2. De-Centered Design
Joseph Butts
1367 S. Milledge Ave.
Athens, GA 30605
(706)-850-JOSE
Objective: Seek the position of Landscape Designer.
EDUCATION:
• University of Georgia, Landscape Architecture- 3 years
• Savannah State University, Marine Sciences- 3 years
• Daniel Tal Sketchup Workshop
• Skidaway Institute of Oceanography- 2 years
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Design/Build Private Practice- 2014, Athens, GA
Landscape Design and Install
• Completed and installed an updated planting plan and hardscape for the commercial property, New Earth Music Hall in Athens, GA.
• Completed an updated planting plan for the Lyle Residence in Winder, GA.
• Successfully competed for jobs as a freelance designer using hand-drawn graphics.
Waseca Biomes- 2014, Athens, GA
Carpenter/toymaker
• Created high quality, handcrafted educational toys.
• Worldwide distribution of products including large markets in Japan, Europe, and domestically.
• Responsible for running and maintaining a variety of equipment including, a laser cutter, band saw, miter saw, airbrush, etc.
Research Vessel Savannah 2008-2010, Skidaway Island, GA
Chief Steward/Second Mate
• Responsible for deploying and maintaining a broad range of scienti fic equipment.
• Responsible for navigation and proper running of ship while underway.
• Responsible for providing and maintaining the ship’s food inventory for scientific expeditions up to two weeks.
• Took part in many coastal and oceanographic studies from New England to the Carribean.
Livewire Music Hall: 2007-2010, Savannah, GA
Manager/Bartender
• Responsible for smooth operation of the bar, receipt and inventory accountability.
• Responsible for settling band contracts, managing employees and closing managerial duties.
• Responsible for food (if necessary) and beverage promotion with an outstanding track record for boosting sales in each.
As designers working at the scale of the
built environment, every design decision
should be a thoughtful choice, and con-
sider both the intentional and uninten-
tional effects. To mitigate unintended
effects on the site I take myself out of
the center of the process. I avoid the
thought process that I am creating a
solution. Instead, I nurture the idea that
the landscape is a complex system, and
through the AIM method, I can discov-
er the solution that the site presents.Analysis of metrics Immersion in the site Meditation on the process

3. Projects
Regent’s VillageNew Earth Music Hall
Atlanta Beltline
Atlanta Highway
Costa Rica
Designing with Music

4. Monteverde, Costa Rica
A
60-
acre tract
of rainforest
adjacent to the
University of Georgia
Costa Rica campus is being
sold by the current landowner. If it
is developed sustainibly, he will offer it to
the university at a discounted price. 5 teams
worked on different models for the sustainable de-
velopment, while my team would pursue the profit-driv-
en, high-intensity development option as a counterpoint. In
an ecologically sensitive area of Costa Rica surrounded by rare bird
habitat, the Monteverde design was able to achieve a highly profitable
development while preserving large tracts of forest by creating large lots with a
development envelopes that preserved the ecologocially important areas within the
owner’s property.
GIS slope, contour, and and aerial overlay Finished concept with contours and aerial photo
The
design
remains so-
cially account-
able to the people
and culture of Costa Rica
by creating a “Calle Principal”
with a café, farmer’s market, a
convenient store and 6 mid-
dle-income homes to provide
community and income for
property caretakers and fam-
ilies living in the area.The
adjacent eco-lodge will take
advantage of the grand views,
and provide a seasonal income
stream.The remaining prop-
erty will be developed with 13
large, sustainably developed
lots with homes with an aver-
age market value of $350,000.
Increasing the total property
value to $6,850,000.

5. The Real ThingAtlanta Beltline Charette
The
Atlan-
ta Beltline
Charette was
a week long design
charette sponsored by
the Atlanta Beltline to introduce
fresh ideas for the proposed Bank-
head connection. The Bankhead area is
characterized by a historically low-income, Afri-
can-American population rich in history. The derelict
area is a food desert with poor public health, and very little
walkability. The streetscape of Bankhead consist of single-family
homes, fast-food restaurants, abandoned warehouses, and dilapidat-
ed buildings.
Map of Site Visit
Spatial LayoutSuitability Zones
Multi-Family Residential
Commercial Zone
Marta/Beltline Hub
Health Center
Proposed Pedestrian
Overpass
Connectivity Diagram

6. Further Developmet of the concept revealed opportunities for funding from nearby,
large corporations seeking to renew their home city and create an icon for Atlanta.
Corporate sponsored health center
Hydrological Analysis
Base of Coca-Cola
Structure
Large Iconic
Landmark
Proposed Streetscape
The
Bank-
head de-
sign relies on the
repurposed MARTA
station to become a hub
for the pedestrian Beltline, The
Beltline Lightrail, and the existing Mar-
ta line to connect in one place, and create
a thriving location to serve and integrate the
neighborhoods of the area with the existing fabric of
the city. The public health center re-imagines the existing
center to promote local food, recreation, and healthy lifestyle
practices, along with its traditional services.

