CONTENTS

  RESUME                                                                                                      3


  DESIGN PROJECTS
  	   Springfield Riverfront                                                                                    4

  	   Greenway Design                                                                                         8

  	   Multi-Family Housing Development                                                         10



  SMALLER SCALE PROJECTS                                                                                       12


  CONSTRUCTION SKILLS                                                                                         14
14 Alexander Road Worcester, MA 01606
                                                                    ritacco.mike@gmail.com
                                                                                774.364.2651




MICHAEL RITACCO
  QUALIFICATIONS and SKILLS                                        WORK EXPERIENCE
AutoCAD                                               Mullins and Armington Landscape Associates, MA
Google Sketchup                                       Designer/ Foreman - Summer 2011 - Present
                                                       Designed multiple high end residential designs, and 	
Adobe Design Suite Applications
                                                       led landscaping crew for various residential and 	
GIS
                                                       commercial construction and maintenance jobs.
Public Presentations
Customer Relations                                    What Else Landscaping, Central MA Region               	
Construction Equipment and Heavy Machinery            Landscape/Garden Design - Summer 2009-2011
Drafting and Design.                                   Co-founder of the What Else Landscaping Company
                                                       focusing on grounds and hardscape maintenance.
                                                       Designed residential gardens, hardscapes, and 	       	
                                                       planting plans; followed by presentation to a client.
                                                                              (References upon Request)

                EDUCATION                             Town of Holden, MA
                                                      Tree Maintenance - December/Summer 2008
                                                       Worked around central MA clearing trees, 	          	
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
                                                        branches, and brush left over from winter 2008 ice 	
Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture
                                                        storm. Trained in the identification of the Asian 	
– Class 2012
                                                        Longhorn Beetle and proper care and removal of 	
                                                        infected trees.
Worcester State College, Worcester, MA
Public Speaking Course – 2007
                                                      UMass President’s Office, Shrewsbury, MA        	
 Essentials of speech production and speech writing
                                                      Desktop Support/Office Internship - Summer 2007
 for large and small groups. - 3 credits

Member of the ASLA and ASLA student chapter at
UMass Amherst
RIVERFRONT DESIGN
      GIVING the CONNECTICUT
    	      BACK to the PEOPLE
                of SPRINGFIELD




4
N             Revitalization
    	       This project reconnects the people of the South
    End and Forest Park neighborhoods to each other and the
    riverfront. Through this design, the people of Springfield will
    be able to rediscover the value of the water, and the many
    assets it can provide as they engage the waterfront.
    	
    	       River Rise Park brings new mixed-use development to
    the river’s edge to stimulate multi-seasonal use with a variety
    of active and passive activities. The citizens of Springfield
    will be able to enjoy the recreation areas which include
    everything from walking and bike paths to rock climbing walls
    and kayak rentals. The unique buildings contain commercial
    shops along West Columbus Ave. as shown in the section
    below, which will stir year round activities, as well as provide
    an opportunity to enjoy the high end residential and office
    space overlooking the majestic river.
    	
    	




                         Mike Ritacco                           5
RIVERRISE PARK




6
River Rise Park gets its name from the elaborate pedestrian system that gives the users many
different perspectives of the Connecticut River. A boardwalk is the first level which runs along
the entire length of the park at the river’s edge to allow actual interaction with the water. The
Connecticut Walk and Bikeway has been re-vamped and runs through the wooded riverbanks
and overlooks the boardwalk. The River Rise Highline is a unique feature to the park.
While this walk seems to float in the tree tops allowing for new view of the
Connecticut River, it also connects to the spacious roof gardens of the
River Rise buildings and to the newly designed promenade along
the South End Bridge.




                                                               Mike Ritacco                         7
GREENWAY DESIGN
“A City Runs Through It...”




8
Cultural Enhancement
         The Mill River Greenway studio project was a collaborative project,
worked on in teams of four. The goal of the project was to create a
greenway from the headwaters of the Mill River in Conway, all the way
to its confluence with the Connecticut River. This focus area is aimed at
resurrecting the historic Mill River that had once run through downtown
Northampton, while creating a public open space geared towards the
education and culture of the city’s history. Parts of the actual river bed
will be restored allowing for a regular flow of water through the historic
channel, which can be viewed from constructed nodes and overlooks with
signage describing the historic restoration and industrial legacy of the Mill
River.
	




	
	       The conceptual design of thisnew open space calls attention to
the Roundhouse building and features a deck overlook of the restored
river bed, a boardwalk through the water, a grand lawn, and an overlook
extension of Pulaski Park.
	




