Online Portfolio

Emily Parkerson
Landscape Architecture Portfolio
E
K
P

Contents
About Me
Professional Projects
Pendleton Residential Entry
Russiaville Library Outdoor Classroom
Student Work
HCPL Reading Garden and Educational Playscape
Jewel in the Woods
Pre-Columbian Townhouse
Wright House
Permaculture Initiative
Iracambi Rainforest Research Center
Phlox Moth Preserve and Conservation Center
Dunes Parkway
Pier 54: One Foot in the Water
Nature Conservancy of Indiana
Assorted Artworks
Resumé
1
2-3
2
3
4-29
4-7
8-11
12-13
14-17
18-19
20
21
22-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
33

1
About Me
I recently graduated cum laude
from Ball State University with
my BLA degree. During my time
there my design style evolved to be
very flexible and adaptive. I apply
elegant, practical solutions to design
goals and challenges, drawing
inspiration from a wide pool of
sources, including my passions for
the environment, sustainable design,
community, and art. The resulting
designs tend to be organic and
driven by their specific sites.

2
These homeowners wanted new landscaping for
the entrance to their home. They wanted the new
design to preserve their spruces and crab apples,
but had few other preferences. After visiting the site
and inventorying the existing plants and conditions, I
determined that a formal front bed flanked by cottage
style beds was appropriate. Since their current garden
was full of bird houses and feeders, the plant pallet
was built around the habitat and feeding needs of
songbirds and hummingbirds.
Selected Inventory Photos
Existing trees to keep Front view of entrance and deckBird feeders and housesKeep access to spigot
Site Plan
Initial Concept Sketch
Pendleton Residential
Entry
Back corner where design ends
Pendleton

3
The Russiaville, IN library recently received a bequest
of funds for children’s activities. One idea for the funds
was an outdoor space to eventually get certified as
a Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom. A design was
created the during the week preceding the initial
funding meeting. It was approved and the first build
phase will take place September 2016.
My role in supporting the main designer was to
refine the concept and draw space vignettes for the
funding meeting. This included colocating areas that
had similar needs, such as the messy materials, art
and building areas and adding navigation elements
including a circuit path, formal entry, and map.
Site Plan
Climbing Area Nature Art Area
Gardening Area
Music Area
Messy Materials Area
Building Area
Russiaville Library Outdoor Classroom
Russiaville

4
The Hancock County Public Library currently uses only
half of their ten acre site and currently lack any outdoor
amenities. What the library does have are a variety of
programs for children, teens, and adults plus community
rooms that are rented out for independent activities.
Occasionally the library does have outdoor activities, for
which they must use the service drive or field of weeds that
is currently the northern half of the site. This project aims to
fix this situation through the design of a reading garden and
educational playscape. This will meet the existing program
needs of the library and provide a formal outdoor space for
patrons to enjoy at their leisure.
Key to Plan
1. Artist Installation
2. Authors’ Walk
3. Boardwalk
4. Buffer
5. Community Plaza
6. Constructed Wetland
7. Educational Playscape
8. Gate
9. Naturalized Retention Pond
10. Nature Playscape
11. Nesting Island
12. Observation Island
13. Outdoor Classroom
14. Picnic Area
15. Reading Garden
A. Section A
B. Section B
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
3
A
A
B
B
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4
4
44
5
5
5
6
7
8 8
9
10
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12
13
14
15
HCPL Reading Garden
and Educational
Playscape
Site Plan
HCPL

