Zaneta Hong

Zaneta Hong is an Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture at Cornell University, specializing in material ecologies and sustainable design practices. Her work bridges landscape architecture, industrial design, and critical theory, emphasizing empathy and care in built environments. She co-directs the Material Propositions Lab and advises GA Collaborative, focusing on design equity and sustainable construction in East Africa and the U.S.

• Education:
• Master of Landscape Architecture, Harvard University Graduate School of Design
• B.F.A. in Industrial Design, Rhode Island School of Design

Her research explores edible ecologies, landscapes of extraction, and cultural reproduction through material systems. She investigates how design practices transform ecosystems and promote planetary health, spanning scales from object fabrication to large-scale systems.

Recent publications include Edible Ecologies (2021) and Platform 8 (2016), which highlight material innovation and pedagogical frameworks for unpredictable futures. Her work integrates digital techniques with analog methods to foster interdisciplinary design education.

• Awards:
• 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award (Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture)
• 2018-19 Garden Club of America Rome Prize Fellowship
• 2014 Graham Foundation Grant

Zaneta teaches courses like Site Assembly and Take a Stand, emphasizing material experimentation and ethical design. She co-leads the Material Propositions Lab, exploring material sustainability and cultural narratives in design. Grants include the Graham Foundation-supported Landformation Catalogue project (2014).