                            Mike Ritacco                              9
HOUSING DESIGN

        This studio project was worked on in teams of two, however the graphics shown were 	
         done individually on vellum with graphite. These sections show how the housing 	
         clusters are focused around open spaces, which are formed through
          landform and planting media. The pedestrian circulation
           system and the network of open spaces interact
            with the rainwater, as it is collected and
            infiltrated on site.




1110
12
The multi-family housing development is located in Amherst, MA, 	
		           on a farmland site that encompasses about 26 acres. The goal of this 	
	          project was to create a community focused around a series of private
	         and community green spaces, while using sustainable methods to reduce 	
	        environmental impacts and maximize the amount of housing units per 		
	       acre. The design connects the residents to the open spaces and each
	     other through a system of pathways which create a complete circuit 		
	    throughout the entire site. The housing units and open
    spaces are placed to provide for more desirable views
   out to the landscape, while respecting
  the wetland buffers around the site.




                                           Mike Ritacco
                                              Mike Ritacco                     11
Pic 1:
BACKYARD PATIO
                 This model was built in a
                 residential design studio
                 for a client in Granby, MA.
                 The view into the back
                 patio shows the shows the
                 connection to the intimate
                 spaces of the property.




Pic 2:
GALLERY SPACE
                 The proposed multi-
                 functional gallery space
                 in Springfield provides
                 a network of plots for
                 farmers markets, while the
                 centralized pergola allows
                 for art gallery exhibitions
                 as it directs you towards
                 the indoor market shown in
                 picture 3.




12
Pic 3:
                                                           MARKET GATEWAY




The planted gateway forms
an urban plaza for the
residents of Springfield as
they enter the proposed
indoor market.




                                                   Pic 4:
                                                   VERTICAL GARDENS




                These semi-permanent
                vertical structures is designed
                to be placed in an urban
                environment. The modular
                levels can be stacked to fit the
                city’s needs allowing space
                for citizens to engage in the
                community gardens.



                                                   Mike Ritacco        13
Pic 1:
     BOLL ARD DETAIL

                       Detail sample for a bollard
                       and light attachment
                       describing proper electrical
                       and stability requirements.




Pic 2:
PRIVATE GARDEN




                                        The upper garden,
                                        supported by fieldstone
                                        retaining walls on all
                                        sides, is the first in a
                                        series of circular nodes
                                        off a central walk leading
                                        down to the back.

                                        (design by Mullins and
                                        Armington Landscape
                                        Associates, Leicester, MA)


14
Pic 3:
                                              PL ANTING DETAIL


Detail sample for a small
caliper tree planting,
including directions for
proper installation and care.




                                        Pic 4:
                                        SCULPTURE GARDEN




         A rustic pathway leading to
         a moss covered sculpture.
         The first node in a series
         of paths for a residential
         sculpture garden.

         (Location: Holden, MA)




