Joseph Long

+ urban designlandscape architecture

College of Environment+Design

Portfolio

table of contentsJackson st. Addition

Armstrong & Dobbs site

Foundry street

Taqueria del sol

sketches

City hall plaza

college of environment + design addition

This addition to the College of Environment + Design at the University of Georgia was inspired by the Relaxx Sport and Leisure Center in Slovakia, as well as the Harvard School of Design building. The addition cantilevers out over the existing topograghy, including the entrance road. Large floor to ceiling windows provide lots of natural light and great views to the surrounding Athens area. The building steps up seven feet at two points taking it higher over the existing road. This addition is a seemless transition from the existing building and provides space for additional classrooms and

gathering areas.

The Armstrong and Dobbs site is a historic warehouse district close to downtown Athens, Ga. I was used in the logging and cotton idus-tries in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but has fallen on hard times in recent years. Nearly all of the original buildings have been demolished or modi�ed in some way, and none adhere to any aesthetic standards and are an eyesore for the city of Athens.

The scope of the project was to develope a masterplan for a new urbanist de-velopment with a commercial/mixed use district and single or multi-family housing. It was very important to take into account the views to and from the surrounding streets in order to make sure the site added to the character of downtown and didn’t take away from it. Connections to the surrounding areas were needed as well to facilitate pedestrian movement to and from the site.

armstrong & dobbs siteredevelopment

The site is designed to allow pedestrian and vehicular movement to occur in relative ha-rmony with one another. It is easily poss- ible to walk the entire site on foot, or to drive to the site and park. All modes of transportation are welcome and planned for. Most of the surfaceparking is located near the co-mmercial district, while the apartment complex and townhomes have individual park-ing underneath, as well asstreet parking.

armstrong & dobbs siteredevelopment

Pedestrian and vehicular circulation and safety were very important during the development of this masterplan. Steps were taken to ensure all modes of transportation could coexist with-out any adverse e�ects. Stormwater manage-ment was also of the utmost importance during site development. Because of this,

steps were taken to limit the amount of impervi-ous surfaces and encourage in�ltration and groundwater recharge. Rain gardens, swales, and pervious pavements are all used on the site to prevent stormwater issues that have plagued other similar developments in the past. Overall, this should make for a better site and landscape.

The sidewalk near the greenway trail is a raised platform on a gravel bed. The raised wooden platform helps give the site a distinct char-

acter that sets it apart from the surrounding Athens area. Storm-water runoff can then in�ltrate under the pathway into the soil.

Excess stormwater runs into a large raingarden in the southeast of the site, the lovest point in the area. the 12” ponding depth will help

large amounts of runoff in�ltrate into the soil, while an underdrain takes excess water to existing swales elsewhere on the site.

foundry street rehabilitation

Foundry street is a histrically signigicant area immediately adjacent to downtown Athens, Ga. Its location near downtown amenities and housing makes it ideal for outdoor space and connections between the mulititudes of housing options to the east and the hustle and bustle of downtown to the west. It is perfectly poised to act as an entrance way to Athens, however in its current state none of this potential is being realized.

Currently there is no pedestrian infrastructure nor open space for resi-dents to gather in an outdoor setting. The old Flagpole Magazine building brings character to the space but is not in use and has fallen into disre-pair. With a few changes Foundry Street can be made a fun and inter-esting place for Athens to come to, away from the noise and speed of downtown.

An arbor and water feature offer a place with shade for rest

and relaxation

The yucca plant also acts as a

sculptural piece in the garden

The concrete walkway is flanked by trees and is thus a visual cue to pedestrians

the something interesting is ahead

The chaste tree is a very hearty tree that brings beautiful flowers and foliage to the site

The sculptural element adds variety to the landscape and would expose people to the work of local artists

Sage offers a very unique look along with its purple blooms

A rain garden at the lowest point in the site would take in

stormwater runoff from the site

Salvia is a hearty plant with good

foliage and medici-nal uses

taqueria del solThe Taqueria del Sol project was undertaken during the third year of

the Landscape Architecture curriculum. This garden, along the east side of the building, is an entirely edible garden inspired by the

landscapes of the southwest. Planting beds contain a vari- ety of drought resistant plants that one would expect to see in a garden in New Mexico or Arizona.

This plant palatte, along with the surrounding adobe wall and crushed brick walkway, gives an overall desert oasis feel to the landscape. Each element works together to add character and beauty to the whole, making this a place people want to immerse themselves in.

The silk tree offers beautiful foliage and flow-ers in the spring

A raised wooden deck platform offers a unique dining experience for restaurant goers.

The crushed brick walkway adds to the desert feel and is a unique walking surface for the area

Raised plantingbeds are filled with south-western looking plants such as sageand agave. Chaste trees and silk trees ringthe outside of the site, which is surrounded by an adobe wall, completing the southwestern aesthetic. The plantings allfit in with the architecture of the building as well as the food that is servedfit in with the architecture of the building as well as the food that is servedat Taqueria del Sol.

The adobe wall around the landscape helps unify the plantings and ar-chitecture while providing a southwestern aesthetic. Plantings are ac-centuated, and views from the restaurant are protected. An arbor stretches over a small water feature, creating a calming and relaxing environment for patrons to enjoy themselves and their food.

taqueria del sol

athens city squareThe Athens City Square project was meant to re- vamp the area in front of the current Athens City Hall. City Hall was previously the multi-modal center, with bus stops and bus pull offs surrounding the site. Thewhole area was in dire need of an update, both to the existing plantings and to the hardscape and street layout.

The designed Athens City Square is meant as a public area, with more space given to the pedestrian. New paving material, plantings, parking, and the widened sidewalks all make this a much more lively and interesting space, and allow for large public gatherings and events outside Athens City Hall.

grading plan

layout plan

schematic plan

cover sheet

construction plan

open street diagram

closed street diagram

drainage diagram

Raised tree planters double as seating for pedestrians.

Trench drains along the edges of the road catch stormwater runoff and transport it to the tree planters or the rain gardens. An ornamental grate on top will make it safe to walk and drive on.

Four rain gardens at the corners of the site will catch and treat a majority of stormwa-ter. Plantings within will have a variety of textures and colors.

Athens city square All plantings outside the raingardens are drought tolerant, native plants. The American Elm along the road provide a great canopy as one drives through, reminiscent of the historic Georgia drives of the past. The river birch is also a sculptural piece with its exfoliating bark. The red maple along the corners of the site provides excellent color in the fall and stays small not obstructing views into the site.