5
Goals and Resulting Design
Features
• Goal: This project intends to develop pre-reading
skills of children to ease their reading education.
º Design Features: Educational Playscape, Nature
Playscape, Outdoor Classroom
• Goal: This project intends to engage adolescents.
º Design Features: Community Plazas, Educational
Playscape, Nature Playscape, Picnic Areas
• Goal: This project intends to build interest in
reading by connecting reading to the community.
º Design Features: Authors’ Walk, Community
Plazas, Reading Garden, Outdoor Classroom
• Goal: This project intends to build understanding
of and care for the environment in all visitors.
º Design Features: Native Woodland Plantings,
Naturalized Retention Pond, Nesting Island,
Observation Island, Boardwalk, Nature Playscape
• Goal: This project intends to reignite adults’
interest in reading.
º Design Features: Authors’ Walk, Reading Garden,
Boardwalk
Section A
Section B
Site Perspectives
Outdoor Classroom Educational Playscape Observation Island and Boardwalk
HCPL

6
Reading Garden
The reading garden is the simplest of the focus areas. The
goal of the space is to provide a sense of seclusion and
serenity so visitors can relax and read. The first step in the
creation of this atmosphere was separating the reading
garden from the Authors’ Walk. Most of the reading areas
are at the end of L-shaped paths so that earthwork mounds
or lush plantings can conceal each reading area from
a straight view down its entrance path. To avoid safety
hazards created by completely concealing an area from
public view, an alternate sightline was provided for the
concealed reading ares using plants that grow low
enough for a visitor to look over them. Because each
visitor is unique, several different types of reading areas
were created. Several reading areas are simply paved
clearings in the woodland plantings, some are small stone
shelters, and some are located directly in the wetland
bordering the pond. Another variation in the spaces was
the inclusion of a smaller solitary spaces and larger group
spaces.
Reading Garden Perspectives
HCPL

7
Process Drawings
Most of the work on this design was done
by hand rather than computer. The site was
designed through a series of plans and
perspectives working out locations of focus
areas, topography, and planting decisions.
Eventually, the grading and planting plans
were taken to AutoCAD.
Grading Plan Site Plan
North/South Sections East/West Sections
HCPL

8
Jewel
General Notes
• Water flows west
• The ducks and geese on the pond could use nest areas along its banks
• None of the plantings on the lot are exceptional so they do not need ot be
preserved in design
• Most of the site is full sun, adding trees will change that
Plan Notes
1. This is the flattest area of the site it would be ideal to place the building and prevent
extensive regrading
2. These stone and gravel pits are an unattractive form of bank stabilization and should be
redesigned
3. Bank stabilizing plantings can be expanded on
4. Cottonwood is a weedy species so this grove can be removed
5. The tennis courts are to be screened
6. This water inlet is unattractive and should be redesigned
7. The parking lot should be screened
8. This stone edge to the pond was recently redone, but will probably degrade again
9. McKinley is a noise producer, it could use a low screen to block sound but not views
10. The bridge provides an attractive overlook of the site so it would be a good place to
align an attractive view of the building
11. The stained glass front of the building should terminate the view coming from campus
along Mckinley
Site Inventory and Analysis: Duck Pond
Selected Site Photos
This view from the bridge shows
the best location for the chapel and
areas that need attention, like the
pond edge, cottonwood grove, and
tennis courts.
This view across the site aligns
with McKinley’s approach to the
site; to preserve the view to the
proposed location of the chapel,
low plantings should be used along
this axis.
The culvert shown is unattractive
and will be redesign. However, the
view from above the culvert will
be enhanced and a seating area
added because it overlooks much
of the site.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

9
Jewel of the Woods
Jewel
The goal of this project was to showcase a new all faiths chapel on Ball State’s campus.
The chapel, modeled after the Cason Memorial Chapel in Callaway Gardens, would
be located adjacent to the Duck Pond. The design linked the purposes of the chapel
interior with the chapel exterior and tied in many congregation activities, among those
ceremonies of many different faiths, congregation social events like picnics and sports, and
activities for children like vacation bible school. The garden was intended as a naturalistic
setting for this gem of architecture.

