Page 12 - Landscape-Issue 156

PERSONALITY PROFILE

PROF. IDA BREED

Prof. Christina (Ida) Breed is Associate Professor at the Department of Architecture,
University of Pretoria (UP). Her love of art and nature at school led her to pursue
a career in landscape architecture, which combines these two aspects. Below she
responds to questions from Landscape SA magazine.

Biodiversity garden at Future Africa, established in 2018

Q: Please give details on your university the late Dr. Johan Wentzel and Ivan van der
studies and academic achievements Walt. The project focused on native species
I obtained a bursary from Environmental Affairs and and biodiversity, and remains my favourite.
after completing my Bachelor’s degree in Landscape I have also managed smaller projects by
Prof. Ida Breed Architecture, with a distinction in design, I was keen myself, having learned to think on my feet
to travel. I was fascinated by South America, having whilst working for Johan Barnard.
travelled there during my second year of studies,
and learned Spanish. I applied for a scholarship to Q: Do you have particular areas of
do post graduate studies at the Mexican Embassy, work you prefer to focus on?
and remained in Mexico for four years, completing I have been teaching environmental
a Master’s degree in Urban Studies. My thesis was rehabilitation at UP for ten years and
based in Mamelodi township. this has given me a deep insight into the
rehabilitation process and the beauty of local
Q: What projects stand out in your mind plant communities. Having established the
as your favourites, and what made them biodiversity gardens at UP, I have a strong
special for you? appreciation for the subtle beauty of grassland
At UP, I established two biodiversity gardens with species.

10 Landscape SA • Issue 156 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za