matt mitchell

[email protected] 859 948 4609 digital link: http://issuu.com/matt-mitchell/docs/portfolio

MATT MITCHELL PLA | ASLA | LEED AP

PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO

STATEMENT OF INTENT

MATT MITCHELL

DESIGN THEORY

Landscape architecture is the art of molding environments through the synthesis of form and func� on to

create beau� ful and o� en usable spaces that provide a sense of place and purpose. To me, the func� on

side of this duality means having spa� al design goals with the end user in mind. It is an a� empt to facilitate

and at � mes modify behavior and tendencies to create dynamic spaces that people love and enjoy. A

func� onal overlay combined with though� ul site programing gives the design a strong backbone on which

to stand and provides a path for how a space might shape behavior and feelings in addi� on to being an

ar� s� c expression. Without this key element all that remains is form; and to me, form without “func� on”

is merely art. While art is nice, we are in the business of construc� ng spaces that facilitate one’s experience

and provide enjoyment while respec� ng its environment both ecologically and culturally, in addi� on to

responding to the owner’s specifi c requirements and goals in both purposeful and crea� ve ways.

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

My fi rst years in the profession saw wild fl uctua� ons from peak levels of abundant work to what some

describe as a genera� onal rut and then back again. When my rapidly expanding fi rm of 25 landscape

architects dropped to 5 in the early parts of 2009, ingenuity and adaptability became cri� cal for survival.

Leading my fi rm in the task of op� mizing and reorganizing the components, processes, and standards

used for produc� on (which had been lagging during the pre-recession expansion days) and also in the

training and mentoring of new employees allowed me to bring my unique skill set to the table and lay the

groundwork for a stronger, more profi table future. Having developed these standards while managing a

wide range of complex mul� faceted projects, I gained a valuable insight into both the project management

and produc� on aspects of the profession which I am eager to share and build upon moving forward.

APPROACH

I fi nd enjoyment in the collec� ve cra� of landscape architecture more

than in any of its individual parts. In addi� on to having a crea� ve,

problem solving mentality it is cri� cal to do things the right way, which

means using the correct medium and tools (including so� ware) for

any given task and having the knowledge and experience to u� lize

one’s tool set in the most profi cient way possible. I pride myself on

my digital rendering exper� se and my dra� ing speed and effi ciency in

addi� on to being a well-rounded project manager and client liaison. I

am con� nually searching (and fi nding) inven� ve methods that provide

greater effi ciency for drawing and graphic produc� on. I am eager to

join a fi rm with a collabora� ve studio environment that encourages

crea� vity and cri� cal thought while working to design and manage

complex mul� -faceted projects with end products that make an

unmistakably posi� ve impact on users and our clients.

PLA | ASLA | LEED AP

town center perspective showing refl ecting pool, proposed tenant space, and the grand lawn in the fore ground

celebration green perspective showing refl ecting pool, lounge area under trellis with festival lighting and play mounds beyond

Located in Gainesville, Florida Celebration Pointe looks to change how people view commercial developments by leaning on bountiful community spaces and a project emphasis on LID principles. The commercial core offers 350,000 sq. ft. of retail, dining, and entertainment as well as 300,000 sq. ft. of offi ce space, 120 room hotel, and 1,000 multi-family residential units all in addition to being a transit oriented development with strong connections to downtown and the nearby University of Florida. MIXED-USE LIFESTYLE CENTER

Celebration Pointe

celebration green plan main street rendering, ground fl oor commercial with apartments and offi ce space above

tech park plan, hotel indigo above with offi ce over commercial below

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initial leasing offi ce concept model done in sketchup and presented during the design development phase

fi nal concept showing curving walls and mounded planters creating a crescendo effect and replacing the water feature

Camden Paces is a 381 unit multi-family development in the heart of Atlanta’s posh Buckhead district. The pre-existing low density apartment community came with dense “old growth” tree coverage and was to be replaced with high end rental units including a 7 story post-tension building, a 3 ½ story stick build structure, and twenty townhomes. Atlanta’s strict tree save ordinances created the need for creative thinking on the part of the design team in regards to minimizing fees and penalties while also allowing for a high density development that created value for the owner. The undulating site that includes three distinct on deck amenity areas, two pools, and a variety of outdoor spaces, created the opportunity for many unique design solutions.

Camden PacesMULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

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VALL

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E. ANDREWS DR.

ROSWELL RD.

VALL

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E. ANDREWS DR.

ROSWELL RD.

VALL

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ROSWELL RD.

image w/ proposed structure along with additional plant material photoshopped in demonstrating the screening potential by utilizing newly planted trees

original existing conditions photo taken from an adjacent residence’s backyard

photoshopped image showing the same view post-construction with proposed

structures shown accurately in perspective

digital sketch done on ipad with detailed elevation above

EXISTING CONDITIONS

AFTER NEW CONSTRUCTION

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ADJACENT PROPERTY UNDISTURBEDBUFFER

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LANDSCAPEBUFFER

BUILDING SETBACK

evergreen screen

6’ screen fence

SIGHT LINE

sight line study done in photoshop with sketchup building rotated to match view

MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

Camden Paces

photoshopped section with cad line work

Avalon’s ownership group tasked the design team with creating the fi nest mixed-use retail destination in the south. With highly successful high end developments such as The Groove, Santana Row, and Americana @ Brand in mind, Avalon was born in the heart of Alpharetta, an affl uent tech-driven suburb of Atlanta. Avalon creates a unique work / play / eat / shop environment that promises to change the way developers think about providing amenities and ambiance in order to develop a highly desirable destination where upfront costs reap long term benefi ts. MIXED-USE LIFESTYLE CENTER

