2013: Volume 7, Number 4
Michigan Chapter of the American Societ y
of Landscape
Architects
Table of contents 2013: Volume 7, number 4
2013 MiASLA Chapter Awards
Michigan Chapter of the American Societ y oF Landscape
Architects
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Letter from the president
As landscape architects, our thanksgiving should include those who serve on our behalf. My thanks over the past year go out as follows. Immediate Past President Christy Summers addressed membership initiatives and has been constantly in the thick of the licensure challenge. President-Elect SuLin Kotowicz put together an exceptional annual conference, has maintained and enhanced the website, and remains a vital keeper of committee operations and key knowledge. Trustee Vanessa Warren effectively advocates for our interests at National and keeps us well informed about opportunities and issues. VP of Government Affairs Bill Sanders has been hip deep or deeper in licensure and legislative affairs and has strongly and effectively represented our concerns and interests. Member at Large Bob Gibbs has pushed hard for us to embrace a broader network of allied professions and has determinedly advocated for community service. Associate at Large Joane Slusky has achieved great successes in organizing emerging professionals and educational events. Secretary John McCann has diligently transcribed all meetings, organized elections, and stepped up to the President-Elect position. Treasurer Monica Schwanitz has crunched numbers, learned more about accounting than she initially anticipated, and organized budgets when funds have been tight; all while keeping us in the black. VP of
ON THE COVER: An aerial view of the Honor Award winning design of Cathedral Square along Sheldon Street in Grand Rapids. Image courtesy of Michael J. Dul & Associates, Inc.
Cathedral Square Honor Award: Landscape Architectural Design Michael J. Dul & Associates, Inc.
Marketing Craig Hondorp keeps the E-Newsletters flowing and has significantly elevated public relations events across the state. VP of Education Scot Lautzenheiser kept tabs on the programs at U of M and MSU, plus organized our annual meetings at both schools. Andy McDowell has taken over as SITES Editor and has quickly proven his editing, marketing, and creative skills. Finally, Executive Director Derek Dalling and his staff at Kindsvatter Dalling & Associates have provided critical, timely support at both legislative and operational levels. In addition to these individuals, there are at least two dozen landscape architects and vendor representatives who repeatedly step up in support – lobbying legislators, sponsoring and organizing events, and simply working behind the scenes to get done whatever needs doing. I am thankful for and deeply respect the efforts and commitment made by all people in service to our profession. Ours is a profession of remarkably talented and capable people. I urge all of you to bring your particular capabilities and interests forward in service to our professional interests and values. Mark Robinson, LLA, ASLA President, Michigan Chapter of ASLA
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Baylor Sciences Building Plaza and Gardens Merit Award: Landscape Architectural Design Harley Ellis Devereaux
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Mill Creek Park
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Detroit Future City
Merit Award: Landscape Architectural Design SmithGroupJJR Honor Award: Landscape Planning & Analysis Hamilton Anderson Associates
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River Raisin Heritage Corridor East Master Plan Merit Award: Landscape Planning & Analysis Beckett & Raeder, Inc.
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Middlegrounds Metropark Merit Award: Landscape Planning & Analysis SmithGroupJJR
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Delta Dental Corporate Headquarters Campus Honor Award: Landscape Architectural Sustainability Albert Kahn Associates, Inc.
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Chapter President’s Awards
Honor Award [Landscape Architectural Design]
Cathedral Square Firm: Michael J. Dul & Associates Project Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
PROJECT PURPOSE The Bishop’s vision was to include a new 100,000 square feet diocesan center that would house its offices, community pharmacy, conferences and provide a centralized home to Catholic ministries, services, charities and school. Also important to this initiative was to design a unified campus that weaves into the urban fabric, is pedestrian, sustainable and brings life back to the community by creating a place for culture and community. DESIGN FEATURES The site directly south of the Cathedral was selected and a warehouse was purchased and refurbished with an open air atrium and green roof. Sheldon Street was transformed into a pedestrian walk with sustainable rain gardens that facilitate rooftop storm water runoff. The new conference center, combined with the closing of Sheldon Street necessitated the construction of a two level 210 space parking deck. ‘Green Screens’ installed along its perimeter visually mitigates the modestly constructed parking deck and effectively shades the concrete and softens the pedestrian experience with its foliage. The extensive transformation of the urban block & the desire to maintain a campus identity required careful design attention in the treatment of the project’s edges. The campus edge is formed by the entrance of the pedestrian corridor and the parking structure. The combination of precast concrete identification marker and vegetated green screens create a soft and welcoming edge that has clarity and stimulates the pedestrian. The plaza is bold & straightforward and the powerful staircase creates a subtle but unmistakable edge. The streetscape respects the City Standard that is common to its neighbors. Farther north the Cathedral itself becomes the ‘edge’ softened only with a band of lawn & simple foundation plantings.