                                       Mike Ritacco          15

Mike Ritacco Portfolio

  • 2.
    CONTENTS RESUME 3 DESIGN PROJECTS Springfield Riverfront 4 Greenway Design 8 Multi-Family Housing Development 10 SMALLER SCALE PROJECTS 12 CONSTRUCTION SKILLS 14
  • 3.
    14 Alexander RoadWorcester, MA 01606 ritacco.mike@gmail.com 774.364.2651 MICHAEL RITACCO QUALIFICATIONS and SKILLS WORK EXPERIENCE AutoCAD Mullins and Armington Landscape Associates, MA Google Sketchup Designer/ Foreman - Summer 2011 - Present Designed multiple high end residential designs, and Adobe Design Suite Applications led landscaping crew for various residential and GIS commercial construction and maintenance jobs. Public Presentations Customer Relations What Else Landscaping, Central MA Region Construction Equipment and Heavy Machinery Landscape/Garden Design - Summer 2009-2011 Drafting and Design. Co-founder of the What Else Landscaping Company focusing on grounds and hardscape maintenance. Designed residential gardens, hardscapes, and planting plans; followed by presentation to a client. (References upon Request) EDUCATION Town of Holden, MA Tree Maintenance - December/Summer 2008 Worked around central MA clearing trees, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA branches, and brush left over from winter 2008 ice Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture storm. Trained in the identification of the Asian – Class 2012 Longhorn Beetle and proper care and removal of infected trees. Worcester State College, Worcester, MA Public Speaking Course – 2007 UMass President’s Office, Shrewsbury, MA Essentials of speech production and speech writing Desktop Support/Office Internship - Summer 2007 for large and small groups. - 3 credits Member of the ASLA and ASLA student chapter at UMass Amherst
  • 4.
    RIVERFRONT DESIGN GIVING the CONNECTICUT BACK to the PEOPLE of SPRINGFIELD 4
  • 5.
    N Revitalization This project reconnects the people of the South End and Forest Park neighborhoods to each other and the riverfront. Through this design, the people of Springfield will be able to rediscover the value of the water, and the many assets it can provide as they engage the waterfront. River Rise Park brings new mixed-use development to the river’s edge to stimulate multi-seasonal use with a variety of active and passive activities. The citizens of Springfield will be able to enjoy the recreation areas which include everything from walking and bike paths to rock climbing walls and kayak rentals. The unique buildings contain commercial shops along West Columbus Ave. as shown in the section below, which will stir year round activities, as well as provide an opportunity to enjoy the high end residential and office space overlooking the majestic river. Mike Ritacco 5
  • 6.
  • 7.
    River Rise Parkgets its name from the elaborate pedestrian system that gives the users many different perspectives of the Connecticut River. A boardwalk is the first level which runs along the entire length of the park at the river’s edge to allow actual interaction with the water. The Connecticut Walk and Bikeway has been re-vamped and runs through the wooded riverbanks and overlooks the boardwalk. The River Rise Highline is a unique feature to the park. While this walk seems to float in the tree tops allowing for new view of the Connecticut River, it also connects to the spacious roof gardens of the River Rise buildings and to the newly designed promenade along the South End Bridge. Mike Ritacco 7
  • 8.
    GREENWAY DESIGN “A CityRuns Through It...” 8
  • 9.
    Cultural Enhancement The Mill River Greenway studio project was a collaborative project, worked on in teams of four. The goal of the project was to create a greenway from the headwaters of the Mill River in Conway, all the way to its confluence with the Connecticut River. This focus area is aimed at resurrecting the historic Mill River that had once run through downtown Northampton, while creating a public open space geared towards the education and culture of the city’s history. Parts of the actual river bed will be restored allowing for a regular flow of water through the historic channel, which can be viewed from constructed nodes and overlooks with signage describing the historic restoration and industrial legacy of the Mill River. The conceptual design of thisnew open space calls attention to the Roundhouse building and features a deck overlook of the restored river bed, a boardwalk through the water, a grand lawn, and an overlook extension of Pulaski Park. Mike Ritacco 9
  • 10.
    HOUSING DESIGN This studio project was worked on in teams of two, however the graphics shown were done individually on vellum with graphite. These sections show how the housing clusters are focused around open spaces, which are formed through landform and planting media. The pedestrian circulation system and the network of open spaces interact with the rainwater, as it is collected and infiltrated on site. 1110 12
  • 11.
    The multi-family housingdevelopment is located in Amherst, MA, on a farmland site that encompasses about 26 acres. The goal of this project was to create a community focused around a series of private and community green spaces, while using sustainable methods to reduce environmental impacts and maximize the amount of housing units per acre. The design connects the residents to the open spaces and each other through a system of pathways which create a complete circuit throughout the entire site. The housing units and open spaces are placed to provide for more desirable views out to the landscape, while respecting the wetland buffers around the site. Mike Ritacco Mike Ritacco 11
  • 12.
    Pic 1: BACKYARD PATIO This model was built in a residential design studio for a client in Granby, MA. The view into the back patio shows the shows the connection to the intimate spaces of the property. Pic 2: GALLERY SPACE The proposed multi- functional gallery space in Springfield provides a network of plots for farmers markets, while the centralized pergola allows for art gallery exhibitions as it directs you towards the indoor market shown in picture 3. 12
  • 13.
    Pic 3: MARKET GATEWAY The planted gateway forms an urban plaza for the residents of Springfield as they enter the proposed indoor market. Pic 4: VERTICAL GARDENS These semi-permanent vertical structures is designed to be placed in an urban environment. The modular levels can be stacked to fit the city’s needs allowing space for citizens to engage in the community gardens. Mike Ritacco 13
  • 14.
    Pic 1: BOLL ARD DETAIL Detail sample for a bollard and light attachment describing proper electrical and stability requirements. Pic 2: PRIVATE GARDEN The upper garden, supported by fieldstone retaining walls on all sides, is the first in a series of circular nodes off a central walk leading down to the back. (design by Mullins and Armington Landscape Associates, Leicester, MA) 14
  • 15.
    Pic 3: PL ANTING DETAIL Detail sample for a small caliper tree planting, including directions for proper installation and care. Pic 4: SCULPTURE GARDEN A rustic pathway leading to a moss covered sculpture. The first node in a series of paths for a residential sculpture garden. (Location: Holden, MA) Mike Ritacco 15