INSTRUCTORS

Jeff Hou is an Associate Professor in the Department of Landscape Architecture and Adjunct Associate Professor in Architecture at UW where he teaches urban landscape design and community design. His research and practice focuses on cross-cultural dimensions of urban landscape and the engagement of marginalized communities in the design and planning of urban spaces. Since 2003, he has conducted several cross-cultural design studios and field courses, bringing students to work with local students and communities in China, Japan and Taiwan, including Exploration Seminars in Tokyo and Taipei (2007) and Tokyo and Seoul (2008). He is a co-founder of the Pacific Rim Community Design Network—a group of scholars/activists in the Pacific Rim countries with shared interests and commitment in democratic design and environmental justice.

Makie Suzuki began teaching at the University of Washington (UW) Exploration Summer Seminar in 2009. She obtained her Masters of Landscape Architecture degree with an Urban Design Certificate from UW in 2006 and is currently practicing as a landscape architect for Sasaki Associates. Makie's works primarily on international projects, with a focus on Asia Pacific. Previously, between her professional practices, she taught design studios and digital media courses at University of Virginia for two years. With her cross-cultural and multidisciplinary experience through both academic and professional work, Makie brings the values of multiplicity, integration, and collaboration into her urbanism perspectives as well as her teaching.