BASE
landscape architecture
ANNUAL REPORT
2015
CONTACT US web:
www.baselandscape.com
email:
hello@baselandscape.com
visit us:
45 29th Street San Francisco, CA 94110 3065 SW Fairview Blvd. Portland, OR 97205
BASE landscape architecture BASE Landscape Architecture is a small firm that specializes in designing beautiful, smart and whimsical landscapes at a range of scales. This year we dug deeper than ever into a mix of projects types. We developed a master planning for a recovery center and spiritual retreat in Mexico, we designed mixeduse affordable housing for the elderly in San Jose, and we collaborated with the Coquille tribe in Oregon to bring locally milled & fabricated furnishings into a new food market. We won awards at SXSW Eco and from the Northern California American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), gave a talk at the national ASLA conference on sourcing organic plants, and stayed true to our goal of creating places that balance the needs of our clients with the authentic beauty and wildness of nature. We take pride in working with local builders and craftspeople to ensure that our clients’ stories are threaded into the fabric of every place we design.
EXPERTISE
PRODUCTIVE SPACES Whether it be an edible schoolyard, urban farm, private garden, community supported agriculture (CSA), or policy planning for communities, we love connecting people to productive spaces, sustainable ideas, and healthy food through design at various scales.
PLAY + LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS We are experienced designers of wildly creative playgrounds, schools, and children’s museums. We love to incorporate nature and zany play elements, vibrant color, and maker spaces to inspire creativity, exploration, and innovation for children of all ages.
GREEN ROOFS With all the known benefits of green roofs, we continue to advocate for the importance of this green infrastructure. We love the challenge of introducing evergreater floristic diversity to green roofs in order to help provide habitat, treat stormwater, and help mitigate climate change.
RETREATS + HOSPITALITY
RESIDENTIAL
We help others rejuvenate and enjoy the company of friends and family in well-designed landscapes. From healing retreats to wedding venues, quirky hotels to national parks, we love (and have designed) them all.
We specialize in both single and multi-family residential landscapes. Working closely with homeowners, we design landscapes that weave together active, contemplative, and productive spaces to help people love being in their outdoors.
MOBILE OUTREACH SOLUTIONS We launched the first of a kind “Roving Ranger,� an adaptable visitor center on wheels. These vehicles help to connect urban folks to the wonders of nearby natural areas. With vehicles deployed for the Golden Gate and Santa Monica National Recreation Areas, we are hitting the streets!
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5' A. Gray Phacelia 4' 3' campanularia
Phacelia tenacifolia benth
Perovskia artiplicifolia benth
march
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lavender blue blue violet yellow/orange/red blue lavender blue violet blue dark blue
white blue blue
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6-16” 1-2’ 4-6’ 2-3’ 1-2’ 2’ 18-24” 2-3’ 1-3’ 6-18” 1-2’ 2-3’
blue dark blue red white/light blue red
4-6’ 3-4’ 2-3’ 3-6’ 1’
4-6’ 1-3’ 2-3’ 3-5’ 2-3’
Indigo Spires Sage
Santa Rosa Island Sage Germander Sage
Autumn Sage
Honey Sage
Pincushion Flower
Salvia brandeggi munz
Salvia chamaedryoides Cav.
Salvia greggii A. Gray
Salvia mellifera Greene
Scabiosa atropurpurea L.
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Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’
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bOTANICAL NAmE Salvia greggii A. Gray Scabiosa atropurpurea L. Cosmos bipinnatus Cav. Aloe x spinoissima Eschscholzia californica Gaillardia x grandiflora Van Houtte Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet Encelia californica Nutt Phacelia ciculata Greene Salvia mellifera Greene Phacelia tenacifolia benth Rosmarinus officinallis ‘Prostratus’ Gilia capitata Sim Erigeron glaucus Ker Gawl Perovskia artiplicifolia benth Salvia brandeggi munz monardella villosa Penstemon heterophyllus Lind. Phacelia campanularia A. Gray Salvia chamaedryoides Cav. Echium candicans L.F. Salvia ‘Indigo Spires’ Ceanothus ‘Centennial’
California Desert blue bells
Tansy Phacelia
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NECTAR SOURCE Russian Sage
Foothill Penstemon
Coyote mint
blue Gilia
blanket Flower
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Sea Holly
beach Aster
Largeflower Tickseed
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Echium candicans L.F.
