Blake Hightower Portfolio
About Me FROM THE FIRST TIME I COULD WALK, BEING OUTSIDE WAS THE PLACE TO BE. GROWING UP IN SOUTH GEORGIA THERE WERE PLENTY OF HOT SUMMER DAYS THAT ALL I DID WAS WALK THROUGH THE WOODS AND SWIM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD POND. AWAY FROM THAT I GREW UP PLAYING MANY SPORTS AND TRAVELING TO NUMEROUS SPORTS COMPLEXES AND GOLF COURSES THAT HAVE HELPED EXPAND MY KNOWLEDGE OF HOW SPACES THAT ARE NAMED THE SAME TYPE OF AREA, BUT CAN VARY AND BE PORTRAYED IN MANY EXCITING WAYS. THE EXPERIENCES I GAINED THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE LED ME TO A LOVE FOR DESIGNING I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD EVER BE AT. THE DESIRE TO CREATE SPACES THAT ALLOW GENERATIONS AFTER GENERATIONS TO ENJOY AND EXPERIENCE JUST AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEFORE ME, PUSHES ME TO BE BETTER EVERY SINGLE DAY.
"SPACE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF ARCHITECTURE. IT IS NOT THE PHYSICAL STATEMENT OF THE STRUCTURE SO MUCH AS OF WHAT IS CONTAINS THAT MOVES US." -ARTHUR ERICKSON
Infill Housing THIS PROJECT STARTED WITH A VACANT LOT IN AN AREA SURROUNDED BY OTHER HOUSES AND OLDER BUILDINGS. THIS PROVIDED THE PROBLEM OF CHOOSING AN ARCHITECTURE STYLE THAT MATCHED ITS SURROUNDINGS, BUT ALSO MAKE IT FEEL DISTINCT.
IN THIS FIRST DESIGN, SPACE TO WANDER IS CREATED BY THE VAST ARAY OF SMALL PERINNIALS AND MEDIUM SIZED SHRUBS. WHILE WANDERING YOU WILL FIND AN OPENING TO A HIDDEN SEATING AREA AROUND THE BASE OF A MASSIVE SHADE TREE. IN THE BACKYARD YOU EXPERIENCE A NICE MOOTH FLOW AS YOU WALK FROM THE BACK DECK ONTO THE POOL AREA AND THE GRASS.
Athens, GA THIS SECOND DESIGN WAS DESIGNED AROUND BEING MORE LOW MAINTENANCE. THE FRONT YARD WAS KEPT SIMPLE FOR LESS YARD WORK BUT STILL FORMAL LOOKS WITH THE PAVED WALKWAY ALLEED TO WITH SMALL EVERGREEN SHRUBS THAT GUIDES YOU TO THE FRONT DOOR. THE BACKYARD HAS A SIMPLISTIC RECTANGULAR POOL AND BAR AREA, AND LARGE SPACIOUS GRASSY AREA.
The Reserve on Bainbridge Island
Bainbridge Island, WA THIS DESIGN FEATURES A RESORT POOL IN BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA. IT WAS A PROJECT THAT FOCUSED ON THE CLIENTS NEEDS FOR A LOCATION THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCESS EVERYDAY. LEARNING HOW TO DESIGN FOR A CLIMATE AND LOCATION THAT I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH WAS A TOUGH BATTLE BUT WITH PERSERVERANCE AND DETERMINATION I WAS ABLE TO COME UP WITH THIS DESIGN. THIS POOL AREA FEATURES AN INDOOR/ OUTDOOR POOL COMBINATION, A BAR TO GET DELICIOUS COCKTAILS FROM, AND A ROOFTOP RESTURANT WITH A DECK THAT ALLOWS YOU TO LOOK OUT OVER THE WATER AND SEE THE SEATTLE SKYLINE.
INDOOR SLIDE
OUTDOOR BAR
MAIN BUILDING
Design For Speed WHILE DRIVING THROUGH PARKING LOTS, YOU BASICALLY SEE THE SAME SCENE OVER AND OVER. THIS PROJECT WAS ABOUT CREATING A PLACE OF INTEREST THAT SLOWS DRIVERS DOWN, BUT PROVIDES A PLACE TO ENJOY OUTSIDE OF THE STORE YOU ARE VISITING.
THIS AREA IS LOCATED IN THE LOWES PARKING LOT OFF LEXINGTON ROAD IN ATHENS, GA. THIS SPACE IS LIKE A MINI GREEN OASIS IN THE MIDDLE OF A DESERT OF ASPHALT. IT ALLOWS FOR A NICE VISUAL EXPERIENCE AS YOU ARRIVE TO THE STORE, BUT ALSO ACTS AS A GREAT SHOWCASE FOR PLANTS AND MATERIALS SOLD AT LOWES AND ALLOWS THE CUSTOMERS TO SEE HOW THESE MATERIALS ARE PROPERLY USED.
