Landscape Architecture Portfolio by rachelware

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO Rachel Ware | University of Oklahoma

DESIGNERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S STATEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 RESUME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

ACADEMIC

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Educational Rain Garden

TECHNICAL SKILLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Construction Documents & Grading Plan COMMUNICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 OKC Memorial Topographic Model COLLABORATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Design Competition - First Place INNOVATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Tulsa West Bank Design Competition PLANNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Route 66 Park Master Plan

PROFESSIONAL

RESEARCH & PLANNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Institute for Quality Communities

SELECTED WORKS

DESIGNERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S STATEMENT As a designer, I hope to utilize my skills to be a catalyst for change in communities and promote sustainability as well as healthy environments in which people live, work, and play. My design philosophy is one that embraces ecology, to bring people and the natural environment into a mutually beneficial relationship.

DESIGN PROCESS SITE ANALYSIS & RESEARCH

CONTEXTUAL AWARENESS COMMUNITY INPUT/USER NEED PROGRAMMING

CONCEPTUAL DESIGNS

CONCEPT REVIEW CONCEPT MODIFICATION DEVELOP GRAPHICS/ COMMUNICATION MATERIAL

FINAL PRESENTATION

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

RESUME

08/16 - Present

Rachel Ware

• Collaborate on concept development for a variety of projects in Oklahoma communities. • Create presentation graphics, research precedents, visit communities, conduct design charrettes, and present findings to clients.

918-839-2665 | rachel.ware@ou.edu Website: rachelware.com Twitter: @RachelWare127

05/16 - Present EDUCATION Graduation | May 2018 GPA: 3.95

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA Master of Landscape Architecture

Graduation | Dec. 2014 GPA: 3.74

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY Bachelor of Science Major | Biological Sciences Minor | Microbiology

Environmental Science Intern III County of Henrico Risk Management Henrico, VA • Modified Henrico County’s Environmental Sustainability and Management System (ESMS) program in accordance with the most recent International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard. • Drafted emergency evacuation plans for multiple county buildings.

08/15 - 12/15

Graduate Research Assistant Division of Landscape Architecture University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK • Collaborated with graduate assistants and director of MLA program to develop a brand for the program and increase visibility to U.S. and international prospective students. • Launched social media campaign to communicate activities of the program with alumni, current students, and prospective students.

SOFTWARE EXPERIENCE AutoCAD Adobe | InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop Microsoft Office | Word, Excel, PowerPoint SketchUp, LandFX, Lumion Sharepoint, OneDrive

Graduate Research Assistant Institute for Quality Communities University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK

09/14 - 07/15

Curriculum Writer Fire Protection Publications Stillwater, OK • Worked as part of a team to collaborate on curriculum component development based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®) standards.

01/15 - 04/15

Nursery Staff Bustani Plant Farm Stillwater, OK • Tended to a variety of maintenance duties in the nursery and on the farm.

MEMBERSHIPS

LEADERSHIP 2017-2018

Southwest Parks and Recreation Training Institute Scholarship

• Received an academic scholarship and a conference admission scholarship from the Southwest Parks and Recreation Training Institute.

2016-2017

Selection Committee Member Division of Landscape Architecture

• Selected by faculty to participate in new faculty member selection for the Division of Landscape Architecture.

2016-2017

Graduate Student Senate

2015-2016

Oklahoma Licensure Board Scholarship

09/14-07/15

• Represent students of the Division of Landscape Architecture in the University of Oklahoma graduate student government body. • Received scholarship from Oklahoma Board of Licensed Architects, Landscape Architects, and Registered Interior Designers for Route 66 Nature Playground Project.

Internal FPP Sustainability Coordinator

• Launched department-wide Sustainability Initiative encouraging recycling, reusing, and energy-saving techniques to be implemented in the office and at home.

SPECIAL PROJECTS 10/16 - 12/16

Come Alive Outside Design Challenge - First Place Project - Denver, CO • Collaborated with graduate students to design outdoor space for students, teachers, and neighbors of Denver PREP Academy.

01/16-04/16

08/16 - Present

U.S. Green Building Council Student Chapter University of Oklahoma Chapter

08/15 - Present

American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)

08/15 - Present

Student Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects (SCASLA) University of Oklahoma Chapter

CONFERENCES Spring 2017 Fall 2016

Southwest Parks and Recreation Training Institute Conference

Hulbert, OK Oklahoma ASLA Conference Oklahoma City, OK

Spring 2016

Finding Center Conference Stillwater, OK

Spring 2016

Central States ASLA Conference Little Rock, AR

PERSONAL INTERESTS TRAVELING

TRYING NEW FOOD

HIKING, EXPLORING

EXERCISING

HAMMOCKING

LIVE MUSIC

DRINKING COFFEE

FESTIVALS

Oklahoma City Memorial Topographic Model

• Researched, designed, and built a topographic model of Oklahoma City with a team of landscape architecture students for the Oklahoma City National Memorial Marathon.

