Caitlin Hartnett-Poelman, an enthusiastic graduate landscape architect, has been immersed in her work at Resilio Studio in Tāmaki Makaurau since winning the NZILA Vectorworks Scholarship in 2023. Through her thesis and current projects, she continues to explore the intersection of landscape architecture and human well-being.

Her Master's thesis focused on the utilisation of therapeutic landscapes to reduce stress and enhance overall health and wellbeing. Through this research, she gained invaluable insights into how the built environment subconsciously impacts us on both physiological and psychological levels. The alarming statistics of work-related stress and mental health disorders within New Zealand highlight the urgent need for nature-based design solutions, which underscores the significant role landscape architects can play in promoting public health through thoughtfully designed spaces.

She has since been applying her newfound knowledge in her current role as a graduate landscape architect at Resilio Studio in Auckland and is involved in a range of projects focused on ecological regeneration and public realm improvements.

The Vectorworks scholarship proved invaluable during her thesis research, enabling her to effectively model the terrain of her sites and conceptualise design ideas. Its hybrid capabilities significantly streamlined the design process, saving time and enhancing project efficiency. She encourages future scholarship applicants to explore the versatility of Vectorworks as a tool to effectively complete their design projects.