7. New Earth Music Hall, Private Practice, Athens, GA
Peach, Swiss Chard,
Sage Martini
Street-view
Lasercut and etched
plant tags
Axonometric sketch
Initial Plan
The
plant-
ing plan for
New Earth Music
Hall, was acquired af-
ter speaking casually with
the owners about enhancing
the visibility of the courtyard with
eye-catching seasonal color . Seeking an
interactive planting plan, the plants were cho-
sen based on customer and employee experience.
Many of the plants have custom identification tags, and
can be smelled and tasted in the garden. I then trained the
employees to create signature cocktails with seasonal ingredients
found in the garden. The stage was the enhanced with a line of equi-
setum to create a natural facade for the front of the stage. The entire
design was completed in just a few hours, and installed the same week.

8. Saltwater Grille, Restaurant Courtyard
Beginning
as a
simple sketch
for a restaurant
courtyard, this drawing
was developed as my first
experience with Autocad as well as
formal construction drawings, completed
in the 2nd year of my BLA. Using timesaver
standards as a reference only, the drawings were
developed using the mind’s eye and intuitive construction
techhniques. An exciting project upon completion, this exercise
really helped to develop my vision, intuition, mindfulness, and
understanding of completeness.

9. Regent’s Village a conservation subdivision
Exploded Radiating
Form
Layout Concept
Strategic Form
Soil Inventory
Hydrological Analysis
Fol-
lowing
the initail
site analysis,
including water di-
rection, soils, wildlife hab-
itat, and opportunistic areas, I
moved into conceptual forms for the
site. I chose a serpentine form as a en-
vironmentally low-impact solution for a con-
trolled-growth development that meets the devel-
oper’s housing requirements with the minimal amount of
road construction. The retail area, located near the highway
to provide visibility, has housing located on the top 2 floors to maxi-
mize space and provide convenience to the residents that live there.

10. Regent’s Street case studies include Regent’s St., London, Red Ribbon Park in Qin-
huangdao, China, as well as, Forsyth Park in Savannah, GA.
Preconstruction documents: Silt-fencing plan
Initial hand drawn and rendered master plan
Red Ribbon Park,
Qinhuangdao, China
Regent’s Street,
London, England
Forsyth Park,
Savannah, GA
Bi-
sect-
ed by a
long, flowing
greenway, Regent’s
Park, inspired by the dra-
matic curve of Regent’s Street
in London, blends traditional homes,
townhomes, and commercial retail into
a vibrant walkable community. The 11 public
parks and multiple nature trails offers an array of
opportunities for all ages and types to find their own
place in the community or enjoy the preserved hardwood
forest. The initial design was altered to include the switchback
turn, in order to meet project compliance.

11. Designing with Music
Digital rendering using Autocad and Adobe Suite
Hand-drawn site planPastel SketchExpression of Brubek
Digitally Rendered Section
Inspired
by the
music of Dave
Brubek and his
union of classical training
and modern improvisation.
The Lowe’s median improvement
uses lines based on the wavelengths
of musical harmony, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/7, 1/8. The
hedges create a rhythm that moves the customer
toward the door, and the three major areas of interest.
Two of the areas will be southern-style plantings, while the
third, central area will be provide a set to “improvise” product
demonstrations.

12. The Seam Atlanta Highway, Athens, GA
GIS analysis
Exploration of form through clay model
Inital Bridge ConceptConnectivity Diagram
Existing Conditions
Sections of clay model with tunneled street
The
Atlan-
ta Highway
Design Charette
explored different
opportunities for long-
term development of a defunct,
big-box business district of Athens,
GA. Inspired by the Big Dig and George
Hargreaves 6th St. Bridge over the Los Angeles
River, we provided the fresh concept of a land-
bridge covering the exisitng commercial area. Complete
with paths, gardens, forest, and bike lanes. Our solution rec-
reates the area’s pastoral history, while stitching the two residential
areas together and providing an interesting thoroughfare for traffic

13. Developing Skills
Engine bought at garage sale, refurbished, and self-
installed onto used bike with a total cost of $125.
Playhouse for my daugher: Improvised from available materials
Travel in India Surfboard Shaping
My Inspiration
Al-
ways
following
my insatiable
thirst to fill gaps in
my understanding of the
world, my free-time is spent
on hand-crafted projects, travel
to developing countries, and spending
time with my wife and daughter. At the age
of 19, I had, independently, saved enough money
to spend 4 months alone, travelling through 11 differ-
ent countries in East and Southern Africa. Mostly by public
transportation, and on a shoe-string budget, I began to immerse
myself into the African way of life. The success of that trip has led me
to immersion travel in over 20 different countries on multiple continents
including India, Asia, Central America and the Carribean. I am very grateful for my
experiences, and intend to return to those places with new skills to share.