ACADEMIC

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Educational Rain Garden

Route 66 Park Master Plan

SELECTED WORKS

OKLAHOMA

CLEVELAND COUNTY

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE: EDUCATIONAL RAIN GARDEN location: NORMAN, OK | class: STUDIO III | date: FALL 2016 | professor: TOM WOODFIN

Located in a quaint, walkable neighborhood, Whittier Middle School lends itself as an ideal location for a rain garden installation. Two other schools and a park in the neighborhood create a network of educational and community health opportunities. Providing learning opportunities for students, encouraging active lifestyles, and engaging the surrounding community are only a few benefits associated with the design. Rain gardens mimic naturally occurring water detention systems by capturing and treating stormwater runoff and serve to prevent flooding and support native wildlife. Low impact development education is critical for a greater understanding of environmental stewardship and encourages a holistic view of landscape architecture, tying together science, art, and health.

CONCEPT SKETCHES â&#x2013;ź

GREEN NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK

NORMAN

trail

drainage canal

lower basin

board walk

upper basin

water cascade

3.5’ 7’

14’

WHITTIER MIDDLE SCHOOL LEGEND 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

PLANTING ZONE A

boardwalk walking trail boulder path boulder seating learning deck Chinese Pistache Lacebark Elm

1 American Beautyberry

Butterfly Milkweed

Blue Flag Iris

Showy Goldenrod

Purple Daisy Aster

Copper Iris

Golden Alexanders

Ox-eye Sunflower

PLANTING ZONE B

2 3

Palm Sedge

Fragrant Sumac

LEARNING DECK

7 0

9’ 18’

36’

N 11

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE: EDUCATIONAL RAIN GARDEN

Biophilia:

Immediately upon exiting the building, students and teachers will be surrounded by a soothing natural environment, where they can explore, learn, and find calming spaces to connect with nature.

CAPTURES STORMWATER

CREATES WILDLIFE HABITAT

EDUCATES COMMUNITY

PROMOTES HEALTH

Wildlife Habitat: Native pollinator plants create habitat for several native wildlife. Because of this, the rain garden becomes a place where wildlife education comes to life.

Nature Play:

A boulder path cuts through the rain garden for an exciting alternative route. Seating is available throughout the rain garden to create calming gathering spaces.

Outdoor Classroom:

The learning deck facilitates an outdoor learning experience and provides views of the entire rain garden to optimize learning opportunities. 13

TECHNICAL SKILLS: CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS classes: SITE ISSUES, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS | date: FALL 2015 Students were tasked with creating construction documents utilizing AutoCAD, including material specifications and construction details, which were combined to create a set of construction documents for several components of a site plan. Students were also tasked with re-grading the site plan on the following page to meet standard water management regulations. These projects were meant to develop technical engineering and construction skills.

The Homeland Grading Project

COMMUNICATION: TOPOGRAPHIC MODEL OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | OKC NATIONAL MEMORIAL MARATHON | SPRING 2016

The Oklahoma City National Memorial Marathon annually hosts runners from around the world to honor those lost in the Oklahoma City bombing. To add an interactive communication element to their outreach, the director of the memorial asked the OU College of Architecture to design and build a topographic model of Oklahoma City that communicated topography, highlighted major landmarks, and engaged runners and spectators alike. Two fellow graduate students and I volunteered for the project and collaborated in all phases - research, planning and design, and fabrication. At the marathon expo, thousands of marathon participants and spectators enjoyed the model that was brought to life with a projected story of each individual race. To celebrate a successful project, the graduate students participated in the OKC Memorial Marathon 5K.

▼ FABRICATION PROCESS IMAGES

▲ PLANNING: The OKC National Memorial videography team documented the process and interviewed team members. To view the video, visit www.youtube.com and search “#OKCMarathon Course Topography Model.”

Photo Credit: OKC Memorial Staff

COLLABORATION: DESIGN COMPETITION

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

location: DENVER, CO | date: SPRING 2016 | awards: FIRST PLACE PROJECT

Four landscape architecture students from OU were invited to participate in the Come Alive Outside Design Challenge, in Denver, Colorado. The team visited the site and participated in a design charrette with students, teachers, and community members as they expressed their visions for the future of PREP Academy. The team then spent one month finalizing the design, based on community feedback and design knowledge, to submit in the form of a project narrative, presentation board, and video. OU was awarded first place for the competition. The five major criteria were:

ACTIVE & GATHERING ZONES

1. Encourages interaction with the space using all five senses. 2. Integrates the creative input of students and teachers. 3. Creates a Certified Wildlife Habitat. 4. Effectively manages and utilizes rainwater. 5. Initial phase can be built on a budget of $10,000. Sketchup, Lumion, and site plan renderings were completed by team mates. I was a key contributor to the site plan, concept development, major themes, board layout, project narrative, and the site plan graphics representing the rain gardens, habitat zones, active and gathering spaces, and phasing.

