People

Professor Buitrago earned a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from the Pennsylvania State University (1995) with a Minor in Sculpture with high honors. He also earned a Master of Landscape Architecture degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Design (1997). José was honored as the Class Marshall during the Commencement Ceremony.

Upon arrival at the CED in 2002, Professor Buitrago taught all the core courses in Landscape Architecture. The main subjects taught include; basic and advanced design, theory, engineering, site planning, planting design, computer graphics, history of the built environment, sustainability, graduate thesis supervision, technology implementation, incorporation of service-learning projects into the curriculum, portfolio design, introduction to design research theory, and hand graphics among many others. Buitrago attained tenure status, was promoted to associate professor in May of 2010, and continues teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Georgia.

José’s professional design experience before joining the University of Georgia includes working with the highly regarded Landscape Architecture firm of Edward D. Stone and Associates in Fort Lauderdale-Florida. He also has extensive professional work experience in Florida, the Caribbean, South America, and his native USA Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, for over nine years. His practice included urban design, tropical environmental design, hospitality-resort design, higher-end residential design, and hurricane restoration for several mega-resorts. Buitrago’s hurricane restoration work included an assessment of pre-hurricane conditions and rebuilding with a strong emphasis on incorporating new construction standards that address the need to create a landscape of resiliency in the foreseeable scenarios created by climate change.

Buitrago has substantial knowledge of computer software applications and how to teach students to use various applications from InDesign and CAD to Photoshop-Sketch Up in their design work. In addition, he has taught several courses at the graduate and undergraduate-level studios. His current research focuses on the Caribbean Islands, heritage tourism as a mechanism to promote the preservation and economic development, and teaching computer design. He has also been honored with the Outstanding Teaching Faculty Award at Georgia.