2015: VOLUME 9, NUMBER 4
MICHIGAN CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIET Y
OF LANDSCAPE
ARCHITECTS
Keeping up appearances since 1962. For over 50 years, Victor Stanley has designed, engineered, and manufactured timeless site furnishings so you can bring communities to life. Contact Charlene Vera at charlenev@victorstanley.com Sage Receptacle: Patents pending. Freesia Bench: US Patents D710,624 S; D710,626 S; D711,175 S; D726,473 S; D726,474 S; D727,669 S. Canada 152499; 153910; 153911.
V I C T O R S T A N L E Y .COM
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2015: VOLUME 9, NUMBER 4
MICHIGAN CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIET Y OF LANDSCAPE
This issue is typically my favorite, as we have the opportunity to honor and celebrate the incredible work of Michigan professionals and their contributions to our communities. I’d like to thank the Minnesota Chapter for graciously judging our awards this year. I am also pleased to present the 30th annual President’s Awards in this issue. Congratulations to Lindsay Nelson, Emerging Professional of the Year Award recipient; Chet Hill, Distinguished Member Award recipient; Toni Gasperoni, Honor Award recipient; and Harley Ellis Devereaux, Outstanding Firm of the Year Award recipient. I have enjoyed serving as President of Michigan Chapter ASLA and truly appreciate the opportunity that was given to me by the membership. But now it is time to pass the baton along to the capable hands of Michigan ASLA’s new President, Clare Jagenow. As I enter my final year of presidential duties as immediate Past President, I am planning to assist with membership recruitment and work with our new Vice President of Membership. As we ON THE COVER: Crosswinds Marsh Image courtesy of SmithGroupJJR.
address fiscal and licensure challenges in the future we have strength in numbers, and therefore it is critical that we grow the membership. So in this season of giving thanks, I am thankful to be working with such a great group of talented colleagues on the executive committee. All of the hard work and dedication that is put in on a monthly basis by our volunteers, much of it behind the scenes, is greatly appreciated. In addition I am thankful for all the support of our vendors that continually step up and support our events. To all of our dedicated members, committee members, and industry leaders, thank you for your participation and commitment to making the Michigan Chapter of ASLA what it is today, and for your significant contributions to all of our events. Because of you, we are a strong organization ready to support the members of the profession as we go out and change the world. Please enjoy this great awards issue of MiSITES and as always, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about MiASLA or volunteer opportunities. I urge you to make 2016 the year you get involved with MiASLA—the membership needs you! John W. McCann, ASLA, LEED AP President, Michigan Chapter of ASLA For more information, please visit our website at www.michiganasla.org, or find us on Facebook or LinkedIn.
Crosswinds Marsh Honor Award [Legacy] SmithGroupJJR
ARCHITECTS
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings, fellow landscape architects! I hope you all are enjoying the holiday season. It’s hard to believe that this is my final issue to address the membership as President. This past year has gone by very fast, but it’s been a great ride, filled with fun and productive events.
2
4
The Preserve at All Saints Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Sustainability] Land Planning and Design Associates
5
METAexpo Merit Award [Landscape Planning Analysis] Hagenbuch Weikal Landscape Architecture
7
e-Title Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Design] Michael J. Dul & Associates, Inc.
8
Miami University MET Quad Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Design] SmithGroupJJR
10
Grand Rapids Downtown Market Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Sustainability] Progressive AE
12
Riverfront Master Plan Merit Award [Landscape Planning Analysis] Harley Ellis Devereaux
13
Munger Graduate Residences Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Design] Beckett & Raeder, Inc.
