Gardens on Paper

I view my art and profession of Landscape Architecture as a vehicle for improving not just the quality of life, but the awareness of its sanctity. In each landscape, my goal is to instill a genuine spirit of place, through careful site planning and the command of elements such as stone, water, wood, light and plant life.

These drawings usually begin, and continue to serve as a means of study, an exercise in the design and planning of gardens and landscapes; their colors, textures, massing, and proportional relationships. They have an added purpose; to transmit awareness of that spirit of place, and the special, or sacred qualities inherent in nature's bounty through which we landscape architects work.

Many of the best drawings shown herein are due to the talent and ardent efforts of my dear colleague and business partner, Angelina Sotelo. It is our collaboration that brings the work of this firm to ever-higher achievements.

DAVID REED, ASLA

a postcript: Some garden designs take years to come to fruition; some remain unbuilt. Nevertheless, the images created for them represent an intense study of their needs, a glimpse into the realm of possibility that lies within each project and a coordinated effort to create meaning within physical space.

Hot Springs Resort

Hot Springs Resort

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Hillel of UCSD/La Jolla – La Jolla, California

HillelIn the planning phase; will be a LEED certified project. Landscape improvements surround and appoint a proposed Jewish Student Center at the University of California San Diego. Improvements include a public park space with a bike and pedestrian trail, using Torrey Pine trees and an all native plant palette.

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Veteran’s Memorial Garden – Balboa Park, San Diego, California

Veteran's Garden 

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Lake Murray Park Playground – San Diego, California

Lake Murray Playground Project Lake Murray used to have a playground, but it got old and went away….
The Community couldn’t accept that.  Working with a determined group of Mom’s and Dad’s, a.k.a. the Lake Murray Park Playground Project, we have facilitated the design of a wonderful playground structure and surroundings, in this 3 acre section of Lake Murray Park in San Diego.

The project was 3 years in the making. Our role during the planning and design phase was to provide graphic support, design of the site, paving and donor tiles immediately outside the playground and accessibility improvements. The beautifully rendered plans added credibility to the project and assisted with fundraising and grant writing. The Moms and Dads designed the playground with the manufacturer. Our work also included submittals (to the Park and Recreation Department) of the accessibility improvements that were required before this project could be implemented.

The Community raised over $250,000 in construction funds for this project. When all the funds were raised and the city had made their improvements, we had a community build day scheduled. The City’s portion of the work had to be publically contracted and took a few months to bid and a few more to build. An entire weekend was planned for the community build of the playground, but the community efforts were so successful the project was completed by 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

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1906 Coronado Lodge

1906 Coronado Lodge

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Lizard and succulent Garden – San Diego, California

Lizard and succulent Garden The central theme of this garden is a curving, free-form paved patio, visited by a large fanciful lizard. The pavement is in various colors and finishes of Lithocrete™ paving, trimmed with colored pebbles and glass beads. The lizard faces the eastern porch, has feet that extend beyond the patio, a dorsal “spine” set appointed with glass beads and shining mosaic sides. Its tail seems to curl around the yoga patio, which includes a radiant burst of green glass pebbles set in the paving.

Succulents and drought tolerant shrubs in several colors and textures appoint the surroundings.

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Madrona Marsh – City of Torrance, California

Madrona Marsh

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Myron B. Green Elementary – San Diego, California

Green ElementaryA Community based project, initiated by the Friends of Green Elementary, this field improvements sports a running track which surrounds the existing play fields.  Fundraising is on-going for this project.

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Rancho Santa Fe Garden Room – Sketch Up Movie

San Diego Residence

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Mulberry Park – Otay Ranch, Chula Vista, California

Mulberry Park

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Village of Montecito Entry Sign – Otay Ranch, Chula Vista, California

Village of Montecito Entry Sign

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Rancho Santa Fe Village Streetscape – San Diego County, California

Rancho Santa Fe Streetscape

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Mount Soledad Residence

Mount Soledad Residence

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Point Loma Fountain

Point Loma Fountain

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Rancho Santa Fe Fountain

Rancho Santa Fe Fountain 

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Mayor’s Task Force on La Jolla

Mayor's Task Force in La Jolla 

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Mosaic, A Planned Community – Escondido, California

Mosaic, a planned community

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Starling, A Planned Community – San Marcos, California

Starling, a planned community

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Village on Broadway – Chula Vista, California

Village on Broadway

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Hillsborough Park (Original Concept) at Otay Ranch – Chula Vista, California

Hillsborough Park

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Dolphin Beach Remodel at Eastlake – Chula Vista, California

Dolphin Beach Remodel at Eastlake

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Roosevelt Middle School Proposed Joint Use Fields – San Diego, California

Roosevelt Middle School Proposed Joint-Use Fields

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Native Plants for the Carmel Mountain Ranch Library – San Diego, California

Native Plants for the Carmel Mountain Ranch Library

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Renaissance La Jolla – La Jolla, California

Renaissance La Jolla

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Proposed Shade Structure for the Self Realization Fellowship – Escondido, California

Proposed Shade Structure for the Self Realization Fellowship

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Community Signs for the College Business District – San Diego, California

Community Signs for the College Business District

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Underground Parking Structure & Rose Garden for Balboa Park – San Diego, California

Underground Parking Structure & Rose Garden for Balboa Park

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La Jolla Rose Garden

La Jolla Rose Garden

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Gage Elementary Joint Use Fields – San Diego, California

Gage Elementary

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Jacaranda Park

Jacaranda Park

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Encinitas Garden – Sketch Up Movie

Encinitas Garden

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Rancho Montevideo – Rancho Santa Fe

Rancho MontevideoPlanning for this 12 acre villa and estate included a large citrus grove, ¼ mile of driveway, a motorcourt with fountains, swimming pool, spa and pool house, trellises, hardscape and landscape.

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