Brandon Le ’26, Architecture

Brandon Le ’26

Major

Architecture

Project Title

The Meadowlands: a National Climate Park

Presentation Link

View Brandon's Presentation

Minor(s): Japanese Language
Certificate(s): Urban Studies

The Meadowlands, a wetland area in northeastern New Jersey, serves as a vital habitat for wildlife and provides flood control and water filtration for nearby urban communities. Under the guidance of Professor Mario Gandelsonas and his research team, efforts are underway to transform the Meadowlands into a national “climate park” to mitigate the risks of future flooding due to rising sea levels. I worked to identify and analyze smaller parks in New Jersey that could serve as “gateway” entrances to the larger Meadowlands climate park. Using Adobe Illustrator, QGIS and Rhinoceros, I created detailed maps, models and diagrams of these parks, which I supplemented by on-site visits and photography to capture data that the digital tools alone could not provide. Through this experience, I enhanced my proficiency in design software and gained a deeper understanding of public infrastructure and its interaction with urban communities. This project has sparked a strong curiosity in me regarding green infrastructure and the intersection of our natural environment with architecture and I hope to continue contributing to it in the future.

* This internship is connected to the HMEI Water Grand Challenges project, “The Meadowlands: a National Climate Park.