Two SALA Alumni Awarded Rising Stars

Lisa Besnier and Zahra Hirji recognized as APSC Rising Stars

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    Lisa Julliette Besnier
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    Vignette depicting nighttime activation of a Kitsilano park; drawing by Lisa Besnier
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    Zahra Hirji
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    Waiting under the flower structure at the Bus stop – a perspective from her Graduate Project; drawing by Zahra Hirji

The “Rising Star” recognition at UBC Applied Science honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional passion and contribute significantly to their fields. This year, two of SALA’s outstanding students whose innovative approaches and dedication are shaping the future of design have been recognized.

Lisa Besnier: Drawing from Across Disciplines to Build Better Cities

Lisa Besnier, a a 2024 graduate from the Bachelor of Design program, exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary thinking in design. Her project, “Drawing Across Disciplines to Build Better Cities,” highlights her ability to integrate various design principles to address complex urban challenges. Lisa’s work emphasizes the importance of creating sustainable, livable urban spaces that foster community and environmental well-being. By blending architecture, urban planning, and environmental design, she recognizes the complexity of diverse communities, histories, and agencies.

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Zahra Hirji: The Symbiotic Relationship of Culture and Landscape Architecture

Zahra Hirji, a 2024 graduate from the Master of Landscape Architecture program, delves into the intricate relationship between culture and landscape. Her work, showcased in her graduate project “Liberating Landscapes : A Landscape Architecture approach to empowering women and girls through agency and education,” explores how cultural narratives can be woven into the design of urban spaces. Zahra’s designs reflect a profound understanding of cultural heritage, aiming to create landscapes that resonate with community identity and history. She returned to her old neighborhood in Karachi with the goal of revitalizing underutilized parks and empowering women within their landscape. She aims to meet with and present to NGO’s in Pakistan to begin finding ways that this work can be implemented into parks across urban areas in Karachi.

Full article
Graduate Project

Lisa Besnier and Zahra Hirji’s dedication to their respective fields and their innovative approaches to creating better urban environments embodies the essence of the “Rising Star” recognition. These students inspire others with their passion and commitment, making meaningful contributions to the betterment of society.

To read about previous SALA “Rising Stars”, head to the UBC Applied Science site and filter with SALA as the topic