Eryngium varifolium ‘big blue’
Erigeron glaucus Ker Gawl
Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet
California Lilac
Spider Aloe
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It has been a big year for us here at BASE. Our projects have taken us from the shores of Lake Tahoe to the national parks of Los Angeles, allowing us create innovative and enduring places for thousands of folks from Oregon to Mexico. And we’re loving every minute of it. This year we also said goodbye to our original office (the “Pink Palace”) in West Berkeley and made the move across the Bay to San Francisco’s Mission Bernal neighborhood. We’re settling in nicely our new co-working space and enjoying the community of creatives. We have also expanded our operations to Portland, Oregon. As we kick off 2016, Andreas and Sutter will be leading the Portland office while Patricia, Susan, and Natalie keep things moving in San Francisco.
PROJECT LIST CALIFORNIA
PROJECT
Pollinator Boulevard Median at Dolores and Market Street San Francisco, CA
Milpitas New Elementary School - campus design focused on learning through play Aptos Middle School (images 9,10) - schoolyard greening Herbert Hoover Middle School (image 1) - schoolyard greening Gardner Bullis Elementary School - campus improvements Zephyr Cove Resort and Campground - new getaway at Lake Tahoe (Nevada) Ocean View Retreat - small events venue Bee Safe Campaign - research, advocacy and development of industry-leading specifications Dolores Street Pollinator Boulevard (images 5,6) - pollinator habitat coming to San Francisco LA Ranger Troca (images 7,8) - Santa Monica Mountains National Park outreach vehicle One Tam Roving Ranger - Parks Conservancy outreach vehicle Volcano Cottage (image 4) - serene cottage getaway San Mateo Private Residence (image 3) - yin-yang oasis Tilden Park Private Residence - beautiful flowing tall grass meadow Berkeley Hills Private Residence - ultimate family gathering opportunities Chow Cafe and Market - Piedmont - new cafe with productive spaces 180 Grand - commercial re-positioning North San Pedro - multi-family affordable housing in San Jose Mountain View Studios - multi-family affordable housing in Mountain View Japantown Senior Apartments - multi-family senior affordable housing in San Jose BASE 2212 5th Street Berkeley, CA 94710 baselandscape.com
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LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Eryngium varifolium ‘big blue’
2015 YEAR IN REVIEW
OREGON • • •
The Redd on Salmon Street - award-winning food hub emphasizing sustainable design Meriwether Condominium Eco-Roof - green roof rehab West Hills Private Residence - ultimate family gathering opportunities
MEXICO •
Sacred Mountain Retreat (Image 2) - re-imagining ancient Mexico’s largest and most diverse ethnobotanic garden
SUSTAINABILITY METRICS We at BASE measure our work by its positive impacts on the environment and the community. Below is a running estimate of our achievements since 2014.
1,873 SQUARE FEET ASPHALT REMOVED 39,460 SQUARE FEET PLAY SPACE BUILT 61,530 SQUARE FEET POLLINATOR HABITAT CREATED 228 TREES PLANTED 1,033 NEW PLACES TO SIT 374,000 GALLONS WATER FILTERED OUTREACH TO 12,000+ PEOPLE 201 CUBIC FEET OF WOOD RECLAIMED
FEATURED PROJECT:
THE REDD ON SALMON STREET
AN URBAN FOOD HUB WITH A TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE BASE is working with Ecotrust, Opsis Architecture, Green Gables, and Walsh Construction to bring the Redd on Salmon Street to life. Once completed, this two-block food production and distribution hub in the heart of Portland, Ore., will create jobs, protect the environment and generate sustainable revenue. This trio of benefits, known as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;triple bottom line,â&#x20AC;? helps enable a just and sustainable food system. The BASE-designed landscape includes a lush bioswale, food cart area, and community gathering opportunities around a hearth table and fire pit. We incorporated salvaged beams to maintain the industrial character in the landscape and worked with the Coquille tribe to harvest and mill cedar from their managed forest. The project is set for completion in fall 2016.
