ALEX MIR ANDA ROBINSON landscape architecture portfolio
A L E X MIRANDA ROBINSON 515.745.3232 alexr1@iastate.edu iowa state university landscape architecture student graduation - may 2017
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hello. I am an enthusiastic landscape architecture student in my fifth year at Iowa State University, eager for a future in developing efficient and creative designs. My educational background and interests focus around ecological design, urban design, and sustainability as well as a great focus on art and creativity. My goal is to obtain a job where I can help develop innovative, exciting designs that have a positive impact on the environment.
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table of contents
6 schoolyard development gw childs elementary school philadelphia, PA
12lakeside development south chicago, IL
18urban food hub
downtown las vegas, NV
24planting plan
schuckert residence ames, IA
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28low impact recreation colfax, IA
32community design recreation district carroll, IA
44sketch studies rome, IT
50resume 5
school yard development
gw childs elementary school philadelphia, PA year 5 | fall 2017 group members: joe biegger, hannah henderson, anna smith, rose tashjian
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Our vision was to create an interactive space that both the community and G.W. Childs Elementary could use as a hub of gathering and interaction through the development of play structures, green space, and recreational programs.
GOALS :
Design a schoolyard for a city school in Philadelphia that the children can use to learn, grow, and develop. Create a hub for community growth, that they can take pride in. Work with the community to ensure no voices were ignored.
We aimed to accomplish that by creating a multi-generational space that brings community and school members together in a park setting, reducing prevent vandalism by creating ownership within the space, enhancing visual sight lines by creating a primary path throughout the schoolyard for easier site access, and by creating a low maintenance, well drained, and enhanced surface for the play area.
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construction drawings of dolphin themed gateway VIEW FACING EAST
1” THICK METAL SHEETS FOR WAVE DESIGN
SHEET METAL PAINTED LIKE WAVES
GATEWAY VIEW FAVING NORTH
VIEW FACING WEST
2” DIAMETER STEEL CROSS SUPPORT BEAMS CONCRETE SCULPTURE OF A DOLPHIN AND CORAL
1’ BETWEEN METAL SHEETS
3” STEEL SUPPORT BEAM 4’ CONCRETE CORAL AND DOLPHIN SCULPTURES 12’ 10’
12’
10’ 3” DIAMETER STEEL SUPPORT BEAM 6’ 3 1/2’
4”
4” 2’
8
2’
2 1/2’
16 1/2’
rainforest themed rooftop playspace
g.w. childs elementary school
aquatic themed ground level playspace
educational games and paint
The image to the left is a perspective view of the main entrance to the school with an educational, underwater theme to match the schools mascot, the dolphins.
main entrance gateway
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rainforest themed rooftop playspace
proposed
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existing
aquatic themed ground level playspace
existing
proposed
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lakeside development south chicago, IL
year 3 | fall 2014
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This project worked to remediate the issues related to the reclaimed brownfield site located in the south side of Chicago and develop it into a new urban community.
GOALS :
Improve the health of the nearby existing community without resulting in gentrification. Restore the habitat of the site into a healthy environment. Integrate blue technology to develop a productive, sustainable community.
By integrating habitat restoration, blue and green technologies, and bringing people into the site by means of high-density housing and commercial districts, this brownfield site would become a sustainable urban community that was successfully integrated with the rest of Chicago.
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plan
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3
2
5
2
1 6
5
11
12
2
2
4
4
1
14
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LEGEND
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1) Outdoor Recreation Area
8) Bird Habitat
2) Residential Row Houses
9) Observation Deck
3) Green space
10) Lakefront Courtyard
4) Commercial District
11) Lakeshore Drive
5)Wetland Area
12) Existing Neighborhood
6) Axial Greenway
13) Lake Michigan
7) Educational Facilities
14) Connecting Land bridge
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4 5
8 9 7
7
9
3 3
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NW
WETLAND
SW
RETAIL
VEGETATED BUFFER
GREEN ROOFS
WOODY TREES
PARKING AND STREET TREES
SW NE
WETLAND
LAKESHORE DRIVE
GREENWAY OVERPASS
BIKE PATH
GRASSY MOUNDS
W
E
FOREST BARRIER BETWEEN WETLAND
EDUCATIONAL FACILITY RAINWATER CISTERNS PARKING AND STREET TREES EDUCATIONAL FACILITY
W
S BRANDON AVE OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA | SOFTBALL FIELD
SIDEWALK
TREE BUFFER
RESIDENTIAL ROW HO
E
LAKE MICHIGAN
SUNKEN LAKESIDE COURTYARD
TRAIL
TREE BUFFER
OPEN GREE
rowhouse streetscape lakefront courtyard
E
greenway landbridges
OUSING
ENSPACE
W
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urban food hub downtown las vegas, NV
year 3 | fall 2014 group members: richard garcia, kevin kinney, rose tashjian
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The overarching mission of this project was to develop a food hub in downtown Las Vegas that revitalized the area, sparked growth, and improved health within the community
GOALS :
Draw the community into the site through specifically targeted programs in education and wellness. Bridge the gap between life and school and create an interactive way of learning for the youth of Las Vegas. Increase the community’s interest in wellness, nutrition, and physical activity
We aimed to improve the long-term health of the Las Vegas community and environment, increase the supply and demand for local, affordable food, and strengthen the local food system.
