Belfast North Courtyard

BELFAST NORTH COURTYARD May 2016

prepared by

contents

analysis + needs assessment interchangeable design design inspiration concepts screen options

04 05 06 07-11 12

analysis

In its current state, the Courtyard is lacking programmatic and visual interest. There are views into the space from all angles. There are two points of access; one for employees, and one for utility.

Inviting visitors from the atrium while screening the utility access will create a valuable destination for employees and visitors.

needs assessment

In order to provide a thoughtful design for the North Courtyard, a needs assessment was performed.

This process points out the major elements missing from The Courtyard and identifies design interventions that fill these gaps. There are many needs, but narrowing them down helps create a clear design approach.

access

Employees need to be able to access, enjoy and use The Courtyard space.

An inviting design with clear paths will create access for The Courtyard’s users.

views

Since The Courtyard can be seen from all angles, pleasant views must be established. Designing a textural and colorful planting palette will provide year round visual interest.

landscape

The Courtyard is currently a continuous plain of lawn. Breaking up the space with landscape elements will provide visual and recreational interest for the employees.

gather

A goal of The Courtyard design will be to provide areas for employees to gather, eat, and rest. Whether reading a book, drinking a coffee, or having a client meeting, The Courtyard’s design will provide space for all.

recreation

Another goal of The Courtyard design will be to provide employees with a space to play, laugh and have casual meetings. A lawn space will be a perfect multi-use area for these activities.

4

interchangeable design

The following landscape design concepts for the Belfast North Courtyard are meant to be interchangeable.

No one landscape element is static. The concepts aim to provide many ideas that can be morphed, moved and compiled to generate a final design concept.

5

texture color + function

concept

DESIGN INSPIRATION

We have taken direct inspiration from the rugged, yet delicate system of plants, stone and water that create Maine’s breathtaking forests, coast, and meadows. We have captured the color, texture and function of these natural features and used them as the backbone of what will be a playful, contemplative and unique space reminiscent of Maine’s diverse landscape.

6

river bed

In this design concept, an abstract winding river bed becomes the backbone of The Courtyard.

Several deck spaces and multi-use lawns have been carved out of the winding river to provide spaces for employees to dine, play games, read, or attend a small meeting.

The entire space is blanketed in textural understory plantings.

conceptual plans

initial design sketch

7

contrast

This design concept reveals the stark difference between Maine’s meadows and deep forests.

Designing these two elements in contrast creates an edgy, yet harmonious landscape design.

Two larger lawn spaces allow for employees to use the space as they wish. The softness and bright colors of the meadow in contrast with the hard lines and dark undertones of the deep forest will provide an interesting horticultual showcase year round.

conceptual plans

initial design sketch

8

socialize

Building upon athenahealth’s culture, this design concept provides several spaces that act as social hubs in The Courtyard.

A large central seating plaza provides a active space for meetings, dining, and quick breaks from the workplace. There is also two multi-use lawns that provide space for lounging, lawn games and enjoying the dense placement of ferns, stone and textural evergreens.

conceptual plans

initial design sketch

9

rustic

This design concept provides employees with a fun and engaging space to break from the workday. The design includes two lawn spaces peppered with diverse seating options and linked by a rustic, yet contemporary boardwalk. Meadow and woodland plantings blanket the space and define the lawns’ edges. This landscape design will provide recreation space as well as multi-seasonal landscape character that doesn’t take itseld too seriously.

conceptual plans

initial design sketch

10

land+sea

This design concept embraces Maine’s coastal landscape and provides a series of spaces where employees can gather, socialize and enjoy a rustic yet refined landscape design. This approach showcases multiple deck spaces that are linked together with a continuous landscaped backbone.

The landscape spills into a bermed horseshoe-shaped lawn that encourages idea exchange and small gatherings.

conceptual plans

initial design sketch

11

screen options

We believe a screen between The Courtyard and utility entrance/parking lot to the north will be a valuable component of the landscape design and must be carfully curated. The following are precedent images that show some general design approaches to this screen. The overall aesthetic of the wall/screen should match the materials of the landscape design and read as a continuation of The Courtyard while still allowing access for maintence.

wooden screen

vegetated screen

abstract art as screen

custom metal-wood screen

12

BELFAST NORTH COURTYARD prepared by