*image courtesy of Opsis Architecture What makes this project cool? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working with the owners and the Coquille tribe to collage together a beautiful landscape from salvaged industrial relics and locally milled wood. Why are we excited about the project? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re collaborating with some wonderful people who are also passionate about sustainable design and appreciate the importance of craft. Why should you be excited about this project? This project aims to fix fundamentals of the food system instead of simply adding to the already-thriving food scene in Portland. Where are we hoping this leads? To a more just and sustainable food economy across the U.S. How can I learn more? Visit our website, here.
1st Place WinnerResilience by Design, South by Southwest Eco Conference
FEATURED PROJECT:
BEE SAFE CAMPAIGN
POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPES FOR ALL BASE is an industry leader in designing pesticide-free projects and wants to empower other designers to do the same. Last year we worked to create original research, specifications, and lists of suppliers that will help landscape architects, gardeners, and ordinary folks create beautiful, functional landscapes without using dangerous pesticides. In collaboration with the San Francisco Department of the Environment, and researchers at UC Berkeley, BASE presented information about the importance of this problem and how to take action. Pesticides and Pollinators; Policy, Practice, Activism, presented at the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Annual Conference in Chicago, was received to high reviews and sparked a dialogue among landscape professionals.
What makes this project important? Industrial pesticides are present throughout the typical nursery supply chain. Pesticides contaminate water and bee colonies are dying off in record numbers as a result of their use. Unfortunately, few people know about this problem, and fewer know what they can do to help. Why are we excited about the project? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re creating new planting specifications that empower designers to specify and source pesticidefree plants. If enough people demand organic plants, together weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll pressure the nursery industry to grow plants that are safe for both pollinators and people. Where are we hoping this leads? With President Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s announcement of a national pollinator taskforce, we are on the threshold of a movement that we truly believe could create positive change. How can I learn more? Visit our website, here.
Research chosen for and presented at the American Society of Landscape Architects Annual Meeting, 2015.
Research featured in WLA 21, World Landscape Architecture Magazine
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FEATURED PROJECT:
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MILPITAS NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
O EL S I C ER
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BIOSWALE
ESTABLISHING NEW MODELS FOR EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPES BASE is working with Gould Evans Architects and the Milpitas Unified School District to create a unique new K-6 facility where the landscape is an extension of the classroom as a place to play, learn and create. At this innovative school, the curriculum will extend beyond the open classroom walls into nature play areas and maker spaces. The design of the landscape and accompanying curriculum encourages creativity, discovery, and innovation, especially emphasizing science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). An adjacent park will blend with the schoolyard to serve both students and the larger community. The project is set for completion in fall 2017.
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PICNIC AREA AMPHITHEATER
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ENTRY SEATING What makes this project cool? By challenging the existing educational model, we are designing a smarter and more adaptive school environment for 21st century learning. 36.34
VAN
Why are we excited about the project? We are thrilled to be engaged with a talented integrated design team to re-imagine what a classroom looks like. The concept design has already won an award from the Association for Learning Environments. Why should you be excited about this project? If you ever felt confined or stifled in a traditional classroom setting, then put on your shoes, fire up your imagination, and come play with us! Where are we hoping this leads? To a generation of kids that are inspired by the world around them. How can I learn more? Visit our website, here.
Concept Design Award Winner, Association for Learning Environments
AWARDS ASLA-NCC, HONOR AWARD We received an Honor Award from the Northern California Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects in the Research, Planning, Analysis, and Communication Category for our work on the El Monte Urban Agriculture Initiative.
ASLA-NCC, MERIT AWARD We were recognized by the Northern California Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects with a Merit Award in the Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces Category for our work on the Children’s Museum of Sonoma County.
SXSW ECO, FIRST PRIZE IN RESILIENCE The Redd on Salmon Street was recognized for its vision of growing a robust regional food economy. As a two-block food production and distribution hub in the heart of Portland, Ore., the Redd will provide critical infrastructure to enable a just and sustainable food system.
