landscape/planning portfolio Town revitalization master-planning 2 Site monumentation and urban design with Sketchup 3 Bringing barren drainages back to life 4 Story-telling and foundational planning for a historic site 5 Illustrating a river’s energy in open space lands 6 Design and Sketchup-modeling of landscapes 7 Ecological surveying and vegetation management of public lands 8 Landscape, civil, and architectural drafting 9 Photorealistic simulations 10
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My roles in creating a town revitalization plan for the dilapidated pueblo of Fronteras, MX, were to interview residents (in Spanish) regarding public works and land use, plan a modified wastewater treatment system, and get community buy-in for pedestrian use of the town’s historic canals through open space fields. I then built a Sketchup model of the town’s topography and buildings, reoriented the town’s commercial center towards pastoral views, designed a riverside equestrian center, and translated these concepts into Sketchup and Illustrator graphics. This project was awarded the ASLA-AZ Student Award of Excellence (Group, 2009). Existing Treatment System
Proposed Treatment System
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“Noxious odors are abated using chemical treatment and a subsurface wetland, creating a lush habitat that invites visitors entering from the north.”
My primary contribution to a master plan for a new childrens’ hospital (above and right; University of Arizona Design Excellence Group Award, 2010) was the design of placemaking monumentation. Inspired by the graceful sideoats grama grass, these dynamic sculptures introduce a playful, soothing, and regionally-appropriate form. I mocked up this concept in wire and beads, modeled it in Sketchup, and rendered scenes using Illustrator and Photoshop. Below is a traffic circle which I designed (Sketchup), workshopped, drafted (AutoCAD), and installed in Tucson, AZ.
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To create municipal guidelines (Pima County, AZ) for the design of multiuse Low Impact Development/Green Infrastructure BMPs, I synthesized concepts of civil engineering, environmental science and design. Using Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, I created a methodical manual illustrating multidisciplinary concepts and a recommended design process. This work was later incorporated into the County’s Drainage Criteria Manual. I also applied these principles to the conceptual design of a 17-acre riparian restoration area and open space park, which was constructed in 2011. This research gained the Desert Studies Award (Garden Club of America, 2009), as well as the University of Arizona’s Dept. of L.A.’s Outstanding Thesis Award (2010).
Seeding, 2011
Grading, 2011
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As-Built, 2012
Tumacacori National Historical Park’s 2005 acquisition of an adjacent ranch property and river bottom necessitated a cultural landscape inventory. As lead researcher and author of this historic landscape architecture study, I was responsible for: digitization and analysis of historic photos, land records, and site drawings; description of historical changes to the geomorphology and biology of the river; aerial photo time-series interpretation; interview of various stakeholders; delineation of historic, modern-era, and contemporary landscape features; and comparison of historic site evidence to known technological and environmental history. Organized both chronologically and thematically through written explanations, maps, and illustrations, this document has been referred to as an “encyclopedia” of the park’s history by the park’s chief of resources. Since its completion, it has opened new opportunities for visitor interpretation, and provided evidence necessary for restoring the floodplain to historic conditions.
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My submittal for a design competition for the Albuquerque Open Space Visitor Center was a conceptual master-plan celebrating the survival of the Rio Grande. Re-directed river flows and a procession of land-art installations interpret the “control” and “flow” of the riverine system. Utilizing on-site materials, including jetty-jacks, these sculptures and earthworks tell a story of both the harnessed and unrestrained power of this life-giving river. In order to keep the design of individual installations open to interpretation, I hand-sketched a master plan and installation vignettes, rendered these with marker, Photoshop, and InDesign to form a consistent visual language, and organized them in the form of a “walking tour” map.
inlet
air-space flight backwater basin narrows
apron
snag
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As an MLA student, I designed multiple urban plazas and patio spaces using Sketchup (top left). In professional offices, I have used Sketchup to model urban spaces for land developers and city planning departments (above left, Design Collaborations; right three images, Winter and Company). Recently, as a CAD student, I designed a bar in Sketchup, and used Podium to render the scene (immediately below).
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Outdoor cafe seating
Shade corridor
t. KS
Reading gardens
Expanded sculpture garden
9th S treet
Children’s play area Large plaza behind library
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Amphitheater
Street
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Stormwater Planter
Bioswale
Rain Garden
I have worked in natural resource roles both as an intenal employee at Bandelier National Monument and as an imbedded consultant at Arizona field offices of the BLM. In these positions, I conducted ecological surveys, identified native and invasive plants, led the restoration of endangered species habitat and riparian/wetland areas, and developed Integrated Pest Management policy, frequently leading interdisciplinary teams. Products included GIS models and maps, statistical studies, NEPA documentation, standard operating procedures, and pesticide use proposals.
Refuged/Unrefuged Site Comparison With 95% Confidence Intervals 600 Refuged
500
Unrefuged
Average 400 Height 300 (cm) 200 100 0
Mt. Maple
Chokecherry
Aspen
Species
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Oak
I am proficient drafting with AutoCAD/3D/Civil 3D 2014, Revit, and Sketchup for the production of CDs. Using these programs as both a student and professional for three landscape/ urban design firms, I have prepared planting, hardscape, irrigation, and grading/drainage plans, architectural details and elevations, and municipal design guideline illustrations.
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Existing Conditions (base photograph)
Civil 3D: Draping Project Features
3ds Max: Matching the scene & rendering
Simulated Conditions
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At EPG, LLC, I created legally-defensible photorealistic simulations showing “before” and “after” conditions of powerline proposals. In each of these, I began by photographing the viewpoint and measuring features of the scene with a GPS. Using Civil 3D, I draped structure models onto a DEM, connected them with 3D conductors, and graded building pads. I then used 3ds Max to match the perspective of the .dwg to that of the photo, apply materials to the model, accurately light the scene, and render .pngs. Finally, using PS, I stitched these .pngs together, and added vegetation layers using copies, brushes, filters, and masks. Precise rendering of this sort demonstrates both individual and cross-platform software proficiency.
Photoshop: Stitching & Blending