so much knowledge about so many different aspects that affect our lives through the programmes in UP’s Department of Architecture.” This includes the environment, global economic and social circumstances and construction. “But the most rewarding for me is being able to balance these to find solutions to real-world problems.”

Her advice to prospective students: “It takes a lot of commitment to become an architect or a landscape architect, especially during your studies. However, there are abundant rewards, particularly the knowledge that you are creating solutions that will improve the lives of the future generation.”