A4LE, DESIGN CONCEPT AWARD Our concept designs for Milpitas Unified School District’s New Elementary School, in collaboration with Gould Evans Architects, were recognized by the Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) at their Annual Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture.
PUBLICATIONS WLA21 Our Bee Safe research was featured in the 21st edition of World Landscape Architecture Magazine. This international issue showcases works related to landscape research and policy.
GLOBAL FOOD INITIATIVE - UNIV. OF CALIFORNIA Our policy and outreach work within the community of El Monte was featured in the article Give a Community a Guide to Garden Regulations, and They’ll Eat for a Lifetime as part of the publication Leveraging Research for Food and Agriculture Policy: Lessons Learned from the University of California.
PRO-BONO WORK DOLORES STREET POLLINATOR BOULEVARD BASE has donated 100+ hours of outreach, design, and volunteer services in order to make the Dolores St. Pollinator Blvd. a reality. The project was born from Patricia’s passion for pollinators and providing them with safe, pesticide-free habitat.
THE REDD In recognition of the goals of the project, BASE is proud to donate a portion of its services for the design documentation of this innovative project.
NCC-ASLA, MERIT AWARD
NCC-ASLA, HONOR AWARD
*rendering by Gould Evans
A4LE, DESIGN CONCEPT AWARD
PESTICIDES AND POLLINATORS: POLICY, PRACTICE, ACTIVISM LECTURE
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS CAREER CHALLENGES PANEL Patricia spoke about her background, career path, and passions in landscape architecture as part of a panel for the Northern California Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects Lecture Series in January.
THE FUTURE OF CREATIVE PLAY LECTURE Andreas shared his knowledge of incorporating play in the landscape for the Northern California Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects Lecture Series in March.
PESTICIDES AND POLLINATORS: POLICY, PRACTICE, ACTIVISM
Patricia and Sutter hosted an education session about the complex relationship between pollinators, plants, and people at the American Society of Landscape Architects Annual Meeting in November.
TEACHING DESIGNING FOR DIFFERENCE: SOCIAL NEEDS AND PRACTICES IN THE LANDSCAPE Patricia has taught Designing for Difference at the University of California (UC) Berkeley for four years. Her students come from a wide range of disciplines including landscape architecture, planning, architecture, urban design, and accessibility studies. This year, her class developed post-occupancy evaluations of urban agriculture sites around the Bay Area.
SOCIAL FACTORS IN ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN Patricia has taught Social Factors at UC Extension in San Francisco for six years. Her students come from a wide range of backgrounds including law, engineering, nursing, and medicine to get certificates in landscape architecture.
PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE Andreas taught Professional Practice at UC Extension in San Francisco for the first time this year. In the past, he has taught Plant Use and Identification for multiple years at UC Berkeley.
PHILANTHROPY EDWARDS MOTHER EARTH FOUNDATION Sutter is currently the Executive Vice President of EMEF, a charitable family foundation dedicated to mitigating global climate disruption with a granting focus on energy efficiency policy and green building.
WITH HONEY IN THE HEART This year Patriciaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion project, WHITH, made the leap to official non-profit. The organization focuses on connecting people to their surrounding environment, educating about the benefits of pollinators, and creating healthy habitat for all bee-ings.
THANK YOU FOR EXPLORING OUR WORK! SINCERELY, BASE TEAM
Andreas Stavropoulos, PLA, ASLA Co-Founder Patricia Algara, ASLA Co-Founder Sutter Wehmeier, PLA, ASLA, LEED AP Principal Natalie Martell, Associate ASLA Designer Susan McKay, PLA Senior Advisor Patrick Haesloop Intern (Jan.-May) Alison Malouf Intern (June-Aug.) Paloma Studio Assistant
ANDREAS + PATRICIA
NATALIE
SUTTER
PALOMA
BASE landscape architecture web:
www.baselandscape.com
email:
hello@baselandscape.com
visit us:
45 29th Street San Francisco, CA 94110 3065 SW Fairview Blvd. Portland, OR 97205
ALISON
BOOKS!
GOODBYE, PINK PALACE
SUSAN PATRICK