15
Michigan ASLA 2015 President’s Awards If you would like to contribute to MiSITES or have a topic of interest, please email: SITESpublicaƟons@michiganasla.org
Honor Award [Legacy]
CROSSWINDS MARSH Firm: SmithGroupJJR Project Location: New Boston, Michigan Crosswinds Marsh is a mitigation project created for the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to offset wetlands lost by their runway expansion project in the 1990s. Most mitigation projects are tucked-away sites that are little known to the general public and often forgotten. Crosswinds Marsh is quite the opposite. Hosting over 50,000 visitors annually, the 1,050-acre wetland is one of the region’s most treasured natural resources and a benchmark for environmental design and habitat restoration. Crosswinds Marsh invites the public to experience this thriving natural setting in many ways. While limiting access to sensitive areas, the design welcomes low-impact recreation like hiking, horseback riding, paddling, and birding, and offers varied environmental learning opportunities. “When I first came to Crosswinds 15 years ago, there was nothing there,” remarks Park Naturalist Darrin Bauer. “One of the biggest questions I always get from people is, ‘How did you bring all these animals in here?’ They all came on their own. It’s really amazing.” A nesting pair of Bald Eagles set up home in the first 5 years and are still rearing young on an annual basis. To date, monitoring data has documented 244 bird species, a number that continues to grow. Mammals large and small also found homes in Crosswinds Marsh, the current tally is 30 mammal species, 20 fish species, 21 reptile and amphibian species and 70 species of butterflies and dragonflies. As testament to its success, Crosswinds Marsh hardly looks like a “project” at all. It looks like it’s been there forever. It has matured into a rich, vibrant wetland that benefits the natural world, as well as the community living with and learning from it. For more information contact: Paul Evanoff, ASLA paul.evanoff@smithgroupjjr.com 2
Boardwalk Image courtesy of SmithgroupJJR
w w w . s m i t h g r o u p j j r. c o m
YOUR ONE VISION. OUR
INFINITE CHOICES.
201 5M ICH IGA NA SLA LEG AC YA WA RD RE CIP IEN
CROSSWINDS MARSH INTERPRETIVE PRESERVE
Contact your Unilock Representative for samples, product information and to arrange a Lunch & Learn.
T 3
Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Sustainability]
THE PRESERVE AT ALL SAINTS Firm: Land Planning and Design Associates Project Location: Waterford, Michigan The Preserve at All Saints is designed specifically as a “Green” or “Natural” Cemetery. It offers a sustainable, environmentally responsible alternative to traditional cemetery design. It has been planned and designed to meet the ever-increasing, cultural and ethical desire for sustainability; preserve, utilize, and enhance the natural systems of the site; use native and on-site materials for landscape development; reduce or eliminate the use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers for landscape maintenance; minimize traditional cemetery lawn mowing for reduced fossil fuel consumption; and eliminate the need for lawn and landscape irrigation.
This project demonstrates the significance of the Landscape Architect as the design professional who can best synthesize and bring together environmental, engineering and aesthetic requirements for thoughtful and comprehensive cemetery design. The design of the Preserve at All Saints is a union of sitesensitive design, environmental management, and an understanding of the rapidly changing preferences of the baby-boomer generation’s desire for environmental stewardship in their last act on earth. For more information contact: Jack Goodnoe, ASLA jack@jackgoodnoe.com
The design of the Preserve at All Saints has created a new model for this emerging Natural Burial movement in America. It reveals and reveres the natural characteristics of the site to create a place of refuge and remembrance. More than any structure or memorial, nature becomes the spiritual touchstone for the families of those buried at the cemetery. The design utilizes, restores and creates native meadows and woodlands for burial, uses boulders excavated on the site for headstones and memorials, minimizes grading, uses pervious surfaces for roads and parking, utilizes potentially problematic natural springs to create an ephemeral creek as a landscape feature, and preserves existing trees and wetlands as places of mediation. Preserve Birdseye View Image courtesy of Land Planning and Design Associates 4
Merit Award [Landscape Planning Analysis]
METAexpo:
