Stuart Uram Landscape Architecture Portfolio College of Architecture University of Nebraska-Lincoln Selected Works 2013-2016 Current Work 2016-2017
Educational Background University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Architecture Landscape Architecture (BLA) (LAAB) Accredited Minor: Horticulture Graduated: May 2016 Cumulative GPA: 3.84 (4.0 Scale)
2002-2004
Hastings College School of Fine Arts Major: Studio Art Cumulative GPA: 3.6 (4.0 Scale)
Honors and Awards
Information Name
2012-2016
Stuart Uram
Address
3831 N. 100th Ave.
Phone
773-727-0936
suram402@yahoo.com
Omaha, NE 68134
2012-2016
College of Architecture Dean’s List
2016
Teaching Assistant: Prof. Kim Wilson LARC Grading/Hydrology
2016
LID Symposium Poster Finalist
2016
ASLA Student Honors Award Winner
2015
ASLA Student Honors Scholarship Winner
2014-2015
Student Advisory Board Member
1998
Eagle Scout Award -Preservation and Creation of Bluebird Habitat
Undergraduate Research References
Available Upon Request
2014-2015
U.C.A.R.E. (Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research) Research Assistant working under Dr. Richard Sutton
Green Roof Soil Media Research Page 1
Employment Experience 2016-2018
Greenlife Gardens Design-Build- Maintain, Papillion, NE Landscape Designer, Project Manager
2015
Vireo Landscape Architecture, Omaha, NE Summer Internship
2012-2014
Mulhall’s Plant Nursery, Omaha, NE Warehouse, Hardy Plants Sales Representative
2004-2012
Gallaco Carpentry Plus, Chicago, IL Home Renovation, Restaurants, Additions, Decks
Involvement 2015-2016
ASLA President Elect
2014-2015
ASLA Treasurer Elect
2012-2016
ASLA Great Plains Student Chapter Member
2016
Galapagos Islands National Park, Ecuador International Service-Learning Vertical Studio
2015
Quito, Ecuador International Service-Learning Vertical Studio
2015-2016
Nebraska Scenic Water Trail: Elkhorn River (Partner NE Game and Parks) Local Service-Learning Vertical Studio
Additional Skills AutoCAD, Rhino, GIS, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Sketch-up, Quick Books, Office, Model Building, Hand Drawing, People Skills Carpentry, General Construction, Landscape Construction/Installation Page 2
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CONTENTS Fairmount Park Elkhorn River Water Trail Omaha Riverfront N.P.S. Headquarters Building Ecuador Service Learning Galapagos Islands Service Learning Veterans Memorial North Loup, NE Hopewell Culture N.H.P. Current Design/Build Work Background and Interests
5 13 21 27 31 35 39 43 45 47
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Fairmount Park LARC 497: Ecological Contemporary Design Council Bluffs, IA
INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS The city of Council Bluffs and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln partnered together to do a redesign of the historic Fairmount Park that saw peak use in the 1950’s and 60’s but has since declined due to changes in the ways that we recreate and the program and activities we enjoy. These loess soil bluffs are covered with beautiful specimen bur oak trees with ridges and valleys that provide opportunity for a wide range of recreation. I worked with the natural topography and hydrology of the land to determine what type of program was implemented in this park. Through this project I researched and designed using strategies, principles, and standards dealing with green infrastructure. The goal was to create program that hints at the past while implementing modern ideas, thoughts, and feelings into a new design that will engage community members of all ages and abilities.
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The topography and slope of the West Ridge determine how water is dispersed through the park, neighbouring communities, and city storm sewers.
Thermal Air
Site Hydrology
Ridge
Oak Hickory Woodlands
Valley
Oak Savannah Remnant Trail
Trail
Western Section
Drains to Lower Elevation Page 6
Overstory Trees
Shade trees can grow to be over 60 feet tall. Fairmount Park is home to several species of oak, hickory, and sycamores that provide habitat for animals. This includes roost for birds of prey that hunt from the air and tree tops.
Shagbark hickory Carya ovata
Bur oak Quercus macrocarpa
White oak Quercus alba
Sycamore Platanus occidentalis
Understory Trees
Living in the shadow of the over story trees, these species do not grow as tall due to limited sun. Squirrels, woodpeckers, robins, larks, finches, and numerous other species rely on these trees for food and shelter.