Left: Bird’s eye view of the award winning, unified campus. Image courtesy of Michael J. Dul & Associates, Inc.
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Right: A perspective of the rain gardens from the pathway. Image courtesy of Michael J. Dul & Associates, Inc.
ROLE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT The Landscape Architects closely collaborated during the evolution and development of the building and site design. They provided creative design for all site related elements such as concepts for grading and drainage, hardscape, paving patterns, streetscape, and site elements such as retaining and garden walls, bioswale, rain gardens, planting, lighting and irrigation. All of these elements together helped to provide a platform for good exposure to landscape architecture. For more information contact: Michael Dul, President, ASLA 248.644.3410 or 248.703.9999 www.mjdul.com
Michael J. Dul & Associates, Inc. mdul@mjdul.com
Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Design]
Baylor Sciences Building Plaza and Gardens Firm: Harley Ellis Devereaux Project Location: Baylor University, Waco, Texas
The Baylor Sciences Building Plaza and Gardens is the result of site master planning and site design by a multi-disciplinary team from Harley Ellis Devereaux that integrates a large sciences building with an existing student recreation building spanning a space that serves as a major floodway. The local drain authority required volume capacity in the floodway be maintained and no vertical appurtenances could obstruct the flow of stormwater through the floodway corridor. Formerly, floodwaters rushed through a deep, v-shaped concrete ditch adjacent to the recreation center into a pair of 5’ diameter pipes that discharged directly into the Waco Creek. The floodway corridor is coincident with an area that needed to serve as a major plaza. In order to craft a successful design response, the landscape architect needed to solve the floodway requirements in a manner that created the appropriate ambience for this outdoor student space. The Landscape Architect led a team of designers and engineers to create a unique space that serves as a new “outdoor living room” for students and faculty while endeavoring to reveal scientific forms and processes through the site design. The collaboration resulted in a unique solution for accommodating a major floodway into an elegant, new plaza space. Serving as a metaphor for a Texas ‘arroyo’, a stream undulates through the plaza. The seatwalls flanking the plaza not only provide an abundance of locations to sit and lounge for students, they also serve an additional function of controlling flood waters during large storm events. The subtle stepping of the stream’s terraced edges within the “creek” bed serves as a drainage channel to approximate the movement and collection of rainwater like that of a natural streambed. As rainwater fills the stream, students can see the level of magnitude of stormwater flow. ‘Bridges’, slender in profile, create stream crossings at strategic points along the plaza. Texture, such as black beach stone covering the bottom level of the stream, and a color palette of earth browns and tans were used to convey a metaphorical sense of the arroyo. An artistic use of stained concrete, with rock salt seeded into the concrete at the time it was poured, creates a stippling effect and distressed surface for a natural appearance.