A Grassroots Advocacy Project Firm: Hagenbuch Weikal Landscape Architecture Project Location: Detroit, Michigan This conceptual master plan explores the regional economic, public transit and sustainable development potential of the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit. With over 100 years of history, the Michigan State Fairgrounds is an important cultural landscape with unique potential for authentic placemaking and regional multimodal transit. Located at Woodward Avenue and 8 Mile Road, the site links 31 municipalities representing 10 percent of the state’s population and businesses. A pro-bono project initiated at the request of a grassroots citizens group, METAexpo is a positive and powerful community response to the proposed sale and private development of an iconic public landmark. The master plan and graphic informational materials tell the story of the Michigan State Fairgrounds property and the METAexpo planning concept in a flexible PDF presentation that can be emailed, shared on social media, projected for public presentations and printed and bound into booklets. Analysis of the site in its local and regional context was realized using data available to the public from Detroit Future City 2012, SEMCOG, MiPlace.org, Data Driven Detroit, Michigan State University Land Policy Institute and other resources. The design team looked at transit systems and patterns, population and demographics, social and historical context, and economic and development trends. Based on the analysis, the concept builds on the
Site Plan Image courtesy of Hagenbuch Weikal Landscape Architecture
authentic placemaking assets of the site and its unique location, incorporating the spirit of the historic State Fair as a guiding principle for strategic development. The project employs the analytical, design and visual language of landscape architecture as an educational and advocacy tool for a community calling for the public stewardship of a cultural landscape and strategic investment in the economic future of their city and region. For more information contact: Ken Weikal, ASLA kweikal@kw-la.com
5
Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Design]
e-TITLE Firm: Michael J. Dul & Associates, Inc. Project Location: Troy, Michigan e-Title is a newer company located along the Big Beaver Corridor in Troy, Michigan. The company moved to this 40-year-old, 100,000 square foot building to be a part of Troy’s “Golden Corridor” and connect with the surrounding community and its amenities. e-Title made the move with aspirations of expanding their company and creating a new image with firm values of branding, innovation, sustainability, and support for its team members. The goal was to create a new image, experience, and space for all employees and guests of e-Title to enjoy. The design focused on creating a space to support the company’s values, a new image area from Big Beaver, upgraded entrances to the building, an employee lounge, and a new park area. All of these areas were designed to enhance the experience for each employee and
guest while providing access to and from Big Beaver shops and restaurants, the company’s parking lot, and the office. The employee entrance was designed to create a space that connected the interior cafeteria with the exterior lounge. The new entrance features a vibrant paving pattern, various types of seating, umbrellas, plant material, and art work all incorporated to facilitate work, lounging, socializing, and eating. The original site had two large retention ponds- one located along the Big Beaver entrance and the second at the rear portion of the property. It was found that the first retention pond was unnecessary and allowed for a great opportunity to enhance the company’s image from Big Beaver and create a greater exterior employee space. This area was turned into a park with corridor access, rolling landforms, a gathering space with a pergola, and a bioswale. The site showcases e-Title’s support and value it has for its employees. Overall , the site transformed from a mundane suburban property into a beautiful and exciting place reflecting the core values of e-Title. Design solutions based on the owner’s program statement were creatively integrated with nature to produce usable and memorable places for all employees and guests to enjoy. For more information contact: Michael J. Dul, ASLA mdul@mjdul.com
Overall Park Perspective Image courtesy of Michael J. Dul & Associates
Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Design]
MIAMI UNIVERSITY MET QUAD Firm: SmithGroupJJR Project Location: Oxford, Ohio
The Emerson Patio Image courtesy of SmithgroupJJR
Etheridge Hall was going to be the newest building on the MET Quad when completed. While under construction, Miami University wanted a plan to make upgrades to the quad’s three other residence halls (Morris, Emerson and Tappan) in an effort to refresh the quad. The renovation of the space would resolve draining/flooding issues each spring, encourage student engagement in a more useful and functional manner and provide attractive gathering areas for the enjoyment of the residents of MET Halls.
