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The Urban Streetscape Process

John Olson — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:34:46 +0000

EVstudio practices with a philosophy of designing the streetscape to compliment the adjacent architecture. We measure the success of the streetscape by the success of the uses alongside the streetscape. The avant-garde streetscape is one that you will not see from EVstudio. The avant-garde, or Peacock Streetscape, is a distraction and can be a potential detriment to the adjacent uses. Context sensitivity is crucial. It is our experience that when the function of the streetscape is the top priority, the constraints of the utilitarian needs often become tremendous opportunities for great design.

The close interaction between the civil engineering and landscape architecture for the streetscape below in Killeen, Texas provides an aesthetically pleasing, yet functional, streetscape.

In order to transform the constraints into opportunities, it is critical to have a great amount of communication and synergy between the landscape architect and civil engineer. EVstudio recently finalized an urban streetscape in Killeen, Texas. The in-house civil engineering and landscape architecture team proved to be a major advantage to the client. A great amount must happen between the area-confined spaces between the building and street, to work in a silo with little communication is not an effective process. The ability to simultaneously blend the utilitarian needs of the civil engineer with aesthetics from the landscape architect is value added for the client.

Photo from the top of the Main Street Garage in Downtown Pueblo of the Main Street Streetscape.

Equally important to the relationship between civil engineering and landscape architecture is the client/ consultant relationship. Perhaps the most pleasurable experience of working with the client for me occurred in the design of the streetscape at the Municipal Complex in Pueblo. The project involved two blocks of moderate level pedestrian traffic; two blocks of low level pedestrian traffic; three blocks of auto-centric streetscape; one and one-half blocks of mid-block pedestrian-way; and one block of peripheral streetscape near the HARP Riverwalk in Downtown Pueblo. The varying frontage types required different levels of pedestrian needs and a strong balance of budget/aesthetic balance. The client representative in this case was Steven Meier, a landscape architect for the City of Pueblo. The interaction during design, construction documentation, and construction observation between Mr. Meier and I resulted in an award-winning project that serves as a model streetscape in Downtown Pueblo today. The Pueblo Main Street Parking Garage won an award from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Organization and the the Justice Center was recognized by the Mountain States Construction Annual Rankings as a top Government/ Public Buildings Project of 2010.

Pueblo Landscape Standards: Important Requirements for Landscape Architects in Pueblo

John Olson — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:22:20 +0000

This Sketch illustrates the minimum landscape architectural requirements for a parking lot in Pueblo. Illustration by John Olson.

The most recent update to the Pueblo Municipal Code is the requirement by the State of Colorado to have a landscape architect stamp for projects submitted to the City's Building Department. The State of Colorado signed a bill with this requirement in 2007 which most municipalities, including Pueblo, have added to their ordinance.

Pueblo's landscape performance standards can be found in the Pueblo Zoning Code in Sec. 17-4-7 (Landscape Performance Standards).

The standards set forth in Sec. 17-4-7 are applicable in the following zone districts: R-4, R-5, R-6, RCN, B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, BP, PUD, H-B, I-1, I-2, O-1, CCN, S-1, S-4 and S-5. They are applicable for the following conditions:

1. New construction on any lot or placement of a structure on any lot

2. An addition of 35% of more of the gross square footage of an existing building

3. Use of 5,000 square feet or more for a contiguous off-street parking lot (not applicable if it is an improvement of parking lot that has been in use since before June 22, 1998).

One Tree and Five Shrubs shall be included for every 30-linear feet of frontage. Illustration by John Olson.

Tree Spacing in Setback: ONE Tree AND FIVE Shrubs shall be provided for every THIRTY-linear-feet of frontage. Setback must be a minimum of 10-feet in width. 50% of the shade trees must be either evergreen trees or ornamental trees.

A parking island is necessary for 9-feet in width for the length of the parking stall for every 15 contiguous parking stalls in Pueblo. Illustration by John Olson.

Parking Lot Landscape Islands: A parking lot landscape island must be provided on the end of each bay of parking when FIVE or more regular parking spaces are included. Additionally, there shall be no more than FIFTEEN consecutive parking spaces (including head-to-head parking spaces, see sketch) without a landscape island. Islands must be a minimum of 9-feet in width and 18-feet in length (measured from the face of curb) and include at least ONE tree and FIVE shrubs.

