as an environmental and landscape professional, I imagine myself in the kitchen: trusted tools at hand, and the visceral thrill of exploration loaded in my nerves.

Like a kitchen, the landscape architectural studio is a place that synthesizes a scientific comprehension of material components and the creative spark to put them together.

Like a good chef, I have kept a book of the tried and true recipes of my creation to refresh my memory as each new endeavor begins and to share with those with whom I would like to collaborate.

Welcome to my kitchen. Have a look around!

When I research and design,

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Intermediate Concepts:

scaled up from -private residencerisk v. reward -broad spectrum of -programming goals

Ingredients:Legacy of single- purpose design in arid Pima CountyNumerous examples of multi-use design in 8 arid and semi- arid SW U.S. citiesGrassroots community xeriscape and water-harvesting efforts in Tucson

Prep time: 2009-2010, part-timeSkills/traits required: conceptual simplification, must enjoy travelMakes about: 1/2 thesis, 1 design manual, 1 presentationServes: Pima County Regional Flood Control District, AZ

Begin with the problem at hand. Assess the state of recently-built detention basins in greater Tucson, and generally describe the limitations of single-purpose stormwater infrastructure design. Next, compare the local physical and design environment to similar southwestern municipal areas. Visit these municipal areas; interview regulators and designers of multi-use stormwater projects; visit exemplary sites; take pictures; sketch; take notes. Summarize findings generally into connectivity concerns (large scale), site grading, infiltration, and flow-routing strategies (medium scale), and structural enhancements (small scale). Prepare digital drawings to demonstrate site layout principles in plan view and section view design typologies. To convince the reader of feasibility, use site photos of built projects in multiple regions. Keep it simple! It’s going to be used as an off-the-shelf reference, so organize text and drawings in a consistent, easily-navigable manner. Summarize the few most important design directives into callout boxes, and refer the reader to additional resources for more in-depth explanations.

Image (center, left of line): The Arizona Wildlife Linkages Group 2006

Final Product:

Design typology of -12 categories:

Riparian Ecology -Adjacent Parcels -Street-side Basins -Lot-bottom -BasinsInflow Channels -/ Drop StructuresSlope-tops -Safety and -EducationSide-slopes -Hydraulic -StructuresInternal -Channels and OutletsPlanting -Recommendations

Each category -contains:

Summary Intro -1-7 Primary -Considerations, graphically illustratedKey Questions for -Design DecisionPermitting, -Maintenance, and Monitoring PointsList of Additional -Resources

Figures (top): Recreational siting in relation to landscape ecologyFigure (middle): Street-side basin siting in relation to natural drainagesFigure (bottom left): Land-use factors of hydrologic condition and riparian habitatFigure (bottom right): Drainage problem areas adjacent to basin

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Figure (top left): Subdivided, sequential terracing (plan view)Figure (top right): Subdivided, sequential terracing (section view)Figure (right, second from top): Impermeable liner alternativeFigure (right, third from top): Slope-top ditches, trails, and swalesFigure (right, fourth from top): Planting beds as a function of side-slope gradeFigure (bottom right): Flow routing through street-side detention basin with component water-harvesting basinFigure (bottom left): Separation of high and low flows, CU-Boulder Research Park (Belt Collins)Figure (bottom right): Separation of high and low flows, Las Vegas Springs Preserve (Natural Systems International)

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“The goal of microbasin design is to create multiple microclimates for diverse riparian growth without creating long-term pooling.”

“Side-slopes of detention basins can either separate or connect habitat and human use depending upon hydrologic routing.”

Figure (top left): Large basin hardscape dimensionsFigure (top right): Lowry, CO structural channel bend (Wenk Associates)Figure (right, 2nd from top): Oro Valley Marketplace, AZ drop structures and sediment trap

Figure (right, 3rd from top): Las Vegas Springs Preserve, structural walking ramp along side-slopeFigure (bottom right): Vista Hermosa Park, CA side-slope, including trails, planting beds, and basinFigures (bottom left): Side-slope grade alternatives

“Inflow channels convey runoff to a detention basin, and, along with drop structures, can absorb energy, connect habitat, assist with sediment deposition, and create intriguing drama.”