In order to improve access to the existing residence halls and make the entries barrier free, grade was raised to elevate the patios to be flush with the buildings’ finish floor elevations. To resolve the drainage and flooding issues in order to make the lawn more usable in spring, the landscape architects designed a system of perforated underdrains that branched out from a central existing catch basin and carefully winded their way through the Quad, avoiding critical root zones of existing trees.
Key to the design of the space was maintaining the historic landscape character of the quadrangle and respecting the existing Georgian architecture. To accomplish this, new front porches for each of the residence halls, each unique to its own place, became new outdoor living rooms fronting the Quad— new brick seat walls mirror the pattern and color of the brick on the existing buildings; teak furniture provided a place for individuals and groups to congregate and paired nicely with the brick and limestone and landscape plantings help to define the patios and provide a measure of seclusion from the more public lawn area while providing four season interest for its inhabitants. In addition, decorative, pedestrian-scale site lighting added character and increased sense of safety to the Quad at night.
Integral to the implementation of the University’s “Stormwater Plan Overlay” the design and construction of the retention pond east of the site captures stormwater from the Quad including all new construction and recycles the water for use by the irrigation system. The pond captures and holds the 100 year storm. Sited along a key vehicular entrance to the campus, the pond plantings incorporate both aquatic and upland native plantings and have become part of the gateway aesthetic for northbound traffic entering campus along Patterson Avenue.
8
For more information contact: Bob Doyle, ASLA bob.doyle@smithgroupjjr.com
Morris Hall Patio Image courtesy of SmithgroupJJR
continued on page 10 9
Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Sustainability]
GRAND RAPIDS DOWNTOWN MARKET Firm: Progressive AE Project Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan The Grand Rapids Downtown Market is the region’s new choice for fresh foods while supporting entrepreneurship and food innovation. The 134,000 square foot mixed-use market serves as a retail experience, food-processing facility, and community gathering space. Furthermore, the building houses an indoor market of 27 small food vendors, restaurants, a microbrewery and microdistillery, along with rentable commercial kitchens, event space, and educational facilities. In addition, there is an exterior covered farmers market with 52 stalls; providing a business environment for local farmers. As the idea of the Grand Rapids Downtown Market was being developed, environmental sustainability was the foundation the site and design was built Below: The Grand Rapids Downtown Market Image courtesy of ProgressiveAE
10
upon. Sustainable innovation started at the highest level during site selection with the goal of finding a home for the market that would have the greatest impact on revitalizing an aging neighborhood containing numerous vacant buildings and properties. As the site and building design were being developed, the goal was to take advantage of as many on-site opportunities as possible and utilize all of the design tools that contribute to a successful environmentally sustainable project. In that vein, the U.S. Green Building Council recently awarded the Grand Rapids Downtown Market LEED Gold certification. This is one of the first urban markets to receive such a prestigious certification. Landscape architecture was a key component to collectively achieving the aforementioned level of design and recognition. Furthermore, the landscape and building combined a variety of sustainable and energy efficient features into its design and daily use, including:
• Rain gardens and green roofs contribute to on-site storm water management • LIVE Walls for heat reduction and aesthetics on south and west facing walls • A 4,000 gallon rainwater harvesting tank for irrigation of greenhouse plants • Permeable pavers to increase water quality of storm water leaving the site • Fifty geothermal wells for the heating and cooling of the building • A low-maintenance, no-irrigation landscape on the ground level • Recycled wood for the exterior market structure • Land use and neighborhood revitalization • Composting of food and by-products from vendors • Greenhouse component to supply kitchens with herbs and vegetables For more information contact: Peter A. Lazdins, RLA, CLARB lazdinsp@progressiveae.com
MIRACLEMIDWEST.COM info@MiracleMidwest.com /MiracleMidwest 800.722.8546
Creating HAPPY PLACES...Naturally!
