The End

I'm a little behind on postings. Sorry for all of you out there who are DYING to know everything  that's going on...

So the past couple of weeks have been pretty laid back. After finishing all of the support drawings, we had to come up with a promotional poster, ASLA award submittal, and complete booklet for the entire project. Pretty simple stuff...

I spent most of my time on the promo poster. I have always been into graphic design and this was my chance to explore it a little bit more. I didn't get to push it as far as I wanted to, but I think my final poster came out well.
Full Resolution Poster

The other main task for the last week was to present the final project design. Much like midterm presentations, this was to be 15 minutes followed by 5 minutes of questions. I am extremely happy with the way my presentation went and the comments that followed after.

So with the conclusion of the presentation, my student career as an undergrad in landscape architecture also concluded (assuming I passed my capstone project). It is bitter sweet to think that I won't have to spend any more countless hours in the studio that became my home away from home. Yes, I am sick of the building, but when I think back about how much I have learned about design, architecture, landscape architecture, ecology, sustainability, and even myself, it is hard to not be a little disappointed while packing up my desk. On to the next one, I guess. Hopefully, my new desk will be in some stellar, urban design driven landscape architecture firm...

Wrapping Up...

This past Friday was our last due date for drawings and actual design work for the project. These drawings included section elevations, bird's eye perspectives, and eye-level perspectives. I have posted the images for a few directly on this page. The entire package can be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

The next two weeks will be spent putting together an awards submittal, creating the final project booklet, and designing a promotional poster for the project. Presentations will be April 23 and 25. For those that are in town and want to come, I will let you know what day and at what time I will be presenting as soon as I know. 

Master Plans Submittal

Overall Site Master Plan

So after analyzing each conceptual plan and utilizing the best of each design, I was able to create a master plan that creates more use on the surrounding streets and spaces within the block interiors. We were also required to take one portion of the master plan and zoom in, designing the space in further detail.

Inspiration...

I chose to design the interior green space and water management facilities between Madison  Ave and Monroe Ave. In keeping with the concept of being centered around the arts, inspiration for the overall form of the site was taken from theater spotlights. Elements and spaces are created within the design by pulling radial lines that overlap, defining edges and corners. The multi-use plaza is a large, perviously paved area that can serve as parking on a regular basis but can double as an event space for markets, festivals, etc. This space is covered by green roof panels as well as steel overhead structures.

Interior Plaza and Green Space

The smaller plaza is for daily use and is a public space for dining, markets, nightlife, and small concerts or other performances. Water managements strategies are also visible in the smaller plaza, providing an aesthetic and functional feature. These infiltration planters help soften the edge of the larger paved areas, creating a pleasing balance between hardscape and landscape elements.

Next week will begin the final design portion of the project. I will be looking at the details of vertical elements, including building facades, walls, and overhead structures. These will be illustrated in section elevations and perspective drawings used to support the master plans. Should be a fun couple of weeks of drawing...

Sneak Peek...

Just a quick preview of what will be completed by Friday... Can you see the inspiration?

Halfway There...

This week was devoted to midterm capstone presentations. Each student was given 15 minutes to present the process documents, concept statement, conceptual plans, and support drawings for their respective projects. The presentations were split into two days.

I presented on Monday morning. I feel that I did pretty well with the presentation besides a couple of minor technical difficulties. For some reason, the resolution of the projector was pretty poor. Fortunately, what needed to be seen by the audience was still legible enough.

The feedback that I received after my presentation was quite valuable. Instructors and peers alike gave me good constructive criticism that will definitely be helpful when I begin to create a master plan.

I'm not sure what next week holds. Hopefully, they will take it easy on us since it is the week before Spring break. We'll see...

First Take

Sorry for the lack of information last week... many distractions, including (wait for it)...

I GOT ENGAGED!!!

Anywho, back to landscape architecture. I finished my conceptual plans last week and worked on the support drawings this week. Monday I will give my midterm presentation for the semester. This will include the process documents and three conceptual plans with drawings.

>Concept Plans & Drawings<

Again, if you have any questions or comments, please leave them. I strongly encourage it...

Now for the fun part...

First, check out this link for more info about landscape architecture...

>What is Landscape Architecture?<

Now that process documents have been submitted and returned, it is time to move to design.   This process (different for everyone, but the same at the core) begins with functional plans and conceptual designs.

Functional plans are very loose, fast sketches or diagrams that are used to quickly determine the best layout for elements on a site. Usually, I set out with a general idea of what I want on the site and how big it should be. Then, I overlay trash paper (tracing paper) on base survey for the site and draw multiple, distinctly different plans as fast as I can. From these I can pick and choose aspects that I like from each and compile them into one. For this project, I am required to create three conceptual plans, so I will have three functional plans to base them off of.

Conceptual plans are more refined and start to introduce form to the the design. Will the design be rectilinear or curvilinear? This is where questions like this begin to be raised. I will also start to layout designs for building shapes, courtyards, open space, etc.. Conceptual plans should still be fairly quick to prevent getting locked into one design.

This week was focused on creating functional plans. It has been pretty hard to stay focused on work due to the excitement about New Orleans this weekend. Next week will be devoted to creating the three conceptual plans which are due on Friday. Always working down to the wire...

Functional plan, sketches, & a messy desk...

6' of Functional Plans

Keep an eye out for another post on Monday night... Happy Mardi Gras followers!