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Intermediate Concepts:

Integration with -Tech Park Master PlanService as a regional, -natural resource parkMultiple-use design -

Ingredients:Severe headcutting of basin side-slopes (above left)Poor vegetative growth in unnatural topographic profile (above center)Needs for local public park; development restrictions on-site (above right)

Prep time: 2009-2010, part-timeSkills/traits required: attention to detail, collaborationMakes about: 1 three-phased design proposalServes: Granite Construction Company, Tucson, AZ

To begin, define the opportunities and constraints of the existing detention basin. Note that an flood inundation and airport flight paddle restricts the development of inhabitable buildings and gaterhing areas throughout much of the site. Identify erosion rills along steep side-slopes, and the limited riparian habitat supported on the flat bottom. Determine that the public property is located in a recreational needs area between existing and planned residential communities and commercial developments, and along a planned greenway. In addition, it may serve as a patch of riparian habitat along and important biological corridor. Given these refined analyses, explore conceptual alternative and settle upon a master plan design to support restored riparian habitat along the basin bottom, side-slopes and slope-tops, recreational trails surrounding these natural areas, and to create dramatic inflows of water over hydraulic structures. Be realistic! Subdivide the ultimate vision into manageable phases in order to immediately satisfy the client’s legal requirements while also setting the stage for the site’s expansion to a public park.

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Figure (top): Phase 1 riparian mitigation and passive recreational master planFigure (bottom): Phase 1 sectional profile of basin bottom, side-slope, and slope-top

Section AA:

“In phase 1, sixteen acres of xeroriparian habitat will be planted within four shallow basins excavated to a depth of 6”-1’ from the existing basin bottom. The amount of soil needed to be added to the proposed side-slope improvements of phase 2 will be available on-site from the stockpiled fill of phase 1.”

Figure (top): In phase 1, shallow mitigation basins are created, excavated fill is stored in berms along the side-slope, and drainage is concentrated into existing gulleys. Figure (bottom): In phase 2, recreational, grading, and structural hydraulic features are enhanced.

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Section AA:

Figure (top): Phase 2 master plan (includes side-slope improvements and structural enhancementsFigure (bottom): Phase 2 sectional profile of basin bottom, side-slope, and slope-top

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Intermediate Concepts:

historic, local -landscape eventstechnological evolution -regional trends of -landscape change

Ingredients:1 major expansion of park boundaries 2 well-researched historic periods of significance (above left and center)3 poorly-understood, confounding eras of landscape change (above right)

Prep time: 2008-2010, part-timeSkills/traits required: persistence, inquiry, summarizationMakes about: 1 in-depth analytical reportServes: Tumacacori National Historical Park, Tumacacori, AZ

To prepare a Cultural Landscape Inventory (CLI), first quickly define the historic period/s of significance (POS/s; in this case Mission and NPS Rustic Style / New Deal Era), and identify the primary landscape features characteristic of these periods. Next, analyze the extent to which these periods and features have been described by previous researchers. This is done by a review of available 2° historic sources, after which point the researcher must identify any 1° historic resources (interviews with previous residents and staff, archived reports, photos, maps, etc.), that are necessary for a complete chronologial description of change to the identified historic features of the cultural landscape. Next, divide these bodies of research into 13 landscape characteristic themes, in which you will prepare diagrams and text describing the features of the POS/s, how they have been altered, and what, today, remains of them. Further prepare a separate description of the integrity of the cultural landscape, or its ability to represent a historic POS. Combine these analyses into a summarized report that will be used as a baseline for future programming at the site.

