A Distinctive View

Aisha Malik ’25 came to URI from Alaska to study landscape architecture. When she returns to her home state after graduation, she will use her skills to help balance the demands of a growing population with environmentally conscious design.

Aisha Malik enjoys the view at Grapefruit Rocks in Fairbanks, Alaska, about 3 hours from the Arctic Circle.

Living in rural Alaska, 40 minutes from Fairbanks, Aisha Malik ’25 often took a 4×4—or even, quite a few times, a dogsled—to school.

Her mother, a data analyst with the Fairbanks Native Association, and her father, a project manager at the local military base, instilled in her, at an early age, a love for the outdoors. Her mother taught her to fish, gather, and forage. Family trips were often to fish for salmon or to camp. Hiking, gardening, and rock climbing were some of her favorite pastimes.

“Growing up in Alaska was magic. But I didn’t realize it until I left,” says Malik, a senior majoring in landscape architecture.

Malik’s love of nature—along with a lifelong interest in art—inspired her curiosity in landscape architecture. “I initially wanted to study architecture,” says Malik. “But when I learned about landscape architecture, something clicked. I felt like I found the perfect career.”

Landscape architecture unites her passions, each project posing challenges that require creativity and adaptability to uncover sustainable and unique design solutions. “When I consider the potential to practice landscape architecture in Alaska,” she says, “I am especially motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact on my community.”

Malik started college at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. But because no universities in Alaska had a landscape architecture program, she turned her attention to the Lower 48. When she learned URI offered landscape architecture, she made the long journey—no dogsled needed.

“I knew going to school 3,000 miles away was going to be a big change,” says Malik, a first-generation American of Pakistani and Ukrainian descent. “But I can safely say it was the best decision of my life so far.”

One thing that drew her east was that URI and Alaska Fairbanks are part of a national student exchange program—so Malik pays a lower tuition. For someone paying her own way through college, that was big. Before transferring to URI, she worked 50-hour weeks—fittingly at outdoor gear retailer REI—during the summers and applied for as many scholarships as possible. Last spring, Malik received three scholarships from the American Society of Landscape Architects and a travel stipend to an ASLA conference in Washington, D.C.

At URI, the small class sizes in the program have allowed her to connect with classmates and build some of her closest friendships. She is vice president of the American Society of Landscape Architects Rhode Island Student Chapter; she was the social media chair last year.

“I have really enjoyed the studio aspect of the program,” says Malik, who minors in community planning. “Each student gets their own drafting table, which can be decorated however students like. It’s a great perk of being a landscape architecture student.”

Among her favorite classes was her sophomore design studio, which included a project to improve usability of the 300-acre North Woods, just north of the Kingston Campus. Malik designed a plan to add trail markers and wayfinding 
features to help hikers navigate the woods. The class was taught by Jane Buxton, 
who Malik says helped her and other students develop an appreciation for art and landscape architecture. “At the time, I was still figuring out what the profession was all about,” Malik says. “The class was a turning point for me and solidified my decision to pursue the field.”

“Aisha brings a unique vision to her work that’s rooted in her character, passion for the field, and personal background,” says Buxton, director of the landscape architecture program. “While she has been far from her beloved Alaska home, her quiet strength, determination, and vision for her future have grounded her on her path.”

Malik plans to return to Alaska after graduation, taking on the many challenges posed by that state’s environment—snow cover, subzero temperatures, and a short growing season.

Landscape architecture in Alaska is unique, she says. Permafrost influences design and construction decisions, requiring techniques and materials to address soil instability. The extremes of summer and winter affect plant growth and outdoor activities, and only certain plant species—such as birch and spruce—can adapt to the climate. At the same time, design practices honor the Indigenous population’s cultural perspective, emphasizing respect for traditional knowledge and sustainable approaches.

How does a landscape architect deal with all that?

“With creativity and ingenuity,” says Malik. “Using engaging lighting, hardscapes, and plants with winter interest are ways to invite some flair to the winter.”

“I am really interested in how landscape architecture can impact a state that is known for its untouched landscape,” she adds. “Alaska is growing, and with climate change, the cities here need to consider environmentally conscious design. I would like to be a part of that conversation.”

—Tony LaRoche ’85

PHOTOS COURTESY AISHA MALIK