land • mark, winter 2013

land mark CSU landscape architecture magazine

winter 2013

ThinkThink

GlobalGlobal

THE COVER Reflective of the theme of this issue, ‘Think Global, Act Local,” neurons act as the medium for the transmission and processing of information in the brain, allowing the spread of ideas to occur. Ideas and movements can begin as small, local ideas, relayed from person to person and culture to culture. Particularly with modern technology, an idea can rapidly spread around the world, much like an electrical impulse racing through the nervous system.

Cover design by Shiva Solaimanian ‘14, BSLA, Ben Canales ‘13, BSLA, and Micah Sexton ‘13, BSLA.

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land • mark is the annual e-magazine of the Landscape Architecture Program at Colorado State University. The contents herein were produced as a uniquely collaborative endeavor amongst interested students and faculty with a shared commitment to creating a forum where alumni, students and members of the landscape architecture community can have a greater voice and connection to our program. It will allow readers to stay apprised of newsworthy activities and events and will serve as a hub for current landscape architecture news and provide links to other informative sites.

Each issue of land • mark will celebrate a unique moment in time, a slice of the present at CSU, offering a glimpse into the focus and priorities of students, faculty and professionals. Thank you for being a part of our community.

64 mus

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• 1

Jane Choi, Assistant ProfessorShopaholic

Ben Canales ‘13, BSLAFootballer

Stephanie Larsen ‘14, BSLATent Dweller

Scott Carman, InstructorDancing Fool

Mary Taylor ‘13, BSLAPastry Chef

Colin Day ‘14, MLA IArtiste

Shiva Solaimanian ‘14, BSLAFiddler on the Roof

Mitch Tancik ‘13, BSLAAngler

Micah Sexton ‘13, BSLALord of the Legos

and their leisure pursuits ...

Illustrations by Joe McGrane, Associate Professor

2 • editorial department

editorial team

We are pleased to bring you this inaugural issue of land • mark. First conceived as a means for alumni of the Colorado State University program in Landscape Architecture to stay connected with one another and the school, it has grown in scope and ambition as this first issue has taken shape. This publication highlights news and events shaping the success of our program along with hard-earned student achievements resulting from late nights full of frustration and caffeine surges that are the magic of a design education. As with any new endeavor, we have had our share of trepidation along the way, but we hope that you will find this to be a publication worthy of your attention. We celebrate this shared journey in the hope that we may continue to build a stronger community around our program.

In choosing a name for the magazine, we wanted to find something both meaningful and memorable. “Land” is a word that is synonymous with the context of our work and is also the prefix used in the name of the courses taught in our program. “Mark” connotes the physical nature of what we do as students through the creative process: such as the act of marking (as in putting ideas to paper) as well as making a mark on society with bold, uninhibited ideas for our built environment. Further, “landmark” as a singular word is memorable and recognizable and connotes several relevant meanings, according to Dictionary.com, such as “a prominent or conspicuous object on land that serves as a guide” or “a significant or historic event, juncture, achievement.”

The theme of this issue is “Think Global, Act Local”. It was chosen not only for its relevance to the salient environmental concerns of our profession, but also to reflect the larger goals of our University. Each of the feature articles inside these covers relates to an aspect of this theme and its impact on the design professions. It is also fiitting as a tribute to our effort to create a lasting contribution to the regional discourse about our profession. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it for you.

Letters to the Editors may be e-mailed to [email protected]. Share your ideas and / or let us know what you think!

editorial department • 3

editors’ message

Faculty

Jane Choi Assistant Professor [email protected]

Kelly Curl Assistant [email protected]

Brad Goetz [email protected]

Patrick Martin Associate [email protected]

Joe McGrane Associate [email protected]

Merlyn Paulson [email protected]

PEOPLE

Administration

Dr. Stephen Wallner Department Head, [email protected]

Kathi Nietfeld Office [email protected]

Tracy Smith-Jones Administrative [email protected]

Sarah [email protected]

For more information about the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, please visit our website at this link: http://www.hla.colostate.edu/

4 • the l.a. program

the l.a. program

It is a pleasure and a privilege for me to add my greetings to this initial issue of land • mark, the annual magazine from the Landscape Architecture program at Colorado State University. We recognize the need to more effectively connect and communicate with alumni and others in the wide-ranging network of professionals with an interest in our program, and I especially appreciate and thank Jane Choi’s initiative, creativity and hard work in bringing the magazine to this stage.

My perspective on the program is as head of the Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture (HLA), the administrative home for LA at CSU since 1992. Although I am not a landscape architect, it has been very easy for me to recognize what an outstanding strength the LA program is for the department, and this has been evident since I took this position in 1995. The LA faculty and students, as well as the profession they serve, comprise a great source of pride for all of us. The faculty has grown and diversified with the addition of exceptionally talented individuals to complement the long-standing excellence and leadership of Merlyn Paulson and Brad Goetz. The LA faculty are a most capable and dedicated group, serving our students very well, and doing so in the face of resource limitations that continue to be a concern. I have been here long enough to know full well the issues that concern the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board, especially the relatively very high student : faculty ratio, and yet, over the years, the program remains excellent, preparing students with impressive skills and insights.

At CSU, our department, including LA, is in the College of Agricultural Sciences (CAS), and while this is unusual, there are others like us (Washington State, Purdue, and Oklahoma State, for example), and – in the broad view - this makes good program sense. That broad view is one that considers agriculture to be about the most productive, satisfying, healthful and sustainable use of the land, which certainly calls for the best possible design of outdoor spaces. In fact, one of the strategic initiatives in the CAS Strategic Plan is “Developing Land Use Strategies for Sustainable Agricultural and Urban Environments”.

Certainly, the Landscape Architecture program is a source of great pride and satisfaction to me personally, and to others in the administration of the College and University. This excellence is something we all wish to share, and that is one of the reasons I am so pleased with land • mark, a great vehicle for sharing. I also very much appreciate the chance to meet alumni, and to receive your thoughts and ideas about the program. So, I hope that this magazine will result in greater communication and opportunities for interaction, especially if you are able to return to campus, whether for events such as LA Days, or simply to visit. Thank you very much, and I look forward to meeting more of you as we move forward.

- Dr. Stephen Wallner, Department Head [email protected]

the l.a. program • 5

department head

New Graduate ProgramIn 2010, the Master’s Program in Landscape Architecture was launched, extending the reach and impact of the program by offering tracks in both MLA I and MLA II. This program grows out of the 30+ year old, accredited undergraduate baccalaureate program and was uniquely tailored to offer a studio-based curriculum with maximum flexibility that allows students to select a focus area to augment studio work. The studios are taught by core faculty as well as visiting faculty, drawing from regional, and occasionally national and international, landscape architectural professionals. Graduates of the program routinely work in design and planning firms, governmental agencies, and community-based organizations throughout America and abroad. Additional information on the graduate program is available at http://larch.colostate.edu/grad/index.htm

New Course OfferingsLAND 180A1 - Landscape Architecture Career Exploration (L.A.C.E.) will be offered starting in summer 2013. This is an intensive four-week course that is open to the public and introduces participants to the broad spectrum of the landscape architecture profession, including critical concepts associated with planning, design and the preservation of our environment through projects, workshops, lectures and field trips to professional offices. This introductory course is an invaluable primer to a landscape architectural education and is recommended for anyone with an interest in this rapidly growing field, from high school students to college transfers to mid-career and beyond. For more information, please contact Professor Choi at [email protected].

LAND 361 - Digital Methods will be offered during summer 2013 and is intended to develop students’ aptitude for working with digital media in creative and effective ways by defining a process for the successful use of multiple graphics programs coincidently. Students use AutoCAD and the Adobe suite to create measured drawings, diagrams, illustrative plans, sections/elevations, perspectives and montages. A final design portfolio will be created in Adobe InDesign. Enrollment is open to all. For more information, please send a message to Professor Curl at [email protected].

PROGRAM

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6 • news & events

news & events

Studio RenovationsCSU designated substantial funds for major renovations to the landscape architecture studio classrooms, lecture halls, furniture, computer equipment, including computers, large format scanner, and printer, in the Natural and Environmental Sciences building.

New FacultyJane Choi and Kelly Curl recently joined CSU’s Landscape Architecture Program as Assistant Professors in 2010. Please see pages 16-17 to learn more about them and their plans for the program.

Visiting FacultyJeff Lakey, a Principal at LLG International LLC, Denver, CO, was invited to teach LAND 670, an advanced studio options course in the MLA program in Spring 2012, which emphasized concepts, values, and processes of landscape architectural studio practice.

Scott Carman, RLA, LEED AP, a Principal at c2 | studio Landscape Architects, has been teaching LAND 520, Geographic Information Systems for Landscape Architects, since Spring 2012. This course focuses on theories and applications of geographic information systems in spatial analysis and land planning. In Spring 2013, he will also be teaching LAND 670, an advanced options studio in the MLA program.

AccreditationIn July 2012, The Landscape Architecture BSLA degree Program was reaccredited by the Landscape Architectural Accrediation Board. The Visiting Committee had the following to say about the program:

“highly enthusiastic and motivated students, technically accomplished, creative and original student work, dedicated and hard working faculty and staff, and supportive alumni”.

“program is shaped by a tight-knit group of highly dedicated faculty who maintain strong on-going relationships with leading practices in the region and across the United States”.

“Graduates of the BSLA Program are well prepared and are sought after by a wide variety of professional firms regionally and nationally”.

“All speak to exceptional academic and career advising, provided by the program faculty and staff.”

“Students are enthusiastically supportive of their faculty and the program”.

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news & events • 7

EVENTS

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Park(ing) DayStudents in the CSU Landscape Architecture Program participated on Sept. 21 in a global event called PARK(ing) Day, with the intent of converting automobile parking spaces in downtown Fort Collins into small-scale public “pop-up” parks as a way to bring awareness to the value of public spaces. For more, see pages 12-15.

STEMArmed with architectural models and drawings, CSU Student Chapter of ASLA members (SCASLA) visited with future designers at Shepardson Elementary in Fort Collins, CO during their STEM event. Promoting the study of topics related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to youngsters, CSU landscape architecture was featured among other disciplines. The students enjoyed learning about landscape architecture as they made connections with their local built environment and explored drawing as a means to express ideas. For more information, please visit SCASLA online at http://lamar.colostate.edu/~scasla/

Russell L. Butler II Scholarship Dedication CeremonyThe newest student scholarship in the CSU Landscape Architecture program was dedicated on 27 October 2011, with students, faculty and Butler family members on hand to mark this special occasion. For more, see pages 60-61.

L.A. DaysThis is a long-running, student organized, annual event that attracts prominent practitioners to CSU’s campus for presentations and workshops. In 2012, Peter Walker of PWP Landscape Architecture gave a stirring presentation of his office’s National 9/11 Memorial landscape design at the core of the rebuilt World Trade Center in New York City. Gary Hildebrand, Principal of Reed Hildebrand LLC in Watertown, MA presented a range of projects, all of which exemplified their mastery of stone detailing, including their 2012 ASLA award-winning design of a residence built on a former quarry in Guilford, CT. John Bela, founder and principal of Rebar gave a compelling argument for reclaiming public space through his own spectacular examples, including a discussion of the PARK(ing) Day movement he started, provoking CSU’s landscape architecture students to participate this past fall (see pages 12-15). Warren Byrd Jr., founder of acclaimed LA firm Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects, presented some of the best examples of

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public place-making in professional practice today. And finally, Chip Sullivan, widely acclaimed for his creative designs and illustrations, demanded that students take advantage of Colorado’s perpetually sunny skies by offering drawing tutorials out in nature.