Images (from left): Tumacácori NHP; City of Tucson 1977; A. Konieczki and J. Heilman 2004

Final Product:

Statement of -SignificanceChronology and -Physical History NarrativeSeven aspects -of Integrity Description13 Landscape -Characteristic Descriptions (with graphics)

Figure (top right): Tumacácori Mission system land grants Figure (right): hydraulic function of Mission POS weir device (base image: J. Moss 2010)Figure (left): Mission compound circulation (base image: J. Ivey 2007) Figure (bottom): Mission POS regional spatial organization

“Tumacacori is a nationally significant site in two ways. First, it is one of the northernmost Spanish mission settlements of New Spain, and, through the Jesuit and Franciscan religious orders of the Catholic Church, was instrumental in changing the culture and environment of what became Southern Arizona and the Southwest U.S, as a result of exploration and settlement...”

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“Second, the Tumacacori mission site contains Rustic Style structures built by the NPS in the 1930s that represent a unique era of NPS design in historic monuments that emphasized the style and craftsmanship of the historic structures.”

Figures: Design evolution, cluster arrangement, and feature changes of NPS Rustic Style / New Deal Era POS (base images: C. Colby 1999; Tumacácori NHP)

Figure (bottom right): Feature change from NPS Rustic Style / New Deal Era POS to recent yearsFigure (bottom left): Small-scale feature change in Museum and Visitor Center pathways

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“Because the lands on the first and second riparian terraces of the Santa Cruz River between the river channel and the mission compound, as well as those irrigable lands to the north and south of the mission, continued to be used as a productive agricultural landscape for much of the time since the abandonment of the mission, the design of the Mission Period agricultural landscape retains a low level of integrity. ”

Figure (top right): Alluvial Systems of TumacácoriFigure (bottom right): Constructed Water Features of TumacácoriFigure (bottom left): Reuse and naturalization of Mis-sion POS fields, via drawing/photo series (base images: C. Schudard 1853; Tumacácori NHP)Figure (top left): Mission POS and contemporary farm unit layout (base images: M. Kay 1986)

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Intermediate Concepts:

junction function -pedestrian laces -inner and outer -radiance

Ingredients:1 deteriorating Sonoran pueblo (above left)2 residents dedicated to the town’s recovery (above center)2 guiding professors, & 8 enthusiastic students (above right)

Prep time: Spring 2009, intensive studio projectSkills/traits required: community engagement, street-smartsMakes about: 1 master-plan with modules of development Serves: Alice and Roberto Valenzuela, Fronteras residents

Fronteras, Sonora, MX presents the designer with an exciting and completely set of opportunities and constraints. Among these are a forgotten heritage of colonial history; the replacement of legitimate commerce by narcotraffic, corruption, and bypass by travelers; and stunningly beautiful, but neglected natural wonders. In order to develop a diversified economy, the ingredients of this analysis must be combined to create two cultural nodes announcing the town at its edges along the higways, drawing visitors inward to a prominent, centralized East/West axis. Design streetscapes along this junction, in order to welcome visitors into the town’s commercial heart. Place two educational/recreational nodes at the ends of this axis to further encourage visitors to explore the recreational, historical, and environmental resources surrounding the town. Locate pedestrian corridors, emanating from the central junction and activity nodes, along historic and contemporary canal alignments and breathtaking natural features. Selectively remove buildings along the east side of the highway to create “plazas miradores” or commercial gathering areas oriented to accent views across the agricultural and natural landscape.

All images of this project collaboratively developed by:O. Alicea, C. Alcala Avila, M. Bossler, D. Bradshaw, A. Foye, N. Sweeney, A. Wood, W. Wood

“The ‘back porch’ of Fronteras would connect landscapes of agricultural and economic productivity.”

“‘Punched out’ placitas could introduce passersby to the rich natural heritage of productive pastures, a beautiful river, and impressive background mountain views.”