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NM
AIN
STR
EET
section cut focused on community center
PEDESTRIAN PATHS
EXISTING OVERHEAD POLES
COMMUNITY GARDEN PLOTS
FITNESS STUDIO WITH INDOOR / OUTDOOR CAPABILITIES
VEHICLE DROP OFF ZONE
section cut of full site
20 N CASINO CENTER BLVD.
LAS VEGAS EXPRESSWAY U.S 95
FOOD HUB CHILDRENS MUSEUM
MUSEUM ENTRANCE
PLAZA AND SEATING
STAGE
GREAT BAS
zappos IN H W
freemont street experience residential
Y
heavily populated public service food hub site
DO FAR WNTO ME WN RS MA 3RD RKE T STE
WA R
TA VE EM
ESQ
MO
BM
US
BLV
D
EU
ER
stewart ave
S
EET
NT
STR
AS
EET STR
EET N7
TH
CE
STR
EN
TH
ERI
N6
EXP
NL AS
ET
BLV
STR TH N4
TRE
D
EET
RD N3
TS
VEG
INO AS ON
mob museum
PPO
NC EM
EA VE
n 4th street
M ZA
CE
EET STR ST N1
FRE
UIT
FITNESS AND YOGA STUDIO
COMMUNITY GARDEN
PLAYSPACE
HYDROPONICS
PARKING
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ergonomic study of community garden plots
1’
3’
5’
3’
5’
adult elevation ergonomics
1.5’
2’
3’
5’
1’
3’
5’
3’
5’
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child elevation ergonomics
1.5’
2’
5’
3’
1/2” = 1’ - 0”
perspective view of the community garden center looking into the yoga studio
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planting plan schuckert residence ames, IA
year 2 | spring 2014
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This residential planting plan encompasses ideas of a radical design surrounding an area intended for open play and layers of plantings.
GOALS :
Provide a private, intimate space. Create a space for the family to play and enjoy the outdoors. Utilize native vegetation in the best possible locations.
The layers of vegetation radiating off of the lawn and the house are intended to create a border to the yard and to provide privacy without using a fence. The plants were organized in groups dealing with color, bloom time, and visual aesthetics. 25
plan view
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plant palette deciduous canopy Acer rubrum Quercus bicolor ‘Fronksred’ Red Sunset Swamp White Oak Maple
Quercus rubro Northern Red Oak
Taxodium distichum Bald Cypress
deciduous shrubs Acer ginnolo ‘Flame’ Flame Amur Maple
Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac
Hydrangea serrato Hydrangea quercifolio ‘Beni Goku’ ‘Munchkin’ Munchkin Beni Gaku Hydrangea Oakleaf Hydrangea
Kerria japonica ‘Golden Guinea’ Golden Guinea Japanese Rose
Weigela florida ‘Carlton’ Ghost Weigela
perennials Hemerocallis ‘Primal Paeonia Lactifolia Scream’ Primal Scream ‘Seashell’ Sea Shell Daylily Peony
Rudbeckia nitida ‘Herbstsonne’ Herbstsonne Coneflower
ground cover Lamium maculatum Leucothoe ‘Purple Dragon’ fontanesiana Zeblid’ Purpple Dragon Dead Scarletta Fetterbush Nettle
Mahonia repens Creeping Mahonia
Pachysandra terminalis Green Sheen Japanese Spurge
prairie Andropogon gerardii Big Bluestem
Bouteloua gracilis Blue Grama
Clamagrostis brachytricha Korean Feather Reed Grass
Spartina pectinata Prairie Cordgrass
Sporobolis heterolepis Prairie Dropseed
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low impact recreation colfax, IA
year 3 | spring 2015
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The mission was to redevelop the abandoned rock quarry in the rural town of Colfax, Iowa into an interactive space for outdoor recreation and ecological restoration that attracts the community and tourists.
GOALS :
Restore edge habitats with native vegetation to increase biodiversity. Provide safe access to the water. Allow the community to interact with the site without harming the environment.
Colfax is a small town full of natural beauty and this space has the potential to be a hub for community recreation and an attraction for visitors without ignoring the sites ecological services. 29
perspective views of boardwalk and beach access
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BEACH
NATIVE EDGE RESTORATION
BOARDWALK
VEGETATED PARKIN
NG
plan view
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10 3
2
4
1 7
3
6
4
12 2
5
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LEGEND
1) Road connection 2) Vegetated swale 3) Parking 4) Walkway 5) Lawn 6) Beach 7) Swimming area 8) Pavilion 9) Rental shop 10) Boat docks 11) Boardwalk 12) Native edge restoration
VEGETATED SWALE
PARKING
WALKWAY
LAWN
BEACH ACCESS
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community design recreation district carroll, IA
intern for the community design lab summer 2016
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The vision was to develop the district into an experiential landscape that welcomes the community and attracts visitors while leaving them with lasting memories and strong connections to the place.
