Victoria University of Wellington_Barcelona Biennial 2025

The Landscape Architecture programme at Victoria University of Wellington is a five-year pathway, professionally accredited by the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects. Comprising a Bachelor of Architectural Studies (major in Landscape Architecture) and a Master of Landscape Architecture, the programme is defined by a deep commitment to social responsibility and civic engagement. Our pedagogy is founded on design-led research that actively engages with landscapes of community and culture, fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. A core value is our dedication to Māori knowledge, recognising our partnership under the Treaty of Waitangi and the vital importance of Indigenous knowledge in shaping the future of Aotearoa New Zealand.

This submission showcases this ethos through a series of studio projects that demonstrate a clear pedagogical arc. From undergraduate explorations of regional strategy in partnership with local iwi (tribes) to graduate-level research into urban hydrology and community-led conservation, our students learn to navigate complex, real-world challenges. They are taught to address climate resilience, cultural heritage, and ecological restoration not as isolated problems, but as interconnected systems requiring integrated, multi-scalar thinking. The selected works—from reimagining urban streams through Māori principles to co-designing an ecosanctuary with mana whenua (local Māori with territorial authority)—reflect our mission to produce creative, critically-minded professionals.