Merit Award [Landscape Planning Analysis]
RIVERFRONT MASTER PLAN Firm: Harley Ellis Devereaux Project Location: Perrysburg, Ohio There are only two cities in the United States that were laid out by an Act of Congress: Washington D.C. and Perrysburg, Ohio. Perrysburg is a place steeped in history. The City was named in recognition of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry by a nation grateful for the astounding vision and daring that he displayed in defeating the British-led forces in battles during the War of 1812. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the historical Perrysburg riverfront played an important role in commerce and river transportation. However, as roads and rail lines were developed and commerce along the banks disappeared, access to the natural beauty of the riverfront became very limited. What once was the front door to the city was now the back door. The City leadership selected Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) to develop their Riverfront Master Plan. HED envisioned a plan that actively engages and
connects a series of open spaces along the Maumee River. HED also provided recommendations for how to treat each park space, how to better interpret the historical aspects of the area and how to infuse dynamic programs into the open spaces. Due to the high bluff configuration of the river corridor, it was critically important to prepare recommendations for physically connecting the parks and river edge to the top of the bluffs. To solve the problem, HED designed several elegant traverses that provide barrier-free access to the river. To reiterate the importance of the rich historical and natural resources of the Maumee River, the master plan also recommended the enhancement of a water trail and expanded marina. By providing enhanced access and community activities, the City of Perrysburg will soon return to the river as its front door and enhance its reputation as a recreational gateway for the greater NW Ohio region. For more information contact: Mark Hieber, ASLA, LEED AP mehieber@hedev.com Project Masterplan Image courtesy of Harley Ellis Deveraux
12
Merit Award [Landscape Architectural Design]
MUNGER GRADUATE RESIDENCES Firm: Beckett & Raeder, Inc. Project Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Munger Graduate Residences is the first University of Michigan residential facility designed with a primary focus on actively encouraging interdisciplinary academic and social interaction among students and researchers. The residence hall, with integrated live/work/play environments, is located at the southwest gateway to the University of Michigan Central Campus. Care was taken to design the residence hall with sensitivity to adjacent urban neighbors, public street corridors, and historic university buildings. Beckett & Raeder created ground-level exterior spaces that provide for informal gathering plazas, lawn activities, and extensive gardens. To maximize live/work/play opportunities, the project took full advantage of available space through a green roof that provides spectacular skyline views and integrates gathering spaces, outdoor cooking areas, intensive gardens, and a running track. Environmentally, the project provides significant community benefits within the downtown core of Ann Arbor. To help alleviate considerable flooding events historically experienced in the vicinity, the project analyzed pre-redevelopment stormwater contribution to the City’s storm sewer system. A stormwater management approach was developed to greatly reduce the volume and rate of release into the system, far beyond regulatory or LEED requirements. This was accomplished through innovative best management practices such as use of an intensive green roof system; porous materials for 94% of site pavements (including a heavy duty fire access lane); infiltration pipes and storage chambers beneath lawns and pavements; and bioswales in recessed urban planter boxes. Additionally, landscape plantings throughout the project are native or adapted species, minimizing the need for supplemental maintenance and irrigation. Perhaps equally or more important than Beckett & Raeder’s role in physical design was the role served as public process facilitator. Due to unique
jurisdictional circumstances, regulatory authority consisted of a mixture of City departments, State agencies, and State authority delegated to internal University review. The project required significant coordination and negotiation with each authority to satisfy differing priorities within a fast track design and construction schedule that was half that of similar scale University projects. The result of this collaboration is an ecologically-friendly, multi-functional, interdisciplinary living and cooperative space for graduate students. For more information contact: Angela Cesere, ASLA angela@bria2.com
13
www.ironsmith.biz
FGP Toni Gasperoni Eastern/Northern Michigan 800.430.6206 x1318 tonig@landscapeforms.com Amanda Nawara Western Michigan 800.430.6206 x1320 amandan@landscapeforms.com
Designed by Francisco Gomez Paz
D E S I G N . C U LT U R E . C R A F T.