Avalon

SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL101 units

250 units / 370,000 sq. ft. of retailRESIDENTIAL OVER RETAIL

HOTEL/CONFERENCE CENTER

RESTAURANT/RETAIL

MID-RISE OFFICE SPACE

BUILDING USE LEGEND

THEATRE

OFFICE LOFTS OVER RETAIL100,000 sq. ft.

spacial & amenity comparisons to highly success-ful “precedent” projects such as The Grove and Santana Row were utilized throughout the visioning and master planning process

sketchup perspective with plant merging and fountain done in photoshop

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TTOWER 9

TOWER 10

TOWER 11

sketchup with photoshopped plant material and water

architectural rendering by others

BOULEVARD SANTA FE

AVENUE ARQUITECTOS

TOWER 1

TOWER 2

TOWER 3

TOWER 4

TOWER 5

TOWER 6

TOWER 7

TOWER 8

MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

City Santa Fe City Santa Fe is a unique and innovative GICSA mixed-use development located in the affl uent and growing Santa Fe area of Mexico City. The master plan calls for ten towers to be constructed on an area covering 453,000 square feet. Various international architects designed each tower, ranging from twenty to fi fty stories, following a master plan developed by the Jerde Partnership. Site Solutions developed the rooftop gardens, retail promenade, parks, and design guidelines for future phases.

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three board spread produced for competition

Developed for the 2010 Steedman Competition, the multi-faceted design concept would reconnect downtown St. Louis with a revitalized riverfront while also helping heal the division between St. Louis and its impoverished crime-ridden neighbor, East St. Louis, which lies just across the river in Illinois. The design concept utilizes numerous elements including physical connections between the two areas, while also addressing the distinct functional needs facing each community. URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION

Bridging the Divide

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Saint Louis, MOGateway City FootbridgeGateway City Footbridge

MacArthur Bridge Pedestrian Thoroughfare and Lift

Riverfront Ferry

The standard-bearer for the rebirth and revitalization of the St. Louis Riverfronts and downtown areas will be the Gateway City Footbridge. Crossing the Mississippi River in a single span, the suspension bridge will link a proposed development in the old Laclede Power building and newly constructed park to its north with the newly conceptualized East St. Louis TOD (Transit Oriented Development).

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Gateway City Footbridge

MacArthur Bridge Pedestrian Thoroughfare and LiftMacArthur Bridge Pedestrian Thoroughfare and Lift

Riverfront Ferry

Saint Louis, MO

The MacArthur Bridge Pedestrian Thoroughfare will be an integral southern “anchor” for the downtown “loop” or trail network that will be a major draw for locals and tourists alike, in addition to the added mobility it provides for downtown residents. Currently the bridge serves as an active railroad bridge with a second level, decommissioned vehicular platform that has been unused for years. Relying on uniquely designed dual counterbalanced open air platforms stabilized by brass coated support poles and cable with manually operated gates and automated and pressure sensitive safety features, the rehabilitated rustic railroad bridge will be a recognizable architectural banner for the new downtown biking and pedestrian system enhancements. Future improvements could see the bridge transformed into a lush gateway linking the Mississippi’s banks complete with trees, vines, and other plant materials entangling themselves within its oxidized steel frame.

Gateway City Footbridge

MacArthur Bridge Pedestrian Thoroughfare and Lift

Riverfront Ferry

URBAN DESIGN COMPETITION

Bridging the Divide

aerial taken from adjacent property

post-installation site images

This project, located in Atlanta’s Midtown, is a 35-story mixed-use development with 443 high-rise condominiums and 38,000 square feet of retail space. Site solutions developed the curvaceous rooftop deck that features amenity pools, gardens, and other features that bring a sense of garden living to the center of an urban environment. 1010 Midtown was featured in a Wall Street Journal article dubbed, “Atlanta Gets a Makeover: More Up, Less Out”.

1010 MidtownURBAN ROOFTOP AMENITY GARDEN

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sketchup aerial showing new road alignment & larger plaza area

photomerged sketchup image showing pro-posed streets-cape improve-ments

When a newly constructed ultra-chic outdoor shopping mall funded by the Mormon Church moved in just two blocks away in downtown Salt Lake City The Gateway’s ownership decided they needed to up the ante and invest in their property before it became a relic with dwindling value. The design team decided to focus on the areas that most set the development apart from its direct competition just down the street. This included creating a plethora of outdoor dining and entertainment oppor-tunities to give the development the vibrancy it needed to compete. Softening the development and adding modern architectural facades also helped give the development the facelift it needed to enhance its image with its target clientele.RETAIL REDEVELOPMENT

The Gateway

photomerged sketchup image of proposed improvements - trellises done in sketchup

boulevard master plan

diagram showing proposed landscape and seating areas

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When Shops Around Lenox became outdated and its architecture no longer fi t with its upscale clientele, a renovation was undertaken that included a complete architectural façade and hardscape overhaul. Weathered Corten steel planters and vibrant landscape features blend with granite blocks and Mexican beach pebbles to give the center a distinctive character.

Shops Around LenoxRETAIL REDEVELOPMENT

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sketchup rending depicting proposed entry signage and road alignment

photoshopped elevation with cad line work

custom powerpoint slide with integrated shortcut buttons presented to the client during design development

GCSU Campus EntryCOLLEGIATE GATEWAY DESIGN

The gateway design for Georgia College’s west campus replaces a “highway” style billboard and provides a vital facelift to GCSU’s West Campus that will project an image consistent with other parts of its campus. The design devel-opment presentation offered various options utilizing 3D renderings to give the college a clear vision of what they could expect.

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digital link: http://issuu.com/matt-mitchell/docs/[email protected] 859 948 4609

matt mitchell

Documents

crea ve ways

cri cal

posi ve impact

design goals

func onal overlay

nding inven ve methods

ones experience

complex mul faceted