Ironwood Ostrya virginiana
Turkish filbert Corylus colurna
Hackberry Celtis occidentalis
Redbud Cercis canadensis
Ground Cover Vegetation
This ground layer of the vegetation is home for animals such as snakes, mice,
deer, coyotes, turkey, and other smaller creatures that do not live in the trees but benefit from the natural systems in the forest. The roots of the brush and groundcover plants help stabilize the soil to prevent erosion. Prairie Overgrown Bur Oak Barrens/ Woodlands 1A Overgrown Mixed Oak Woodlands 1A2 High Quality Mixed Oak Woodlands 1B Overgrown Bur Oak 1
N Scale: NTS
Tree Species and Typology Page 7
2
Invasives
2A
Developed/Disturbed
R
Bare/Prairie Remnant
Big bluestem Andropogon gerardii
Indian grass Sorgastrum nutans
Coralberry Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
Eastern red cedar Juniperus virginiana
Upper Canopy Birds
Birds of prey nest in the high branches of overstory trees. They feed on small animals from the ground plane and depend on keen eyesight to spot movements from far away.
Barred Owl
Great Horned Owl
Red Tailed Hawk
Sharp-shinned Halk
Lower Canopy Animals
These animals move between the ground plane and the canopy of the trees for food and shelter. They eat insects, plants, and fruits from these plants as well as use them to build their homes.
Raccoon
Woodpecker
Eastern Lark
Grey Bat
Ground Plain Animals
These animals either can’t climb trees or are better suited to live on the ground and range from field mice to deer that both forage for food from the groundcover vegetation. Coyote are scavengers and predators that feed on animals from this same plane.
White Tail Deer
Turkey
Rabbit
Field Mouse
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Trail Network
Disc Golf Course Map
Link Areas of the Park
- Promote recreation and use of the space - Enhance trail head connections and entry points with trail and educational signage
Promote Healthy Program
- Fix trail conditions to encourage the greater use - Plan community events in the park
Celebrate Park History
- Highlight ecological features in the park - Create educational and recreational spaces for users of all ages
LEGEND EASY MODERATE
N Scale: NTS
DIFFICULT PROPOSED TRAIL
*
ERODED AREA
NO NEIGHBOURHOOD CONNECTION EXISTING NEIGHBOURHOOD
STEEP AREA CONNECTION NO CONNECTION
CROSS/STEEP SLOPE TRAIL KIOSK,SIGNAGE OPPORTUNITY
P
PARKING OPPORTUNITY
Trail
- In the past 8 years the number of U. S. courses doubled
Some Change Some Change Heavily used areas require erosion control and drainage strategies to be implemented for safety. Trails may also have obstacles such as exposed tree roots or steep cross slopes.
- 2007-2013=1,319 new courses built in the U.S. - Since 2014, 8-12 million people in the U.S. played disk golf for the first time
LEGEND
Trail No Change
Direction to Next Hole
1
Existing Trail New Trail Path to Basket Tee Pad/Hole Number Parking
N
Trails have stable surface, are wide with a low slope, and obstruction free. Most rank in the easy category and travel along existing historic roads with a stable base from compacted soil.
Existing Site Trail Sections Page 9
Scale: NTS
Shared Goals and Similar Program
- 3 Professional Disc Golf Associations are active with growing membership
WEST RIDGE
WEST RIDGE
WEST RIDGE
Create an Effective Space
- Develop parking area for trailhead access - Enhance connections and entry points
Preserve Healthy Ecology A
A
A’
- Pollution mitigation - Storm water management - Edge condition enhancement
A’
Enhance a Natural Setting
- Create areas with plantings - Restoration of native species for animal habitat and seasonal color
B
B’
B
Open Canopy
B’
Oak Hickory Canopy
Vegetated Slope
Trail
A
Trail
Ridge
Native Grass
Ridge Vegetated Slope
TYP. Section
Western Views
A’
The open canopy makes the user feel safe and aware of what is going on around them in the park. They are able to view out, up, and down the ridges and valleys as they explore the park using the West Ridge as a new connection to the trail network.