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“A public trail can stretch along the acequia that would nourish much of the Green Heart.”

see figures,previouspage

see figure,bottom,this page

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“The untouched vistas and rural quality of the east of town, near the banks of Rio Fronteras, make in an ideal location for hte development of tourist facilities. The proposed equestrian center and ecolodge on the eastern edge of Fronteras mirror possible development on the west, each side functioning as an anchor - drawing visitor into and througout town.”

seefigure,bottom,this page

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Intermediate Concepts:

sense of community -sense of connection -sense of wonder -

Ingredients:1 expansion and reorganization of hospital building (above left)1 poor circulation network (above center)Numerous constrained or negative viewsheds (above right)1 specific client request: therapeutic garden

Prep time: September/October 2009, intensive studio projectSkills/traits required: the imagination of a childMakes about: 1 three-phased master-plan, 1 promotional video Serves: University Medical Center, Tucson, AZ

Oftentimes, though a client may have decided upon a concept they have developed before consultation with a landscape design professional. In these cases it is important to refocus their attention upon their primary programming goals, develop alternatives that will accomplish these, and give the client a new, improved vision for development. At Tucson’s University Medical Center, hospital staff requested a re-design of the landscape surrounding a Children’s Hospital extension of the medical campus. Specifically, they requested a ‘healing garden’ in a small, forgotten space surrounded by imposing hardscapes designed by the project architect. Additionally, views from a neighboring boulevard were to be opened towards the form and signage of the extension. Delivering upon these specific requests, the design further proposes to create a welcoming place of community, connection, and wonder through the rearrangement of circulation patterns for safety, the placement of abstract forms of the desert grasslands, and the construction of a public health and wellness center.

All images of this project collaboratively developed by:M. Bossler, D. Bradshaw, A. Wood

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Figures (top): Final concepts; Figure (bottom): Master plan (note section A and enumerated viewpoints)

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“The ‘Health and Wellness Campus Extension’ transforms the northeastern campus gateway into awalkable, restful, refreshing, and playful outdoor experience for patients of Diamond Children’s Medical Center, hospital staff and medical professionals, and the neighboring community.”

Figure (top left): Urban plaza; Figure (bottom left): Monumentation; Figure (center): Section A; Figure (top right): Children’s inspiration garden; Figure (bottom left): Green roof

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Prep time: 2008-2010, periodic involvementSkills/traits required: patience, negotiation, inspirationMakes about: 2 presentations, 1 installed designServes: Jefferson Park Neighborhood Association, Tucson, AZ

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Ingredients:1 traffic flow analysis (above left)1 element of local cultural tradition (above center)1 vernacular material (above right)

Intermediate Concepts:

revolution -ascension -leading of the eye -

Occasionally, opportunities to improve the communities to which I belong come in the form of pro-bono service projects. In this instance, under the guidance of neighbor and landscape architect Jessie Byrd (Desert Green Design), and with financial support from the City of Tucson Department of Transportation, I developed a traffic circle design for the downtown neighborhood of Jefferson Park, in which I lived. The goal of this project was to create a safe, low-maintenance, locally-appropriate piece of public art. Inspired by a group of neighbors who practiced and performed flamenco dancing, this design captured the concepts of revolution, ascension, and the leading of the eye in an abstraction of the triumphant, twisting form of the “bata de cola”, or ruffled dress train, of a flamenco dancer. Local vernacular materials, including oxidized, corrugated sheet metal, traffic reflectors, and native xeriscape plants, were chosen for the design, and the sculpture was constructed by neighbor Jerry Harris, aka “The Village Blacksmith”.

