Nature's Comfort
As a child I would walk alongside the lake with my Mother. She would often recall her time living in the Caribbean as a young girl. My Mother is not a big outdoors person but the water seemed to always bring her joy. From then on water was an element of comfort and a symbol of journey. I loved to swim, however there was comfort in being on land looking outwards. I always felt oddly connected to nature. As a child my fascination with water introduced me to a sense of peace. The way the sun would dance across the water at the beginning and end of every day burned a special place into my mind. It is almost as if the sun spoke to me, confirming that beyond the water would be a world for me to explore.
Lake Ontario/ Tamia Noel (2021)
As I grew older and tried to discover myself I found calmness in the woods. It used to be a place that frightened me but I grew to appreciate its complexities. I appreciate the dappled specks of light, the earthy smell that always dances around and the life that walks within every inch. I discovered there was simplicity in complexity and complexity in simplicity. As I matured my fears became an opportunity for me to explore different forms of beauty. Now I want to see all the places in the world that offer a natural space. I wonder if I will be captivated by nature the same way in different places? I began to appreciate the things land can offer, this was further cultivated by my career choice.
Photo in Forest/ Tamia Noel (2020), Thesis Cover/ Designed and Drawn by Tamia Noel (2021)
Landscape Architecture reinforces my dedication to protect the places that showed me peace and brought me clarity. In addition to that I have learned how to delicately weave the land to provide spaces that can bring people comfort in a designed form. I am fortunate to have also worked as a gardener for my city because it showed what it was like working with nature up close everyday. My relationship with nature led me to many different experiences which recently resulted in me to writing my thesis on braiding traditional knowledge with Landscape Architecture methods. The goal was to connect my practice to the land through another perspective which could hopefully inspire change in the way we envision design. My interest in rehabilitative and restorative design furthered the familial relationship I feel with the natural world and everything within it.
Tannery Park/ Tamia Noel (2021)
In my darkest times nature has always been there like a Mother reaching out ready to reassure their child. This is a relationship that has allowed me to grow as a person and when I explored it more it built a good foundation for how I envision myself. I never want to harm anything or ruin something just to be able to create or explore. It is a principle my program has reinforced for me. Throughout my life, my nostalgic road trips and travel to the Caribbean has fuelled my desire to experience more. I learned and continue learning a lot from nature, and I am grateful I took the chance to understand it. In a way it has always been a way to connect me to my own family. Since my parents grew up in the Caribbean the closest thing they could show me to home for them was the lake in my town. As time went on I began to find my place amongst a natural world. In essence, my relationship with nature is like a continuing ballad that is sung by the world itself. I’m just excited to find the lyrics.
Im curious to hear what is a natural place you could call a second home? What is the most beautiful or coolest experience you ever had? Where is somewhere you want to go?
- Tamia N.





















