Prashanta Bhat

Biography

Prashanta Bhat came to Utah State University in 1989 to pursue a degree in Landscape Architecture. Coming to cold, sparsely populated Logan from India was not easy. While most students from India who were at USU studied engineering or business and didn’t have to keep long studio hours, he remembers how Dick Toth inspired him to remain in the department. Being his advisor, Dick encouraged him to keep a sketch book and be passionate about design during the Basic Design course that Prashanta took. He also fondly remembers the encouragement and support the faculty gave him during his years at USU.

He attributes his being in the profession to Utah State University’s strong LAEP program. The program really grounded him with a strong foundation in the field of landscape architecture. While at Utah State, Prashanta was involved in various university activities including serving as President of the International Students Council.

Upon his graduation in 1992, Prashanta went to University of Pennsylvania to pursue a Master of Landscape Architecture degree, and eventually returned to India in 1996 to open a new landscape architecture design wing in his father’s horticulture business. In 2000 he branched out to start THE LANDSCAPE COMPANY. The Landscape Company is today involved in design with projects all over India. In 2006 Society Interiors awarded Prashanta the Honour Award in Landscape Architecture category for The Landscape Company’s contribution to the profession in India. Prashanta also contributes by writing to various journals and teaches part-time at various design colleges in Bangalore.

In 2001, with the help of a grant from Marie Eccles Caine Foundation, Prashanta came to USU to do a 2 week charette with senior students.

Prashanta has spent extended period of time in France and speaks French as well as English, Hindi, Kannada and other local Indian languages. Prashanta is a member of the LAEP advisory board and traveled from India to attend the fall ‘06 meeting.