Faculty
Professor
Associate Professor Assistant Professor Lecturers- Luanne Smith
- Nhon Truong
DR. KEN YOCOM
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Assistant Professor
Department of Landscape Architecture
kyocom@u.washington.edu
Dr. Ken Yocom joined the faculty in 2008 and teaches courses in theory and design. Ken received a Bachelor of Science in Vertebrate Zoology from Eastern Washington University (1996), a Masters of Landscape Architecture from the University of Washington (2002), and a PhD from the Program in the Built Environment from the University of Washington (2007). Trained as an ecologist and landscape architect with professional experience in the construction industry, Ken brings a diverse collection of experiences and perspectives to our department.
Ken’s professional and academic interests focus on the dynamics of landscape processes and patterns. In particular, Ken is interested in the relationships between natural and socio-economic processes that have created and support the patterns of our urban environments. He views the allied design professions as catalysts for appreciating, understanding, and designing environments in which we live from a sustainable development perspective.
Ken’s pedagogical (teaching) emphasis is based on integrating a systems-based, ecological understanding of the landscape and its processes into design education. Through a basic understanding of ecological principles he believes that designers of our built environments have the unique opportunity to translate these principles and systems into forms that sustain the diversity of our urban ecological environments. He is currently working with the Center for Watershed Protection to develop a curriculum for several design studios in our program that incorporates a watershed perspective into site-based design approaches. Farther reaching, Ken is also working with the International Urban Training Center in Seoul, South Korea developing and facilitating training seminars for professionals and academics in developing nations of south and southeast Asia that focus on generating and supporting place-based strategies for the development and management of sustainable water systems.
Ken’s research interests are currently focused on ‘demystifying’ emerging strategies and technologies for sustainable development. For example, he is working in collaboration with the local professional roofing and building community and the Green Futures Lab to establish a research program that assesses the regional effectiveness of green roof and living wall strategies for mitigating the hydrological and environmental impacts created by urban development.