Presenters for LA Days, spring 2013, will include the following speakers: Laurie Olin, The Olin Studio, James Lord, Surfacedesign, Inc., Christine Reed, The Office of Cheryl Barton, Walter Hood, Hood Design, Bradley Cantrell, Author of “Digital Design”

WorkshopsDaniel Tal, author of Sketchup Basiscs and Rendering in Sketchup, gave a lecture and tutorial to SCASLA members in the LA Program on November 30th.

Scott Anderson ‘06 of RNL, gave a Rhino Lecture to Landscape Architecture students on November 9th.

CSU SCASLA members have initiated a 3DS Max Focus Group, which meets on every other Wednesday between 4:15pm - 5:15pm to share program methods and techniques. This group is open to anyone who is interested in sharing ideas and learning the program.

PresentationsRobert Rock, Senior Associate of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates in Cambridge, MA and Brooklyn, NY presented their comeptition-winning entry design for the wildlife crossing in Aspen, CO. to CSU landscape architecture students.

ExhibitionsKelly Curl, Assistant Professor in the Landscape Architecture program exhibited photographs at the Lory Student Center’s Hallery Art Space titled “Mined Landscape” and also at the office of BHA Design in Fort Collins, CO, in collaboration with the ASLA.

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Get Involved!All alumni, practitioners and friends of CSU’s Landscape Architecture Program are welcome and encouraged to particpate in all events and workshops! To stay updated and learn about our upcoming events, please ‘like’ our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CSU.land.mark?ref=hl

Please also consider supporting the Landscape Architecture Program with a tax-deductable fi nancial gift at https://advancing.colostate.edu/HLA/GIVE and note in the ‘Questions and Comments’ section that the gift is for the Landscape Architecture Program.

news & events • 9

10 • news & events

Chip Sullivan spends the day sketching outdoors on the scenic CSU campus with LA students during LA Days 2012

news & events • 11

PARK(ing) Day september 21, 2012

PARK(ing) Day is an annual event that celebrates

the critical role that public open space plays in the

community. The idea began with landscape architect John

Bela’s firm Rebar in San Francisco in 2005 as an instance

of “guerilla design” -- a re-making of public space that

was not sanctioned by authorities. As an experiment,

they commandeered a metered parking space (while feeding

the meter to avoid running afoul of the law) and turned

it into a temporary mini park (which they termed a

“parklet”). The experiment was a huge popular success,

attracting people to enjoy the respite of the parklet and

drawing praise from citizens and city officials alike.

Now a full-fledged movement, PARK(ing) Day is celebrated

in cities worldwide each year.

John Bela visited CSU as a guest speaker for LA

Days in the spring of 2012, inspiring the students to get

involved with PARK(ing) Day. The CSU Student Chapter of

the American Society of Landscape Architects organized

the effort, seeing it as an opportunity to not only put

students’ design skills to practice, but also promote the

importance of public space and building community in Fort

Collins. Four groups participated and installed their

parklets in public parking spaces scattered throughout

downtown. Their efforts were rewarded when they were

able to observe people interacting with and enjoying

the designs they had created. The students found it

“moving beyond words” to watch people explore the spaces

and learn about the ideas behind the event. Sure to

become an annual tradition, the event taught students the

true importance of their studies and the profession of

landscape architecture.


“Parklet” detail designed by Micah Sexton ‘13, BSLA


We wanted to have

benches and chairs

arranged in a way

that welcomed people

to the park and also

stimulated interaction.

I felt a real sense

of community through

the whole process and

felt like we had done

something tangible for

other people.

comments and designs

are from the following

participants:

Brandon Parsons ‘13

brian horton ‘13

Cody Myer ‘13

stephanie larsen ‘14

Micah Sexton ‘13

emily kotulak ‘14

benjamin canales ‘13

shiva solaimanian ‘14

pallets drive global

trade and can be reused

in many ways. we built

an outdoor room out

of pallets, hoping

to create a social

gathering space that

would exemplify not just

community, but also the

importance of recycling

materials. We wanted to

build a community.

S T U D E N T D E S I G N E D

PARK(ING) DAY 2012

PARKLETS


The intention was to

create a space with a

very limited budget,

but not compromise

the initial design.

Park(ing) Day allowed

us to break the

traditional mold of

what a landscape is

and explore what it

can be.

We tried to promote

a sense of community

through the creation

of sustainable public

space. The materials

we used provided

context for the

design and a tangible

connection to the

environment. we placed

the experience in the

hands of participant.


Kelly Curl is a newly appointed Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture and joined Colorado State University in 2010. Prior to joining academia, she was extending her professional practice as an Associate with Peter Walker and Partners, Landscape Architecture in Berkeley, CA. Her past national and international projects included the World Trade Center Memorial, Raleigh Museum of Art, San Jose International Airport, Novartis Headquarters, University of

California in Merced, and the Cleveland Clinic. Kelly received her Bachelor of Science degree in Comprehensive Science and Mathematics from Villanova University and received her Master of Landscape Architecture degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

While working with Peter Walker and Partners, Kelly led the PWP Summer Internship Program for several years. She also guest lectured at the University of California in Berkeley and at the Berkeley Extension. She was also a design critic at the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Colorado in Denver.

Kelly’s interest in remediation and reclaimed landscapes has led to her newest research endeavors on reclaiming abandoned mines. Her research analyzes contaminated sites and looks at the probabilities of reclaiming, reusing, and saving our landscapes for positive potential future uses through a series of site photography in the Anthracite Coal Region of Schuylkill County, PA. Her photography is currently exhibited in the Lory Student Center.

new faculty

Top images: photos of the Clevelnad Clinic landscape design with PWP Landscape Architecture; bottom images: photography exhibit of Schuykill County, PA mines: scarring, reclaimed site, whaleback

16 • faculty news

faculty news

Jane Choi is a newly appointed Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture with an extensive and diverse background in both academia and professional practice. Prior to joining the full-time faculty at Colorado State University, she was a principal designer and project manager on both domestic and international projects for the renowned landscape architecture firms Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates and Martha Schwartz Partners.

She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Parsons School of Design and her Master of Landscape Architecture degree from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, attaining the highest honors for design at both institutions.

In 2004, she and her husband, Scott Carman, founded a landscape architecture practice called c2 | studio, a forward-thinking practice that seeks to merge art, ecology, urbanism and theoretical considerations into socially responsible projects of varying scales and scope. Her award-winning practice has been widely published and exhibited in various forums. Most recently, her firm was one of three finalists in a national competition to re-design a portion of Denver’s City Park into a year-round, multi-generational play space of the future. As an active advocate for the profession, Jane has also served on the editorial board for ArchitectureBoston magazine and is a member the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Asian American Designers’ Forum and other organizations.

Jane’s previous experience in academia includes three years of teaching at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design as a Lecturer and Design Critic in the core landscape architecture program and advanced multidisciplinary design studios. She is excited to now be a part of the department at CSU and its new graduate program, where she enjoys not only the mentoring aspect of teaching, but also the rigorous theoretical aspect of academia which she sees as an extension of the ideas behind her professional projects. She looks forward to the challenges that lie ahead as the program adapts to address the needs of the 21st century.

Top images: renderings from Re-imagine Play proposal, Denver CO: plan, summer and winter views of splash pad and skating ribbon; bottom image: rain garden design in Cape Cod, MA

faculty news • 17

Julee Graham Wolverton ’87

Hello fellow CSU landscape architecture alumni!I look forward to reading about each of you and your businesses and accomplishments. I hope there are a lot of submissions from the class of 1987 – I can’t wait to read about my peeps from school! I have had a varied career and am so grateful for all of the various projects that I have been fortunate to work on and see to completion. I graduated in 1987 and moved to San Diego where I worked for several years and became licensed in the state of California. I enjoyed learning the tropical plants of that area and working on urban waterfront projects. My husband and I moved back to Colorado to start a family and settled on the western slope. I contracted for 10 years with Colorado State Parks and worked developing the Colorado River State Park system, and helped to upgrade some of the existing campgrounds and park facilities of many of the state parks located in the west region. With several years of experience I decided to start my own landscape architecture firm and have been self-employed since 2000. Today most of my projects involve working on teams with architects and civil engineers to design private commercial, and public projects. I also design high-end residential projects. I enjoy having my own business and although I work long hours, I am grateful for the flexibility and ability to juggle work and family life, and work from a home office. Overall life is good!!

Barbara Santner ’84

Hello. I graduated from CSU in spring of 1984 with a BSLA. I worked in Denver for 6 years before moving to Reno, Nevada in 1990. My move to Reno was

to follow my fiancé who was transferred from Denver. In Reno I have worked for 3 multi-disciplinary firms the latest being Stantec Consulting. In 1996 I tested to became a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners or AICP as I had been designing planned communities, writing design guidelines and preparing applications for property entitlements such as special use permits, tentative maps and specific plans. My career in landscape architecture has been diverse including parks, streetscapes, urban design, planned community open space infrastructure and also transportation projects. The Nevada Department of Transportation has a unique program requiring 3% of all capital improvement projects to be spent on landscape and aesthetic improvements. I have become a specialist in this area in addition to incorporation of public art into projects. I have two children, Sara (15) and Eva (13) and a husband Mark Hanneman. We enjoy living here because of the great access to the outdoors including hiking, biking and skiing. I am currently the chairperson of the Northern Nevada Section of ASLA and also serve on the City of Reno Public Art Committee. It has been rewarding working for many years and seeing so many projects constructed which add to the quality of life in the community.

SueAnne Ware ’89

Dr. SueAnne Ware is a Professor of Landscape Architecture and the Deputy Dean of Research at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Her awarded built projects, scholarly and professional publications, have contributed to a growing discourse in landscape architecture and design research. Ware with Julian Raxworthy, co-authored: Sunburnt: Australian Practices of Landscape Architecture, Amsterdam: Sun Publishing

letters from alumni

18 • alumni news

alumni news

(2011). Her design project, the SIEVX Memorial, Canberra (2007-2008), examines the plight of a group of 400 “illegal” refugees, mainly Afghan and Iraqi women and children, who drowned off the coast of Australia. It was recently awarded a National AILA award for design innovation and socially engaged design.

Anna Cawrse ’09

I graduated from CSU with my bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture in 2009. I worked for a year in Denver at RNL, a large multi-disciplinary firm, before going to grad school at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. During my time at the GSD I started the student ASLA Harvard GSD chapter, was the lead landscape architect for Harvard’s Community Garden, and spent a semester as a Teaching Assistant for Martha Schwartz. As school progressed, I became more interested in competitions and the design community outside of the GSD. During my final year at the GSD, my classmate and I won a competition put on by the Institute for Urban Design in NYC called By the City / For the City. The project addressed sea level rise and the concerns of storm surges in NYC. During my last semester I teamed with another landscape architect and an architect from the GSD, along with two UC Business School students for the ULI / Gerald. D. Hines competition. This multi-disciplinary team worked across the county to design 33 acres in downtown Houston. Out of 160 submissions, we were 1 of 6 teams shortlisted and after a presentation in Houston, our team was announced the 2012 winners. After graduation I accepted a job at Design Workshop in Denver and have been working there since June. I am truly fortunate to have started my educational and professional career at CSU and look forward to

continually supporting the school and the students that will be the next generation of landscape architects.