11
Section B
Planting Details
Jewel

12
Townhouse
This townhouse landscape was designed for a couple in Baltimore.
Design insparation was taken from the husband’s knowledge of
pre-Columbian cultures and the wife’s skill in gardening. The
overall layout of the lot is an interpretation of the interlocking stone
construction at Macchu Picchu. To emphasize the rectilinear forms,
paperbush was placed at each corner of the low hedge. Other details
of the design include a solitary space and water feature displaying a
Mesoamerican design, a deck for the couple to host gatherings, and a
greenhouse and compost bin to support the wife’s gardening hobby.
Aerial View
Site Plan
Plant Samples
MAH-A
Oregon Hollygrape
TER-G
Japanese Cleyera
EDG-C
Paperbush
PTE-T
Hoptree
BET-N
River Birch
ACE-G
Paperbark Maple
TIA-M
Mixed Tiarella
AMA-C & BEG-D
Annuals
Pre-Columbian Townhouse

13
Townhouse
GreenhouseWater Feature
View from Deck

15
This project was to redesign the landscape around
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hills-Decaro House in Chicago.
The client was my hypothetical future self who
wanted a productive and attractive landscape that
would be friendly to wildlife and her dogs and cats.
Distinct areas of the yard include a dog run, a water
feature, a firefly habitat, a reading corner, a cooking
and entertaining area, a small kitchen garden, and a
dye shed. These distinct areas are unified through a
repetition of the form used in Wright’s pavilion in the
backyard.
Entertaining Area and Water Feature Reading Area and Dog Run
Image Credit: Google Street View
Wright House
Wright
Study Model and Sketches

18
ermaculture
Initiative
The Permaculture Initiative in Muncie began in the
spring of 2014. The goal of the group was to demonstrate
permaculture principles to the Ball State and Muncie
communities. I have been a part of the group since
its inception and helped design the garden featured
here and the above logo. This is the Permaculture
Demonstration Garden at Minnetrista, a community center
which provided us space and resources. The space we
were given was the antique orchard because the heirloom
apple trees will soon need replacement due to fire blight.
The preliminary layout for the garden was determined
through several meetings and discussions of the
Permaculture Initiative. Several sketches were produced;
the best liked were used to create conceptual plan. An
aerial view was used as a base plan and the sketches
were translated into a rendered concept. Construction
began in the following weeks, and we had our first
harvest early that summer. After volunteers claim their
produce, the remainder is either sold at the Minnetrista
Farmers’ Market or given to the Minnetrista kitchen, whose
chef is quite enthusiastic about the garden.

19
The picture at right is our inaugural season. The primary
component of permaculture we currently demonstrate
in the garden is companion planting. For the first year,
we chose a few focus plants and built companion
planting groups around those. The focus plants were
strawberries, tomatoes, beets, cherry, and peach, one
additional bed was dedicated to the traditional Three
Sisters set of plants. As a change to our original layout,
we added pollinator beds to the corners of the garden,
transplanting milkweed and penstemon from another
garden at Minnetrista. This year the annual plants in
each bed were changed so that
The images at left and below were taken as
promotional materials for the garden. They show bed
layout, the main volunteers, the Farmers Market Booth,
and one of our beet harvests.
The original concept design was used as
a guideline rather than precise layout, so I
updated the plan following the last growing
season.
KEY
1) Rotating Plant Beds
2) Pollinator Beds
3) Compost Bin
4) Cherry Tree
5) Peach Tree

20
During the summer of 2013 I participated in a design
build project in Brazil. The project began with
researching design methods and renewable materials
which we later applied in completing construction of a
building at the Iracambi Rainforest Research Center.
My research focus was bamboo as a material. I
investigated methods of curing and lashing bamboo.
My role in the construction process was preparing
the raw materials. I was part of the teams harvesting,
cutting to length, and roasting the bamboo. I also dug
out and mixed the the material for our earth walls.
Secondary projects we completed include a seating
area adjacent to the new building, enhancing the fire
pit and seating area, deconstructing another building,
and building screen and doorway to conceal a
storage area under the main building.
The floor, framework, and roof of the building were
in place before our group arrive. We completed the
remainder of the building and several side projects in
approximately two weeks.
The adjacent photographs were taken by fellow
students at Iracambi.
Image Credit: Gabriel de Haro
Iracambi
Iracambi Rainforest Research Center
Image Credit: Julie Migne