GOALS :
Enhance recreational opportunities in the area. Connect Graham Park with the recreation district by making the road that divides it more appealing and accessible to pedestrians. Actively engage with the community. Promote a healthier community for the City of Carroll.
The Graham Park Recreation District has the potential to be a major attraction for the city and we aimed to highlight that by providing unique landscapes, events, and connections to nearby trails and cities.
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circulation synthesis diagram
N GRANT RD
This scenario focuses on vehicular and pedestrian circulation within the site connecting the park with the recreation district. The nodes highlight the main entry points and gathering spaces within the site and are pivitol to its success.
E 11TH ST
LEGEND DESIGNATED PED. CIRCULATION VEHICLE ACCESS SERVICE ROAD PROJECT BOUNDARY NODE
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HWY 30
N
0
400’
800’
site plan
Grant Road works as a binding agent connecting Graham Park and the recreation district as well as creating a recreational hub for the community E 11th ST
NORTH ROUNDABOUT AND DROP OFF
GRANT RD
NW STADIUM ENTRANCE
PLAZA GATHERING SPACE
CREEK ACCESS PROMENADE WALKWAY RAIN GARDEN AND BIOSWALES
PEDESTRIAN CROSSING
LEGEND LAWN / TURF NATIVE PLANTINGS SHRUB / PERENNIAL PLANTER
SE ENTRANCE
E 7th ST
PAVED PLAZA
0
PROMENADE PROPOSED PARKING ZONE LANDMARK SCULPTURE
N
HWY 30
200’
400’
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perspective view of pedestrian only promenade within the recreation district
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perspective view of nw football stadium entrance
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perspective view of the grant road streetscape looking into the recreation district
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birdseye view of the main plaza space within the recreation district
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axonomectric view of grant road connecting the graham park and the recreation district
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sketch studies rome, IT
year 4 | spring 2016
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While studying abroad in Rome, Italy for a semester and traveling around Europe, I sketched sites, experienced cultures, and recorded memories through different styles and methods of sketching.
GOALS :
Travel through space and record memories through sketching. Build personal connections with places and study historical artwork. Explore, learn, and interact with foreign places and cultures.
Sketching is method of discovery, communication, and investigation. Through sketching art, spaces, and memories throughout my European travels I grew to understand places on a personal level, I improved my sketching abilities, and developed the skill to appreciate places and memories through drawing. 45
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collage of sketches
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resume references Carl Rogers
department chair of landscape architecture Iowa State University 515.294.5334 rogersc@iastate.edu
Michael Martin
education
Iowa State University Bachelor of Landscape Architecture 2012 - 2017 Secondary Major | Environmental Studies 2012 - 2017 West Des Moines Valley High School 2008 - 2012
associate professor of landscape architecture 515.294.8974 mdmartin@iastate.edu
McKenzie Kiger previous City of Clive Parks and Recreation Supervisor | Current Recreation Superintendent of Carroll Iowa 515.371.0169 mckenzie.kiger@gmail.com
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skills Hand rendering Adobe Suite Site analysis and inventory Sketchup AutoCAD Customer service Positive attitude
activities
Peer Mentor
2016 - 2017
Student Society of Landscape Architects
2013 - 2016 Fundraising chair
Blood Drive
Fall 2015 Public Relations Committee
Dance Marathon
2012 - 2014 Recruitment and Morale Committee
Gamma Phi Beta Sorority
2012 - 2016
awards
Iowa State University Dean’s List 2012 - Present
Marvin R. Springer Scholarship 2013 - Present
Symposium of Undergraduate Research and Expression Spring 2015 Nominee and Presenter
experience Community Design Lab |2016 - 2017 Intern
Assisted on project development and participated in community meetings. Work to create innovative, sustainable designs focused towards the community’s interests. Participate in site analysis, design development, and image rendering.
City of Clive Parks and Recreation | 2013 - 2016 Manager
Supervised aquatic center staff, oversaw daily money, scheduled and planned events, worked in city office, and overall ensured safety and efficiency of facility.
Lifeguard | Swim Instructor
Conducted daily swim lessons, full-time lifeguard pool supervision, trainings, and patron interactions.
Rome Program | Spring 2016 Design Student
Semester long study abroad experience working with Italian architecture students and studying Italian culture, history, and architecture.
Climate Reality Project | Fall 2015 Intern
Worked with this nonpartisan group to rally young voters to build awareness for the Paris Climate Negotiations and develop long-term public support in the Clean Power Plan. Worked mostly with coalition building and developing strong community and student support.
interest | hobbies Drawing, painting, hiking, biking, traveling, laughing, reading
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thank you alex miranda robinson 515.745.3232 alexr1@iastate.edu