Marcel Wilson ‘97

Marcel Wilson ‘97 is a licensed landscape architect, writer, educator, based in San Francisco, CA. Since CSU he attended the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and was a principal at Hargreaves Associates. He founded his design studio Bionic in 2007. His firm has been commissioned for innovative landscape architecture, planning, urban design, and ecology projects at all scales. His work combines sharp analysis with social responsibility, experimentation, and inventive creativity. Bionic’s current projects include The International invited Competition for Fort Mason in San Francisco, a new 13 acre waterfront park on San Francisco Bay, a modular system for pilot bike lane projects, a new power plant, and experimental installations. Bionic recently won a 2012 National ASLA Honor award, and was featured in the November 2012 issue of Dwell magazine.

We would like to hear from you! Send us a paragraph or two about what you’ve been up to. Your fr iends and classmates would love to know - and you can also get the word out about your latest personal or professional ventures. Email news [email protected].

Write as much as you want, about whatever you want: work and family life, job changes, travels , volunteer work, challenges you’ve faced, sports, hobbies, classmates you’d like to see ... anything at all. Thank you for staying in touch!

alumni news • 19

q&aOur alumni have travelled far and wide and are shaping the world through diverse activities, both within the field of landscape architecture and beyond. Meet three of our notable alumni and find out what they’ve been up to since leaving the program and how their careers and lives have been shaped by their time at CSU.

Alumni Interviews by Stephanie Larsen ‘14, BSLA

C

RAIG R

USSELL ‘96

BOSTON, MA

SHAUNTA BUTLER ‘11

DAN KIMBALL ‘84

SANTA CRUZ, CA

FORT C

OLLIN

S, CO

20 • alumni news

West Myrtle Alley in downtown Fort Collins, designed by Craig Russell ‘96, Russell + Mills

alumni news • 21

What was the most meaningful thing you took away from being in the Landscape Architecture program at CSU? One of the most meaningful things was having one on one time with the professors. Although there were in class presentations and critiques, sitting down with professors was great because you could get the honest truth about your work.

What did you do right after you graduated?I got a job right after graduation at Schmitt Design Group in San Diego, California.

What made you decide to go to work first and now go to grad school?I talked to the professors and they thought that you needed to experience the real world and the professional experience before going to graduate school. I did want to get to graduate school and move out east though before I got too settled or established.

What’s something interesting that you’re working on right now that you’d like to share?In one of my studio classes right now at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design we’re working on a project at the Massachusetts Military Reservation, which used to be used for bomb testing, so is very contaminated, just coming and thinking of ways to develop the site or ways to use it.

SHAUNTA BUTLER ‘11

q&a

From top: Drinking Straw Light I; materials experimentation model; rendering for Waterfront Park, San Diego, CA (cour tesy of Schmidt Design Group); night rendering of proposal for Aids Memorial Design Competition, New York, NY; perspective rendering for CSU senior capstone project, Internally Displaced Persons Camp, Por t-au-Prince, Haiti.

22 • alumni news

What do you value the most about being in the profession of Landscape Architecture?The freedom of the profession and that it’s so vast and large—the possibilities are endless. Also that people are realizing how important we are now.

What’s some advice that you would give to students now who are about to graduate this spring?Talk to your professors! They’re the greatest resources. Also, be confident in what you do. Spend a lot of time in the studio instead of at home, developing personal relationships with your professors and peers. Make sure your professors know you as a person and not just as a student.

How do you see the profession progressing in the future?With the rise of landscape urbanism and people becoming more aware of things like global warming, people are becoming more aware of what we do. We do more than just plant grass. Also in graduate programs like at Harvard or Penn, there is more collaborating with engineering students or architecture students. This is making a strong young wave in the profession instead of a disconnect between the older people of the profession and the younger people of the profession.

alumni news • 23

What originally made you decide to study Landscape Architecture, or what got you interested in the profession?My dad, who is an engineer, shared office space with a Landscape Architect in Denver during the 70's and 80's. When I was over there, I used to check out what he was doing - it looked a lot more interesting to me than Structural Engineering... He also owned the office building, so I assumed you could make a lot of money…that's how clueless I was! Just kidding. This gave me some initial exposure to the profession. I also spent a lot of time backpacking and hiking in different National Parks growing up and during college where I could see good land stewardship practices and how important they are to our quality of life.

What did you decide to do after you graduated from CSU and how did you go about making that decision? i.e. deciding between going into the working world or going back to school?I really enjoyed my time at CSU, but was more interested in experiencing professional life and learning from professionals rather than continuing directly on with academia. I worked briefly in Summit County and then was offered a job at EDAW in Fort Collins, where I felt a connection with the types of projects they were doing and was exposed to the breadth of work and professionalism inherent in a larger firm. I did end up pursuing a graduate

CRAIG RUSSELL ‘96

q&a

From top: Rendering for Colorado State University’s Lor y Student Center Site Redevelopment; Master Plan rendering for Lor y Student Center Renovations; downtown streetscape renovations at Mentezuma Fuller Alley, For t Collins, CO.

24 • alumni news

degree after obtaining licensure and feeling like I wanted to gain a little more depth in the way I approached projects. Each of these experiences was valuable in starting our firm in Fort Collins, Russell + Mills Studios.

What is something interesting that you're working on now that you like to share with us?We're currently working on a 600 bed student housing project at CSU at the old Lory Apartments site which has evolved into a rich, mixed use environment and has

become a different paradigm for the way student housing is approached, more like a hospitality project. We're also involved with New Belgium, working with them to master plan their east coast brewery - the learning curve on this one has been tough, but interesting and rewarding.

What's some advice that you would give to students in the program now at CSU who are about to graduate?I think the most important thing is to look for a job working with someone you respect and really want to learn from, who is willing to work with you and act as a mentor. The position you begin with will be an influential and formative one and your first introduction to the profession. Likewise, if you're considering graduate school, seek out that program

with a professor who's work you respect and seems willing to work with you.

What do you value most about being in the profession of Landscape Architecture?Working with people who are passionate and inspired in what they do. The most rewarding working experiences for me are ones where a synergy between a team forms and the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. To some extent, design will always require an individual's skill

to realize an end form, but the ideas and concepts can become so much more rich when there is an attitude of mutual respect among passionate designers. We've formed these types of relationships with several architects recently and the project results have been great to see. Seeing a project vision realized where the initial goals of a project are achieved successfully. In Downtown Fort Collins, we developed a master plan and subsequent design work for three alleys as pedestrian spaces with the goal of inspiring business growth, redevelopment and expansion. Seeing the projects built has been fantastic , but more importantly, a number of small and new businesses have opened along these corridors, so the ideas and vision actually worked to achieve the goal.

How have you seen the profession change or progress since you've left CSU?Landscape Architecture as a profession seems to have gained more respect and value today than when I first began working. Landscape Architects seem more engaged in their communities where their skills and abilities can be used to influence policy and change at a broader scale than sometimes site specific design is able to. I think the way we approach projects and our ability to integrate complex ideas is beginning to be valued and recognized in a broader sense.

Where do you see the profession going or how do you see the profession changing in the future?I think we have always been well poised to act as leaders of design teams on complex projects due to our wholistic and integrated approach to design and planning, but this is still a role I see primarily held by architects. This is something many of the larger firms have done for a while, but is not as common in the profession as a whole. I think we're continuing to evolve into this role more effectively, especially in a time when sustainability has become such an important issue, and is something our profession has always practiced and valued.

For more information, please visit Russell + Mills Studios at http://www.russellmillsstudios.com/

alumni news • 25

Why did you choose to study Landscape Architecture when you came to CSU?I was actually registered as a student in another major when I came to CSU as a freshman. I had interest in design, the environment and architecture but was not sure what I would end up studying longer-term. Ironically, I had no idea what "landscape architecture" even was at the time. However, the 2nd or 3rd day of school I happen to walk into a room where Landscape Architecture students had their drawings hanging on a wall. As I stopped to look at them and then began discovering what landscape architecture was, it all clicked for me and I immediately changed my major to Landscape Architecture.

What was the most meaningful thing that you took away from being in the Landscape Architecture program at CSU?The friendships and camaraderie was major amongst the students. Staying up all night multiple times in the studio with others was quite bonding and we had some really fun times together. Also, Merlyn Paulson was quite influential on me. The way he presented design in general and his personal encouragement to me I remember to this day. Meryln always encouraged me not to think normally and when I presented more unusual approaches to design, he encouraged it, not discouraged it. To this day, I still use the design principles learned from Merlyn and never stopped wanting to press thinking creatively in everything I do. I do a lot of speaking at universities and in churches, often to very large groups and I use a lot of graphics and artwork in my

DAN KIMBALL ‘84

q&a

From top: Cover illustration for Adventures in Churchland: Finding Jesus in the Mess of Organized Religion by Dan Kimball; Kimball family 2012; coffee house and music venue,The Abbey, Santa Cruz, CA.

26 • alumni news

I have written several books on Harper Collins / Zondervan Publishing as well. I have been married to Becky for over 20 years and we have two 10 year old twin daughters. My Facebook page is http://www.facebook.com/dankimball

What is something interesting that you're working on right now that you'd specifically like to share?Just finished a new book for Harper Collins called "Adventures in Churchland: Finding Jesus In The Mess Of Organized Religion" which has several stories of my time at CSU in it. Wanda Jackson, who is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and dated Elvis for a while, wrote the foreword for this book. The book took into consideration design and graphics in how we designd the interior and exterior and I am not kidding when I say I reflected back to my landscape architecture days of learning visual communication skills when we did this book.

When you were in the profession, what is something you valued most about being a Landscape Architect?Understanding basic design principles and learning how to creatively envision something before it exists .

What's some advice that you would give to students in the program now who are about to graduate?Enjoy the time while still at school and the friendships and people there. Even if you end up doing something other than landscape architecture as your vocation, you will never regret what you learned about design and aesthetics which can be used in so many other ways. But savor the days there as they are truly lifetime memories and such a sweet, sweet fun time of creative learning in a community there.

presentations. My visual presentation methods that I use today stem from what I learned at Colorado State in the LA program.

What did you decide to do right after you graduated and how did you make that decision?I was in a rockabilly and punk band at CSU and we all moved to London, England for a year after I graduated to play there. After that, I took a job at a landscape architecture and urban planning firm in San Jose for over 3 years before I shifted my vocation.

