The document summarizes a landscape architecture project for a memorial plaza at Utah State University. It describes how the project came about from a tragic accident and was an exercise in creating a space with meaningful symbolism. Key elements included a grid pattern representing human organization and a central water feature representing the unpredictable beauty of life.

2. CAST IS SO SOFT AND SLOW THAT IT CAN BE
FOLLOWED LIKE AN ASH SETTLING FROM A FIREPLACE CHIMNEY.
ONE OF LIFE’S QUIET EXCITEMENTS IS TO STAND SOMEWHAT
APART FROM YOURSELF AND WATCH YOURSELF SOFTLY
BECOMING THE AUTHOR OF SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL,
EVEN IF IT IS ONLY A FLOATING ASH.
- NORMAN MACLEAN

3. UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MEMORIAL PLAZA

4. UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS MEMORIAL PLAZA
A tragic automobile accident involving several students and a
professor led to this project in a Site Planning course. It was
an exercise in understanding the powerful meaning that can
be achieved through landscape. The assignment was to look
at physical requirements such as circulation as well as provide
metaphor to memorialize those affected.
After considering pedestrian desire lines, I set up a grid pattern
that symbolizes human tendency to organize and define life.
The organic nature of water in the center of all the ninety
degree angles is used to remind us of life’s unpredictable
beauty and ever-flowing nature.

5. landscaped green space
restored wetland
natural green space
single family residential
100 year flood plain
trails
community/town center
LOGAN RIVER MEADOWS A NEW COMMUNITY

6. section of the Village Center
LOGAN RIVER MEADOWS A NEW COMMUNITY
This site is located along the Logan River in the heart of
Cache Valley, Utah. Existing conditions are very degraded due
to years of overgrazing and stream channelization.
section of the main boulevard
In this group project we looked at clustering techniques as a
way to maintain a higher level of ecological integrity compared
to traditional subdivision planning. We were able to site a
large number of lots while retaining and restoring many of the
site’s natural systems. Amenities such as pedestrian trails and
equestrian areas were introduced in a way that encourages
use while minimizing environmental impacts.
My specific contributions to this project include; all renderings,
section generation, trail alignments, restored wetland siting,
general circulation input, and lot siting input.
section of the main greenway

7. PRESENTATION GRAPHICS AND RENDERING

8. PRESENTATION GRAPHICS AND RENDERING
Craftsmanship and visual quality have always been important
in my work both as a landscape architecture student and in
my other artistic pursuits.
These are a sampling of renderings for various class projects
and extracurricular work.

9. OTHER ARTISTIC PURSUITS CONCRETE, WOOD, PAINT

10. Vase, concrete and copper
Coffee Table, dyed concrete and wood
Fountain, concrete and stone
OTHER ARTISTIC PURSUITS CONCRETE, WOOD, PAINT
Over the years I have developed a love for many different creative outlets.
As I paint, draw, design, and build I enjoy at an increasing level how these
interests overlap and influence each other. Whether I’m trying to visually
balance type on a wedding invitation or design molds for a concrete pour, the
basic principles of design are the same. Color, form, texture, rhythm, balance,
and scale play a critical role in all of my creative pursuits. The application of
these design principles in one artistic medium increases the level of success
in pursuing quality work in other mediums.
Garden Bench with Planters,
redwood and cedar

11. LANDSCAPES OF ITALY FIELD STUDIES

12. LANDSCAPES OF ITALY FIELD STUDIES
In 2007 I had the privilege of taking a course titled Landscapes of the Italian Renaissance.We
studied design principles in the classroom prior to experiencing the landscapes in person.
Focus was given to ways in which designers have transferred ideas and concepts from one
location/culture to another with varying degrees of success.