ilo
iylea olson, mla | landscape architecture | planning | photography | graphic design
contents theory planning + design fusions life flows through it transformations campus plaza show low college campus plan parque estrella polar seeds.habitat.oasis.home. english romanticism willamette davis other explorations photography graphic design resume contact
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contents | 3
beauty
chinese tea ball
Task: In my fisrt-year studio I was asked to find the most beautiful object I could, spending no more than two dollars. Outcome: Before going shopping I thought about the characteristics that I might consider when judging an object’s beauty‌
sound form
movement
color
texture
space
taste
function
weight
meaning
Because of the emotion that it evoked, I decided to buy a Chinese tea ball that unfurls in hot water. Its natural earthy qualities; in regard to color, texture, smell, and taste; are calming and peaceful. The unfurling tea ball is beautiful because it makes my mind stop racing; it makes me stop thinking; it takes me to a deeper place within myself. True beauty is all the things and people and events in life that evoke a sense of awe, which momentarily renders you unable to speak or think; it quiets you and your mind. Aside from the intuitive and emotional aspects that make the tea ball beautiful, it can be considered beautiful based on its physical characteristics. It is beautiful because of its imperfect, asymmetrical form; the spaces that it creates; the way it interacts with light; and the combination of colors that it is composed of. 4 | theory
purple flame [canon digital slr]
purple flame | 5
fusions
residential design
Location: Tucson, AZ Size: 2500 sq. ft.
LEFT Photos from projects by James Rose that blend indoor and outdoor space.
Task: For a planting design studio project I was asked to choose 1) a painting to use as the foundation of a planting design and 2) a style of garden design or a noted landscape architect as an influence for transforming the painting into a landscape. This exersize could either be applied on a residential scale or a commercial scale.
BELOW ‘Gravitation’ by Wassily Kandinsky.
Outcome: James Rose was the inspiring landscape architect for the project. His later works were mainly residential projects, which influenced the scale chosen for this exploration. He is known for his experimentations with the blending of indoor and outdoor spaces as well as for the simplicity of his designs, the main materials being plants, rocks, water, and materials recycled from the project site. Wassily Kandinsky’s ‘Gravitation’ was the painting chosen to inspire the layout and plant palette for a hypothetical residential courtyard. The final concept of the design was the fusion of indoor and outdoor spaces in a composition of unique spaces that are revealed as a person moves through the courtyard. The courtyard is meant to be a multi-purpose place that the homeowner can use as a waiting area for patients who are there for acupunture treatments and a space to observe patients’ movements. It is a place to hold qi gong classes, a retreat for relaxation, and a place to entertain family and friends.
6 | fusions
Eremophila 'Valentine' (10), 5 gal Valentine emu bush
house
pond overflow feature *drains into planting areas
Acacia willardiana (3), 15 gal palo blanco
Hesperaloe funifera (10), 5 gal giant hesperaloe
house + clinic
final planting plan [autocad + hand graphics + photoshop]
Macfadyena unguis-cati (4), 1 gal cat claw vine
redwood bridge over pond
raised redwood deck with vine-covered Arbor
rain chain into pond
pea gravel
Callistemon viminalis (3), 15 gal bottlebrush tree
Callistemon v. 'Little John' (9), 5 gal dwarf bottlebrush
Cynodon dactylon, sod burmudagrass
metal rain trough *connected to roof of house Acacia r. 'Desert Carpet' (5), 5 gal giant hesperaloe
rock garden
Acacia salicina (3), 15 gal willow acacia Zepheranthes candida (5), 1 gal rain lily *in raised planter
clinic entrance
redwood bench (2) Euphorbia antisyphilitica (5), 1 gal wax plant *in raised planter
1/8" = 1'
hot tub on raised redwood deck
native soil
patient entrance
exposed aggregate concrete
fusions | 7
perspective [hand graphics]
8 | fusions
perspectives [sketchup + photoshop] These perspectives were generated after the completion of the project as a part of an assignment for a 3D graphics and visualization course.
fusions | 9
life flows through it
city pocket park
Location: Tucson, AZ
The site, outlined in blue, is bordered on the west and south by busy streets. A wash forms the northern boundary of the site, and a parking lot is adjacent to the east side of the site.