Enclosed Canopy N
Oak Hickory Canopy
Drawings NTS
Analysis
Framework Plan
Dog Walking
Ridge
B
Vegetated Slope
Trail
Existing Program
Inventory
Ridge Vegetated Slope
B’
TYP. Section
The enclosed canopy feels like a room with less sunlight and different types of plantings. Views here are limited and intentionally framed at areas along the trail that were designed to make the user pause, rest, and enjoy the moment.
Bike Riding
Outdoor Education Page 10
Wooded Edge Connection
Overstory Shade Trees
Remnant Prairie
A’
Trail
Boardwalk
Native Plant Massing
Overstory Shade Trees
Vegetated Berms
A
Overlook
Sloping Valley Sloping Ridge Mystery, Prospect, and Refuge Program Area Details
The southern West Ridge trail is the widest point and provides for passive program and self-reflection like a place of Refuge should be. Mystery is the feeling provoked as you walk towards the unknown as the trail, once full of Prospect, now begins to narrow and you can no longer clearly see through the trees as you approach the room at the end of the trail with caution. The clearing in the trees allows for views west of both Council Bluffs and downtown Omaha. People can relax and enjoy a quiet space while being secluded from other more active areas of the site that will be busier with program and people. The user can retrace their steps back the way they came or use this opportunity to connect explore a different area of the park by linking into the rest of the trail network.
Enclosed Feeling Created by Vegetation
A
Perspective View Page 11
Vegetated Slope
Illustrative Section A
Vegetated Berm
Grass
Trail
Grass
Vegetated Slope
A’ Drawing NTS
Wooded Edge Connection
Connection to Trail Network
Passive Refuge
ADA Accessible
Boulder Field Views
B’
Seating and Interpretation
C’
Trail Junction
Oak Savannah
BC
Views and Interpretation
Trail Connection to Neighbourhood Refuge Area Materials Trail stabilization techniques separating coloured crushed stone helps prevent erosion. Stone slabs define the edge. Plants grow up around them giving the user a sense of mystery in an enclosured area. The boulder field is a regional materials meant for interaction. It allows the opportunity to climb to and enjoy views from several different vantage points.
Perspective View
C
Vegetated Slope
Illustrative Section C
Trail
Outward Views
8’ 2’ 1’
B
Vegetated Slope
Seating
Geo-teck
Natural Stone
10’ Trail
Program Area
B’
Illustrative Section B
Program Area
Trail
Veg.
Vegetated Slope
Trail
C’ Sections NTS
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ELKHORN RIVER WATER TRAIL SITE DESIGN The Nebraska Game and Parks teamed up with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to use the Elkhorn River in eastern Nebraska as a template on which to apply recreational and ecological based standards and principles for public use. The goal of this partnership was to develop a comprehensive view this rivers’ potential through an innovative inventory and analysis strategy viewed through the lenses of the recreational user, the surrounding land owners, liability on first response crews, and potential economic development that local communities may benefit from. Individual projects that stemmed from research included erosion control techniques, a trail network with wayfinding and signage, as well as an interactive app. and web page. I chose to analyze a series of possible locations where a new river access area could be implemented and the following pages show the resulting design. Page 13
Page 14
Community leader focus group
Drawing NTS
Private Ownership Parcel Diagram Page 15
Presenting to Nebraska Game and Parks
Recreation focus group
Inventory and Analysis I researched the town of Waterloo, NE that got it’s start because of shipping and transportation along the river that was eventually followed by the railroad. This town is completely surrounded by a levee that protects citizens from flooding but also limits the amount of development and expansion that can be expected to take place in the future. It cuts the town off from any economic development that could potentially be had from recreational river users. An old bridge easement provided an opportunity for an access point, but due to right of way limitations and close proximity to an existing launch I chose to design a location closer to the end of the water trail.
New ‘Q’ St. Access Location
N
Legend Roadway
300’
600’
1,200’
Levee City Route Park/Open Space
Node Service
Bridge
Potential Development
Waterloo, NE Framework Plan
Open Spaces Page 16
Illustrative Plan ‘Q’ Street Public River Access
The existing site is a utility easement close to the confluence between the Elkhorn and the Platte Rivers. It was a great site due to the relatively flat topography that allowed a boat ramp to be implemented. Being located on a bend in the river it is visible to users traveling along the road as well as a landmark for weary paddlers finishing a long day on the water. Page 17
Program
Amenities in this location include restrooms and potable water, informational kiosk, an accessible boat ramp and trail to the water, and pavilion lookout with picnic tables and places to relax as well as space to recreate.