What are you doing now with your life, and where are you working?I never, ever would have imagined this happening, but I ended up bringing in design principles into volunteer work at a local church in Santa Cruz, CA which is a beach town in the Bay Area of northern California. However, the design was developing ministries for teenagers and college students. Bringing in my understanding of aesthetics, design, a design strategy and phases of development planning that I learned in my landscape architecture days at CSU, the ministry grew to over 1,000 young adults . I ended up shifting to full time work at a church and then in 2004, we started a new church, Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz. We also launched a coffeehouse music venue called The Abbey recently which took in design and aesthetics and outdoor landscape as well into what it is . The Abbey has won several local awards and is generally full of college students as a hang out: https://www.facebook.com/theabbeysc . I also got a doctorate in leadership at George Fox University in Portland, Orergon and teach classes there too during the year but I live in Santa Cruz.

alumni news • 27

36 YEARS OF LANDSCAPE

1976Mr. Patrick Hettle Mr. Gary SchooleyMs. Paulette Weaver

1977Mr. Richard BoutsMr. Kirk DouglasMr. Daniel LaurizioMs. Virginia McAfeeMs. Carolyn MearsMs. Kerry O’NeillMs. Peggy StenmarkMr. William TurnerMs. Anne Marie Walsh

1978Ms. Christina BrandstatterMs. Elizabeth BridgesMr. Ted CivonneMr. Robert KingMr. Keith McClintockMr. Craig RobertsMs. Mary Schuster

1979Mr. R.C. FinchMr. Rolland KuhrMr. John LantermanMs. Judy MongerMr. Rick Thompson

1980Ms. Tamara Cripell-LehutaMr. Brian DavisMr. Nestor FedakMr. Robert FowlerMr. Gregory JamesonMr. Randal KirkwoodMs. Elaine KlecknerMr. James NassMr. Randall PalmerMs. Patricia TewhillMr. Charles Thomas

1981Ms. Karen Baker-CamMr. Brian BombeckMr. Michael CampbellMr. Timothy ConnellyMr. Thomas DuganMs. Paula FitzgeraldMr. David HulseMr. Robert LeimgruberMs. Anne MclnnesMr. Randall ReitenMs. Cathy SaccoMr. Kirby SmithMs. Mary TrettenMr. David Zickerman

1982Mr. Donald W. ArambulaMrs. Tina M. BishopMrs. Roxanne L. BryantMr. Thomas E. FloodMr. Darold R. HeikensMrs. Kimberly R. HollandMr. James B. KellyMr. Clark A. MapesMr. John H. McCartyMr. Joseph T. McGraneMs. Kimberly MonroeMr. Patrick J. MundusMr. Daniel E. SchollMrs. Yvonne D. SeamanMr. Gregory J. Thorne

1983Mr. Ronald A. BevansMs. Nancy A. BrodieMs. Laura C. BurnettMs. Janet L. BurnsMr. Christopher B. CornwellMr. Daniel W. KimballMr. Robert C. MeldonMs. Anne P. MessnerMs. Molly B. Orkild-LarsonMrs. Leslie E. OssoffMr. Kevin E. PercivalMr. Ronald W. PowersMs. Tina W. SmithMr. Peter C. Wray

1984Ms. Tracy P. CollingMrs. Margaret A. GoldenMs. Mary L. HooverMr. Eric W. LyckeHolly C. Richter, Ph.D.Mrs. Barbara M. SantnerMr. Eric J. SchneiderMr. Robert W. SchulerMr. Steven G. Wagner

1985Mrs. Janna K. BelauMrs. Marcia D. BrockwayMs. Cathy V. CurtisMr. James J. EnghMr. John M. FalgeMs. Catherine HalmMr. Roger D. HupferMr. Eric T. KeesenMrs. Kimberly A. KnowlesMrs. Laura G. LeovicMrs. Jana D. McKenzieMr. Spencer J. NickelMr. James M. OostingMrs. Kathryn R. PiperMrs. Marcia M. PryorMs. Carrie L. RothMr. Timothy E. StrachotaMrs. Stacey C. SwearingenMr. David R. Troast

1986Mr. Matthew S. BrockwayMr. Michael J. BuchenauMr. Michael S. EaganMr. Scott J. GlahnMr. Todd J. HillMs. Jennifer L. JohnsonMrs. Susan J. McGrewMrs. Margaret Y. MitchellMr. Andrew G. MutzMr. William B. NeumannMr. Dennis J. PapilionMr. David W. RieseckMr. Dennis W. RubbaMr. Scott S. TomeMr. William J. Zwick

1987Mr. William F. BachMs. Hetty L. BixbyMrs. Lucia deCordreMrs. Voni L. FausMr. Ronald C. ForestMr. James A. HaswellMr. William R. HowardMr. Joel A. LordMrs. Cynthia S. LyonMr. Joseph W. MerkelMrs. Richael L. Michels

Mrs. Leslie P. OlsonMr. Jeffery S. PalmerMr. James D. PoolMr. William C. RobinsonMr. Philip E. SageMs. Lauren S. VolcekMrs. Susan M. WadeMrs. Julee A. Wolverton

1988Mr. Timothy J. AndersonMr. Paul B. FurmanMr. Christopher GavlickMr. Bradley C. GoetzMr. John K. HarrellMrs. Maureen D. JosephMr. Thomas J. Kane, Jr.Mrs. Rosalyn E. LeautaudMr. Jason W. SherrillMr. Kerry T. SmeesterMr. Clayton T. TrappMr. Shinei TsukamotoMr. Robert M. WalshMs. Shanen M. WeberMr. C. Allen WhiteMr. Shane C. Winters

1989Mrs. Elizabeth A. BailisMr. Christopher P. CooperMrs. Linda K. CusterMr. Glenn K. EsparzaMr. Terence C. HoaglundMr. Jay N. JohnstonMr. Gregory A. KaiserMr. Anthony J. KlausnerMr. Jeffrey A. KroegerMrs. Rahimah A. MarchiMr. Darin E. MartensMr. Craig W. MayerMrs. Leslie K. RivasMr. Randall W. RogersMr. Steven W. RozendaalMr. Allan R. SchollMr. James H. ShiptonMr. Marcus J. StutzmanMs. Derri L. TurnerMs. Sue A. WareMs. Julie E. Zigler

1990Ms. Ann C. ChristensenMr. Brett L. CollinsMr. Charles B. Elliott, Jr.Mr. Jeffery L. GuyMs. Jane D. KopperlMr. James T. ManuelMr. Scott K. McClainMr. Patrick H. OlsenMr. John L. PaligaMr. David B. SalkowitzMr. Roger B. ShermanMr. Scott A. Willhite

1991Mr. Allan M. CalderMr. James E. DietrichMr. Kevin G. DunnettMr. Gregory A. FischerMr. Larry E. Frank, Jr.Mr. John R. GuynnMr. Richard H. LeemanMr. Sean P. McMahonMr. Timothy A. MorelandMr. Paul M. NikolaiMr. Paul K. ObertMr. Joseph W. O’Keefe

Mr. Michael P. PrindivilleMr. Barry W. RittenhouseTroy D. Sibelius, CIC, FASLAMs. Jill M. StrangMr. Eric V. ThuerkMr. Timothy O. Tomlin

1992Mr. Michael T. BeckertMr. Michael J. BlackMr. Charles E. Herrick IVMrs. Andrea S. HiteMr. Tod E. HueserMr. Matthew F. JonesMr. Jason D. KentMr. John A. KlinkermanMr. Matthew J. LosadaMr. Derek C. MarchiMrs. Angela K. MilewskiMrs. Hannelore W. PalmerMr. Matthew M. PhillipsMr. Robert J. PotterMr. James B. SaucermanMr. Monte A. SenorMr. Kelly J. Upright

1993Mr. Aryl D. AldredMs. Darla D. AldredMr. Shannon L. AtkinsonMr. Wade C. DuMondMr. J. Mike EleyMr. David W. GibbsMs. Laura E. HairgroveMr. John J. MackayMr. Daniel S. McCarthyMs. Kerry L. NiebergerMr. Jason R. PreisserMs. Laurelyn P. SayahMr. Jay N. StevensMr. Hung D. TranMr. John J. Varga, Jr.

1994Mr. Gregory A. BattMr. Jason P. CrisantiMr. Noah W. DavisonMr. Gary A. EtzenhouserMrs. Deanne FredericksonMs. Karin M. FreemanMr. Kurt A. FriesenMr. Alan L. GillMr. Randall H. HowMr. William R. JablonskiMr. Gregory L. JeselnickMr. Dana S. KanzlerMs. Sarah C. KeithMs. Kimberly A. KreimeyerMr. Theodore J. LenzMr. Kurt L. MojeMr. John C. PattersonMs. Kelley L. RansomMr. Jesse Scott

1995Ms. Wendi J. BirchlerMrs. Jill Ann BorstMr. Gary M. BrawleyMr. Robert A. BreedenMrs. Alane M. ChronowskiMr. Bradley ChronowskiMr. James C. DoyleMr. Shawn P. HadleyMs. Rebecca W. HammondMr. David L. KasprzakMr. Jason F. KronsbergMr. Steve M. MacNaught

Ms. Joni MerzweilerMr. Elmer J. Norgard, Jr.Mr. Gary L. OlsonMs. Kristin C. PowellMr. Ross W. StephenMr. Bryan W. Whiteley

1996Mrs. Monique S. AndersonMr. Christopher S. BasseMr. James I. BirdsallMr. Timothy S. BuscharMs. Stephanie ChristovaMr. Matthew A. DayMr. Gerard R. GiamberdineMr. Michael D. HeuermanMs. Amy E. MitchellMr. Thomas Morgan IVMr. Andrew T. RichardsonMs. Rachael M. SticklandMs. Darcie L. White

1997Ms. Shannon L. BretthorstMr. Walker R. ChristensenMr. John A. GieferMr. Chad A. GironMr. Mark J. MooreMs. Lisa S. MorrisMr. Thomas A. ReederMr. Craig R. RussellMs. Trista R. SiglerMrs. Diane B. SlaterMr. Brian J. VerardoMr. Michael J. Walker, Sr.Mr. Marcel D. Wilson

1998Mr. William J. ArlandMs. Heather A. ArmstrongMr. Kurt M. BruskotterMr. Scott P. FergusonMr. Eric J. FischerMr. Eric C. HallquistMr. Bradley S. HillikerMrs. Amy C. JohnsonMs. Margaret A. LoperfidoMr. Christopher G. MarkusonMr. Nikolaj PraschMs. Amy D. RuppMs. Joan L. SappMs. Erin K. StewartMr. Daniel A. TalMs. Marcie M. TurrentMr. Brian J. VerbeckMr. Peter H. Wallstrom, Jr.Ms. D’Anne WilliamsMs. Cheria K. Yost

1999Ms. Robyn R. BartlingMr. Michael J. BrownMr. Roger S. ClarkMr. Bradley D. GustafsonMr. Aaron P. HayneMr. Michael G. JenkinsMr. Roderick E. JohnsonMr. Ryan J. LieblMr. Brian L. MartinMr. Heath V. MizerMr. Joseph J. NewtonMr. Kaidan V. NguyenMr. Scott C. OpieMrs. Cynthia M. PedrioliMr. Gregory M. ReeseMr. Jeremiah K. RehseMs. Earen L. Russell

28 • alumni news

E ARCHITECTURE AT CSU

Mr. Guy R. SitzmanMrs. Alissa A. StricklandMr. Stacey J. WeaksMr. Jeffrey T. Zock

2000Ms. Jessica BarrMr. David H. CordellMs. Elizabeth A. DennisMs. Krista E. ErnstMr. Michael C. FioreMrs. Jennifer M. GardnerMr. Jon J. HarrisMs. Barbara A. ImelMrs. Margita R. LaGrottaMr. Lance T. LowreyMs. Tawnya M. MickelsenMrs. Amy M. MorrisonMr. Eric O’RourkeMr. Kris PendletonMr. David E. Sheldon

2001Mr. Zac M. BoggsMs. Penny L. ClewsMr. Chad M. EnglishMr. Ashley E. HodenMr. Tye B. HodsonMr. James W. IvyMr. Shawn M. JacksonMr. Mark A. KosmosMr. Scott B. MatthewsMr. Jonathan D. SaxMs. Abby J. Wilson

