Portfolio: Lauren V. Brown

Lauren V. BrownPage 01 Curriculum Vitae

AWARDS:- Excellence Award, Texas ASLA 2006 CyFair College, Houston, Texas- Honor Award, Texas ASLA 2006 Hangzhou Hubin Waterfront,; Hangzhou, PR China- ULI Award of Excellence 2005 Hangzhou Hubin Waterfront, Hangzhou, PR China- TSA Design Award 2005 Westchase District Long Range Plan, Houston, Texas- Award of Excellence, ASLA 2005 ‘Heart of the Park’, Houston, Texas- Golden Trowel Award 2005 Herman Park Reflection Pool, Houston Texas- Landscape Architecture Firm Award, ASLA 2005: SWA Group

AFFILIATIONS:- RDA – Rice Design Alliance- ASLA – American Society of Landscape Architects- Red Buds – Trees for Houston, young professionals

RECENT TRAVEL:- Egypt / Amsterdam, November 2007- Hangzhou, PR China, September 2007- Paris, France, July 2007

HOBBIES / INTERESTS:Dance, tennis, flying (private pilot training), traveling, singing, reading, costume-making, yoga, hiking, body surfing, white water rafting, hot springs and overall adventure seeker.

Lauren V. Brown, ASLA, LEED Accredited Professional2634B Peckham St. Houston, Texas 77098 - lbrown@swagroup.com - 832-549-5151

GRADUATE DEGREE OBJECTIVE:A highly motivated individual with an undergraduate degree in architecture and seven years professional experience in landscape architecture is seeking a graduate degree to gain further knowledge and applied urban and landscape studies in the ar-eas of ecology, natural resources, environmental design and sustainable development.

EDUCATION: Rice University 1996 -2000 - Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: SWA Group, Houston, Texas; 2000 - PresentAssociate 2004 – Present

Project experience with the SWA Group has ranged in size and scope including; urban waterfront development, coastal development, commercial and public urban design, high-end residential design, detention pond design, ecological restoration, urban ele-ments design, college and corporate campus master planning, city master planning, park design, resort design, public infrastructure planning and design (freeway, canal, transit, and streetscapes). As an Associate and Team Leader with the Houston office, I have experience managing and participating in all levels of project development with responsibilities including: team/office leadership and management; client relations and presentations; overseas travel, cost estimation and design budgeting; creative problem solving; conceptual design, design development, presentation graphics, construction documentation and administration.

INTERNSHIPS:Clark Condon & Associates, Landscape Architects Houston, Texas; summer 1999

City of Houston, Planning Department: with Sustainable Development DirectorThird Year, Spring Semester, 1999

ACCREDITATIONS, TRAINING, SPEECHES:- LEED Accredited Professional- Key note speaker: Emerging Professionals Panel, National ASLA convention, Minnesota, 2006- Dale Carnegie Graduate: Effective Communications and Public Relations- SWA Houston Office Retreat Host and Moderator 2007

Lauren V. Brown

Egypt

Page 02Lauren V. Brown

Lauren V. Brown

PROJECTS:

2006 - Present - British Petroleum Campus Master Plan & Trade Building; Houston, Texas: Client: Gensler & BP; Scope: Campus master planning, corporate building project site design and documentationSWA Project captain, Senior Designer and Consultant Group Team Lead for the bp Campus Redevelopment Team. Developed the master-plan and physical design for the campus expansion based upon sustainable design principles for bp’s 80 acre corporate headquarters in West Houston. Responsible for developing design solutions, calculations, graphics and presentations and managing resources and dead-lines for eight concurrent design projects. Provided the design and LEED documentation submittals for the campus’s new trade building facility which is aiming for LEED Platinum certification.

2007 – WestLake ; Qingshan,China; Client: Joyon Real Estate; Scope: Conceptual DesignSenior Project Designer for 20 acre lake-front, bamboo-forested property on Qingshan Lake. Conducted site visit, site analysis and concep-tual design charette with the Client group and SWA colleagues in September 2007.

2007 - Arabian Canal, Dubai, UAE; Client: Limitless Inc.; Scope: Conceptual Design and PlanningSenior Project Designer. Attended Conceptual design charette in Paris, France in July 2007. Provided design consultation for the physical characteristics of a 75 km long desert canal with a team of European hydrology and dredging engineers.

2007 - Hangzhou Mixed-Use, Hangzhou, PR China; Client: Zhejiang ________ Scope: Detailed Schematic Design

2006 - South Padre Island, South Padre, Texas; Client: Zohouri Development; Scope: Conceptual Masterplanning Senior Project Designer and Team Lead. Developed conceptual design plans for a 40 acre barrier island development on the Gulf Coast of Texas. Made recommendations for the preservation and enhancement of the natural dune systems and promoted wetland reclamation.

