Design unmuted is a podcast for folks interested in engaging with social justice and critical perspectives in design, art and all things creative.
Join me in uplifting marginalized voices in design, art and all things creative. Together, we can develop Design unmuted into a repository of inspiring, provocative and nuanced stories of BIPOC artists and designers.
Episode 16: Community-based approaches to practicing Landscape Architecture (pt2)
In the second part of our conversation, Dr Diane Jones Allen talks to us about her practice Design Jones LLC, and her work in designing and building grassroots community driven projects. Diane shares the unique ways she has practiced Landscape Architecture in a non corporate way. We talk about the challenges that Black folks face in the profession; from being a student, practicing in academia or in private practice.
In this episode, I also share about my Graduate Thesis project; Bujumbura 2050, where we used an Afrofuturistic approach to design the future of vertical urban spaces in Bujumbura.
Diane is currently working on her upcoming book "The Maroon Landscape: A Cultural Approach to Climate Resiliency" to be published by the MIT Press in 2024.
Tune in to also learn what Maroon landscapes can teach us as we envision a more resilient future.
Dr. Diane Jones Allen is a principal landscape architect of Design Jones, LLC, and Program Director for Landscape Architecture, College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs, at the University of Texas at Arlington.
This episode was originally recorded in December 2020.
Episode 15: About Maroon Landscapes and communities (pt1)
In this first part of our conversation, Dr Diane Jones Allen shares with us about Maroon landscapes; communities that were established by Black communities who during the time of the middle passage during slavery, jumped off ships and freed themselves by moving, hiding and stewarding the swamps. These communities were said to have “marooned” themselves. Tune in to hear the stories of maroon landscapes in symbiotic relationships with black resiliency, coastal resiliency and black imagination through times of slavery, colonization, and liberation. We also discussed the pedagogical failure and opportunity in Landscape Architecture education.
A note from the Host
If you’re reading this message, I want to start by thanking you for taking the time to share this space with me. I am Divine and I host and produce the Design Unmuted podcast. I am a storyteller, landscape designer, artist, and educator. I started the podcast to share stories that inspire us all to expand our minds and hearts.
As an advocate for social justice, I engage in conversations on the ways design and art can help us build more just and beautiful communities. I don’t shy away from difficult conversations, because there’s always (bad) jokes and laughter around the corner to lift our spirits as we need it.
If you’re about building community, justice and good vibes, join the Design unmuted community and the other folks who chose to move beyond convention and learn critical perspectives of design, art and all things creative.
I am so grateful for you for choosing Design unmuted. If you want me to talk your ear off, drop me a word :).