2002Mr. William M. CrozierMr. David M. FroehlichMr. Matthew R. GordyMs. Julie B. GraffMr. Justin A. HayMr. Christopher N. IhrmanMr. Craig M. KislingMs. Shelley M. LaMastraMr. Daniel L. LambertMr. Christopher LanceMr. Joshua Z. LogsdonMr. Gregory C. MarinelliMr. Brandon E. McNellisMr. Jason S. MessarosMr. Stephen T. NooneMr. Eric A. PickettMs. Brooke J. PietzMr. Erik D. PrinceMr. Adam D. RichardsonMr. James M. SzaboMr. Hoang N. TaMr. Gavin D. WoodworthMs. Yuka Yoshida

2003Ms. Michelle L. AlexanderMr. Seth T. ArnoldMr. Martin R. BeeglesMs. Catherine J. BrenemanMs. Robin L. ChristopherMr. Charles A. ColvinMs. Sarah E. DalrympleMr. Jeremy B. EverettMr. Benjamin M. GuffeyMr. Timothy R. HartnettMr. Bruce C. IversMr. David R. JenkinsMr. Christopher D. LoftusMr. Ryan T. ManningMs. Romy N. MaurerMr. Erik M. McMurray

Mr. Gavin M. MeyersMs. Crystal M. MurrayMr. Gregory M. OakesMr. Trevor PanMr. Jared I. PierceMs. Cara L. ScohyMr. Eric M. ShepleyMrs. Julie E. SmithMr. Nathan M. StarckMs. Meredith TaniokaMs. Minden M. Ten EyckMr. Michael S. TrifflerMs. Jennifer A. Williams-Alm-steadMs. Christine H. Young

2004Ms. Felicitas BanuelosMr. John W. BeggsMs. Jessica L. CanfieldMrs. Ashley A. CorbettMr. Phillip M. CoxMs. Kerrie J. DyktonMs. Carla V. ErnstMs. Karen J. EschenMr. Rick T. Fahlstedt, Jr.Ms. Shannon M. FranzMr. Adam D. GarryMr. Daniel P. GouldMr. Eric M. HigginsonMs. Takako KatoMs. Amy P. LawMr. Michael B. McBrideMs. Haley M. McConaghyMr. Timothy D. MelchiorMr. David A. PetersonMr. Philip E. PlumMr. Daniel G. RaymondMr. Jonathan A. RomeroMr. Bryan P. SampsonMr. Errol M. SchumannMr. Daniel P. SkinnerMr. Jedediah R. SpiresMs. Jennifer L. StahlhammerMr. James B. StockhamMs. Kristin G. TurnerMs. Katrina B. WilliamsMs. Serena M. WoodwardMr. Aaron M. ZahmMs. Sara Zahm

2005Mr. Justin C. AckermanMrs. Elizabeth C. BeeglesMr. Jason W. BelloMr. Nicolas J. BoatnerMs. Jamie M. BogasMr. Brian P. CampbellMr. Jason A. CorrieMs. Kelsey R. DeeryMr. Zachary A. EarhartMr. Neil A. EmickMr. Christopher D. GlabachMr. Trevor R. HarwoodMr. Brandon K. HortonMs. Erin E. HortonMr. Dane J. HuffmanMr. Jerod A. HuwaMr. Ivan J. KelleyMr. Matthew T. KisselMr. Nick R. KotMr. Tolalf E. LarsonMr. Patrick D. MeyerMr. Jesse A. MichaelMr. Robert M. MolloyMs. Catherine I. NelsonMs. Maeve V. Nevins

Ms. Kristin N. SchoenfeldMr. Stephen M. SiglerMr. Joel D. ThomasMr. Philip L. WaltersMr. Christoph Zurcher

2006Mr. Scott J. AndersonMr. Mark D. BallockMs. Kaitlin C. BeattyMs. Crystal J. BeltzMs. Carly J. BiehnMr. Christopher J. ChappellMr. Timothy B. ChitesterMr. Paul W. ClementMr. Brent C. CooperMr. Joshua J. CulwellMr. Christopher S. DavisMr. Kyle W. DavisMs. Chante N. FloreaniMs. Nora L. GilbertsonMr. Michael D. HarmonMr. Luke S. HegemanMr. Tyler J. KigginsMr. Timothy R. KirbyMr. Kyu S. LeeMs. Yvonne L. LindgrenMs. Gentry K. LockMr. Samuel A. MacGregorMs. Kari L. MannMs. Jessica S. McWilliamsMs. Katharine N. MikesMr. Joshua D. MillonigMr. Matthew M. MurrayMs. Christa K. NenaberMr. Neil P. PodollMr. Todd K. RutherfordMr. Stephen J. RydzonMr. Thomas D. San FilippoMs. Stephanie L. Van DykenMr. Jacob R. SippyMs. Carrie A. WaldronMr. Brett H. WallaceMs. Desirae D. WilliamsMr. Dane I. Wood

2007Ms. Jessica J. AndersenMs. Ashley ArciniegaMs. Brittany M. AspromonteMr. William E. DaweMr. Jared A. FehringerMr. Jarvis R. FosdickMs. Tonya M. GlassmeyerMs. Emily L. GoldmanMr. Jesse A. GreggMs. Kimberly HarfordMs. Petrea E. HonychurchMs. Cassie J. KaslonMr. Kyle S. LeMs. Andrea S. LittleMs. Nora L. MachucaMs. Mary M. McMillanMr. Daniel C. SimplerMr. Craig M. StoffelMr. Scott B. StreebMr. Tyrel R. SturgeonMr. Brian E. WilliamsonMr. Brian C. Zook

2008Mr. William C. CooperMr. Steven J. CroninMs. Carissa H. DemoreMs. Megan R. FrenchMs. Maggie W. HallidyMrs. Michelle R. Hoshide

Ms. Taran M. JensvoldMr. Thomas J. JohnsonMs. Michelle K. KlineMr. Michael B. LanderMr. Matthew J. LeighMs. Tina S. MooreMs. Sara E. ParkinMr. Bryan M. PetersonMr. Robert J. PfeifferMs. Monica A. SchwartzMs. Amber R. SpitzeMs. Shan A. StanfordMs. Marissa A. SterrettMr. Justin R. TrangMs. Caitlin R. WellerMr. Karl J. Whitman

2009Ms. Melanie D. AmesMs. Anna J. CawrseMr. Will G. FreyschlagMr. Mitchell T. FriesMr. Cole T. HansonMr. Jeffrey B. HowellMs. Lauren V. HowellMr. Brian R. JamesMs. Leslie A. JoslynMr. Logan H. KillpackMr. Ryan L. KovatchMs. Shihomi C. KuriyagawaMr. Jeffrey D. LombardiMr. Jeffrey A. MartinMs. Lauren K. McConnellMr. Matthew S. McMillanMr. Aaron J. OlsonMr. Troy D. OutmanMr. Joseph PerezMr. Jeffrey L. RichardsonMs. Tamara M. RigneyMr. Jason L. RubekMr. Ryan T. SandMr. Caleb B. SchultzMr. Adam J. ShramekMr. Jared A. SmithMr. Michael S. StanleyMr. Preston J. SullivanMr. Evan M. TozierMs. Cynthia J. WinchMr. Kyle L. WolfMs. Sarah M. Zick

2010Ms. Krystle L. AlcainMs. Chandi A. AldenaMr. Eric H. AndersonMr. Matthew R. BristolMr. Michael T. BrownMr. Scott D. BrunmeierMr. Zachary A. CinkelMs. Jorie M. CreelMr. Adam V. DayMr. Blaine L. FanningMs. Marilou A. FernandezMs. Elizabeth M. FloodMr. Jason P. FristenskyMr. Phillip W. GatchellMr. Colin R. HeffernMs. Emily S. KernMr. Nikolaos S. MillerMs. Faith D. ParksMr. Andrew P. PattonMr. Jeremy J. PikeMs. Debra S. RiceMr. Dylan J. SchmerMs. Kelli M. SchwabMr. Alexander W. ShubinMs. Callie E. Stegman

Mr. Dylan P. StrackerMr. Kurt L. ThomasMr. Jonathan P. Williams

2011Mr. Josh M. AnzulewiczMr. William J. BenderMr. Alexander Z. BerryMs. Shaunta R. ButlerMr. Jay R. CourtneyMr. Andrew B. D’AlleinneMr. Jason R. DehaanMs. Rachel M. DoyleMr. Darren A. DurouxMr. Edwin A. GowdyMs. Karin E. Gudal-JohnsonMs. Shannon M. HarkerMs. Katie L. HarperMr. Samuel S. HeineckeMr. Tyler K. HoestMr. Joshua S. JohnsonMs. Jessica L. JohnstonMr. Bradyn D. JonesMr. Adam S. KantorMr. Kevin M. KiernanMr. Daniel W. KnightonMr. Michael V. KohlerMs. Kelly M. MarshallMr. Benjamin R. MartinezMr. Jeremy M. MonahanMs. Elizabeth A. NealMr. Bryan M. NicholasMs. Lindsay N. OliverMr. Adam B. PridgenMs. Catherine E. PucciMr. David D. PurvesMs. Mallory A. ReamsMr. Andrew RiojasMr. Thomas G. WhitneyMr. Anthony A. Wilhelm

2012Mr. Jonathan D. AltschuldMr. David J. ArmesyMr. Zachariah D. AverillMs. Jennifer P. BakerMr. Bryce S. BlumMr. Cullen W. ChapmanMr. Cory E. HallamMr. Michael S. HonerlawMr. Andrew J. HottmanMs. Britni A. JohnsonMs. Michaela KaiserMs. Josephine N. KohnertMr. Chad W. KrenzkeMr. Jason M. OwenMs. Rachel E. PrelogMs. Mollie C. SimpsonMr. Jeffrey R. ThomasMr. Andrew E. ViethMs. Brianna L. Weintraub

alumni news • 29

Professor Curl gathers with graduate students in studio.

31

Global

Think

waste.landby Shiva Solaimanian ‘14, BSLA

Inquiry. Through the lens of an anthropologist and independent film maker, the issue seemed not only prevalent in our society, but ironically under the radar and in need of attention. Questions began to arise, such as: why is there such a large disconnect between people and their waste? Why is there a negative social attitude towards people reusing materials? Is it possible to shift people’s mindsets? Is there a solution on first a personal, then societal level?

Curiosity. Through a hearsay process, Dave and Shantel found a surprising number of people and businesses throughout the country where creative recycling was not just a habit, but a lifestyle. Of many examples, certain places stood out, like New Belgium’s personal waste treatment facility right here in town. One conversation led to another, egging on the idea of how we humans need to rethink how we manage our waste. What Dave and Shantel strive for is to continue and expand this conversation.

Redefining Waste. This is the phrase coined by local Fort Collins citizens and activists Dave Rizzotto and Shantel Hansen. In a pioneering effort to find people and companies who have found creative solutions to reusing waste, they’ve travelled throughout the U.S. for five months in search of answers. What they found was that, although far and few between for the time being, unique individuals and companies do exist that embrace a radical view of recycling and act on that impulse every day.

32 • feature articles

and reusing waste. They chose to portray these stories from a positive perspective that shows how solutions are possible, and how people are living them. Whether someone built a home out of recycled materials, collected cans weekly for redemption, or experimented with the musical quality of trash, creativity fueling recycling is prevalent, but rarely seen by many people.