2006 - BLVD Place, Houston, Texas; Client: DMJM, Scope: Urban Design Senior Project Designer and Team Lead. Provided urban design solutions for an eight acre mixed-use development in Uptown Houston. Ex-tensive project experience and strong client relations with the Uptown District gave us the leverage to manifest broader urban design goals and dovetail project adjacencies including future light rail, lighting programs and streetscape projects.

2005 - Westchase District Long Range Plan; Houston, Texas; Client: WMG ; Scope: MasterplanningSenior Designer. Provided planning diagrams and concepts for the 20 year vision of a west Houston business and residential district. The approved plan included converting the district’s watershed infrastructure into district wide canals and amenities. The project received the 2005 TSA Design Award.

2005 - West Loop Greening; Freeway Landscape Design; Houston, Texas; Client: UDA; Scope: Reforestation and Landscape DesignSenior Project Designer and Team Lead. Developed the design for reforestation of the West Loop freeway right-of-way with a native-natu-ralized Piney woodland mix. Helped garner a $3.4 million cost share agreement between the Texas Department of Transportation and the Uptown Management District.

2005 - Solimar Resorts, Panama City Beach, Florida; Client: Arquitectonica; Scope: Resort PlanningSenior Project Designer and Team Lead. Conceptual Design for on-structure and beach front landscape for highrise condominium and hotel program

2004 - Jinchen Harbor;; Wuxi, China, Client: Jerde Partnership; Scope: Urban PlanningSenior Designer and Team Lead: City planning and community design for a new lake front city in Wuxi China. Personally presented the project to the Mayor of Wuxi.

Project ExperiencePage 03

Lauren V. Brown

2004 - Del Rio Port of Entry, Del Rio, Texas; Client: Richter Architects; Scope: Landscape Design

2004 - Uptown Transit, Houston, Texas; Client: Uptown Houston & METRO; Scope Bus shelter designSenior Designer. Provided analysis of existing bus shelters, developed design guidelines and designed shelter prototypes. Worked closely with fabricators and architects of record.

2004 - Holthouse Residence, City of Hunters Creek, Texas; Client: Colleen Holthouse; Scope: Residential Landscape DesignSenior Designer and Team Lead. Designed the backyard, courtyard and front motorcourt for 20,000 sf home along Buffalo Bayou. Detailed an 80’ long pool with zero edges, infinity edge, interior planter islands, volleyball area and diving area. Participated in construction observation and field problem solving.

2003 - Hangzhou Commercial Phase, Hangzhou China; Client: Jerde Partnership; Scope: Urban DesignSenior Designer. Developed paving, fountain, seating, planting and lighting detailing for a four block commercial center in Hangzhou China.

2003 - Hangzhou Hubin Waterfront, Hangzhou, China; Client; Zheizhang Distric; Scope: Master Plan and DDSenior Designer. Developed masterplanning drawings, details and diagrams for a 20 block urban waterfront in Hangzhou China. Design in-cluded burying a major thoroughfare in a tunnel underneath a lake, designing an urban stream and creating a pedestrian district with curbless granite streets to connect the city to the Lake. Spend two, two week intense work sessions in China with local architects to nail down details. The project has received high accolades in China and globally including the ULI Award of Excellence in 2005.

2003 - Town Green; Woodlands, Texas; Client: Woodlands Management Company; Scope: Conceptual Park Design2002 - Harte Research Center; TAMU Campus, Corpus Christi, Texas; Client: Richter Architects; Scope: Landscape Design

2002 - Hermann Park Reflection Pool, Houston, Texas; Client: Friends of Hermann Park; Scope: City Park DesignProject Designer. Developed details and construction documents for Hermann Park’s renovation project. Assisted in construction observation. Simple and classic park design has been a huge success and has been recognized with many Awards.

2002 - CyFair College, Cypress Texas; Client: CyFair College; Scope: Campus Master Plan and Landscape designProject Designer. Assisted in the masterplan and construction documentation of sustainable college campus outside of Houston. Features include an internal lake/detention pond and native Katy Prairie landscaping.

2002 - West Loop Architectural Design, Houston, Texas; Client: Uptown Houston; Scope: Freeway Design; Project Designer: In collaboration with TxDOT and Uptown Houston, designed and developed the architectural detailing of the IH610 West Loop Freeway between US59 and I10. Design Elements included: retaining wall panel, support column and sign pylon articulation, paving, bollards and lighting of underpasses.

2002 - Montebello Condominiums, Houston, Texas; Client: Interfin; Scope: Landscape DesignProject Designer: Developed design and detailing for on-structure pool deck.