Circulation
Circulation on site consists of three major components being the entry drive and parking area, the drive down to the launch, and the accessible pedestrian trails.
Grading and Hydrology
The site slopes to the north west corner allowing for manageable grades down to the water. It drains into a sub watershed to the north and flows into the river after traveling through vegetative material.
Plan View 1�=60’ Page 18
Q Street Program Area
Page 19
Q Street Launch Area
Page 20
Omaha Riverfront
Lewis and Clark Landing LARC 497: Urban Design Studio Omaha, NE
Lewis and Clark Landing sits on the riverfront in downtown Omaha, NE and was once the site of an industrial lead smelting plant that was shut down in the early 1990’s. It became a World Superfund Site and construction began to remove as much contaminated soil as possible, install an engineered cap to avoid exposure, and replace thousands of yards of clean soil above the cap. This new design opportunity came with a great deal of constraint since construction weight and footing depth was limited by the cap. The other major constraint we dealt with was the railroad tracks that created a barrier between busy downtown attractions and the riverfront. In order to increase the public use of this historic location I looked at new circulation routes and development options that would bring excitement and growth to a downtown area with so much character and potential. Page 21
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1
1 remedia
tion zo
ne
Phytovo
latizatio
n
Phytovolatization: Plants change molecular make up of contaminants and release less toxic form of chemical through plant transpiration. -Contaminates Removed- Metals, arsenic, diesel, and other oils
2
2
remedia
tion zo
ne
Phytoe
xtractio
n
Phytoextraction: Plants take in contaminates through roots and transfer up to their shoots where stored and harvested to smelt. -Contaminates Removed- Lead, arsenic, creosote, and barium Page 23
LEGEND Remediation Zones N 0
20 Ft.
40 Ft.
80 Ft.
Remediation Zones
N 0
40 Ft.
80 Ft.
Canopy
Form
Planting Section
20 Ft.
-Upright -Somewhat Columnar -Multi-stem Suckering Habit
-Upright -Broad to Columnar -Dappled Shade
-Upright -Dense -Pyramidal
Crimson Spire Oak Shumard Oak
Greenspire Linden
Gambel Oak
Loblolly Pine
Ginkgo Biloba
Crimson Spire Oak
Native Willow var.
Quaking Aspen
-Upright -Broad -Outward Branching
Hybrid Poplar
Honeylocust
-Tall Overstory -Vase Shape -Shade Tree
-Pyramidal -Evergreen -Windbreak
-Pyramidal -Columnar -High Branching
Crabapple var.
Frontier Elm
State Street Maple
Box Elder
Limber Pine
-Short Broad -Outward Branching -Ornamental
Wireless Zelkova
Hardscape Allee Canopy
Understory
Skydrive Canopy
K. Forster Grass
Quaking Aspen
Little Bluestem
Silvergrass
Staghorn Sumac
Coneflower var.