Task: This was a planting design studio project in which we were to demonstrate water harvesting along a city street. We each worked with staff from the City of Tucson to develop a plan for a small site neighboring downtown Tucson. Outcome: As we journey through life a vital energy flows through us, makes us smile, makes us laugh, makes us love. It is the same energy that flows through our landscapes, making them vibrant and full of life. This design explores the concept of flow, transforming a public right of way at the corner of St. Mary’s and Granada into a dynamic place for people, wildlife, and water to rest for a while before flowing onward. It highlights passive rainwater harvesting techniques that people who move through the site can use in their own spaces. The forms of the rainwater harvesting basins flow gracefully into one another from south to north across the site. As a collective, the basins form fluid routes for both stormwater and people.
Flow Concept | Water
Flow Concept | People
Flow Concept | Water Rainwater flows off of the parking lot that is located to the east of the site into a series of basins that are defined by large rocks. There are four square culverts that carry water under the pedestrian path at various points and one that serves as the final overflow that carries water from the last basin, under the gabion style seat/retaining wall, into the wash to the north of the site. The culverts are slightly exposed to serve as a visual connection to the flow of water through the site. Where water does not need to cross the path to overflow into the next basin, it travels through an exposed, rock-lined swale. Flow Concept | People Pedestrians are invited to cut across the site via two stabilized decomposed granite paths that flow between the planted water harvesting basins. People are also invited to linger and enjoy the site in the two eddies formed by the basins, where there are large boulders for sitting in the shade of the trees.
10 | life flows through it
perspective [photoshop]
final plan [autocad + photoshop] h was
CURRENT
existing palo verde
gabion style seat/retaning wall exposted metal culvert
Granada
Senna wislizenii (28), 1 gal Chilopsis linearis (3), 15 gal
Olneya tesota (3), 15 gal large boulders for sitting
PROPOSED The main interior pedestrian corridor. [photoshop]
Aloysia wrightii (15), 5 gal Prosopis velutina (3), 15 gal
Atriplex lentiformis (11), 5 gal Parkinsonia x‘Desert Museum’ (8), 15 gal
Celtis pallida (12), 5 gal Yucca elata (8), 5 gal Calliandra eriophylla (22), 1 gal existing mesquite
St. Mary’s NTS
llife flows through it | 11
transformations
college campus plaza [sketchup + illustrator + hand graphics]
Location: Tucson, AZ
The site analysis considered user groups, circulation, noise, views, slope, microclimate, and structures as factors influencing design opportunities and constraints
Task: This was a first-year design studio project in which we focused on the design process. We were to demonstrate the design process through the re-design of a courtyard on the UA campus. w in d
Outcome: The Transformations Courtyard will be an animated, multi-use place that is welcoming and accessible to all students, faculty, and campus visitors. The design will maintain the overall character of the campus and will also attempt to create a place that has its own unique identity so that faculty and students who work and learn in the surrounding buildings feel like they have an inviting sanctuary that was designed just for them, kindling a sense of community. Not only will the site will be aesthetically pleasing and functional, serving as a place that is conducive to education, relaxation, recreation, and socialization, but it will be a place of distinction, a place that stands out as a superb example of an oasis on campus, where people go to refresh the mind and revitalize the spirit. User comfort will be enhanced by working with the existing microclimate to extend the outdoor usable season. The design will strive toward sustainability, addressing modern needs with innovative solutions.
N NTS
A sun-shade study using SketchUp indicated areas that needed additional shading.
