Brian Bentler's Undergraduate Landscape Architecture Portfolio by Brian Bentler

ENHANCING OUR OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS ONE LANDSCAPE AT A TIME Undergraduate Landscape Architecture Portfolio - Brian Bentler

CONNECTIVITY. UTILITY. SIMPLICITY.

Vandal Hill Residence Vandal Hill Design Process

Goals To create a student community inspired by the University of Idaho campus and the surrounding Moscow landscape that is aesthetically pleasing, sustainable, and creates an atmosphere where moments can be shared and memories made. Convenient circulation and access will help connect Vandal Hill Residence to the University’s pathways and also frames views of campus. Promote recreation for students and their connection with the environment.

Program

and 900 sf 3-bedroom Concept •600 #1 sf 2-bedroomtransition •private/public at building

•University facilities - classrooms, administrative offices, faculty offices - open plots, greenhouses ned by •urban Brian agriculture Bentler and Steven Andrews •urban biodiversity - at least one habitat path and ecological corridor •caa facility - studio space/critique space, truck access, constructoin yard, parking •One study room per 20 people •On-site storm water management •Parking lot (focus on pedestrian transportation) e surrounding Moscow landscape that is aesthetically pleasing, •3 handicap/visitor parking made. Convenient circulation and access will help connect Vandal Hill •30% open space at least recreation for students •student housing and their connection with the environment.

arking

•A variety of units for high density (20 units/acre)

•600 sf 2-bedroom and 900 sf 3-bedroom minimum •private/public transition at building entries •private open space or balconies per unit •common open space •.5 parking spaces per person •Use an athletic theme •Use native plants •continue U of Idaho campus theme •Create microclimate •Green roofs – extensive and intensive •Match character of the site - agrarian •Transition between private and public spaces

Concept #1

pt #2

minimum entries •private open space or balconies per unit •common open space •.5 parking spaces per person •Use an athletic theme •Use native plants •continue U of Idaho campus theme •Create microclimate •Green roofs – extensive and intensive •Match character of the site - agrarian •Transition between private and public spaces

Concept #2

Concept #3

Site Form Study

Concept #3 (Selected Concept)

Concept #3

Pros:

Concept #3 was selected for its excellent connectivity throughout the site, its functionality and the simplistic layout

•A&A building and build yard are located next to Agriculture building and plays off existing circulation paths to provide ease of access for deliveries •Multiple types of housing options to provide options for students and create a diverse living community •Studio-style apartments provide a more private courtyard setting for a typically more secluded lifestyle but also allows for interaction withint their living space •Apartments, parking lots and green buffers act as a “wall” to define the edge of campus and help to define campus boundries •Athletic living quarters are located above the mixed use portion of the building and are set up to create semi-private outdoor spaces for either side of the rooms Cons: •Mixed use building allows for a smooth transition between campus and “living community” by • Too condensed providing retail options and an outdoor space that transitions well into the campus • Not enough room for housing requirements •Urban agriculture is located in a spot that allows for convienince stores/resturaunts can use it as • Parts of the site plan does not “flow” or connect well with well as the community that sees it and participates in it •Bioswells throughout site allow for water capturing throughout the site and possible re-use that the other parts of the site plan visitors can see working • “Language” of site plan does not correlate through entire •Parking lots are located away from main pedestrian paths for safety design Pros: •Bioswells are integrated into the parking lots to catch oil and other harmful things that could d are located next to Agriculture building and plays off existing • Needs further development • Buildings are plotted to frame views of campus and Moscow harm thesuccessfully environment e ease of access for deliveries •Two main circulation paths provide easy access all the way through the site and combine at circular Mountain options to provide options for students and create a diverse living that provide use opportunities social interactions • Athleticnodes housing/mixed building for provides a smooth transition from ovide a more private courtyard setting for a typically more secluded community to campus Cons:allows for easy movement throughout living spaces or interaction withint their living space • Circulation -May need better vehicular access to studio residences nd green buffers act as a “wall” to define the edge of campus and help to

• • • • • •

Concept #2

Plenty of parking Lots of green space Buffers noise well Creates a “wall” defining the edge of the development space Uses existing elevations to catch water and re-use it CAA facilities and build yard create a connection to campus

•

Parking is available for all living spaces and is more organized

Pros:

• Buildings are successfully plotted to frame views of campus and Moscow Mountain • Athletic housing/mixed use building provides a smooth transition from community to campus • Circulation allows for easy movement throughout living spaces • Parking is available for all living spaces and is more organized • Parking For courtyard is safely located away from pedestrian paths • Green buffer blocks pparking lots from view as well as provides shading to cool down the thermal mass of the parking lot • Main pedestrian walkway provides a smoother connection to campus and Wallace dorms

Cons:

• Courtyard housing is isolated from rest of site and deosnt connect well • No A&A building or build yard • Circulation paths divide the site into different sections that do not “connect” well • Parking on top of hill provides an unpleasant “node” in center of site • Parking lot on top of hill is located right next to main pedestrian path

Vandal Hill Design Process

Undergraduate Landscape Architecture Portfolio - Brian Bentler

The design of Vandal Hill Residence began with two forms, a flowing, natural form overlapped with a more grid-like, structured, man-made form.

The inspiration for the spiral form in the Vandal Plaza came from forms found in nature. It was added to contrast the rectangular, man-made form of the buildings and soften the edges. The spiral form turned into a complex layering of landscape and hardscape elements.

The design for the Central Plaza started with taking the flowing form going down the center of the site and then mirroring it across the main pathway. The oval shape creates a secluded space for the residents to gather and put on concerts or other activities.

Vandal Hill Residence Master Plan 1

Studio Apartments

CAA Facility and Build Yard

Vandal Lawn

Basketball Courts

Athlete Student Housing

Athlete Parking

Visitor Center

Central Hub & Roundabout

4-Bedroom Apartments

Central Plaza

Resident Parking

Vandal Plaza

Vandal Walk

9 11

5 6 10

12 7

0’

50’

100’

150’

Undergraduate Landscape Architecture Portfolio - Brian Bentler

Vandal Hill Residence Details The focus area consisted of 8-three story apartments with a central plaza and the “Vandal Plaza” to the southwest. Each building has 12 units with four bedrooms each with a patio, a deck that provides access to and connects the 2nd and 3rd stories, and native vegetation and bioswales throughout the site.

Urban Agriculture:

The focus area contains a total of 2,381 square feet of urban agriculture -757 square feet of community agriculture -1,654 square feet of agriculture for the residents -203 square feet per residence

Expected Crop Yields for 2,381 square feet of Total Expected Crop Yields: 19,438 lbs

Stormwater Management:

Total area of focus area: 127,725 square feet Total area of water treatment: 9,325 square feet

A’

Biodiversity: A’

Section

Native Palouse vegetation will be restored on the majority of the site to promote biodiversity. The restored native habitat should bring back native wildlife as well.

Strong Park MASTER PLAN

The needs of my clients always comes first. This design was crafted using the precise guidelines set out by my client in Lewiston, Idaho. My designs always take into account the experience that visitors have while walking through the site.

Photoshop, AutoCad, and hand graphics were all used to create the master plan

PLAN VIEW & DESIGN DETAILS

Simplicity, functionality, and aesthetics are the key principles of this successful design. The layout and content of Strong park took careful planning and innovative design.

Undergraduate Landscape Architecture Portfolio - Brian Bentler The proposed streetscape is presented using clear and simple photoshop and hand-rendered graphics that do an excellent job of selling the design. My photoshop work is completed fast and efficiently so that I can quickly deliver it to the client quickly.

Undergraduate Landscape Architecture Portfolio - Brian Bentler

COMPLETE DESIGN PROCESS

MILTON ARTHUR PARK MASTER PLAN

Undergraduate Landscape Architecture Portfolio - Brian Bentler

GRADING PLAN

HAND GRAPHICS & IRRIGATION DESIGN

HAND DRAWN PLAN VIEW

30 MINUTE HAND SKETCH WITH COLOR

HAND DRAWN SECTION DETAILED IRRIGATION PLAN

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS

Undergraduate Landscape Architecture Portfolio - Brian Bentler

DESIGN BUILD PROJECT My client desired a beautiful, xeriscaped yard that would be easy to maintain. I presented her with several designs options and worked with her and her yard to create the a cost effective design. Once my client was fully satisfied with the design, I installed it with a professional quality. In order to create a great design and installation, the following skills were used: • Accomodate unknown variables • Clear and concise communication • Ability to work within budget • Knowledge of native plants • A complete analysis of existing conditions, including views, spacial • Effective communication with landscape professionals awareness, sun patterns, and existing soil and vegetation • Ability to adapt to challenges • Ability effectively instruct installation crew

Before

After