21
Roads
Farmland
Possible
Habitats
Potential
Sites 1
Potential
Sites 1
Managed
Lands
Trails
Potential
Sites 2
Potential
Sites 1
Universities
K-12
Schools
Potential
Sites 3
Potential
Sites 2
K-12
Schools
Universities
Potential
Sites 4
The Phlox Moth is one of the
many endangered species in
Northwestern Indiana. This GIS
study was done to site a preserve
and conservation center for the
species. The goal of the project was
to find a location suitable for the
moth’s host plant and located near
existing educational and outreach
opportunities like schools and trail
systems.
Study 1 filtered the many possible
habitat sites down by excluding
those with too much potential
pollution from roads or fields.
Study 2 reduced the number of sites
further by locating the Study 1 sites
that were within a certain radius of
a trail and existing managed lands
including state and national parks.
Study 3 reduced the number of
sites from Study 1 by locating the
sites within a five mile radius of
a university and an elementary,
middle or high school.
Study 4, the final study, filtered
the results of Study 2 to only those
sites within a one mile radius of
a university and an elementary,
middle or high school.
Phlox Moth Preserve and Conservation Center
Study 1
Study 2
Study 3
Study 4
Phlox Moth
Image Credit: Rori Paloski, WDNR

22
In addition to applying the prototype three large changes were made to the
site. Pines Grocery was redesigned and reopened. Pines Bible Church's
landscape was improved. Finally, a vacant lot was converted to a restaurant.
Scale 1” = 20’
Scale 1” = 20’
The goal of the residential prototype was to minimize the impact of the Dunes Parkway on existing neighborhoods it passes through.
Traffic calming techniques, primarily chicanes, were used to reduce speed and danger from increased traffic. Pedestrian features
were introduced to increase safety and improve circulation along the parkway. No extensive changes were proposed for any homes
because these would likely be rejected by residents.
This prototype was used where
both sides of the parkway were
developed and housing was the
dominant landuse. In addition
to the chicanes, sidewalks and
pedestrian lights were added on
both sides of the parkway.
Residential Sub-prototype 1
Parkway

23
Natural Prototype Renderings
The site chosen for a sample residential site design is located in Pines, Indiana.
Included within the site are homes, Pines Bible Church, Pines Grocery, Poplar Street
and Pine Street. The prototype was applied and site specific amenities added.
This prototype was used where
one side of the parkway was
developed and the dominant
landuse was housing. In this
prototype, chicanes were used,
but a sidewalk and pedestrian
lighting was added only on the
street’s developed side.
Scale 1” = 20’
Scale 1” = 20’
Scale 1” = 20’
Residential Sub-prototype 2
Existing Site
Dunes Parkway: Residential Prototype
This was a group project redesigning US 12 as a scenic highway. To create a sense of both unity
and variety, the length of the highway that passes Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes
National Lakeshore was divided into four prototypes based on the type of development along the
highway. In our group, these prototypes were Natural, Residential, Industrial, and Urban. I worked
mostly on the residential prototype, so that is prototype presented here.
Another goal of this project was to meld the various styles of the four
group members. To show this, I have included two renderings I had no
hand in producing.
Parkway

