Melissa How holds a Master of Landscape Architecture with distinction from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Architecture, cum laude, from the University of Southern California. While at Harvard, she was an ASLA honor and merit awards nominee, and received an ASLA student honor award in the Analysis & Planning category for her graduate work. She is also a member of the architecture honor society Tau Sigma Delta.
Melissa’s work has been exhibited at the 2012 Rotterdam International Architecture Biennale's Parallel Cases: Smart Cities exhibition and has been published in its accompanying catalogue. Her work has also been published in the Graduate School of Design's annual student work catalogue, Platform 4 and the upcoming Platform 5.
Melissa has practiced professionally in both the architecture and landscape architecture fields in New York and Los Angeles, and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Her personal work includes humanitarian work with non-profit groups Recupera Chile and Habitat for Humanity, and private residential renovations in Asia. As a partner in M_ow_Studio, she has collaborated on art installations and produced rendered environmental visualizations for Nuit Blanche New York. She also owns and operates Orderly Civilians, a jewelry and accessories design venture.
Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, P.C., New York, NY, US, Landscape Architect
WORKSHOP : Ken Smith Landscape Architect, New York, NY, US, Project Manager / Designer
Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc., Brooklyn, NY, US, Freelance designer
Aided MVVA's competition team with graphic production for their 2012 Waller Creek competition entry.
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, US, Teaching Assistant
Teaching assistant for 4th semester landscape architecture core studio for faculty members Chris Reed, Miho Mazereeuw, Gary Hilderbrand, and David Mah. Organized studio logistics and provided feedback to students via desk critiques and pin ups.
Quatro Design Group, Los Angeles, CA, US, Designer/Job captain
Worked on three educational projects from competition to 100% construction documents, as well as four competition entries for institutional projects. Produced drawings, diagrams, presentation boards, and study models, and oversaw the completion of the construction document set at each phase. Presented design concepts to clients and users and participated in design charettes with clients and stakeholders. Coordinated with consultants and clients to solve design, code, and standards issues. Led in house sustainability workgroup and LEED accreditation seminars.
Lehrer Architects, Los Angeles, Intern
Created physical and 3D study models. Produced construction documents and presentation boards. Sourced materials and supplies for materials boards and client meetings. Developed packages for proposals and submittals of qualifications. Contacted media outlets and created graphic and image press packages for project publication in leading industry magazines.
CSL Associates, Kuala Lumpur, MY, Intern
Created sample boards, construction document drafting, and supplier/manufacturer coordination.
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, US, Masters, Landscape Architecture
Graduated with distinction
University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA, US, BArch, Architecture
Graduated Cum Laude
Floyd B. Buchanan High Scool, Clovis, CA, US, High School, General education
Graduated as valedictorian.
ASLA Honor and Merit Award, Nomination
Nominated by GSD faculty based on academic merit and awarded by ASLA jury.
2012 International Architecture Biennale, Rotterdam - Parallel Cases exhibition, Other
"Dismantle/Rebuild: A New Framework for Willets Point" selected as featured project in Smart Cities: Parallel Cases
ASLA 2012 Student Honor Award - Analysis & Planning, Other
Awarded for "Dismantle/Rebuild: A New Framework for Willets Point"
Tau Sigma Delta Architecture Honor Society, Other
Membership conferred for outstanding academic merit