Kentucky Bluegrass
Indian Grass
Swamp Milkweed
Lawn and Alle Canopy
Dwarf Sandcherry Streetscape Planting and Urban Canopy
Planting Selection
Sunflower
Quaking Aspen Remediation Planting
Shrub Violet
Goldenrod Spine Canopy and Planting
Diane Wichazel
Arnold’s Wichazel
Reliquary Canopy and Planting
Goldenrod Rivers Edge Planting
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e Vi
Plaza Overlook
r
ws
dcove Groun
Walk
Footpath
Green Barrier
Outcropping Boulders
B Seat
A
ADA Rest Stop
Illustrative Plan View of Foot Path
A
Model of Site Looking South Page 25
B Perspective View
A
B
Illustrative Plan
N 0
20 Ft.
40 Ft.
80 Ft.
Page 26
N.P.S. Headquarters Site Improvements
LARC 497: Urban Design Studio Omaha, NE University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Midwest Regional N.P.S. Headquarters building is located on the riverfront in downtown Omaha and is a mixed use office building as well as a Visitors Center. Low numbers of visitors were being recorded due to the building’s uninviting appearance, poor signage, and hard to find location. This interdisciplinary studio consisted of interior design and LA students with the intention to rework the buildings floor plan and create a better, more transparent space for the visitors center. The Lewis and Clark Trail runs right passed the building and creates an opportunity to engage large numbers of visitors each year. It was important that the interior and exterior building cohesively flow together to create one experience that makes users want to visit again. Page 27
Circulation
Stops Stations ...service this entire area
Scale: 1”=100’ N 0’ 50’ 100’
Framework Plan
The framework plan above shows the parking lot coming off Riverfront Drive further south than it is currently located. This allows better visual connection with and a more direct route to the building. The visitors area is right on the water and invites visitors to enter. The drawing on the right is the alternative if the entrance stays in the current location.
Site Inventory
Alternate Layout
Potential Program Area
View From Pedestrian Bridge
Curved Drive Creates Unusable Space
South Side of Building Facing North Page 28
View looking East The main entrance is shifted SE to give the visitors center separation from the NPS offices that share the building. A new outdoor plaza with covered seating envites the user to sit down and stay a while. Educational interaction with Park Rangers through the Junior Ranger Program includes native plant information and shows how to identify animals by their furs and footprints.
Perspective View View looking North The rain garden area to the SE was designed to drain stormwater from the roof of the building only. In the new design it functions the same but has walkways to allow easier access to the parking area as well as offering educational and informational signage. Platforms extend out over the water with shade structures to provide opportunities for views and photos at the base of the bridge.
Perspective View Page 29
Bob Kerry Bridge
Interpretive Rain Gardens Service Building Area Secondary Entry
Section A
NPS Building
Vegetated Strip
Public Entry Plaza
Cafe Canopy Plaza
Trail Connection
Missouri River
Overlook Employee Entry
Drop Off Area
Vegetated Storm Water Collection Area
Native Vegetated Area
Rain Gardens
Riverfront Trail
Section B
180 Parking Stalls
Riverfront Drive
Walk
Bus/Van Parking
Informal Native Planting
Entry Drive
Informal Native Planting
Extra Parking N 25’
Section C
75’
Illustrative Plan Page 30
Ecuador Study Abroad Urban Planning/Site Design LARC 497: Service Learning Studio Quito, Ecuador University of Nebraska-Lincoln
This trip to Ecuador was more of an eye opening experience than I ever thought possible. Being taken completely out of my comfort zone and finding ways to understand another culture and communicate ideas to each other was a challenge. I gained an appreciation for the significance that history plays in the fabric of a nation’s culture. The people of Quito have seen the effects of poorly planned urban sprawl and along with that went much of the old architecture and way of life. Being able to see the entire spectrum of land use typologies and how they changes from rural villages in the sugar cane fields to high density urban sprawl changed the way that I look at the meaning, and purpose behind, design and planning. Page 31
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Data Collection
Construction is underway for a subway system that will service this neighborhood and it is important to understand how it will affect the local population. We looked at what changes needed to be made to existing infrastructure to support this new mode of public transportation.
Green Street Network
Land Use
Page 33
Existing Conditions
Improved Conditions
I had the opportunity to present the majority of this project (through interpretors) to the Precedent of Historic Preservation. Ecuadorians have a passionate way of arguing and debating their ideas that was very interesting to witness. Hasty land use decision made in years past have many committee members leery of big changes, like the ones we proposed, but everyone was in agreement that it was time for a change so the people of this neighborhood could once again be proud of their community and take ownership in the clean up efforts. Page 34
Galapagos Islands National Park LARC: 497 Service Learning Studio Punta Estrada, Santa Cruise Island University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Bird
Coastal Zone Ecology
Crab
Iguana
Low Tide
Mangroves Page 35
H TIDE
Sting
HIG
TI
E
Sea Turtle
LOW
D
A few days after graduation I flew to Quito, Ecuador and once again met with our project partners at Verde Milenio before heading out to the Galapagos Islands. We worked with a community that bordered a busy attraction in the National Park and was growing concerned for the quality of the local ecology as the number of visitors rose every year. It was an amazing trip that evolved and changed with each new piece of information that we gathered. The final community presentation was well received and the N.P.S. Service has since began to implement some of our design proposals to protect the character and integrity of suck a beautiful, unspoiled paradise.
ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS COMPONENTS
PRINCIPLES
HYDROLOGY
PRESERVATION
PLANT COMMUNITY
CONSERVATION
HABITAT
DEVELOPMENT RESTORATION
Bird
Arid Zone Ecology
Bird Mangroves Groundcover
Cacti
High Tide
Isolated Salt Lagoon
Beach
Restricted Salt Lagoon
Water Cistern
Xeroscape Page 36
Inventory and Analysis
A
Trail Network
Proposed Intervention: Overlooks on Extended Trail Networks
B Public Primary Path Public Secondary Path Private Path
Public and Private Pathways
Plant Community and Habitat Page 37
Proposed Intervention: Extended Trail Networks with Signage
B
A
Scale: 1”=100’ N 0’ 50’ 100’
Trail Network Master Plan Page 38
North Loup, NE Memorial Wall Service Learning Project Student ASLA Design Cherete
SITE
The city of North Loup, Nebraska contacted the student ASLA in hopes that we could help design a Veterans Memorial on a donated half acre site in town. After the initial community meeting I organized a design cherete where each ASLA student at UNL developed a design that was then voted on by the group. The top three were rendered and it was left up to the community to pick. I worked together with a classmate to further develop the final design and graphic package that was blown up and put on signs around town in an effort to raise excitement with the local citizens. Along with donated materials and volunteer labor they sold bricks for their wall with names of loved ones that have served our country to raise funds. Between 2016-17 the memorial was constructed in phases and it is an amazing feeling to have been able to help a community through design. Page 39
On Site Concept Sketches
Donated Site for Memorial Wall
Original Site Design Idea
Finished Walk on North Side of Wall
Illustrative Plan When designing this project it was important to keep in mind that it was going to be built by volunteers that may not have much, or any, construction experience. I used materials that would be readily available for a reasonable price. Straight lines and sectioned walls were called out instead of curves and other difficult or complicated design elements.
Planting Behind Wall Page 40
Ornamental Trees
Lawn A’
A
Section A
1:10
0
5
10
20
Ornamental Trees
B’
s lag
Pergola
Globe A Sculpture
B
Seating
Mil it a ry Me F mo ri
all la W
*Shout-Out ROBERT MINERT with graphic
Perspective View Page 41
Lawn
A’
B
Section B
B’ 1:10
0
5
10
20
*Shout-Out ROBERT MINERT with graphic
Perspective View Complete Wall Page 42
Hopewell Culture National Historic Park Chillicothe, OH Vireo Landscape Architecture Internship Project SITE DESIGN I am excited to have had the opportunity to work on a project with the National Park Service that was installed in the summer of 2016. Being able to create space that so many people will get to use, enjoy, and learn from is the reason I chose to study landscape architecture. This site was a sacred monument to an ancient civilization that was graded flat and turned into a military camp in the late 1800’s. The portion of the earth mound configuration that I worked on had been commercially farmed for years without knowledge of this land having any historical significance.