24
35
E
V
E
N
T
B
A
N
N
E
R
E
V
E
N
T
B
A
N
N
E
R
Roadway runs between
gateway signs, actual
distance between signs
will be determined by
road width
Gary and Michigan City
gateways notify visitors
that they are exiting the
Dunes Parkway and are
entering a community
•Corten steel panel with backlit cutout letters
•Sandstone pillars
•2’ letters on pillar
•Height: Tallest pillar 20’, smaller pillar 5’
•Overall Width: 16’
•5 Gateways total: Gary, Michigan City,
one each for Dune Parkway entry offone each for Dune Parkway entry off
S.R. 49, S.R. 149, and S.R. 249
Detail Designs
I and one other in our team designed the detail elements for the parkway and then I rendered
our designs.
With the exception of the gateways, we chose to adjust the design of the details according to
which prototype they fell into. However, sandstone was used in every prototype as a unifying
element and to tie in a very local material.
Signage and Lighting
While the materials vary by prototype, the design of the
signs and lighting was kept consistent.
A lamp post design with three support members was
created. In addition, the light fixture itself was kept
simple and consistent between the different prototypes.
The design for the sign was made asymmetrical,
drawing on sign designs from the National Park
Service. Where appropriate, the National Park Service
arrow was attached to the taller post. The sign panel,
excepting the residential prototype, is a panel with
cut out letters. The panel would be lit from through the
letters.
E
V
E
V
Gary and Michigan City
gateways notify visitors
that they are exiting the
Dunes Parkway and are
entering a community
•2’ letters on pillar
•Height: Tallest pillar 20’, smaller pillar 5’
•Overall Width: 16’
•5 Gateways total: Gary, Michigan City,
The gateways would mark the
entrance to the parkway at either end.
They would also be an ideal place to
display event information. From this
idea, a tall sign with supports for event
banners was designed. The signs
appear in pairs with one on either
side of the street. In keeping with the
cut out theme in the rest of the detail
designs, the name of the parkway, or
the city, depending on the direction of
Parkway
the driver, appears as corten cut outs along the
tall post. Logos for the National Park System and
Indiana Dunes State Park appear on the sign
panels.
Gateways

25
ss arm
rten steel
m and cross-
corten steel
eams
ure and
are aluminum
welded and
•16’ to cross arm
•All components are
aluminum
•All joints welded
black-painted aluminum
33
•Pole and crosspieces
are square-cut lumber
•Light fixture and
supports are aluminum
•All joints bolted
•Pole is corten steel
I-beam
•Cross arm and cross-
piece are corten steel
channel beams
••Light fixture and
•All joints welded and
bolted
aluminum
’ to cross arm
le and crosspieces
e square-cut lumber
ght fixture and
pports are aluminum
l joints bolted
•Pole is corten steel
I-beam
•Cross arm and cross-
piece are corten steel
channel beams
••Light fixture and
•All joints welded and
bolted
aluminum
black-painted aluminum
•Stainless steel panel with backlit cutout letters
•NPS arrowhead on tall pillar
33
•Pole and crosspieces
are square-cut lumber
•Light fixture and
•All joints bolted
•16’ to cr
•Pole is c
I-beam
•Cross a
piece ar
channel
••Light fix
support
•All joint
bolted
•Sign panel designed by community
•Corten steel panel with ba
•NPS arrowhead on tall pil
•Wood panel with backlit cutout letters
•Stainless steel panel with
•NPS arrowhead on tall pi
34
34
Urban
Aluminum was chosen for the
urban light post, because it
has clean sleek appearance.
Stainless steel was chosen for
the sign panel.
Residential
The material chosen for the light
post was painted aluminum
because this would be unobtrusive.
The sign panel for this prototype
would be left to the communities it
was placed in.
Parkway
Natural
The materials chosen for
this prototype was wood.
Both the sign panel and the
light post would both be
wood.
Industrial
Corten steel was chosen
for the industrial prototype
to convey an industrial
atmosphere. Both the light post
and sign panel would be this
material.

