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.
Hillel of UCSD/La Jolla – La Jolla, California
In 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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Lake Murray Park Playground – San Diego, California
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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Lizard and succulent Garden – San Diego, California
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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