January 9am
August 9am
January 3pm
August 3pm
bike paths
pedestrian paths
bike parking
food service recreation
info/display
quiet zones
12 | transformations
performance large gathering
This bubble diagram was derived from a compatibility matrix and shows important spacial relationships between proposed site elements. Most elements have high to medium compatibility and are well suited to be in close proximity to one another.
concepts [hand graphics + illustrator + photoshop] ‘Languages’ was inspired by the idea that DNA is the language of life. A DNA strand inspired the circulation system that makes up the backbone of the main northsouth corridor. The themes of the other zones in the courtyard are based on the idea that water, earth, fire, wood, metal, air, and space are the language of our physical world. Visitors are encouraged to explore the languages of life as they work, study, play, relax, socialize, and dream in this revitalizing, invigorating campus courtyard.
A ‘Nebula’ is a source of new material in the universe. That idea is conveyed in this concept by the designation of a sky garden as a central feature, from which all other spaces in the courtyard stem and radiate. The sky garden would offer a new vantage point, where users could retreat from the hectic nature of life below to a calmer place that offers a new perspective on the life that carries on around them. Different activity zones within the courtyard are at slightly varied elevations to give them physical definition and to add further interest to the courtyard. ‘Transformations’ was the concept chosen to explore in the schematic design phase. It is based on the idea that wood, fire, earth, metal, water, air, and space make up the language of the world around us. The design explores their interaction with each other and takes visitors on a journey from apparent order to apparent chaos. Others may see it as a journey from restraint to liberation. The journey of a visitor from the main campus, through the courtyard, toward the Steward observatory is about letting go of the rigid physical word that we know (or think we know) and delving into the unknown.
transformations | 13
final plan [autocad + hand graphics + photoshop] Design Features
Education Building
Open Plazas There are open plazas at the entrances of the Education, Modern Languages, and Psychology buildings. The plazas are based on the strict, orderly grid of the surrounding campus and are the start of visitors’ journeys from order to “chaos”. Earth The earth element is associates with the nourishment and a central position. The earth zone is located under the sky garden as the central area in the design and is designated by stabilized decomposed granite in the ground plane. It features a food service area surrounded by ample seating. Wood The color green is associated with the wood element, as is activity, motion, and plants. There are two wood zones in the courtyard. The northern wood area features open turf for recreation. The area could also accommodate large gatherings. The southern wood area is comprised of turf and a grove of trees. This area is also conducive to recreation and relaxation but offers a shady alternative to its northern counterpart.
Bike Parking
Open Plaza
Wood Turf Recreation Area
Water Terrace Gardens
Fire Plaza Earth Food Service Area
Steward Observatory
Air & Space Sky Garden Catwalk Fire Amphitheater
Metal Art Display Area Lounge
Wood Grove
Open Plaza
Psychology Building
Modern Languages Building
N NTS
14 | transformations
graphics [autocad + hand graphics + photoshop] Water terraces around the observatory.
Water Water gives life in the form of plants, so where wood and water meet in the northeast portion of the courtyard there is an increase in vegetation density. The water area becomes a lush, terraced garden area surrounding the observatory. The terraces exhibit a water feature that collects rainwater from the surrounding buildings and carries it in a channel that winds its way down the terraces to the vegetated basin at the ground level. The ground-level terrace is composed of concrete inset with blue glass to mimic a winding stream, which terminates in the metal area.
Fire The color red is associated with the fire element, so one of the key materials in the space is brick. It is used to help define the grid in the ground plane as well as the circular shape of the amphitheater. The use of brick also correlates the existing architecture of the surrounding buildings. The fire element is characterized by vibrant energy, so this zone incorporates space for performance gathering and celebration. It features a small amphitheater with grassy terraces for seating and a green wall as a backdrop, buffering the amphitheater from the building wall. The amphitheater would be a great place for performances associated with the annual language fair or other events. It would also be a comfortable place to hold a small lecture and could even be used as 1st amendment space. The element is represented literally by two tall torches that frame the entrance to the amphitheater. The fire zone also includes open plaza space for group gatherings and events.