14
The Lexington Bollard, designed to cover an 8� concrete filled pipe for a decorative solution while meeting today’s security challenges. All IRONSMITH cast bollards are available in iron or aluminum for outstanding strength and durability and in your choice of finish.
MICHIGAN ASLA 2015 PRESIDENT’S AWARD WINNERS DISTINGUISHED MEMBER AWARD CHET HILL, ASLA Chet Hill, senior principal with the Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio, has practiced landscape architecture in Michigan and the Midwest since the early 1970s. His expertise spans the areas of park and recreation planning, streetscape design, trail planning and design, public workshop facilitation, community revitalization, urban design, and campus planning. Chet served as the City of Ann Arbor’s principal park planner for 15 years and is currently an adjunct professor of landscape architecture at the University of Michigan. EMERGING PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR LINDSAY NELSON, ASLA Lindsay serves on MiASLA’s executive committee and has been a tremendous asset to the committee through organizing events, serving on the Golf Committee, leading a LARE study group, and helping facilitate the LARE review session. Lindsay is a licensed landscape architect, a graduate of U of M, and serves as a lecturer in the landscape architecture department. She is currently an associate at InSite Design Studio where she works on a wide variety of projects including master planning and site details. CHET HILL, ASLA
LINDSAY NELSON, ASLA
HARLEY ELLIS DEVEREAUX
TONI GASPERONI
OUTSTANDING FIRM OF THE YEAR HARLEY ELLIS DEVEREAUX Harley Ellis Devereaux is an award-winning, national full-service organization offering a complete range of planning, architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, interior design, and construction services. Established in 1908, the firm has over 100 years of providing exceptional design services. They have a long history of award winning work including awards from Michigan ASLA and other prominent organizations. HONOR AWARD TONI GASPERONI The honor award goes to a non-landscape architect that has provided significant support to the profession. Toni has been a dedicated partner and volunteer with MiASLA for many years. She has volunteered her time and has served on many MiASLA committees over the years securing donations and sponsorships through Landscape Forms which has made many of MiASLA’s events possible. Toni is a representative with Landscape Forms and has been assisting clients and landscape architects furnish many great spaces for nearly 10 years. Her dedication and passion for design has been an asset to landscape architects all over the state.
15
2015 MICHIGAN ASLA OFFICERS AND STAFF
Style your surroundings with timeless and appealing streetscape products.
President John McCann, ASLA
Member at Large Andy McDowell, ASLA
President Elect Clare Jagenow, ASLA
Associate at Large Lindsay Nelson, Associate ASLA
Immediate Past President SuLin Kotowicz, ASLA
Executive Director Matt Solak
Trustee Vanessa Warren, ASLA
MSU Student Representative Katie Ling, Student ASLA
VP of Marketing Craig Hondorp, ASLA
U of M Student Representatives Robert Primeau, Student ASLA Amy Motzny, Student ASLA
VP of Education Joane Slusky, ASLA VP of Government Affairs Bill Sanders, ASLA Treasurer Monica Schwanitz, ASLA Secretary Christy Summers, ASLA
SITES: Editor and Layout Wesley Landon, ASLA wlandon@geiconsultants.com Advertising Sales Andy McDowell, ASLA SITES@MichiganASLA.org
Want to get involved? MiASLA is always looking for chapter members to par cipate at a greater level. Please feel free to reach out to the Execu ve Commi ee or staff members: manager@michiganasla.org
Learn more at treegrate.com or call 800 887 8440 East Jordan Iron Works is now EJ
(517) 485-4116 visit us at: www.michiganasla.org find us on: linkedin.com, facebook.com and twi er.com 1000 W. St. Joseph Hwy., Suite 200 Lansing, MI 48915
L O N G S H A D OW
. COM
Design & Photography: James L. Knoll, Landscape Architects, Rockford, Illinois
Hand crafted in Southern Illinois by Classic Garden Ornaments, Ltd. ®
®
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LANSING, MI PERMIT #515 2015: VOLUME 9, 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