portfolio
Selected Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional Work
Grant Saita Undergraduate: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo - BLA (2005 - 2010) Graduate: Univeristy of California, Berkeley - MLA (2013- Present) Last Professional Position: Katherine Spitz Associates (2011-2013) (626) 429-6791 gsaita11125@gmail.com
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PINACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT VISITOR CENTER
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DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES ARTS DISTRICT RE-ENVISIONING
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Graduate
PETALUMA RIVER ENHANCEMENT
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SANTA MONICA UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE PARK
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Undergraduate:
THE WAVE
KSA - LA
contents 2007 - LA NDSC APE D E S I GN T H E O R Y
2008 - ENVIRON M E N T AL C AM PGR O U N D MA STER PLA N
2010 - URBA N D E S I G N , S T R E E T S C APE , TRA NSPORTA TIO N , AN D C I I T Y PLAN N I N G
2013 - URBAN D E S I G N , FLO O D M I T I G ATION, HA BITA T R E GE N E R AT I O N
2011 -CURRENT INCLUSIVE PA RK D E S I GN
WATTS GREEN STREETS
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WANGJING GREAT PARK
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THE POINTE
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SOUTH STREET SEAPORT
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SKETCH BOOK
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2011 - 2012 LEED CERTIFIED B U S I N E S S PAR K
2012 - RESOR T M AS T E R PLAN
PERSONAL
2012 - LEED CE R T I FI E D B U S I N E S S PAR K
2007 - PERSON AL E N T R Y FO R D ESIGN COMPET I T I O N
2009 - EFT ST U D Y AB R O AD
THE WAVE - CalPol y San Luis Obispo - San Luis Obispo, C A - Second Year - Design Theor y Studio 2007
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BACHELORS OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE - UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE C A LIFORNIA P O L YT E CHN I C S TA TE U N I V ER S I TY SA N L U I S O BI S P O - 2005- 2010 - S T U D I O P R O JE C T S
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THE WAVE - SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA DESIGN THEORY STUDIO - 2007
Taking a small neglected park in San Luis Obispo, it was my task to create spaces of varying degrees of accessibility and shelter. The prevailing concept I followed was a powerful landscape that could be seen but not touched.
THE WAVE - CalPol y San Luis Obispo - San Luis Obispo, C A - Second Year - Design Theor y Studio 2007
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BB
Clay modeling was my primary tool in shaping the WAVE landscape. Fluid curves defined the shape and spaces in the landscape.
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LEFT - FINAL MODEL BELLOW - FINAL SECTIONS AA
BOTTOM - CONCEPTUAL MODELS
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THE WAVE - CalPol y San Luis Obispo - San Luis Obispo, C A - Second Year - Design Theor y Studio 2007
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Above: Perrenial grasses and wildflowers on the WAVE landform. Left: Final clay model Right: Conceptual section showcasing overhanging WAVE structure bus shelter.
THE WAVE - CalPol y San Luis Obispo - San Luis Obispo, C A - Second Year - Design Theor y Studio 2007
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PINACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT CAMPGROUND - CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING STUDIO - 2008
The c am p g ro u n d a t P i na c l e s N a t i o na l M o num ent wa s in need of a n ew m as ter p lan . T h e p a r k s d e p a r t m e nt wa nted to m a ke t he c a m pg rou n d m o re ef f ic i e nt , l e s s i m p a c t f ul o n t h e l a nd sc a p e, w hil e s t il l provid in g a m u lt it ude o f di f fe re nt c a m p i ng e xp er ienc es. T here a l so wa s a n eed o f a n ew m e m o ra bl e e nt r y e x p e r ienc e.