Parking Lot and Drive-Through Screening: In addition to the frontage requirements, screening must be attained by the use of shrubs with a minimum height of 3-feet, a berm that measures 3-feet higher than the parking lot elevation, or an opaque structure (wall/fence) that is 3-feet in height placed at the setback.

Landscape Buffers (Between Residential and Non-Residential Land Uses): Buffer shall be at least 10-feet in width with at least ONE tree for every TWENTY-linear-feet AND an opaque fence or structure at least 6-feet in height.

The aforementioned standards are the key standards in Pueblo's code. There are many other codes and standards applicable to the City of Pueblo, but understanding the standards above will assist the landscape architect in understanding the needs of a project in Pueblo. For the official codes from the City of Pueblo, please use the following link: Pueblo Landscape Standards

EVstudio provides landscape architectural services out of Colorado Springs, Denver and Evergreen and we can help you with your landscape design needs in Pueblo or throughout Colorado. 303.670.7242. design@evstudio.us

Originally posted 2010-04-23 12:01:30.

Santa Fe Style House in Roxborough State Park Complete

Beth Concha — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:56:25 +0000

We recently visited the custom Santa Fe style house we designed in Roxborough Park that was completed this past summer. The house is 3,360 finished square feet on two levels, with a viewing deck on top of a 3-car garage. The house has an open floor plan with a main level master suite and private courtyard, and two finished bedrooms, wet bar, rec room and sewing room in the lower level.

The oversized wood viga trellis in the front courtyard is one of the focal points of the house, leading into the study.

A view of the cozy window seat in the study, especially popular with the furry members of the family.

A unique decision to have windows rather than upper cabinets made for a nice and bright kitchen. We made sure to provide them with enough under counter storage.

A view of the family room with the exposed vigas above. The homes builder, Steve Dow with Peak Construction, provided a unique antique mantle for the project.

Inside the spacious master bath sits this free standing copper soaking tub. The master bath connects to a large walk-in-closet which also accesses the laundry room.

The front courtyard and entry gate with steps up to the rooftop deck above the garage.

A personal favorite feature of the house, a private rooftop deck overlooking the red rock formations of Roxborough State Park.

Entry Courtyard for a Santa Fe Style Home

Sean O'Hara — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 07:11:30 +0000

I recently had the chance to take a number of photographs of one of our projects in Roxborough. It is a Santa Fe or Pueblo style home. This is the south facing entry courtyard, we'll head in the front door when I have a chance to edit those photographs over the next few days.

Foundation Stabilization For Rehabilitation Center Completed Using 145 Helical Piers

Jim Houlette — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 02:46:49 +0000

The stabilization of a rehabilitation center was recently completed. EVstudio was asked to observe the existing conditions and provide recommendations on how to stabilize the foundation that has been previously repaired before by other contractors and engineers but continued to move. Previous repairs included pressure grouting, mud-jacking and helical piers. The areas where the helical piers were placed remained stable while other areas continued to move. The building has a shallow foundation bearing on soil that has continued to settle.

It was determined that the remaining foundation requires helical piers to stabilize and provide a uniform foundation system to prevent differential movement. The helical piers act as steel stilts to support the foundation on solid soil below the unstable soil.

Due to the shape and size of the building 145 helical piers were needed fully stabilize the foundation. The helical piers were installed by Pinnacle Structural Service.

Olson as a Panelist at REpowering Southern Colorado Renewable Energy Expo in Pueblo

John Olson — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 05:55:25 +0000

John Olson will be presenting at the REpowering Southern Colorado Renewable Energy Expo 2011 on August 6, 2011. He wil participate in a panel on Future Jobs Potential in NEED©. The following is a brief abstract of John's portion of the presentation. John is honored to join on a panel with: Eddie Sturman, Sturman Industries; RJ Harrington, Policy Director at Colorado Solar Energy Industries; Becky English, a CRES Board Member; Tony Frank, the CRES Executive Director; and Sarah Spencer-Workman of Sedgewick LLC.

Abstract:

There are several methodologies of creating and fostering economic development in our communities. The brief presentation will examine the opportunities that do not involve typical financial incentives, but an incentive of expediency and flexibility. Form-based codes and other ‘green’ codes that promote buildings that are loved will be contrasted with the conventional Euclidian zoning codes that have arguably become one of our country’s largest financial threats.