Transformation. It is important to start small. Shantel provided an example of making a promise to yourself to not bring home plastic. Our habits will not vanish overnight, and neither will the problem as a whole. However, taking small steps toward a shift in mindset and habits while spreading awareness can make a large impact over time. It all starts with mindfulness of the issue and beginning to take notice of your routines and how they have the potential to change.

Visit Dave and Shantel’s website at http://www.wastedocumentary.com/

Clockwise from facing page: Earthships are homes made from waste; making music out of junk; Artist-in-Residence program at Recology in San Francisco (two images)

we simply tried to shift small habits in terms of what and how we consume. As Dave pointed out, “what did people do 50 years ago before plastic?” Other methods were used in the past and perhaps it’s time to revisit them.

Third. Shantel discussed how incentives to reuse and recycle are limited and not many states provide redemption programs. Furthermore, people actually participating in these redemption programs are only a small percentage of the population. Awareness and incentives are key.

Fourth. Our mindset about waste needs to change. Most people tend to have a negative association with garbage and stick to the mentality that it is “dirty.” This is partially a marketing tool, urging people to avoid recycling or reusing a product when they can just have a new one every time the need arises. Again, this mindset and disconnect can change.

Solutions. Accessibility + incentives + emotional charge = the key to change. Dave and Shantel approach awareness and emotional spark by proceeding to create a series of webisodes highlighting how people are creatively managing

First. This issue is fundamentally rooted in the fact that people, particularly in industrialized nations, are highly insulated from their waste. Since we do not see our trash after it is disposed of and companies are not held responsible (legally, at least) for their products’ environmental impact, an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality has been adopted. But just because we do not have to personally deal with the repercussions of creating waste, it does not mean the issue disappears, any more than the actual trash disappears. This detachment partially stems from lack of connection with product origin. If people had a more direct relationship with what they were consuming in the first place and knew where it came from, perhaps we would dispose of it differently.

Second. Dave noted how consumers want their products to be cheap. Producers, in turn, are responsive to this. This supply and demand pattern repeats itself, and ultimately convenience and low cost hold the highest value in the marketplace. A world of difference could be made if

Web se r i e s encourages commun i t y to rede f ine was te

feature articles • 33

TRES L O C A L M

Top image: Natural Systems Domination; bottom images: Tres Birds Workshop

Global

Think


BIRDS WORKSHOP:AT E R I A L S / R E A L I N N O VAT I O N

Walking into the workshop, I felt unbelievably comfortable. Natural light filled the room while a group of smartly-dressed designers sat around a circular table talking about a current project. While waiting, I took a look around at what exactly I had stepped into. The space is very open and sleek, yet the space also has a certain charm despite the exposed concrete floors and raw features, like reclaimed pallet racks and industrial metal shelving. Stacks of reclaimed wood for an upcoming project were arranged all around the office and succulent plants were growing in different areas of the warehouse-like workshop, tugging at my curiosity to discover what kind of work is done here. After taking a final look around, I took a seat and read a magazine while finding myself dozing off in the warm light; yes, falling asleep. Luckily, I wake myself up before a man walks over to introduce himself and we get to talking. One specific statement sparks our hour-long conversation.

A consciousness shift. This is the definition of sustainability to architect Mike Moore of Tres Birds Workshop in Denver.

It is not necessarily through science that something or someone is particularly sustainable, but it is through the thought process and the re-focusing of those thoughts that something or someone may strive to become sustainable. But how can one’s view on say, the environment, change to be more sensitive to sustainable practices or ideas? To explain what Moore and his team do to promote sustainability comes down to one interesting, yet simple, idea: embodied energy.

Simply stated, embodied energy is the full energy life cycle of an object, and in Moore’s case the specific focus is on materials. He has claimed and proven that an entire project can be made out of recycled or reclaimed materials. Beyond recycling, Tres Birds’ philosophy also takes into consideration the embodied energy of the materials used in their projects. The result is a striking series of sustainable projects through the use of sustainable materials and construction practices, including such strategies as only using local materials (reducing transportation needs) and


This page: Natural Systems Domination;Facing page: Quick Left Offi ce

developing innovative uses for these materials to reduce the need for heating and cooling of a space. These are among the most effective practices regarding sustainability in the architecture world today. These methods are so innovative and efficient, Tres Birds Workshop has become a personal inspiration, affecting the way I approach every project. So why aren’t all offices using these methods? Moore states that finding the right materials and figuring out how to use them can be extremely challenging and labor intensive. Presumably, many offices do not have the personnel or persistince needed to pursue such solutions. However, Tres Birds benefits from this extra effort by standing out from the rest; with the increasing importance of “being green” in today’s society, their methods are an effective marketing tool as well as a means to save money on materials, support local businesses, and explore new ideas to keep up with a constantly changing field. It is hard to find a justification for not going this extra mile to be cutting-edge and generally smarter about the way we approach our craft, benefitting the environment and the client, as well as generating a bit of good karma to boot.I haven’t quite found another firm like Tres Birds Workshop,

at least in Colorado, and maybe their uniqueness stems from all that good karma they’ve built up. Their exhaustive efforts at sustainability are truly exhibited in their work, rather than just showing up as a statement on their website that is never seen through. Over the past few months of job searching and determining what type of firm I’d like to be a part of, Tres Birds keeps returning to my thoughts. Given the current state of our environment and disappearing natural resources, why wouldn’t I want to be a part of a team like Moore’s? But can their projects live up to the standards I have heard about from Moore and his promotional materials? One of the firm’s projects that I find most compelling is “Natural Systems Domination.” This temporary art installation was commissioned in Denver and uses vintage office furniture combined with live vegetation, as stated on their website. Tres Birds says: “If we had it our way, natural systems would dominate entirely.” This project shows the office furniture literally being overtaken by living vegetation, communicating the idea that we must continue to develop our relationship with nature while still being trapped in our business world. Tres Birds also reused and recycled all of the materials used for this project after


the installation was disassembled, maintaining the idea of maximizing the life of materials.

A more permanent project designed by Tres Birds Workshop that is deeply impressive is the redesign of the office of Quick Left, a software development company. Like the Natural Systems Domination project, the project promotes sustainable practices through the use of reclaimed materials and vegetation to literally breathe life into the space and improve the air quality in the building. But their interesting use of materials and focus on sustainability should not distract from the incredible design work they do. Natural light fills a space where existing flooring was sanded down to its original state, without using chemicals. Modern and chic, the space is very open and transparent, giving employees the freedom to roam and enjoy the place where they work, without feeling trapped. At the same time, there are whimsical, materially rich elements that weave through the space and create a sense of delight. So the combination of sustainable practices and design talent is harmonious. The Tres Birds Workshop headquarters has a similar design aesthetic to this project, and from personal experience, I felt comfortable, relaxed, and just plain happy while I was there. Hopefully some of that good karma has rubbed off a little bit on me.

Looking to the future, Tres Birds Workshop is a model for the architecture and landscape architecture fields. Landscape architects need heed the lessons of Tres Birds to keep moving forward with the current environmental revolution, creating spaces that not only employ sustainable practices, but also create interesting and provocative spaces. Designing with such passion results in wonderful, inviting places that benefit both people and their environment. I will say that if all firms approached design and construction similarly to Tres Birds, peoples’ experiences with the built environment would be healthier, happier, and more likely to result in a shift in consciousness. Tres Birds is certainly doing their part in educating and exposing us to the possibilities of what can and should be done.

For more information, visit Tres Birds Workshop online athttp://www.tresbirds.com/

Written by: Mary Taylor ‘13, BSLAPhoto credits: Tres Birds Workshop


Denver Seeds: Growing Meals (And Opportunities), From Plant to Plate

By Colin Day, ‘14, MLA I

The 21st century will likely be, amongst other things, the century of the city. And the nature of cities, so to speak, is changing. With a projected world population of nine billion by 2050, the world’s cities can expect to experience an increase not only in size and density, but also in numbers. With more than half the of world’s population already living in urban and semi-urban environments, and with that percentage ever increasing, a picture is painted for the future of the city that is at worst chaotic and dystopian, and at best…well, it’s hard to say. The issues facing cities will continue to increase in scope and complexity as cities grow in size and numbers. It’s safe to say that cities must transform under the pressures of the current and projected patterns of population growth, pollution trends, transportation trends, global climate

change, poverty, malnutrition and public health and safety - just to name a few. Enter stage right: catchphrases like green products (building materials, clothing, lunch boxes and other manufactured goods), green lifestyle philosophy (living by a ‘green’ ethic), eco-friendly, natural, organic, sustainable, etc. The cultural, political and lifestyle agendas surrounding environmentally ethical decisions is a hopeful step and gives ever increasing credence to the central tenet of this movement: we’d better take care of our environment before it takes care of us.

Perhaps one of the greatest threats to both human health and global stability is the issue of food security. Intensively increasing our focus on Urban Agriculture is a critical step in the right direction towards addressing this crisis, for a variety of inter-connected and complex reasons. As it currently stands, though, there is no cohesive plan in place on the part of the Federal Government to domestically address the issue of basic food security for its citizens. The

Global

Think


Facing page: Changing the way people eat star ts during childood with education about healthy habits and community suppor t for those habits to develop.

closest the government came to addressing this issue was the Community Food Security Act of 1995. It was sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy [VT], Sen. Tom Harkin [IA] and Sen. Edward Kennedy [MA] and the purpose of the bill read as follows: “To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make temporary assistance available to support community food security projects designed to meet the food needs of low-income people, increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs, and promote comprehensive, inclusive, and future-oriented solutions to local food, farm, and nutrition problems”.

Unfortunately, the last major action taken on the bill was a referral from the Senate to the Committee on Agriculture where it was never heard from again. What the bill aimed to provide seems sensible enough: basic nutrition and food security for low-income communities and self-reliance for all. Sadly, obtaining adequate nutrition has become increasingly difficult for the nearly half of the world’s population living in poverty. Even for those of us who can afford to feed ourselves sensibly with a balanced diet of healthy foods, nutritional choices have become the focus of increasing scrutiny. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides and herbicides, growing conditions of plants and animals, the feed and slaughter of the latter, farmed vs. wild caught, organic vs. conventional, local vs. shipped and so on are all choices that we may consider when purchasing food. These choices seem trivial to many consumers, who are providing for large families with limited resources, and indeed they must be; many might call this a ‘first-world problem.’ These choices can seem cultural and political, and oftentimes they are. But they are also critically important: there is a lot at stake in the games of food and security.

I recently met with an old high school friend of mine over dinner and drinks in Denver. His name is Arthur Ortegon and he, along with a woman named Kendra Sandoval, run a small but important office for Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. The office sprung from an initiative in Mayor

Hancock’s winning campaign and is called Denver Seeds. The work that Denver Seeds does is laudable and the scope of its vision is rare. I set up the meeting with the hope of picking Arthur’s brain specifically about Urban Agriculture in Denver, and proceeded to do so for two hours. On the way home, I was so overwhelmed by the range of our discussion, by the sheer enormity and complexity and morass surrounding our culture and environment that I lost track of specifically what it is that Arthur and Kendra and Denver Seeds actually do.