Environmentally sensitive Pininacles camp ground master plan
Campground entry procession PINNACALES NATIONAL MONUMENT CAMPGROUND - CalPol y San Luis Obispo - Third Year Environmental Studio - 2008
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PININACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT VISITOR CENTER ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING STUDIO - 2008
PINNACALES NATIONAL MONUMENT CAMPGROUND - CalPol y San Luis Obispo - Third Year Environmental Studio - 2008
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DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES ARTS DISTRICT
SENIOR THESIS - URBAN PLANNING, STREETSCAPE AND PARK DESIGN - TWO QUARTERS - 2010 The focus of my thesis was to design a pedestrian oriented urban masterplan, aimed at enabling artistic expression of all kinds. This plan connected various sytems of transportation, public spaces, and worked to sustain the existing artist community in a rapidly changing neighborhood.
Macro Circulation
Micro Circulation
Street Variations Within Arts District
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES ARTS DISTRICT - CalPol y San Luis Obispo - Los Ang eles, C A - Senior Thesis - 20 1 0
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ARTS DISTRICT MASTER PLAN
Taking into account areas of expansion, preservation, and circulation, I created a cohesive master plan for the Arts District. I focused on making the pedestrian experience enjoyable and friendly. Redesigning streetscapes and reclaiming alleyways as small walk streets was penultimate in my design.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES ARTS DISTRICT - CalPol y San Luis Obispo - Los Ang eles, C A - Senior Thesis - 20 1 0
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THE DRAWING BOARD PLAZA
Within the master plan was space for a new urban park. The aim of the park was to encourage free use of public space. Informal performances and installations could easily happen at any time of the day.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES ARTS DISTRICT - CalPol y San Luis Obispo - Los Ang eles, C A - Senior Thesis - 20 1 0
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MASTERS OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE UC B ERKELE Y - 2 0 1 3 - C U R R ENT
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PETALUMA RIVER ENHANCEMENT
HABITAT RESTORATION - FLOOD PLANNING - URBAN DESIGN - TWO QUARTERS - 2010 This project investigated the solutions for creating a vibrant downtown river corridor while enhancing wildlife habitat, planning for sea-level rise, flooding, and increasing density and pedestrian experiences.
OVE RALL MAS TE R PL AN
PETALUMA RIVER ENHANCEMENT - UC Ber keley - Ber keley, C A - 20 13 - Fir s t Semes ter ML A
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● ●WI D ENI N G THE R I VER' S F LOOD PL AIN ● ●I N CR EAS I N G S Q FT OF H AB ITAT ● ●CR EAT I N G NEW D I VERSE SPACE S ALON G RIVE R ● ●CONNECTI N G TO TH E RE - IMAGINE D IDUS TRIAL DIS TRICT PETALUMA RIVER ENHANCEMENT - UC Ber keley - Ber keley, C A - 20 13 - Fir s t Semes ter ML A
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N EW RIVE R WA L K A N D S TO R E F RO NTS
EN HAN C E D RIV E R HA BI TAT PETALUMA RIVER ENHANCEMENT - UC Ber keley - Ber keley, C A - 20 13 - Fir s t Semes ter ML A
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PROFESSIONAL WORK
K ATH ERINE S P I T Z A S S O CI A TES - 2011 - 2013 19
SANTA MONICA UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND, CALIFORNIA
KATHERINE SPITZ ASSOCIATES- 2011 - CURRENT Collabora ted in sche m a ti c d e s i g n; c re a ted c us to m pl ay e l e m e n t s i n cluding rota ting a ud i to r y p l ay eq ui p m e nt th a t we re fas h i o n e d i n to t he por t holes o f th e h ul l o f th e s h i p . D es i g n e d 3d m o de l s as well a s presenta ti o n re nd e r i ng s .
Santa Monica Universally Accessible Park was designed for all children. Our intent was on creating an inclusive, multi-sensory environment where play opportunities exist for all, regardless of an individual's physical, cognitive or social abilities.