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Aerial Image of project nearing completion of initial phase. Image courtesy of Harley Ellis Devereaux
For more information contact: Mark Hieber, ASLA, LEED AP 248.233.0024 www.harleyellisdevereaux.com
Harley Ellis Devereaux mehieber@hedev.com
Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Design]
Mill Creek Park Firm: SmithgroupJJR Project Location: Dexter, Michigan
SmithGroupJJR developed a recreational master plan for a new 56-acre linear park in downtown Dexter. The master plan embraced the ecological, recreation, and economic assets of the Village’s Mill Creek, recently formed as a result of the removal of the Mill Pond dam and restoration of its formally inaccessible impoundment area. The park’s award winning first phase restored and protected the creek and its watershed; provided a regional trail system that links community and recreational assets; and enhanced local tourism efforts to stimulate economic activity downtown. These achievements were made possible with programming elements that include non-motorized shared-use paths, a river walk, boardwalks, water access (overlooks and canoe/kayak landings), play area, restrooms, special event spaces (amphitheater for performances and weddings, three plazas, and overlooks of the park), observation platforms, lawn areas, habitat enhancements, interpretive opportunities, naturalized stormwater management areas, and native landscapes with riparian buffers. Phase two of the park will include many similar enhancements, including the completion of the non-motorized/shared-use pathway connecting the park to the Dexter Community School pathway. Additionally, riparian improvements, stormwater management facilities, an observation tower, and interpretive signage will be implemented. Furthermore, secondary pathways intended only for pedestrian use will be provided in areas that have special features such as wildlife viewing and environmental education for the school district in and around the forested wetland areas of the park. Mill Creek Park has turned what was originally perceived as a liability into an asset for the Village and residents of western Washtenaw County—Dexter is expected to become an important destination point along the network of county trails. Programming events such as summer concerts will increase park use thereby benefitting restaurants and shops. The natural areas of the park will provide ecological benefits within the Mill Creek and Huron River watershed. Village officials are committed to keeping the momentum going and are actively seeking funding to advance phase 2 enhancements.
Stream channel design, riparian buffers, restoration, native landscapes, habitat enhancement, and stormwater management is protecting the Mill Creek and its watershed consistent with today’s best management practices for natural system stewardship. Image courtesy of SmithGroupJJR. 6
For more information contact: Paul Evanoff, ASLA 734.669.2706 www.smithgroupjjr.com
SmithGroupJJR Paul.evanoff@smithgroupjjr.com
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Honor Award [Landscape Planning & Analysis]
Detroit Future City Firm: Hamilton Anderson Associates Project Location: Detroit, Michigan Below Left: Current land use designations represent, in many cases, an unattainable land use model for today’s realities of vacancy, underutilization, and strain on city services. Image courtesy of Hamilton Anderson Associates. Below Right: Detroit Future City envisions a holistic approach to city-wide land use with diverse neighborhoods, employment districts, and an innovative approach to creating productive landscapes. Image courtesy of Hamilton Anderson Associates.
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Innovation in Detroit Future City (DFC): 1. DFC is a comprehensive, data driven planning framework that accepts Detroit must be planned as a smaller city 2. DFC moves away from traditional single-purpose land use categories and instead proposes a system of neighborhood typologies that encourage a range of quality of life alternatives and promote a more sustainable urban density 3. DFC charts an aggressive approach to the reconfiguration of city systems and service delivery that aligns with the new projections for growth and consolidation in the city. 4. DFC is designed to be adaptable to an unpredictable future by constructing phased land use plans and decision-matrices, offering guidance for managing change over time.
DFC is a strategic framework (a comprehensive, action-oriented blueprint for near and long-range decision-making) that includes a physical vision, policies, and implementation strategies which are firmly rooted in today’s realities of fiscal insolvency, political change and resident hardship. Grounded in evidence, built upon unique assets and tested by extensive community and professional feedback, DFC presents twenty-four transformative ideas for repositioning the city in a manner that promotes economic growth, revises land use patterns, revitalizes neighborhoods, reconfigures public services and coordinates a more effective approach to managing vacancy. Operating across each of these elements is an extensive and differentiated approach to the role of productive and innovative landscapes. The Strategic Framework document articulates a shared vision for Detroit’s future that is both aspirational and practical. Rather than state specific tactics to be developed and implemented, the DFC framework outlines a range of strategies, tactics, and tools that allow stakeholders to make informed decisions about change in the coming 10, 20, and 50 years. DFC seeks to leverage and strategically coordinate investment and the civic capacity of a broad array of stakeholders to effect change. In so doing, the framework requires residents, business leaders, philanthropists, government, and nonprofits to actively participate in the decisions, actions, and strategies that will affect Detroit’s future in a more sustainable and affordable manner. Detroit is one of 48 cities in the US with over 50,000 in population that has loss greater than 50% of is residents since its peak. As a “legacy city”, Detroit faces urban challenges unique to most American cities in that its peak population is not likely to return, leaving an excessive amount of underutilized land and market forces that indicate traditional development patterns may not return. Repositioning Detroit requires bold and visionary solutions, while also recognizing the city’s severe fiscal constraints. For more information contact: Kent Anderson, ASLA 313.887.6270 www.Hamilton-anderson.com
