Shubhra Goel

Hometown: Chandigarh, India
Education Background: Bachelor of Architecture

How did you get interested in your field?
As a designer, I have always been more interested in public space design but didn’t find a path that aligns with me through architecture. Over the years of working as an architect, I slowly found myself gravitating towards landscape architecture because of my curiosity to learn about natural systems and desire to work in the public realm.

What was your background prior to coming to Penn?
I did my undergraduate in architecture and worked in the field for 4 years before deciding to come to Penn.

Why did you choose Penn?
The course at Penn stuck out to me because of its balance between design + research, good scholarship as well as great faculty.

What has been your favorite class so far?
I’m taking a printmaking class in the Fine Arts Department that’s teaching me so many new skills and ways of representation.

What are you learning right now that will help you in the future?
Multi-tasking and time-management!

What do you like best about Philadelphia?
Philadelphia is super walkable for the most part and that’s what I love the most about living here.

What kinds of activities and/or organizations are you involved in?
I’m currently a member of the Weitzman Garden Club- A design school wide club that organizes hands-on gardening events like seed swaps, garden clean ups along with talks from professionals.

What are your career ambitions?
I wish to carve a space for myself in my hometown of Chandigarh, India as a landscape architect working to bring attention to the design of the natural systems beyond just aesthetics as well as equitable public space design. I am also interested in the intersection of landscape architecture with the design of agricultural systems and would like to work towards bringing more attention to regenerative agricultural systems globally.