SANTA MONICA UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND - Kather ine Spitz Associates - Santa Monica, C A - 20 1 1
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SANTA MONICA UNIVERSALLY ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND - Kather ine Spitz Associates - Santa Monica, C A - 20 1 1
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WATTS GREEN STREETS INTITIATIVE KATHERINE SPITZ ASSOCIATES - 2012 C o lab orated in schema tic d e s i g n a nd b o o k l et, p ro d uc e d al l re n de r i n gs an d pl an s ; We p rodu ced a booklet fo r th e c i ty o f Wa tts d e m o ns tra t i n g t h e val u e o f g re e n s t re et im provements a long 1 0 3 s t. We p ro p o s ed p er m e a b l e p av i n g, bi o s wal e s , pe de s t r i an al l eys a n d more com prehensive s i g na g e a nd p ub l i c tra ns i t s ta t i o n s .
WATTS GREEN STREETS - Kather ine Spitz Associates - Los Ang eles, C A - 20 1 1 - 20 12
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WATTS GREEN STREETS - Kather ine Spitz Associates - Los Ang eles, C A - 20 1 1 - 20 12
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WATTS GREEN STREETS - Kather ine Spitz Associates - Los Ang eles, C A - 20 1 1 - 20 12
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WANGJING CENTRAL PARK - BEIJING CHINA KA T HE R I N E S PITZ ASSOCIATES - 2012 - 8 M ONTH PROJECT
ABOVE: MASTER PLAN TOP RIGHT: ENLARGED PLAN OF HILLSIIDE RICE PATIES BELLOW: SECTION/ ELEVATION THROUGH RICE PATTY HILLSIDE
WANGJING CENTRAL PARK - Kather ine Spitz Associates - Bei jing, China - 20 12
R OL E : C OL L A B ORA T E D I N CON CE PT UA L A N D S CHE MA T I C DE S I GN OF MA S T E R P L A N; P R OD UC ED HA N D A N D DI GI T A L RE N DE RI N GS To g et h e r t h e tea m a t KSA develo ped a ma s ter pla n fo r a luxur y resor t i n t h e h e ar t of B ei jing. Wa ter wa s t he ma in element in t he design a nd was fe at u re d in va r io us ways t hrougho ut t he g rounds. The mo s t s t r iki n g was t h e r ice pa t t y wa ter fa lls where gues t s co uld s tay in pr iva te l o u n g e s s u r rounded by t he g ent l y f lowing wa ter.
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THE POINTE - BURBANK, CA K A T HERINE SP I T Z AS S O CI A TES - 2012 P R ODU CED R ENDERING FOR COM PE T I T I O N
T he Poi n te is a pa ir of high r i s e b us i ne s s b u il di n gs i n t he hea r t of Bur b a nk C a l i fo r ni a . T he i n tent o f t he la ndsca pe wa s to c re a te a s t r iki ng design for those on th e to p f l o o r a s we l l as thos e people wa lki ng th ro ug h th e c a m pu s.
THE POINTE- Kather ine Spitz Associates - Burbank , Califor nia - 20 12
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PERSONAL ENDEAVORS
M IXED MEDI A - S K E T CHI N G A ND C O M PETI TI O N 28
SOUTH STREET SEAPORT DESIGN COMPETITION PERSONAL ENTRY - 2007
I used t his co m pet it io n a s a n a r t is t ic e xplora t ion of e xpressing la ndsca pe idea s. I drove to brea k away from nor ma l convent ions of la ndsca pe design a nd used co lla g e, pa int ing, a nd ma ssing a s my mediums.
SOUTH STREET SEAPORT DESIGN COMPETITION - Per sonal Entr y - N ew Yor k , N ew Yor k - 2007
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EXCERPTS FROM MY EUROPEAN SKETCHBOOK PERSONAL SKETCHES - 2009
While s t udying a bora d I co ncent ra ted o n sket ching idea s of processio n, sca le, a nd mo nument s in t he o ld urba n a rea s o f Europe. We t raveled t hro ugh Pra gue, Ro me, Buda pes t , a nd ma ny ot her cit ies. These a re a few of my sket ches from t ha t t r ip.
EUROPEAN SKETCHBOOK- CalPol y San Luis Obispo - 2009
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EUROPEAN SKETCHBOOK- CalPol y San Luis Obispo - 2009
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EUROPEAN SKETCHBOOK- CalPol y San Luis Obispo - 2009
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