â&#x2013;ź COLLABORATIVE DESIGN PROCESS: site visit, design charrette, conceptual designs, community feedback, & a talented design team to work with

WILDLIFE HABITAT ZONES

PHASE I

▼ EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS

PHASE II

PHASE III

PHASE IV

▼ PLANT PALETTE

COLLABORATION: DESIGN COMPETITION

SCHOOL ENTRANCE

DYNAMIC COURTS

▲CONFIGURATION 1 20

▲CONFIGURATION 2

PATIO RAIN GARDEN

LEARNING GARDENS

RAIN GARDEN

Scan the QR code to visit the project website, or use https://comealiveoutside.com/design-challenge/

INNOVATION: TULSA WEST BANK location: TULSA, OK | class: STUDIO II | date: SPRING 2016 | DESIGN COMPETITION

The Tulsa West Bank project was a combined studio with architecture and landscape architecture students, in which students were placed in multi-disciplinary teams for a design competition. Located on the Tulsa river bank, the site for our team was primarily an industrial and commercial area, with four unsightly overflow basins. Our innovative and creative approach to the site was to build our multiuse building over two of the basins, and continue using the basins for their original intention, as well as create vegetated submerged bed wetlands in the bottom two basins to treat the building’s grey water and re-use it across the site. This design aims to: •Utilize compact development strategies (constructing the building on top of the basins) •Responsibly use water (using the basins for grey water treatment) •Restore habitat and naturalize the creek on the south end of the site •Provide access to the river and recreational activity

EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS ► 22

Vegetated Submerged Bed Wetland: a water treatment technique in which water flows below the surface and is cleaned for re-use through biological and mechanical processes. This technique limits human exposure to untreated water, provides habitat, minimizes odors, and treats grey water for re-use.

Note: Site plan render and perspective render were completed by team members. I contributed significantly to the site analysis, site plan, major themes, conceptual and schematic designs, and developed the grey water treatment wetland concept and render.

PLANNING: ROUTE 66 PARK MASTER PLAN

OKC TRAILS NETWORK

location: OKC, OK | class: STUDIO I | date: FALL 2015 | professor: SARAH LITTLE

The Route 66 Park Master Plan project was the first studio project of the OU graduate program. Students were tasked with programming and designing the site to create a regional destination that would attract locals and visitors alike. The importance of Route 66 Park is found in its location next to Lake Overholser, along a series of trails that run through the OKC Metro, and just off of the Historic Route 66. Route 66 park is bordered by Lake Overholser to the east, farm land to the south, and two areas of residential development to the west and north. The park serves local residents with park amenities geared towards short-term visits, but also accomodates large-scale events such as tournaments, 5K’s, and festivals. The design of this park aims to: •Create a natural oasis within an urban environment •Provide nature play opportunities •Foster connections with nature, specifically native wildlife and landscape •Provide revenue-generating flexible space for the sustainability of the park •Reach a range of visitors, from high-activity thrill-seekers to children and elderly users

TRAILS *Image from data.okc.gov

▼ NATURE PLAYGROUND SKETCHES

*Image from data.okc.gov

ROUTE 66 PARK MASTER PLAN

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK HAMMOCK HILL

CONNECTION TO BIKE TRAIL

NATURE PLAYGROUND COMMUNITY CENTER PLAYGROUND MULTI-USE FIELDS ATHLETIC COURTS NEIGHBORHOOD PLAZA PAVILIONS

OBSERVATION TOWER WETLAND BOARDWALK

NATURE TRAIL SKATE PARK WITH SKATING TRAILS

RESEARCH & PLANNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Institute for Quality Communities

PROFESSIONAL WORKS

RESEARCH & PLANNING location: MIDWEST CITY, OK | INSTITUTE FOR QUALITY COMMUNITIES | date: FALL 2016

The OU Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) collaborated with the City of Midwest City to develop design strategies for enhancing the image of the Original Mile - a one square mile post-WWII neighborhood which was one of the first planned communities in the U.S. and won “America’s Model City” designation. IQC approached the process by gathering community input, assessing the neighborhood conditions, researching precedents, developing node enhancement strategies, and designating priority streets for streetscape enhancements. KEY CONCEPTS INCLUDED: •Placemaking suggestions •Wayfinding strategy to promote pedestrian and bicyclist traffic •Identifying key locations for development •Creating a network of streets that prioritize pedestrian safety

▲ LINKAGE STUDY: The image above illustrates the analysis of sidewalk conditions,bus stop locations, and major decision points in the neighborhood, as well as suggested streetscape priorities for connection throughout.

WAYFINDING STRATEGY: This image illustrates the temporary signage IQC created for the city to utilize in key locations throughout the neighborhood. ◄

WAYFINDING STRATEGY: time-distance signage in relation to major destinations ▲

▲ STREETSCAPE ENHANCEMENT: example of

bicycle safety streetscape enhancements

GATEWAY CONCEPT: enhanced node for safe, inviting entrance into the neighborhood ▲

ADAPTIVE REUSE: Reusing existing buildings, preserving historical character, and providing new services, jobs, and economic opportunity. ▲

NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITY: re-imagining underutilized spaces and incorporating traffic calming techniques ◄

Contact Information

rachel.ware@ou.edu | 918-839-2665 Twitter: @rachelware127 website: rachelware.com

RACHEL WARE