Athens, GA
EAST - WEST SECTION
THESE SECTION CUTS SHOW THE TWO SITTING AREAS. THE EAST-WEST SECTION FOCUSES ON THE REFLECTION POND AND THE WRAP AROUND BENCH AND PLANT WALL. THE NORTH-SOUTH SECTION SHOWS BOTH THE BENCH BY THE POND AND THE BENCH THAT WRAPS AROUND A FIRE PIT.
NORTH - SOUTH SECTION
Nasim Winery THIS PROJECT IS A DESIGN FOR AGRITOURISM. THE GOAL WAS TO CREATE A WINERY THAT FUNCTIONED NOT ONLY AS A FARMING INDUSTRY BUT ALSO A COMMUNITY LEARNING EXPERIENCE ON HOW AGRICULTURE IS GOOD FOR THE WELL BEING OF MOTHER NATURE, THE ECONOMY, AND IN THIS CASE OUR TASTE BUDS.
MAIN ENTRANCE
TRAVELING THROUGH WINE COUNTRY IN THE NORTH GEORGIA AREA, THE WINIERIES IN DAHLONEGA, GA ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR ONES TO VISIT. WITH NASIM MEANING "A BREATH OF FRESH AIR" THE WINERY IS THAT BREAK FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE AND A PLACE FOR YOU TO WINE DOWN. NASIM WINERY PROVIDES GUESTS THE CHANCE TO GET AWAY FOR AN EVENING OF TASTING THEIR AWARD WINNING WINES, A WEEKEND RETREAT AT ITS RELAXING BED AND BREAKFAST, OR A BEAUTIFUL VENUE FOR EVENTS.
Dahlonega, GA
OUTDOOR PLAZA
BLOW UP SECTION OF MAIN WINERY AREA
ENTANCE TO WINERY
New Town Development
Athens, GA THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT WAS A CHANCE TO INCORPORATE AN OLD MILL TOWN IN ATHENS, GA, INTO AN ONCE AGAIN FLOURISHING AREA. THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO CREATE A SMALL COMMUNITY WITHIN A LARGER CITY MAKING IT A PLACE WHERE FAMILY LIVING AND THE BUSINESS WORLD COLLIDE. USING THE EXISTING RAILROAD, THE DESIGN CONNECTS ATHENS, GA TO ATLANTA, GA AND SAVANNAH, GA. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE DESIGN ARE SHOPS, RESTURANTS, A PARKING GARAGE, A CHURCH, AND MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL LOTS.
ART WORK
"AUTUMN IS THE SECOND SPRING WHEN EVERY LEAF IS A FLOWER" -ALBERT CAMUS
"IN EVERY WALK WITH NATURE ONE RECIEVES FAR MORE THAN HE SEEKS" - JOHN MUIR
Photography
Resume David Blake Hightower 211 North Ave apt 713 – Athens, GA 30606 – (229) 402-9376 – dbh92@uga.edu Delivering the top solutions for visually appealing Landscapes utilizing aesthetic sense. Detail oriented, highly creative aspiring Landscape Architect with knowledge in designing and implementing stunning landscapes to support client needs and business objectives. Functional knowledge of reviewing, modifying and creating drawings for landscaping projects.
Education University Of Georgia
August 2012 – Present
-Bachelors of Landscape Architecture (Projected graduation December 2015)
Work Experience Cracker Barrel – Server February 2013 – Present - Ensure guest expectations are met and every dining experience is a positive one. - Superior people skills - Promote merchandise and menu items - Communicate effectively with other team members to ensure a flawless shift Howard Properties - Maintenance - Lawn and property maintenance
June 2014 – August 2014
Bold Formulators LLC - Pack Line Temp Worker May 2013 – August 2013 - Packed chemicals correctly and labeled them accurately for further distribution - Helped with order pick-ups and filing paperwork in the front office.
HOPE Scholarship
Springhill Country Club - Head Lifeguard May 2008 – August 2011 -Thorough knowledge of lifeguard surveillance and rescue techniques - Superb leadership, PR and communication skills - Excellent decision making skills - Proven ability to provide CPR and First Aid immediately and effectively
Golf Scholarship (Thomas University)
Campus and Community Involvement
Chamber of Commerce – HR/Employee Committee
Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity August 2012 - Present -Assisted the philanthropy chair running canned food drive for Athens Food Bank
Thomas University
August 2010 – May 2012
-Core Curriculum, Natural and Cultural Resource Management Scholarships Awarded
Relevant Course Work Landscape Design Studio I, II, III, and IV, Plants of the South, Plants of Georgia, Landscape Construction, Planning and Designing, Applied Engineering, Applied Landscape Ecology, Field Tech Archeology, Digital Photography
UGA Ultimate Frisbee Club Team -Team Member
Fall 2013 –Present
Hands on Athens Spring 2013 -Worked with a small group rebuilding a front porch and repainting a house Thomas University Golf Team
Fall 2010-Spring 2012