Hamilton Anderson kanderson@hamilton-anderson.com
Merit Award [Landscape Planning & Analysis]
River Raisin Heritage Corridor East Master Plan Firm: Beckett & Raeder, Inc. Project Location: Monroe, Michigan
The River Raisin Heritage Corridor – East Master Plan is a planning initiative intended to transform the Monroe community and region into a destination that celebrates its unique, though largely unrecognized, historic and cultural assets. The recent designation of the River Raisin National Battlefield Park (RRNBP) by the National Park Service in the City of Monroe is anticipated to be the catalyst for this transformation, having given the community an enviable opportunity to reinvent itself with a focus on its historic, cultural, recreational, and ecological tourism. The center-piece of this transformation is the RRNBP, which is intended to reinvent the historic Frenchtown Village that was center-stage in the Battle and Massacre of Frenchtown during the War of 1812. But beyond the RRNBP, which is master-planned as part of this study, the report covers a much larger geographic area in order to outline linkages and impacts to neighboring facilities including local and state parks, state and national preserves, memorials and cultural resources, as well as the historic downtown Monroe area. Proposed improvements include a renovated visitor’s center, a historic village complete with French Ribbon Farms and vineyards, a chapel for on-site weddings, a Peace Garden, a large amphitheater, and a waterfront complex for entertainment and dining. Together, these create a year-round draw for visitors to the National Park and serve as a gateway to the community, and beyond. Left: The master plan includes both interpretative and entertainment elements. The project consisted of on-site field assessment, review of previous planning, community engagement, conceptual design, parks and recreation design, linkages, and infill public and private development. In order to convey realistic economic impacts of this promising physical transformation, the planning study included an economic impact analysis. The economic component of the plan provides stakeholders, developers and public officials the data they need to support the improvements proposed in the study, which come with significant capital outlay. Image courtesy of Beckett & Raeder, Inc.
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For more information contact: Christy Summers, LLA, ASLA, LEED AP (Principal) 734.663.2622 www.bria2.com
Beckett & Raeder, Inc. csummers@bria2.com
Merit Award [Landscape Planning & Analysis]
Middlegrounds Metropark Firm: SmithgroupJJR Project Location: Toledo, Ohio
The tiered wetland will provide habitat and welcome visitors to the river edge. Image courtesy of SmithGroupJJR.
Sweeping views from the observation tower include the park, Anthony Wayne Bridge, and downtown Toledo. Image courtesy of SmithGroupJJR.
The Middlegrounds Metropark Master Plan transforms a former 19th century rail yard into a landmark riverfront park. The plan forges new recreational opportunities and interpretive connections along a ½-mile stretch along the Maumee River historically known as The Middlegrounds; thereby reconnecting the community and downtown to Toledo’s unique Maumee River heritage. The park will provide nearby neighborhoods and the downtown a clean, safe, natural destination with sweeping views of Toledo, while serving as a catalyst for redevelopment in a historically underutilized, largely vacant part of the downtown. A primary focus of the plan includes riverbank restoration, in-stream habitat creation, riparian wetland and woodland creation, and upland prairie establishment. Exploration of historic vegetation patterns and landscape types drove the design inspiration. The plan incorporates a unique stormwater management system which collects runoff from the large Anthony Wayne Bridge passing over the site. This design feature reduces negative impacts to the river’s water quality while providing an engaging visual and interpretative element. In addition to the restoration activities, the master plan combines several site amenities and program elements such as trails, overlooks, educational and interpretive features, unstructured recreational space, picnic grounds, and parking. These features are designed to integrate with the site’s restored natural features using sustainable methods. Key to the planning process was the identification of proposed sustainable metrics (ecological, social, economic, and spiritual) that could be measured after implementation. The approach results in a more holistic design, allowing for unique perspectives and solutions that may not be normally considered, such as promoting user-group ethnic diversity to exceed national standards, assessing the impact of the park on surrounding land values, and ensuring citizens have access to public art. The master plan also included a three-phased implementation schedule with cost estimates. SmithGroupJJR is currently designing Phase 1, which will open in the fall of 2015. For more information contact: Cheryl Zuellig, ASLA 734.669.2715 www.smithgroupjjr.com
SmithGroupJJR cheryl.zuellig@smithgroupjjr.com 13
Honor Award [Landscape Architectural Sustainability]
Delta Dental Corporate Headquarters Campus Firm: Albert Kahn Associates, Inc. Project Location: Okemos, Michigan
PROJECT STATEMENT Site repair, stewardship, and sustainability were at the forefront of Delta Dental’s aspirations for the expansion of their headquarters. A 57-acre monocultured environment was dependent on energy intensive equipment, burning fossils fuels to maintain their artificial “insurance green lawn” campus. Minimizing their footprint, the rehabilitation converted the site into a natural ecosystem worthy of certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council’s Wildlife at Work program. PROJECT NARRATIVE The Campus Master Plan prioritized collaborative land-uses and preservation by maximizing vertical building allowances prior to horizontal building expansion. Located within the Cedar River watershed, the Smith drain forms an in-line pond - previously contaminated - adjacent to the corporate headquarters facilities.