Restored Earth Mounds Page 43
Plan with the center mound
Perspective View
Perspective View Alt. Design with center mound Page 44
(7) Salvia
Draintile Pop-up Prairie Dropseed Columnar Oak
Residential Site Design Projects Greenlife Gardens Papillion, NE
(12) Penstemon
Paver patio Fire pit
Residence
Limestone Block Seating
After
Before
18” Limestone Block Wall (1) Japanese Maple sp. 0
10’
15’
(5)Karl Foerster Grass (5) Liatris
20’
Before
Scale: 1” = 10’-0” 0
10’
15’
20’
Mulch Bed and Natural Edge
Scale: 1” = 10’-0”
Existing/Stays (7) Karl Foerster Grasses (8) ‘Kit Kat’ Nepeta
(3) Tiger Eyes Sumac (20) Allium 9” Limestone Slab
(9) Prairie Dropseed Grass Draintile Pop-up
(9) Green Velvet Boxwood (2) Columnar Oak 2” C 18” Limestone Wall Block
Working for a Design-Build has given me a better understanding of the installation side of landscape design. I design and manage all of my projects and love having the opportunity to work one on one with my clients while overseeing multiple jobs at once. I can’t help but get excited the moment I start to see the design transfer from paper to the ground plane and start to take shape. Page 45
After
Before
Design Elements and Conceptual Sketches
Curves Create Spaces
Complementing Materials
Ideas unfold as I work layers of trace and shift geometry to create spaces that suit the customers needs. The plan shown here is a rough conceptual sketch of a project layout where U used curvilinear wall lines to create a multi-tier retaining wall system with stairs from the patio down into the yard. The majority of the back yard was unusable due to steep slopes. Landscape elements like the subtle flow of a dry creek bed, curving natural stone stairs, columnar evergreen trees, flowering perennials, and program on each level transformed this once dangerous to mow, unusable space into the main gathering area from family functions to quiet evenings alone. Lower Retaining Wall Garden Area
2 1
Flagstone Steppers
3
Upper Retaining Wall Steps Down Into Yard Freestanding Seat Wall with Columns
4
Fire Pit Moss Rock Boulders
Paver Patio
Multi-Layered/Leveled Dry Creek Bed
Deck Over Patio
Water Feature Retaining Walls
Steep Slope
Ornamental Tree
Residence
Flagstone Path Page 46
Background and Interests Music, Art, Travel, and Outdoor Recreation Growing up before Facebook I remember life without the internet when we actually spoke face to face with each other and played outside. I was blessed to be born into a loving family with a great appreciation for the outdoors and a passion for travel and adventure. I spent many early summers at Boy Scout camp hiking with my brothers and fishing from river banks. Summer break meant climbing into the family Suburban and hitting the open road to see what adventure was in store for us. I have grown up quite a bit since then and so has my passion for the outdoors. I have backpacked in over thirty five National Parks in three countries, hiked the highest point of 12 states, and visited countless historic monuments since those days. I have developed a love for horticulture and the valuable role that it plays in balancing many ecological systems. My nursery experience working with plants is backed up by strong construction knowledge gained from working close to ten years in both the landscape construction and carpentry fields.
High Alpine Backpacking Olympic National Park, Washington
Other than the outdoors I am passionate about collecting gem, mineral, and crystal specimens as well as using them to create jewelry and art pieces out of silver, gold, and platinum plate and wire. Before earning a BLA my background was in studio art and sculpture design from Hastings College in Nebraska where I produced unique hand-blown glass installations and had the chance to meet and work beside some of the best in the business. Earning a bachelors degree in landscape architecture and a minor in horticulture has prepared me for the next phase of my life that I am excited to dive into and see what kind of adventure is in store for me. I have been married for seven years and am lucky to have a partner in crime that encourages, motivates, and enjoys the same things that I do. It is easy to talk her into a short notice adventures from mushroom hunting in the forest to kayak trips through one of the local water ways. Nothing is guaranteed and life is what you make of it. I am fortunate to be where I am today and strive to make the most out of every day. Galapagos Islands National Park Photography Page 47
Deck project
As a glassblowing apprentice at Hastings College, NE, I had several opportunities to work with artists and different ways of thinking and approaching projects. It also taught me to be a more flexible and creative in the beginning phases of projects where no idea is a bad one unless you think it through and rule it out.
Bungalow kitchen rehab For the past three years I have grown giant pumpkins in my yard. It started as a simple family competition that has grown into an obsession where I spend more hours than I will admit hand pollinating flowers, pruning vines, and battling the squash vine borer, squires, and other pests that try to eat my prized pumpkins before harvest. My biggest was 482 lbs and hopefully next year I can break the 500 lbs mark.
Working on home rehabs as a carpenter I learned a lot about the construction process, tools, materials, pricing, and what a true hard day of work really is. This knowledge has saved me a lot of money working on my own house and has given me a leg up in my current field of landscape design/build where I am often on the job site during installation and have had to fall back on old skill sets to improvise solutions to problems.
Silver Wire-Wraped Jewelry
Silversmithing and making silver, gold, and platinum wire wrapped and plate jewelry with natural, crystal and gem specimens has been a hobby of mine for about ten years. They are a labor of love that can take 30 to 50 hours each to complete, but once you put the final product on it is well worth it.
Morel hunting is a spring addiction and gives me a great excuse to wander around with my dog in the woods.
Pumpkin Patch in August Page 48