transformations | 15
graphics [ hand graphics + photoshop] Metal The metal element is associated with creativity and reflection, so part of this zone is set aside as a lounge, which is designated by a concrete pad inset with blue glass that extends from the water zone. This lounge area features a sculpture made of copper and steel that is designed to patina and rust over time to exemplify the interaction of water and metal. The seating in the lounge is buffered from the building sections of green wall as well as other planting areas. The rest of the metal area is designated as space to display interactive art features. Metal is also associated with the autumn season, so the trees chosen for this area will exhibit fall color. The element is represented literally by veins of copper or rusted steel that run through the granite that serves as the ground treatment in the art display area. Catwalk + Sky Garden Represent the elements air+space. At twenty feet in the air visitors have a unique view of the courtyard and of the Steward Observatory, which represents the element of space, the unknown. Air and space are characterized by meditation and observation, so the sky garden encourages users to delve into the unknown realms of the self to reach a new understanding of the world around them by providing a peaceful environment conducive to quite contemplation. Hopefully, the new vantage point will provide a sense of liberation from the normal, daily routine and way of thinking. On the east side, the garden is supported by a metal column that corresponds to the proximity to the metal area. On the west side there is a glass elevator that serves as an access alternative to the stairs and catwalk. Glass was chosen as the main construction material to represent the interaction of earth and fire since the elevator lies at the junction of those to areas.
16 | transformations
cloudscape [canon digital slr + photoshop]
cloudscape | 17
show low college
campus master plan
Location: Show Low, AZ Size: 7+ acres Design Team: Iylea Olson, Christopher Kiefer, Jessica Hawn, Eirin Beries, Ken Mills, Carla Kenworthy, Leanna Broersma, Ashley Whiteside Task: In the forth design studio of the MLA program at UA the class was devided into teams to work on three projects. I worked with a team of seven other people, including two undergraduate architecture students, on a master plan for a potential extension campus in Show Low, AZ.
lakjflkajf A stakeholder meeting.
A stakeholder meeting.
Outcome: The UA design team worked with local stakeholders to create master plan for an extension campus and its connections to downtown Show Low. ??? boost economy. Mixed-use development. pedestrianism. Project outcomes included a book, presentation boards, and a website.
LEFT The UA design team in Show Low. RIGHT A design meeting.
18 | ahow low college
the site + city connections The main city planning ideas agreed upon by the team were that parcels to the north of the proposed campus site had the most potential for future expansion of the campus and that the street to the east of the site had the most potential to be developed as a mixed use corridor connecting the campus with the city’s existing commercial center. We then narrowed our focus to the campus site. Each person brought concepts to the table, and we desided on two unique alternatives to explore in greater detail.
The college site proposed by the city in orange. Potential areas of connection between new campus and existing commercial development in blue. Graphic by Ken Mills.
The 7-acre campus site.
The team of 8 then divided into three smaller groups, one to further develop campus-city connections and two to work on alternative concepts for the campus site.
Process sketch for a stormwater management feature along the Huning Street pedestrian mall.
show low college | 19
natural flow campus concept As a small design team, Chris, Jessica, and I worked together to develop one of the design alternatives for the campus site.
One of two starting concepts for the camus site.
LEFT Simplification of starting concept. Graphic by Christopher Kiefer. RIGHT Final concept.
Final plan for one of two design alternatives. Graphic by Ken Mills.
20 | show low college
aspen creek [autocad + photoshop]
show low college | 21
the clearing [hand graphics]
22 | show low college
the clearing [sketchup + autocad + photoshop]
show low college | 23
parque estrella polar Location: Tucson, AZ Size: 100+ acres Design Team: Iylea Olson, Olivia Alicea, Daniel Bradshaw, Scott Stephens Task: For this studio project our task was to develop a city park master plan that would be viable and relevant 100 years in the future. Outcome: They keys to long-term viability of a site are participation, recreation, and regeneration.