Northwest campus view across stormwater pond within a regenerative landscape featuring storm-water collection and filtration strategies, restored Michigan Prairie, native plant species, and restored pond that provides habitat for the area wildlife. Image courtesy of Albert Kahn Associates, Inc. 14
Dredged, enlarged, and repopulated with indigenous aquatic plants, the pond and the adjacent natural land preserves provide a renewed habitat for the area wildlife to be enjoyed and utilized by employees and the community. During restoration, a reptile roundup program collected and harbored frogs, toads and snakes offsite and once the work was complete, returned them to their home. The renewed water quality of the pond and stream is a direct response to the reduction of fertilizer and maintenance practices previously required to maintain the acres of manicured lawn. Other natural rain water polishing techniques are incorporated throughout the site with the inclusion of vegetated roofs, bioswales and a newly constructed wetland fore-bay. The Campus “Oval” provides a central open gathering space for existing, new and proposed buildings and site activities. The building received LEED©-NC Gold certification and the company is participating in the Wildlife Habitat Council’s Wildlife at Work certification program to enhance and manage the campus wildlife habitat. Employee wellness is promoted by exterior activities including walkways, terraces, and gardens, and further reinforced by benign building materials selection, increased exposure to natural daylight, improved ventilation, and a stimulating work environment. The project scope also included installing an extensive walkway system throughout the campus. The path was installed to help Delta Dental employees reach their personal fitness goals and to provide neighbors with a place to enjoy the natural offerings of the campus. The work conducted on the Smith Drain helped garner Delta Dental the Environmental Stewardship Award from the Meridian Environmental Commission, which recognized the company for including the pond enhancement in its headquarters renovation and expansion project. Delta Dental is also working with the “Reptile Roundup” herpetologist to achieve designated wildlife certification from the Audubon Society. For more information contact: Stephen A. White, ASLA, OALA, LEED AP BD+C 313.202.7935 www.albertkahn.com
Albert Kahn Associates, Inc. stephen.white@akahn.com
Michigan ASLA 2013 President’s Award Winners President’s award john Beckett, asla Beckett & Raeder, Inc. • www.bria2.com This award recognizes the significant work Mr. Beckett has contributed to the Society and to our profession through volunteerism and education. Mr. Beckett gives time and resources year after year, and encourages others to volunteer within the Society and the community in order to spread the profession of landscape architecture.
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
EMERGING PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR andrew mcdowelL, ASLA Cardno JFNew • www.cardnojfnew.com This award honors Mr. McDowell for his significant contributions to the Chapter. This award celebrates a young landscape architect in the first ten years of their career for or significant works of design or contributions to the profession.
emerging professional of the year AWARD
HONOR AWARD kent county parks • www.accesskent.com This award recognizes all the hours of support and volunteerism for the Society and to our profession that the County has provided year after year. This award is given to a non-landscape architect or entity for significant support of landscape architects, community design or the profession.
honor award 16
OUTSTANDING FIRM OF THE YEAR beckett & raeder, inc. • www.bria2.com Becket & Raeder, Inc was selected for continued outstanding design and support of our profession.
outstanding firm of the year award
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Lansing, MI PERMIT #515 2013: Volume 7, number 4
Michigan Chapter of the American Societ y oF Landscape
Architects
1000 W. St. Joseph Hwy., Suite 200 Lansing, MI 48915 www.michiganasla.org