academic portfolio
taylor.critcher clemson.university
a collection of creative works
table.of.contents
identity create visualize culture
objective
To obtain a position that will utilize and challenge my technical and design skills through the creation of sustainable urban environments.
education Clemson University May 2011
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture, Minor of Horticulture Sigma Lambda Alpha, CUASLA, Sigma Chi Fraternity
software knowledge Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe Reader ArcGIS AutoCAD and LandFX Google SketchUp Kerkythea Microsoft Office Suite
work experience Walt Disney World
Professional Horticulture Internship-In Progress
Dargan Landscape Architects, Atlanta, Georgia Professional Internship Summer 2010
- - - -
Assisted with numerous projects currently developing in Cashiers and Highlands, NC under the supervision of Mary Palmer Dargan, ASLA, CFO. Conducted many consultations with clients and contractors, designed a crib-wall retention plan, and designed planting plans for multiple “mountain chic� residences. Created conceptual plans for mountain residences along with on-site perspectives. Drafted plans through AutoCAD and hand renderings.
South Carolina Botanical Gardens, Clemson, South Carolina Field Studies Internship -
Worked on the field maintenance crew and design and implemented the meditation garden.
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identity My design approach has been thoroughly influenced by numerous academic travels around the world and growing up in the heart of small town North Carolina. The large differences in the cultural landscapes throughout the world that I have experienced have allowed me to realize the importance on the ability to adapt to your surrounding environment, and how design should reflect that principle. I have always believed that you should evoke human response by creating a sense of place in every design. My true passion in Landscape Architecture lies in creating a sustainable relationship between the urban fabric and the natural environment. The densities of cities today allow for a designer to innovate solutions that can effectively heal the urban fabric. Within my designs I tend to create imaginative solutions that are also functional and harmonious to their setting. I feel that within a design one should enhance the natural environment and inspire the public through cultural influences. As my education as an undergraduate student comes to an end I feel the urge to continue my education professionally and to establish sustainable urban progress within the world.
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create
[agri]scape poble.nou rocky.knob furman.university rosetta.egypt
problem Over half of Americans are overweight or obese.
28%
of Georgia residents are obese.
16%
of children in Georgia are obese.
[AGRI]SCAPE is intended to serve as a model for the new age of agriculture, one that morphs production back into the urban core through economic, education, environmental, and social aspects. These four pilot sites can now serve as a connection for similar sites around the Atlanta community in effort to create a truly Continuous Productive Urban Landscape.
[agri]scape:atlanta’s urban agriculture network atlanta.georgia | capstone project
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The average meal travels 1400 miles from harvest to home and Atlanta contains the level of air pollution in the United States.
13th
highest
ec
economic
Agriculture Plots adjacent to residencies
The economic aspect of the final design was intended to create maximum agriculture output with minimal footprint on the existing landscape. The site that was chosen spanned a 1.5 mile utility corridor in the Cascade neighborhood of Atlanta. 100’ wide plots were created in the barren corridor and allocated based on adjacent land use. Experimental Plots were placed adjacent to Cascade Elementary School and Avery Recreation Complex for immediate public interaction, Livestock Plots were placed adjacent to woodlands to limit smells and noises, and Agriculture Plots were placed next to low income residencies to aid in job production. A partnership is created with Duke Energy to create solutions to fragmented land.
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Experimental Plots adjacent to schools
Livestock Plots adjacent to woodland
Section showing interactive building and demonstration plots
education
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The education aspect of the final design was intended to create an educational platform to inform the public of Atlanta on Urban Agriculture. The six acre parcel is located within the Inman Park neighborhood and creates a direct partnership with Atlanta’s Beltline Inc.’s Clear Creek Park. The site contains Biofuel plots for local use, Experimental plots to show how row orientation effects crop growth, Cultural plots to showcase Atlanta’s growing demographic, and an interactive education building along with farmers markets.
Section showing Biofuel area with Farmers Markets in the background
View from Biofuel area to Farmers Markets
View from interactive building to demonstration plots
Section showing entry to the site and sensory navigation
environmental
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The environmental aspect of the final design was intended to create an environmental platform to showcase innovative ways to aid the environment. Located within the Inman Park neighborhood, this 1.5 acre site provides the public with agriculture plots, a sensory navigation, and an Aquaponics building. The agriculture plots are strategically planted with companion herbs to naturally repel pests and prevent the use of pesticides. The sensory navigation leads visitors through the site by the five senses, and the Aquaponics building provides a symbiotic relationship between fish and plants and the site and local restaurants.
Section showing Agriculture plots, seating area, and Aquaponics greenhouse
View of Aquaponics building
View from corn lookout on entire site
social
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The social aspect of the final design was intended to create a balance in a low income public housing complex. Located within the Reynoldstown neighborhood of Atlanta and adjacent to the Marta rail line, the one acre each building contains crop production, generational interaction, recreation, and leisure to make this truly a social complex. Within the crop production areas raised beds were implemented to combat poor soil conditions, and all vegetables will be celebrated during an annual harvest festival. Community programs were created to provide a generational interaction for elders to teach younger generations. Open grass plots were provided to support the recreational aspect of the design while adjacent leisure areas provide direct supervision of children.
Section showing all social aspects within the site
Section showing the interaction between apartments and public social space
North entrance perspective showcasing the open plaza
poble.nou
barcelona.spain | spring.2010
Urban block design in Barcelona’s 22@ district aimed to connect the diminishing block with the surrounding development. Located near the renowned Torre Agbar building and in viewing distance of the Olympic Village skyscrapers, the design approach was to reveal the surrounding views to the public. Working cohesively with an architecture student on the building design I developed a topographical mesh defined by view usage. Openings were established based on three levels of elevation, raised for revealing open views, lowered for functional street access, and level under the designed building in order to frame and guide the visitor’s views. Triangular planting beds defined and guided the public through each space. Due to light pollution laws within the city the openings also served as a source for safety lighting during the night.
