Co-Creating the Yard: A study in defining dignity in the workplace for landscape labor

Abstract

Landscape architecture and landscape labor share a reciprocal relationship; one does not exist without the other. A landscape designer or architect produces a set of plants and a labor crew installs and maintains the work of the landscape designer or architect. This thesis project explores the definition of dignity as it pertains to landscape labor through participatory research methods: interviews, photovoice, vignettes, and co-design. The crew members of one landscape design/build and maintenance firm participated in the research. The research gathered informed the re-design of the Yard: the workspace where the landscape crew members report to work each morning and afternoon.