26
Per 54
Pier 54: One Foot in the Water
Pier 54 was historically owned by the White Star and
Cunard cruise lines. Currently is in a state of decay,
but is planned to become part of New York’s system of
Pier Parks. This project sought to connect the history of
the site, the flow of the Hudson River, and the people
of New York to each other. Important design features
in the project were the pavilion, the flooding gardens,
the walking path running the perimeter of the pier, and
the existing archway that is a remnant of the previous
structure on the pier.
Flooding
Gardens
White Star
Event Lawn
Stage
Cunard
Pavilion
A
B
C
Entry Plaza
Site Plan

27
Pier 54
Before and After Perspectives
Sections
A guardrail will replace the
current wall and high fence.
The sweeping arch will be
apparent from a great distance
and draw the eye and visitors
further into the pier.
In addition to providing
event space, Pier 54 will
cater to passive forms
of recreation. There are
ample opportunities for
walking, resting, etc.
Section A: Flooding Gardens
Section B: Pier N/S
Section C: Pier E/W
Approach Typical Day Concert
The White Star Event Lawn and
Stage provide an outdoor venue for
public performances and community
activities. The sweeping arch is 25
to 27’ above the stage, providing the
ideal height to hang stage lighting.

28
Conservancy
Nature Conservancy of
Indiana
This project was a proposed Nature Conservancy of Indiana learning center in Southern
Indiana. The two main goals of the project were to develop skills with technical drawings
and to minimize the impact of the proposed design.

30
Artworks
My artwork is widely varied in media, style, and theme. The reasons for this are multifold.
Experimentation–I am always looking to expand my experience with a variety of mediums. The wire
Fisherman and silver pendant were first attempts with a new medium.
Gifts–Frequently I create gifts for friends and family or do work at their request. The image at left was
done as a Christmas gift for a friend and loosely based on the floating lanterns in Tangled. This
photomanipulation was done using five stock images provided on deviantart.com. Other works done
as gifts are the scorpion tattoo design, the needlefelted Phoenix and the wire sculpture of Dante.
Sketching–My experimentation in many mediums has resulted in several crafts that I particularly enjoy
and explore often. The first of the hobbise shown here is sketching. The woman in the wind was a
freehand sketch, the sleeping cat was a live sketch, and the other cat was sketched from a photograph.
The second is fiber art. I am an avid hand spinner and needle felter, as shown by the Phoenix and
skein of glow in the dark yarn.
Assorted Artworks

33
Resumé
Academic Honors
Dean’s List, College of Architecture and Planning, Ball State University—Spring and Fall 2011 and Summer 2013
Ball State Presidential Scholarship, 2010 to 2015
Ball State Honors Student, 2010 to 2015
Florence M. Lacy Scholarship, 2010
National Merit Commendation, 2009
Volunteer and Other Experience
Permaculture Initiative—Administrative Assistant, Spring 2014 to April 2016
Brazil Study Abroad, summer 2013
Design-build at Iracambi Rainforest Research Center
Student Volunteer, Huffer Memorial Children’s Center, Inc., Muncie, Indiana—January 2011 to April 2011
Elliott Hall Executive Board—Haunted Ball Co-Chair, 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 school year
CrazyLake Acteen—Stage Manager, summer 2011
Skills
Familiarity with both PC and Mac operating systems
Hand Rendering
Proficiency in the Following Programs
Photoshop
Illustrator
InDesign
AutoCAD 2012
SketchUp
Microsoft Office Suite
Open Office
Dynascape
Google Earth
Familiarity with the Following Programs
Blender
Eon Vue
ArcGIS
Emily Parkerson
(317) 223-6777 (Cell)
parkersonemily@gmail.com
Education
Ball State University, Muncie, IN, 2010 to 2015
BLA Bachelor Landscape Architecture Degree
Graduated May 2015
GPA 3.719
Work Experience
Freelance Landscape Designer, June 2015-Present
Generate designs and drawings for landscape design
companies and contracters
Greenfield, IN
Intern at Dave’s Lawn and Landscape, May-August, 2014
Primarily residential design, site plans, site inventory, estimates
Fountaintown, IN
Owner/Supervisor–Dave Purcell
Indiana State Fair, August 3-19, 2012
Worker at Little Hands on the Farm children’s activity
Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, IN
Noer Programs, December 15-24, 2012
Worker at photographs with Santa
Washington Square Mall, Indianapolis, IN

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