24 | parque estrella polar
city park [illustrator + photoshop]
the biozone [sketchup + photoshop]
parque estrella polar | 25
seeds.habitat.oasis.home. Location: Tucson, AZ Design Team: Iylea Olson, Jessica Hawn, Theresa Gredig, Matthew Bossler Task: Our planting design studio held a design competition to choose a design for the landscape of a low-income house that the undergraduate architecture students were in the process of building. Outcome: My team’s design was chosen to be installed. The design was simple, low-maintenance, and low-water-use. Trees are located to shade outdoor rooms. Understory plants were specified based on their attractiveness to wildlife. A native seed mix was specified to be added to a drainage swale with the intent that seeds an plants would grow and migrate over time, creating a more dynamic landscape.
26 | seeds.habitat.oasis.home.
residential design [hand graphics]
fireworks [canon digital slr + photoshop]
fire works | 27
english romaticism Location: Tucson, AZ Design Team: Iylea Olson, Scott Stephens Task: For a landscape history assignment we were asked to research a landscape style. We presented our findings in a paper, a design that reflected the landscape style of inquiry, and a powerpoint presentation. Outcome: The roof of the CALA building was hypothetically transformed into a roof garden that was reminiscent of the English Romantic style.
28 | english romanticism
roof garden [sketchup + photoshop]
before + after [sketchup + photoshop]
english romanticism | 29
willamette
housing development potential
Location: Willamette, OR Task: Determine the most suitable place from new housing development. Outcome: The criteria I used to identify potential sites for new development were as follows: I was looking for areas that did not already have designated zoning. The areas had to be outside the river buffers and the wildlife/ vegetation zones so as to have as little impact on those systems as possible. The areas should be in areas of 7% slope or less to keep cost of development low. Originally I included some areas in the southeast corner of the project area but decided that those areas weren’t as appropriate for development since they are outside of existing development and would be considered greenfield sites. They also don’t seem to be very accessible since they are surrounded by rivers and wildlife areas. The final area I outlined is more of an infill site, surrounded by existing development. It is near the river but is well away from the wildlife areas. Another important aspect of the location is that is closer to the existing parks than the potential housing areas in the southeast corner were. Overall, the final area that is outlined in the fourth data frame is most in keeping with the development goals of the area and therefore seems like the most appropriate site for new development.
30 | willamette
davis
open space analysis
Location: Davis, CA Task: Determine whether or not the city of Davis is adequately served by open space. Outcome: Based on the quarter mile buffer rings around schools, parks, greenbelts, and ponds West Davis is adequately covered by open space. If only public parks are considered, there is an area in the northwest corner of West Davis that doesn’t fall within the quarter mile buffers, so you might say that the distribution of parks is inadequate. This is would be useful for Davis to look at in determining future project areas; they may want to focus efforts in the areas that aren’t within a quarter mile of public parks, which is about the distance most people are willing to walk. I also did an analysis based on the City of Davis’s required ratio of 5 acres of parks/1000 people. I calculated estimated populations based on the following assumptions/calculations: 3 units per acre of low density, 550.77 acres 12 units per acre of medium density, 24.93 acres 20 units per acre of high density, 111.23 acres 3 people per unit (independent of density)
There are an estimated 12529 persons in West Davis. This means that there should be 62.64 acres of parks (community, neighborhood, mini, and other combined). According to the land use layer for West Davis there are only 32. 13 acres of land designated as “parks/ recreation”. Just based on that acreage, there isn’t