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Villa Olimpica case study
Vision diagrams
Lines of vision from each abstracted building
West entrance perspective showcasing the guided paths from planting beds
Topographical and viewport diagram
Project location in the 22@ district
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Poble Nou master plan
South entrance perspective showcasing the importance of lighting throughout the site
Building floor plans
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Building section showing the overhang and auditorium
Axonometric diagram
Designed office building allows for open views
Agriculture plots used for on-site resources
Mixed-use buildings with studio space and housing for various time periods
Main gallery equipped with an elevated performance platform
rocky.knob
floyd&patrick.counties.virginia | fall.2008
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Rocky Knob master plan showcasing the hide and reveal design approach
Central open space
Regional design project in western Virginia aimed to attract tourism and community involvement in the region. Due to the large amount of artisans in the area an artisan network was established with rocky knob being central focus. Intertwined with the existing landscape, artisans were provided with housing and design studios from junk art to music education. The hide and reveal design approach for this project focused on the artisan culture of the Blue Ridge area. The goal was to provide an ample amount of amenities for the artisans in the area and attract other artisans as well as tourists. The natural setting combined with the hide and reveal approach allows for a unique atmosphere.
Design elements blend campus life with the bustling Greenville community. Aesthetic open views combine with intimate gathering areas to provide unique spaces. View of the dining area from the lake
View of the dining area from the lake
Community gathering area portrays a secluded getaway from campus life
furman.university greenville.sc | spring.2008
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Furman outdoor dining hall master plan
Campus design for the Class of 2008’s gift to Furman University that called for an outdoor dining area adjacent to the dining hall. The approach was to create a fluid dining area that would act as both an indoor and outdoor facility in order to open views towards the lake. A six foot wide mote was created in order to accomplish this goal. The mote allows students and visitors to feel an intimate relationship with the lake. Along with this idea, the design approach centered on amenities that enhanced the functional usage of the area. A linear rain garden leads visitors from the dining hall to lake viewing area while collecting and treating runoff to conserve the lake. Community and student gathering areas were also implemented to reveal local and cultural identity. This design was chosen to serve as the base for the final design implemented by Clemson Professors.
Rosetta city analysis for the location of plazas within the urban core
urban.revival rosetta.egypt | spring.2009
Collaborative urban design project with Ain Shams University’s Architecture department revitalizing the Nile River coastline. Design approach for this project focused on the implementation of complex but unified designs that would revitalize tourism in the area. The need for luxury hotels, schools, markets, parks, and fishing villages paved the way for our design. My area of design, focused on creating a fishing community for the local fishing industry and a fluid connection throughout the linear park. Working with the fishing villages and the collaborating with Egyptian students allowed for a great cultural understanding of the region. Final renderings were produced through photo manipulation, Photoshop, and Kerkythea.
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Agritourism research plots add a new market to the Nile River
Section portraying the interlinked linear park and Aquaculture farm
Northern section that includes a fishing village, Aquaculture farms, and linear park
Marina perspective within the urban core
Fishing village port where fresh daily catch is sold
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Community plaza directly on the Nile River waterfront
Revitalized Nile River waterfront
Plan view of the linear park (left) and the central freedom square plaza (above)
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Northern waterfront displaying the ship building industry and marina
Luxury hotel section with high end accommodations and a Nile River connection
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visualize
models
Christopher Tunnard’s Bentley Wood
Simpson Agriculture Research Station
Park design on Clemson’s campus
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ReCycle this site in Asheville, NC
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culture
study.abroad
athens
istanbul
dominica
barcelona
madrid
budapest
berlin
potsdam
dessau
amsterdam
rome
mallorca
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maymester abroad greece and turkey may 2008 Two week program aimed to showcase Mediterranean cultures and Architecture to students. Guided by Dr. Umit Yilmaz the program travels to various cities within Greece and Turkey that reveals design at its ancient roots. The objective of this program was to explore urban genesis and form within historic contexts through direct observations and readings. The historical contexts lied within the cities of Athens, Istanbul, Assos, Troy, Priene, Bodrum, and Ephesus.
creative inquiry.dominica landscapes for learning spring 2008- Spring 2011 Program created by Dr. Brenda Vander Mey to establish landscapes at various grade schools. Within the program we successfully designed and implemented a landscape at Grand Fond Elementary School. While we taught students the importance of their native landscape we also met with government officials to discuss the program and the importance of a child’s knowledge of the environment.
universitat politècnica de catalunya semester study abroad spring 2010 Semester long program to allow students to gain international design experience. with a strong academic record, demonstrated dedication to work, and the ability and maturity to be self-guided in an off-campus setting sixteen students were selected to attend the program. the semester included: -
Housing among students from all parts of the world (Spain, Ukraine, France, Italy, etc). Studio project guided by two professional Spanish Architects in the 22@ district of Barcelona. Independent travel on weekends as well as spring break (many are shown to the left). Professor guided trip to Madrid, Spain (half-week) and Berlin, Germany (week).
tc references Umit Yilmaz, Ph.D. Professor College of Environment & Design 408 Tanner Building The University of Georgia Athens, GA 30602 yilmaz@uga.edu 864.650.0159 Mary Palmer Dargan ASLA, CFO Dargan Landscape Architects Po box 11730 Atlanta, GA 30355 mpdargan@dargan.com 404.354.1615 Cari Goetcheus Associate Professor Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture Clemson University 163 Lee Hall, PO Box 340511 Clemson, SC 29634-0511 cgoetch@clemson.edu 864-656-6787
contact 107 Rabbit Run Oxford, NC 27565 919.939.1516 tcritch@g.clemson.edu