Development Density and Community Connectivity (SS Credit 1)

The City of Somerville, Massachusetts and the Boston Society of Architects (BSA) sponsored an international urban design ideas competition entitled: "EDGE as CENTER: envisioning the post-industrial landscape". The competition sought redevelopment strategies and design visions for the Brickbottom area of Somerville, inviting entrants to project the future of a pivotal post-industrial site in close proximity to downtown Boston.

Participants were required to consider the following elements:

• Innovation & creativity:


• Open space:


• Transportation and infrastructure:


• Smart growth:


• "Green design" and environmental sustainability.


• Environmental/ecological issues:


• History and cultural diversity:


• Sense of Place/ Identity:

Below is my submission boards. Development densities and community connectivity were carefully considered in this mixed use development. (click to enlarge)

Misty Mountain Side

Mountainside Residence, Columbia, TN

This project features a hillside terrace to capture the outstanding views and an outdoor entertaining space complete with fireplace, outdoor kitchen, built in soundsystem and a variety of lighting elements...

Woodland Garden

Concept plan for woodland residential garden.

A wooded setting and a gentle sloping site created a design opportunity for a stepped radial terrace nestled into a grove of towering trees. Careful site placement went into preserving sensitive plant communities. A curved overhead trellis creates an additional play of light on the ground plane. A bubbling fountain adds a subtle audible texture to the space.

A firepit is at the center of the circle suitable for both campfires and cooking. This garden of function and discovery allows for a sequence of experiences as one moves through and beyond the space toward a woodland stream.

An Urban Greenway

Shelby Bottoms Greenway, Nashville, TN One of the true jewels of Metro Nashville's Park and Greenway system, this 810 acre park offers 5 miles of paved multi-use trails and another 5 miles of primitive hiking trails. Along the trails, visitors can enjoy boardwalks, scenic overlooks, interpretive stations and seven rustic bridges.

The site’s Native American heritage was interpreted with symbols and signage. Design elements include site sensitive parking lot configuration, walkway/ bikeway systems, riparian and upland native habitat plantings, way-finding signage, and site furnishings.

Responsibilities involved the layout, grading and detailing of seating plazas, overlooks, and pedestrian/ bikeway amenities. (under employment of Hawkins Partners, Inc.)

Campus Design

Educational Facility - Fort Benning, GA

Radial bands of stained concrete extend away from a central axis formed by the architecture creating a rhythm of sequential experiences for the pedestrian.

This version utilizes a more x-y axial alignment that draws form inspiration from the columns of the architecture by extending the geometry of the building into the landscape.

Neighborhood Revitalization

Adaptive Re-Use, Holland, MI

Site master plan for small neighborhood commercial area. The design sought to establish an identity and provide connections to an historic neighborhood.

Design elements include pedestrian circulation systems, re-organization of existing vehicular circulation patterns, pedestrian scale design, and the creation of gathering spaces.

The site plan also made recommendations for adaptive re-use, additions to and expansions of existing buildings.

(under employment of Design+)

Pedestrian Bridge in an Urban Setting

Shelby Street Bridge, Nashville, TN

The Shelby Street Bridge, opened in 1909 was closed to vehicular traffic in 1999. It is now used as a pedestrian bridge linking Downtown Nashville to the East-Bank Stadium Campus over the Cumberland River.

Design elements sought to embrace the cultural history through the incorporation of public art. The bridge is not only a means of pedestrian transit but major downtown destination!

Responsibilities included collaboration with the structural engineer, ironwork fabricator, and wood paver fabricator. Other tasks include conceptual design for specialty paving patterns, custom site furnishings, construction detailing, and project construction administration.
(under employment of Hawkins Partners, Inc.)