enough park space to serve the population in West Davis. However, there is a lot more open space in West Davis other than just parks. When looking at acreage for parks/recreation combined with acreage for neighborhood and community greenbelts, public/ semi-public land, and natural habitat area there is an estimated total of 198 acres, which more than covers the acreage needed per capita. While West Davis isn’t adequately served by parks, there is plenty of other uable open space that serves the area. davis | 31
graphic design
32 | graphic design
design excellence [photoshop]
graphic design
dreamscape [photoshop]
graphic design | 33
resume Education Master of Landscape Architecture Grade-Point Average: 3.930 (of 4.0) University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ May 2010
Bachelor of Science in Plant Science Grade-Point Average: 3.761 (of 4.0) University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ December 2007
Recent Employment Sep10-present Lisa Ribes, LJ Design & Consulting, Tucson, AZ Independent Contractor Responsibilities: gathering data and drafting visual resource assessment reports, designing residential and public scale planting plans Jul10-present Sonoita, AZ Landscape Architect Responsibilities: work with a residential client to create a landscape plan Jul10-present Tucson, AZ Landscape Architect Responsibilities: work with a residential client to create a landscape plan Dec08-May10 Margaret Livingston, PhD., Project P.I., Chamizal National Memorial Master Plan, Tucson, AZ | El Paso, TX Investigator Responsibilities: conducting site assessment; mapping existing trees using GPS; presenting at NPS + public meetings; conducting literature + case reviews; formulating a master plan, management plans, site specific designs, a species replacement plan, and accompanying verbal + graphic communication of designs; documenting research + design outcomes in the form of PDF presentations, a book, and presentation boards May08-Aug08 James B. Barker, P.E., Chief, Engineering Flight, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, AZ Landscape Architecture Intern Responsibilities: verification of as-built conditions, design of planting plans, preparation of an area development plan, briefing of commanders 12/06-8/07 Jan Westenborg, Owner, Green Things, Tucson, AZ Plant Specialist/Sales Associate Responsibilities: assisting customers, running cash register, stocking, planting, watering, design and maintenance at La Encantada 5/06-8/06 Noah Gessler, Grounds Manager, Canyon Ranch, Tucson, AZ Assistant Plant Specialist/Groundskeeper Responsibilities: annual flowerbed design and planting, miniature cactus garden design and planting, general grounds maintenance 9/04-12/05 Karen Schumaker, Associate Professor, Plant Sciences, Tucson, AZ Research Assistant Responsibilities: plant crosses, DNA constructs, protein expressions, and microscopy
34 | resume
Honors + Awards ASLA Student Merit Award 2010 CALA School Service Award 2010 CALA Highest Academic Average Award 2010 Arizona Garden Club Scholarship 2008 Provost Scholarship 2003-2007 Spirit of Discovery Scholarship 2003-2007 Warren C. Gill Scholarship 2005-2006 Howard Bendalin Scholarship 2005-2006 Deans List with Distinction Fall 2004 Deans List Fall 2005
Extra Skills/Abilities digital photography, HTML, CSS, Dreamweaver, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop CS3, Adobe InDesign CS3, Adobe Illustrator CS3, AutoCAD2008, Google SketchUp
Extracurricular Activities Tucson Organic Gardeners, Member 2010-present Sigma Lambda Alpha, Member 2010-present UA School of Landscape Architecture, Studio Tech 2008-2010 ASLA UA Student Chapter Government, Web Manager 2009 ASLA UA Student Chapter Government, Studio Manager 2008-2009 American Society of Landscape Architects, Student Member 2007-present University of Arizona Horticulture Club, Member 2003-present University of Arizona Horticulture Club, Web Manager 2005-present Tucson Women’s Soccer League, co-ed division, Team Member 2004-2009 Tucson Women’s Soccer League, co-ed division, Team Member + Captain 2006 Women’s intramural soccer, Team Member 2004 Co-ed intramural soccer, Team Member 2005, 2007 Relay for Life, Team Member 2005 Relay for Life, Team Captain 2006
References Ron Stoltz [520] 626-7730 rstoltz@email.arizona.edu
James Barker [520] 228-5295 James.barker@dm.af.mil
Margaret Livingston [520] 621-5359 mlivings@email.arizona.edu
Lisa Ribes [520] 591-9992 lisa@ljdesignla.com
resume | 35
contact
iylealynnolson | 520.834.6932 | ilolson@comcast.net
36 | contact
cactus flower [canon digital slr + photoshop]
cactus flower | 37
ilo