PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Aaron is a licensed landscape architect and a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction. He has practiced with several firms in Santa Barbara, Califonria working on a wide range of projects along the Central Coast including wineries, hotels, corporate campuses, multi-family community developments, wetland restoration, and private residential estates. Aaron merges backgrounds in science and design in his professional approach towards forming innovative solutions that balance creativity, functionality and sustainability.

RESEARCH/EDUCATION

Aaron holds a B.S. in Physical Geography from UCSB and a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from the University of Arizona. Prior to his graduate studies, he traveled as an aerial photographer & surveyor mapping diverse landscapes and cities around the world, which eventually inspired him to pursue a career in design.

While earning his MLA, Aaron’s emphasis was in water conservation and sustainable environmental and economic development. His work on several tourism projects in developing countries throughout Latin America has reinforced his passion of preserving and enhancing natural, sociocultural, and economic resources through design.

Current research includes developing new methodologies in predictive modeling that can evaluate how natural systems interact with the built environment. Additional research explores methods using UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) technology and GIS analysis to provide alternative approaches to site exploration, visualization, and predictive landscape modeling

TEACHING

Aaron is a faculty member at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara City College where he teaches students pursuing careers in architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design. Courses he instructs include: Drafting, Architectural Rendering, Graphic Communication, Site Engineering, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Landscape & Urban Design.

Aaron Liggett