The issues and complexities surrounding urban agriculture, I realized, are much, much larger in scope than I wanted to believe. On a basic level, urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) is agriculture in and around an urban environment. This means not only the raising of fruits, vegetables, animals and bees, but also the processing of raw materials and production of goods in situ. Sounds easy enough so far, but not so. It is actually a very complex system to put into practice in many contemporary cities because it aims to address a wide variety of issues on a local, regional, national and global scale.

This isn’t the agriculture that the Persians pioneered over 10 thousand years ago or even the agriculture that our parents and grandparents practiced 60 years ago. It is a result of mechanization, standardization, transportation, urbanization, industrialization, legislation, zoning, and a whole variety of other developments in food production. UPA in the 21st century must address not only food security, but also neighborhood development, unemployment, infrastructure, education and community outreach, environmental sustainability and its associated land use policies among other considerations. The Community Food Security Act of 1995 aimed to address some of these issues. For this bill to have been shelved without even looking at the whole picture makes one wonder - what would it take to get these increasingly relevant issues to be addressed?

As is often the case, many of the issues involved boil down to one common factor: money. If increasingly large and complex economies of scale got us into this mess, then maybe economies of smaller scales can get us out. Arthur told me that the question of consistent funding and of the


The Blue Bear Farm at the Denver Convention Center supplies produce for the facility’s kitchen and educational oppor tunities for children

health of the economy in general is the big sticking point on this issue. As of yet, many cities, including Denver, lack consistent sources of funding to initiate and support UPA programs. Surplus money is most often used on issues of seemingly greater concern, like education or infrastructure. So in essence, UPA needs startup capital. The question for investors of any kind then is simple: what’s the return? It could potentially be huge, but it’s very hard to tell. Arthur told me, for example, that in 2008, the Denver area spent roughly $6 billion on food. Out of that, only 10% was spent on the local food economy. The other $5.4 billion was spent on products produced elsewhere, likely corporate chain-restaurant food, agri-business products and processed foods. He pointed out the local multiplier effect as well. This is the theory, supported by a number of studies, that money spent on locally produced goods and at local businesses is likely to stay circulating locally. This means that the $4.00 you spent last fall on butternut squash at the farmers’ market will hypothetically make it back into your pocket eventually. Not once or twice, but three and a half times on average. It can seem somewhat abstract, but this means that the $600 million spent on food in Denver in 2008 actually had the economic impact of more like $2.1 billion for the local economy. Even though that is a handsome figure, what happened to the other $5.4 billion, which actually translates to a possible $16.2 billion of local economic activity? It mostly walked away and won’t be back for awhile.

It’s safe to say that Denver will not transform into a 100% local food economy any time soon, if ever. Many would argue that such a scope of localization is not only impossible, but even undesirable. After all, there are many food products we consume that cannot realistically be produced locally. Coffee, chocolate, salmon filets, mangoes and Chianti are all good examples. Even though that’s somewhat of a simplification, the point is that many things we now take for granted would be unavailable under a system of full localization. More than that, such drastically reduced imports would be economically and culturally harmful in their own ways. But that is as much a question of natural resources and climate as it is of processing, packaging and distribution hubs.

Therein lay the middle ground that Denver Seeds seeks

to promote: keep more money in the local economy at a +/-350% rate of return, but not all of it. In the meantime, jobs, goods and services are created and communities are strengthened by self-sufficiency, individuals are strengthened by fresh and vital produce, and ecosystems are created in which soil, air and water is renewed. It seems too good a future not to pursue it with all available resources. But it’s not easy.

Nevertheless, to date, Denver Seeds has completed a variety of projects, which at the very least will serve as important prototypes for future improvement and, ideally, will become critical and proven forerunners in a much more integrated and official Denver food system. Arthur described the approach to economic integration as the “Sustainable Triple Bottom Line”. The triad indicated is the connection between the economic, environmental and social sectors, in which improvement of one promises improvement in all. In the economic sector, job creation and local economic drivers are created. In the environmental sector, the improvements to natural resource management, the built environment, and water and air quality are considered. In the social sector, communities are built and/or strengthened, with healthier and better performing students and residents, and in which community ideals of food safety and health are promoted along with better eating habits. Community Investment is the banner under which Denver Seeds promotes its goals.


The aim is the growth of existing organizations, markets, jobs, and food, and is accomplished through outreach and education. The goal is to engender behavioral and cultural changes through education from childhood onwards, thereby enabling healthier and more localized communities.

A more practical rubric is designated as an on-the-ground, viable economy, “Fostering Jobs From Plant To Plate,” as another catchphrase of Denver Seeds reads. This is a five-tiered cycle that effectively deals with both the Sustainable Tripe Bottom Line and Community Investment. The first tier is production. By bringing nodes of production for locally produced goods, economic growth is created as well as food safety and traceability. The second tier is distribution. A specific local network or group of local networks may be utilized and/or created to deal with dependable local food distribution, again increasing food safety and additionally decreasing the carbon footprint. The third tier is processing. Processing and packaging locally creates growth in the job sector, also potentially decreasing the carbon footprint in the event that packaging material is also produced locally. The fourth tier is food access. This is a marketing component of the local cycle and it is also a practical reality for many. The areas that are most food insecure (some call these food deserts) also generally have limited means of transportation and higher levels of poverty, obesity and diabetes. Assuming these nodes could be developed under this plan would have a positive health impact on the population, environment and economies of these neighborhoods. The final tier is post-consumption. Considering this cycle as a cradle-to-cradle endeavor would ensure availability of high quality compost, with its beneficial effect on soil health. This would likely produce jobs as well and decrease the overall waste byproduct of the system by using outputs as inputs wherever possible.

The best example of the work Denver Seeds does is arguably The Veterans to Farmers Greenhouse located at 27th and Arapahoe, situated within Sustainability Park, which will be completed in 2013. This 12,000 square-foot greenhouse facility, which is a collaboration with Circle Fresh Farms, aims to have an attached market and will serve as a vocational training center. Also, at the Denver

County Jail, an aquaponics and greenhouse system will be installed to feed inmates and eventually sell produce. The Blue Bear Farm at the Denver Convention Center supplies produce for the facility’s kitchen and educational opportunities for children. On the drawing board is the DIA Agro Park, which would serve a similar role for the airport and could be, ostensibly, much larger in scale and impact. These examples may not seem that forward thinking to those who deal with land use issues and concepts of urbanism, but the fact that it is being initiated at a local government level is the exception rather than the rule. If Denver Seeds succeeds in its vision, Mayor Hancock might be remembered, like Mayor Speer, as an effective green thumb, and like Mayor Peña as a champion of new urban development.

There is much that needs to be done if the type of change that Denver Seeds is envisioning is to become a reality. But the effects of the changes would be transformative for Denver in its image and in its industry. Denver was once a much more powerful agricultural hub than it is today, and could reclaim that identity in an updated fashion. It would engage offices, organizations and the community in dialogues surrounding land use, social and cultural quality of life, skill sharing and education, vocational training and community outreach, health, autonomy and economy. It will bring to light conflicts of land use, disposition and tenure, and environmental issues surrounding contaminants in the water and soil and general environmental toxin loads within the city. Green projects, including but not limited to UPA in the urban environment have proven to have ameliorative effects on public health and safety and environmental health and biodiversity.

With the urban population growth of the 21st century that we can expect, cities will need to continuously re-engage issues of land use and health, along with the safety of its citizens. The dynamic and dramatic nature of this change is uncertain, but to prepare for the best increases the quality of life for residents now and in the future. Denver Seeds is a step in the right direction, and with luck and good works, hopefully it can evolve into a stride.

For more information, visit Denver Seeds online at:http://www.greenprintdenver.org/land/denver-seeds/


Model for Evans Transit-or iented Development, designed by Rachel Prelog ‘12, BSLA

The following pages offer a unique cross-section of the diverse works produced by exemplar students in our BSLA and new MLA programs. Works highlighted include those produced by students David Armesy ‘12, BSLA, Josie Kohnert ‘12, BSLA, Rachel Prelog ‘12, BSLA and Scott Preston ‘13, MLA I.

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studio works

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East Boston Waterfront Revitalization: Ecological Exchange

In the late 17th century the Boston Harbor was once a thriving center of ecological biodiversity, comprised of expansive tidal mudflats and salt marshes that gently wove the land into the sea. As populations grew, the rolling hills that composed the Boston peninsula were cut down and used to fill the tidal marshes while the harbor was dredged and channeled in effort to make way for the rapidly growing shipping industry which flourished for over a century. Now, the crumbling piers and derelict land that line the shore of East Boston stand as visual reminders of a community that was once a thriving economic center for the maritime industry.

In response to these issues, a dynamic framework was developed around a matrix of intersecting spaces that would institute hybridized and structured ecologies in order to remediate fifty acres of post-industrial waterfront and act as a catalyst for future environmental and economic growth.

The organizational structure of the waterfront was generated through the notion of weaving the fluvial forms of the once expansive tidal mudflats with Boston’s radial street system. What emerges is a sculptural notion that pays tribute to the dominant forms of the past ecologies and the present urban structure. This construct serves as the fabric for reintroducing the region’s lost or endangered ecologies back into the waterfront, some of which, such as salt marshes and intertidal wetlands, exist only in small specially-maintained and preserved pockets or out in the Boston Harbor Islands National Park.

The design also aims to engage the community through a series of public open space and pedestrian path networks. These will function primarily as public open space but will also provide water access and can dually function as large event spaces for concerts, educational events, harbor cinema nights, star gazing parties and numerous other activities.

David Armesy ‘12, BSLA

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1.8 MILES OF WATERFRONT EDGE

50 ACRES OF LAND

BOSTON INNER

HARBOR

MAVERICKSQUARE

PIERS PARK

EAST BOSTON

LOGANINTL.

DOWN TOWN

BOSTON

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The proposed East Boston Waterfront Master Plan will provide a strong framework for re-energizing the waterfront centered around the notion of ecological infrastructures as a fundamental component of urban renewal design. The Master Plan is not intended to dictate boundaries, but to establish an adaptive environment where the spatial relationship of human interaction and ecological systems results in a space that sustains both spheres.

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ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NATIONAL MONUMENT: Resolving Political and Social Tension through Design

Once touted as “America’s best idea,” the National Parks system faces a rising tide of social and environmental problems that are proving difficult to rectify, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument—located along the international border in southern Arizona—is an apt example of this trend. Recently, journalist Tom Clynes nicknamed Organ Pipe “America’s most dangerous park” in reference to the roughly 300,000 illegal annual visitors--ranging from drug smugglers to immigrants--that require rangers to double as border patrol agents, have shut down roughly 90 percent of the park to date, and are quickly disturbing the composition of the fragile Sonoran ecosystem. This National Monument is an example of the profound toll political and social issues can take on a landscape, and how difficult it becomes to manage and sustain these rare spaces.

I sought to address these issues by focusing on the border itself, thereby bringing resolution through culturally and environmentally responsible design. Instead of 30 miles of homogenous fencing, the proposed solution is a chain of smaller parks that express the vast social history of the landscape in a way that also channels cross-border traffic through a series of easily managed openings. By mimicking the existing topography, and employing the idea of physicality with permeability, it protects the park from hostile elements while simultaneously promoting the fluidity—as well as the education and awareness of border history—necessary for a healthy region of the Sonoran Desert. Overall, the proposed design creates an experience influenced by the flexibility of border definitions, capable of responding to changing social and political trends, that speaks to the strengths of the region rather than working against the existing conditions (as the current solution is prone to do).