Pueblo Colorado Land Surveying

DJ Zehnacker — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:21:24 +0000

Recently we completed some existing conditions and topography mapping in Pueblo, Colorado for a healthcare facility. The surveying went really well and, in our opinion, in part to the time that we spent before we actually did the field work. We spent a few days completing project research on Pueblo County's website and talking to County staff in order to obtain existing surveys in the area, understanding vertical and horizontal control, researching existing utility maps, etc. Essentially, once we went out to the actual field work we had a very good understanding on paper of what our survey parameters were and what our plan of attack was going to be.

Also, we went out to the site with both GPS equipment and Total Station equipment as we were not entirely sure what kind of signal we would get with our GPS equipment. Luckily, we obtained a great signal and were able to shoot around 1,000 shots in a matter of 2 days. Bottom line, when it comes to field surveying, spending time in the office doing the appropriate project/site research ahead of time will saves countless hours (and frustration) in the field and maximizes efficiency. This efficiency can be directly passed onto the client in cost savings.

Originally posted 2010-04-11 00:01:31.

The Santa Fe Style – Blending Pueblo and Territorial Architecture

Beth Concha — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 08:15:14 +0000

The Santa Fe style is a variation of both the Pueblo Revival and Territorial Style of architecture, made popular in the late 1800s. It became the standard in New Mexico after it was defined by the Santa Fe Historic Zoning Ordinance of 1957. The ordinance mandated the use of the Pueblo or Territorial Style on all new structures, (buildings and residences), in central Santa Fe.

The Pueblo style was originally constructed with sun-dried adobe blocks, but modern-day structures are typically concrete block or wood-frame covered with stucco. Typical Pueblo Style characteristics include flat roofs with parapets, vigas (originally structural, but today mainly decorative), enclosed patios or courtyards, one level with varying plate heights, rough-hewn wood lintels above windows and doors, canales (roof drains), decorative wooden corbels, interior art niches, and courtyards.

The Territorial Style has many of the same elements as the Pueblo Style, except it is more straight-lined. Smooth stucco is used as opposed to the usual rough finish. Brick coping is traditionally used atop the parapet walls to protect from water damage and to create a more clean-lined effect, something not normally seen in the Pueblo Style. Milled woodwork details are also commonly found, including pedimented lintels above window frames, and elaborate dark wooden trim. Unlike the consistent earthy tones of the Pueblo Style, the Territorial Style may include brightly painted features such as a blue front door.

Today, it is difficult to find examples of each individual style due to the fact that the Santa Fe Style combines design elements of both.

Originally posted 2009-10-24 00:02:33.

Repowering Southern Colorado Expo at Colorado State University Pueblo

John Olson — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:01:10 +0000

John Olson, Landscape Architect at EVstudio, will be representing the Congress for the New Urbanism Colorado Chapter at the Repowering Southern Colorado Expo and Virtual Solar Tour this Saturday (8/14). The event will be held at Colorado State University’s Pueblo campus from 9 am – 4 pm. It is sponsored by SECRES (South Eastern Colorado Renewable Energy Society), CSU Pueblo and National Solar Tour.

SECRES is presenting this FREE event to showcase Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency to encourage businesses and residents to better understand and adopt the technologies in existing and new buildings and transportation.

Displays and Demonstrations include:

Solar, wind, geo-thermal, bio-fuel, weatherization, cars, etc.
Residential, commercial, and community organizations

Location: CSU-Pueblo Campus (2200 Bonforte Blvd, Pueblo, CO 81001)

Date: Saturday, August 14, 2010

Time: 9 am to 4 pm

Therapy/Healing Gardens

John Olson — Tue, 18 May 2010 06:01:59 +0000

Therapy Garden at Metropolitan Hospital Courtyard in Wyoming, MI. Rendering and design completed in conjunction with HDR Planning.

I am in the process of designing a therapy garden, or healing garden, for a long-term care facility in Pueblo, CO. Therapy gardens are intriguing to design due to their complexities and many moving parts. To properly design a therapy garden, you must consider the needs and desires of the end users. Careful attention must be paid to designing to all five senses (sight, smell, sound, taste and touch). For a rehabilitative therapy garden, like the one I am currently designing, touch is a primary sense. I am proposing multiple ground-plane surfaces for walking as well as multiple textures in the garden so that it is a place where the users feel free to touch the foliage and interact with the plant material. I am proposing a landscape palette that is rich with textures and varieties of plant material, yet within a narrow range of plant culture. The image to the right is a therapy garden in Wyoming, MI that I had the opportunity to work on while I was with HDR Planning.

Please come back to the blog in a few weeks and I will update it with an entry showing the progress of the therapy garden in Pueblo.