Final Product:

sculptural form -rising from the earthskirts of -corrugated steelriffles marked with -reflectorsframe of low- -maintenance, native, xeriscape trees, accent plants, and groundcover

Figure (top right): Final concept sketch of sculptural elementsFigure (middle right): Final graphic of complete design used for presentation to neighborhood associationFigure (bottom right): Design installed in traffic circle, Autumn 2010Figure (bottom left): Sculpture installed and adorned with roses by a neighborNOTE: (reflective material not yet installed)

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Prep time: Spring 2008, two weeks intensiveSkills/traits required: collaboration with architectural designMakes about: 1 master plan, 1 planting planServes: Coronado National Forest (educational exercise)

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Ingredients:1 abandoned gravel pit (above left)Multiple outstanding valley views (above center)1 diverse native plant palette (above right)

Intermediate Concepts:

Development -according to slopeBiotic community -planting zonesProcession of vistas -

When given a short timeline for preparation, quickly inventory the site and identify areas for preservation (excellent viewpoints, surface natural features of distinction), and development opportunity (previously disturbed sites, monocultures of common plants). Next, formulate a few primary programming goals (gateway entry, interpretation of natural resources from the ground and above, universal accessiblity). Working with a 3-D working contour model, locate site parking and the building envelope within development opportunity areas, and conceptually regrade the surface in order to site a system of trails, picnic areas, overlooks, and plantings centered around previously located preservation areas. Create two trail networks for varying levels of engagement: one universally accessible and formal, the other strenuous and rustic. Design elevators, stairways, and ramps to lead the visitor through a procession of points of discovery. Between designed viewpoints, concentrate visitor attention on a variety of plant forms native to biotic communities at or near the site. Integrate built form with landscape through an interconnected green-roof ribbon rising from the earth to the sky.

Figure (top): Master site grading and planting layoutFigure (right): Plant list

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Figure (top left): Architectural scheme of observation tower Figure (top right): Portal views along tower stairwayFigure (center left): Observation deck oculus views Figure (bottom): Arboretum entryway, green-roof ribbon courtyard

“The spiral course of the tower leads the visitor from the bedrock of the site to the open sky.’”

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Figure (top): Elevation and plan of northern portion; Figure (bottom): Elevation and plan of southern portion

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Prep time: Summer 2005-Summer 2007, full-timeSkills/traits required: independence, leadership, consensus buildingMakes about: multiple ecological reports and NEPA documentsServes: Bureau of Land Management & National Park Service

Ingredients:Various ecosystems (above left)Various planning frameworks (above center)Various ecological challenges (above right)

Intermediate Concepts:

Ecological Assesment -Natural System -DescriptionNative Habitat -Restoration

The process of natural resource management requires, first and foremost, the perception of major natural system processes. In order to understand the effect of land management practices upon a certain biological system, one must first define the independent factors of causation of a dynamic lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and human systems, and the dependent factors of the target population or ecosystem. Adhering to a predefined experimental design, findings can lead to better management strategies and techniques for ecosystem restoration. Based upon the available science, appropriate environmental policy can be developed within available planning frameworks (Environmental Assessments, Categorical Exclusions, Resource Management Plans, etc.) In the process of development, consultation with program area specialists within the Department, Native American tribes, and the Fish and Wildlife Service should lead to a consensus and result in a strengthened piece of policy.

Image (top right): W. Shattil & B. Rozinski 2007Image (bottom left): Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area 2007Image (bottom center): Pima County Flood Control District, 2008

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Final Products:Geostatistical elk herbivory -and fire effects study, Cerro Grande (Bandelier National Monument; this page)Ecological Assessment of -Sonoran Pronghorn critical habitat (BLM, Phoenix Field Office, page 30)Categorical Exclusions for -Invasive Species Removal along Colorado River (BLM, Lake Havasu Field Office, page 30)Environmental Assessment -for programmatic herbicidal control of invasise species along Lower Colorado River (BLM, Colorado River District, page 31)

“Land managers should consider creating ‘jackstraw’ in order to deal with the combined effects of fire and ungulate browse in areas where fuel reduction is a high priority.”

Management Recommendation:

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Figure (top): Sonoran Pronghorn Critical Habitat range assessment, Ajo, AZFigure (right): Fuel break proposed location, Needles, CAFigure (left): Tamarisk removal proposed location, Lake Havasu, AZ

GIS Analysis:

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Figures (below): excerpts, Programmatic Herbicide Application Environmental Assessment, Lake Havasu, AZ

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