Juan Perez – UF College of Design, Engineering and Planning

By: Jori Rzepecki
Friday, July 5, 2024

When it comes to internships, versatility is key. For Juan Perez, a recent graduate of the University of Florida College of Design, Construction and Planning, every day brings new challenges and opportunities. As a landscape design intern at Sasaki in Boston, he is immersed in a world where creativity meets technology.

“My day starts with a cup of espresso from Sasaki’s amazing Nespresso machine,” said Perez. “After that, I prepare for meetings and plan my work day. I was heavily involved in graphics, 3D modeling and physical model production.”

Perez, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture last spring, has found that DCP’s interdisciplinary nature mirrors Sasaki’s collaborative environment. This similarity has made it easier for him to transition into professional interactions across disciplines. Although navigating Sasaki’s internal systems and juggling multiple projects at once has been challenging, Perez finds the connections he’s making rewarding.

“The encounters and conversations with all the wonderful and friendly people at Sasaki were incredibly enriching,” he said.

The internship provided unique experiences, including milling foam models to replicate stone pavers for a project in Texas.

“The design includes a text that will be engraved on the paving stones,” he explained, emphasizing the mix of artistic and technical skills. Perez thanks DCP for his preparation, especially for encouraging his adaptability.

“Like Sasaki, DCP brings together different disciplines under one roof. The organic conversations I had at UF have made professional interaction between different disciplines much smoother,” he said.

Looking back on his time at UF, Perez stresses the importance of getting involved in campus organizations early on. He was active in the student chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects and founded the UF chapter of the National Association of Minority Landscape Architects.

“I wish I had been more involved in different organizations earlier. There are so many incredible people and groups at DCP,” he said.

Looking to the future, Perez remains open to different design paths.

“I want to stay in the design world, be it landscape architecture, architecture, industrial design, fashion or any other field,” he said.

For future DCP students, his message is clear: “Attending DCP was one of the best decisions of my life. The people I met changed my life.”

As he continues his journey at Sasaki, Perez embodies the DCP spirit of collaboration and innovation.

“There’s something special about being a Gator that other schools can’t quite convey,” he concluded. “It’s great to be a Florida Gator!”

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