Josie Kohnert ‘12, BSLA

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The Bloomingdale Trail is a multi-faceted project transforming an abandoned elevated rail line in Chicago into a linear trail and park. The Canadian Pacific Railroad Line runs approximately 2.65 miles east-west from Ashland Avenue to Ridgeway Avenue. This capstone project focused on designing a quarter-mile segment of the trail as well as using two adjacent vacant lots for programmed areas. One of these lots was transformed into a park, which provides access to the trail. The other is planted with a copse of trees which becomes the base for the “canopy deck.” From the trail, users can travel through this feature, which is a series of walkways that meander through the copse of trees. Situated at 16 feet above grade, one would have a unique experience of being surrounded by the middle and upper tree canopy. An obvious goal was to create a distinctive trail / park, designed to stand apart from existing projects such as Field Operations’ High Line. The trail’s concrete-filled embankment allows a greater carrying load and provides the opportunity to create overhead planes through varying levels of vegetation and man-made structures, important for a raised, exposed site. Therefore, rather than being a static, flat plane, grading and planting were used to enhance the trail’s program, provide neighbors with privacy and create a sense of discovery.

Rachel Prelog ‘12, BSLA

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Scott Preston ‘13, MLA I

The redesign of New Belgium Brewery’s property in Fort Collins, Colorado sought to create a beer garden and a separate employee garden around the bottling facility and adjacent to the main building. The brewery wanted to use an adjacent property to accommodate a redesigned bike path and an amphitheater, while contending with a deteriorating river bank, an oxbow of old growth cottonwood trees traversing the large field and a high risk floodway.

My proposal embraces principles of both modern and classical design concepts. The use of prescribed geometric shapes throughout the design is articulated in a way that allows for the creation of functional spaces. The river bank vegetation was removed and a portion of the river re-routed in order to stabilize the riverbank and improve the site’s ecological function. The bank will be left to regrow naturally with minimal maintenance. The large field was abstracted to be a metaphor for the Front Range, depicting the changing landscape character from the rolling plains to the foothills. The rolling plains appear in the form of geometrically graded hills and voids, with the amphitheater set into one of the hillsides. A bike path cuts through the rolling plains and runs along the south end of the site near the river, connecting to the regional systems of cycling paths.

The graphic artwork from New Belgium’s ‘Shift’ beer cans and bottles inspired the design of both the beer garden and employee garden. The garden spans the south end of the main building which contains a water feature to provide passive cooling and recreational areas for outdoor games. The employee garden is located in the same location as it currently exists but has been redesigned to be more secluded featuring a fire pit and social gathering space.

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Each year, the landcape architecture program recognizes the efforts of our talented and dedicated students with awards that are voted on by faculty and visiting distinguished cr itics . In an undergraduate program of over 150 students, the following students rose to the challenge and stood above all else in their contr ibution to the unique culture and exceptional reputation of the Landscape Architecture program at CSU.

2012 ASLA Student Honor & Merit Awards National Award: Top seniors nominated by faculty; final selection voted by visiting jury of practitioners

Josie Kohnert David Armesy Rachel Prelog Ethan Smith Jason Owen Lindsey Greeb Honor Award Honor Award Honor Award Merit Award Merit Award Merit Award

Award jurors: (left to right):

Jana McKenzie, Principal, Logan SimpsonTodd Mead, Principal, CivitasStan Clausen, Principal, Stan Clausen AssociatesChris Dunn, Principal, Dunn + Kiley

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student awards

Landscape Architecture Outstanding Senior Award Top senior as voted by faculty

David Armesy

The Gerard Paul Monger Senior AwardHighest academic achievement and leadership as voted by faculty

Ethan Smith

Landscape Architecture Exemplary Service AwardHighest dedication to program as voted by faculty

Brianna Weintraub Michaela Kaiser Mollie Simpson

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Russell L. Butler II Memorial ScholarshipThe Russell L. Butler II Memorial Scholarship was recently established to honor the memory of its namesake, a formidable talent and leader in the profession of landscape architecture, who was widely recognized for his immense design talent, integrity, joy of life, and love of the outdoors.

The eligibility criteria for this student award was carefully conceived by the Butler family, his former partner and dear friend, Dennis Rubba ‘86, and members of the landscape architecture faculty to promote and engender these same high ideals in the hopes that it would inspire the recipients, future practitioners of the profession, to hold themselves to the highest standard.

An emotional ceremony featuring the Butler family, friends, students, faculty and other members of the local design community was held in the landscape architecture studio to mark the dedication of the scholarship. Those who knew him shared stories of his legacy, both personal and professional, and all left with a clear appreciation of the positive impact that this scholarhip will have on our program.

This page from top: Russell L. Butler II; Awards Dedication Ceremony; Butler family with Micah Sexton (2nd from left), first recipient of scholarship at the CSU Annual Awards luncheon.

Below: Russell L. Butler II; Kigali Conceptual Master Plan, Kigali, Rwanda; Denver Sports Complex, Denver, CO; First National Center, Omaha, NE; Gallup Corporate Headquarters, Omaha, NE; First National Center, Omaha, NE.

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ProfileRussell L. Butler II was born on January 9, 1946, in Midland, Michigan. He moved to Fort Collins, Colorado in the early 1980s and lived in Evergreen, Colorado for the last 17 years of his life. An avid skier, fly fisherman, loving husband, attentive father, creative artist, animal lover, and caring grandfather, Russ was an enthusiastic force of life to all that knew him. He dedicated his entire career to the landscape architecture industry in order to create environments that leave the world a better place.

Russ earned a Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University in 1969, studied at the Cleveland Institute of Art, and received a Master of Arts in Graphic Design from Kent State University in 1983. Over the course of his 40-year career, he helped reconstruct the country of Rwanda and headed up international projects in Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq, Nigeria, Saipan and China, in addition to his work throughout the United States.

As a designer, Russ worked in the areas of graphic design, urban design, campus and institutional master planning, residential and commercial planning, park design, transportation systems planning, and landscape architecture. Among his numerous accolades, Russ was CLARB- (Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards) certified and a member/affiliate of the following organizations: Council of Fellows, American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA); American Planning Association (APA); Urban Landscape Open Committee; Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD); American Institute of Architects (AIA); Society for College and University Planning (SCUP); and Urban Land Institute (ULI). Most recently Russ received the Daniel Burnham Award from the American Planning Association for his work on the Kigali Master Plan and was honored posthumously with the 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award of Landscape Architecture at Michigan State University.

Russ worked for twenty-eight and a half years as design principal and vice president of San Francisco-based EDAW, Inc. where he was responsible for coordinating a team of landscape architects and graphic designers to produce unique solutions for a variety of environmental design projects. In 2009, Russ took the opportunity to join studioINSITE of Denver’s River North Art District which was founded by his friend and well respected colleague, Dennis W. Rubba, RLA, ASLA. Russ was looking forward to “interacting with, collaborating with, and mentoring each member of this power-hitting team.” Unfortunately, Russ was only able to work with studioINSITE for a short period of time.

Russell enjoyed life with his wife and best friend of thirty-three years, Deborah; his daughters, Jessie L. Pellant (Joshua) of Boise, Idaho and Christine M. Marshall (Jon) of Clayton, California; and his two grandchildren Jacob and Jordan.

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Emily Sehloff ‘13, BSLA and Sam Coutts ‘13, BSLA teach students at Shepardson Elementary about landscape architecture through the CSU S.T.E.M. program.

63

There is a tension between health and frailty at which we carr y out our day-to-day lives; a place of comfort, withdrawn from particular realities.

9/15/12A woman and man stepped into our office today. Hesitancy could be sensed as it so often is in this office. They stand in the open foyer that lacks a clear point at which some unimagined process is to start. The woman looks around at the samples of granite and marble which are organized in rows on the wall. She then fingers through the brochures neatly placed on the table next to a plastic plant while the man stands with arms crossed observing her uneasy curiosity.

Quickly I realize that no other office representative has displayed initiative to greet these new customers. I stand up and smile as I exit my office, smiling being the first step on my how-to checklist of greeting a new guest, which, so far, I have only learned from prior experience. Greeting this pair with a, “Hello, how are we doing today?” I received an expected response of “Good.”

Unprovoked, she explained to me her being there in a simple sentence. However simple in structure, its reality and complexity weighed on me as it collided with my lack of experience.

“I’m looking into a headstone for my son”, she said.She looked away, eyelids fluttering, as the words were forced from her. Each syllable was spoken more weakly than the previous as though her mind was rejecting the reality which her breath, lips, and tongue were making real.

Trying to maintain a smile, unsure of how to react, I responded as quickly as I greeted them, “Well, let me grab our lead designer and she will help you get started.”

8/22/12With the stereo blaring 80s power ballads, we cruised down the highway into a clear blue sky. A truck bed brimming with headstones spells a full day of installations and an education in 80s rock from my work partner and ex-cover-band member.

Warrant’s ‘Cherry Pie’ roared from our truck when we entered the first cemetery of the day. The conversation shifted from Pink Floyd to his recent hunting trip while we grabbed shovels and prepared to place the first headstone.While aligning the stone, he continued to describe his kill. How the arrow entered the deer in the neck and how it tumbled down the hill. “That deer was not getting up after that. He was dead,” he stated blankly.

We finished placing the stone, packed up, and turned up our classic rock as we moved on to the next installation. I watched the cemetery disappear in the rear-view mirror and thought about the family that would soon come to visit the monument we constructed. I imagine that they will visit in near silence, taking the time to reflect. What we had just done was the exact opposite.

The cultural importance of commemorating the life of

64 • musings

musings...

a fellow human being and the business which employs individuals to set in place the physical representation are in disconnect. But I guess there really is no surprise in that.

10/18/12There is an expectation of how a person’s life should be commemorated. Driven culturally, aspects of one’s life are stratified by importance and timelessness; of what should be remembered.

Many use epitaphs that use powerful, perhaps exaggerated, statements in order to express a person’s life.

Is this exaggeration necessary?

Death already comes with such heaviness. Why not be remembered for your favorite sports team, or your dog, which you were never seen without? Years away, a passerby would probably get a better sense of who you were if you had the Denver Broncos logo on your stone rather than an epitaph that overdramatizes your impact on the world in one sentence.

Appreciated too are epitaphs that display sincerity; a real human experience such as, “I never loved, but was always learning how to.” The reason we do not commemorate real human experience serves to question, is the life you actually lived not good enough? Not dramatic enough?

Does it not contain the poeticism of a biblical parable?

Then, there is also the challenge of the design. It is interesting, in my short time as designer of gravestones, to see how people go about this process and how it is facilitated by the business at hand.

11/2/12It’s interesting that most of the custom designs that are placed on my desk call for a nature scene. One wants the Maroon Bells and a dramatic sky. Another wants a mountain landscape with elk and deer wandering amongst the trees. A depiction of Horsetooth Rock is another in high demand.

This is a powerful statement of the importance of the landscape in people’s lives. It is ironic, however, that these people are to be embalmed, tissues then lasting forever thus defying biological processes.

We are so attached to the landscape in life, yet in death, we put each other into boxes and separate ourselves from the earth.

Written by Ben Canales ‘13, BSLA. In addition working part-time as a gravestone designer, Ben is also President of CSU’s Student Chapter of the ASLA.

musings • 65

land • mark, winter 2013

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Transcript of land • mark, winter 2013