2001 - Pearland Entry Corridor; Pearland, Texas, Client: City of Pearland; Scope: Conceptual Streetscape Design2001 - Da Meisha Beach Road, Shenzhen, China, Architectural Element Design 2000 - Arthur Storey Park Detention Basin, Houston, Texas; Client: HCFCD Scope: Detention& Ecological Restoration2000 - Lee College, Baytown, Texas; Client: Lee College; Scope: Campus Masterplan & Landscape Design

Project Experience Page 04

Disclaimer:

The majority of the work in the follow-ing pages were team projects with the SWA Group Houston office. The work represents projects that I had a heavy involvment in design, documenta-tion and leadership. Graphics, unless otherwise stated, were created in part or wholly by myself. I’ve presented one project from undergraduate work, although I would liked to have shared more. Unfortunately, much of my school portfolio is electronically unre-coverable. It would be my pleasure to present the hard copy during a student interview.

Lauren V. Brown

Lauren V. Brown

Location: Houston, Texas

Client: British Petroleum Gensler

Scope of Work: Campus Master Plan Trade Building Site Design Schematic Design Design Development Construction Documentation LEED Documentation

Project Size: 80 acre campus 12 acre project site

Project Budget: $ 20,000,000 Campus Redevelopment $1,700,000 Trade Site

Date: January 2006- Present

Bp’s corporate campus lies on the west side of Houston and comprises 40 acres of an existing office park and 40 acres of undeveloped land. Bp will be expanding its facilities and improving the existing campus over the next decade. SWA’s involvement began with the siting of the new trade building facility, Helios Plaza. Out of this effort it was deter-mined that the original site was not large enough to accommodate the program and open space requirements. After purchasing the 40 acre tree farm adjacent to the WestLake campus, SWA and Gensler created a conceptual master plan for building locations, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, hydrology, and open space character. SWA applied bp’s principles of Green, Innovation, Safety and Technology to not only the LEED Platinum targeted Trade Building Site, but to the rest of the campus. Site features include a campus wide hydrology system that serves the functional needs of detention and irrigation reservoir with wetland edges for water purification and wildlife habitat. The project is located at the convergence of three ecotones: the Katy Prairie, Coastal Grasslands and Piney Woods. Native-natu-ralized materials from these ecosystems will comprise the campus planting palette. The Helios Plaza Trade Building is currently under construction and an additional $20 million in campus wide construction projects have been ap-proved to enhance National Headquarters for British Petroleum.

bp Campus Masterplan and Trade Building, 2006 - Present

Entrance Concept

Trade Building Site

I10 Frontage Road

Memorial Drive

Page 05

Lauren V. Brown bp Campus Master Plan & Trade Building, 2006 - Present Page 06

Lauren V. Brownbp Campus Masterplan & Trade BUilding, 2006 - PresentPage 07

Lauren V. Brown Page 08bp Campus Masterplan & Trade BUilding, 2006 - Present

Lauren V. Brownbp Campus Master Plan & Trade Building, 2006 - PresentPage 09

Lauren V. Brown bp Campus Masterplan & Trade Building, 2006 - Present Page 10

Lauren V. Brownbp Campus Masterplan & Trade Building, 2006 - PresentPage 11

Great Room Layout & Materials Plan

Iris Dish

Lauren V. Brown bp Campus Master Plan & Trade Building, 2006 - Present Page 12

Lauren V. Brown

Location: Linan, PR China

Client: Joyon Real Estate Inc.

Scope of Work: Schematic Design Design Development

Project Size: 22 Hectares

Fee: $220,000

Dates: September 2007 - Present

Qingshan Lake West Bank Master Planning, 2007 - Present

From previous project experience on the Hangzhou Hubin District, the Client hired the SWA Group Houston office team of Scott Slaney, Lauren Brown and Minhui Li to develop a master plan for the 22 acre West Bank site located on scenic Qingshan Lake in Linan, China. The existing site includes an abandoned hotel, three islands and a steep hillside of bamboo and pines. SWA was challenged to create a program for the site during the initial site visit and design charette in September 2007. The client eventually revealed their plans to develop a high-end, resort-style community with hotel program, super-villas and exclusive single-family homes. SWA developed three schemes: Eco-Island, Mountain Resort and Island Resort, that sought to accomplish the Client’s program and the following planning principles: preservation of natural resources, capture views, fit development to land, invent archetypes that preserve the land, use local materials and create memorable open spaces and amenities. I devel-oped the Eco-island concept and mountain housing archetypes. The Client has been in the process of selecting Architects for the island tower, super villas and mountain homes. Our next design charette is scheduled for January 26th.

Page 13

Lauren V. Brown Qingshan Lake West Bank Master Planning, 2007 - Present Page 14

Lauren V. Brown

Location: City of Hunter’s Creek Village, (Houston), Texas

Client: Colleen Holthouse

Scope of Work: Schematic Design Design Development Construction Documentation Construction Administration

Project Size: 2 acres

Project Budget: $2,000,000

Date: November 2004 - December 2005

The Holthouse Residence is a large residential landscape project located in an affluent neighborhood of the Houston suburbs. The unique site is wrapped on three sides by Buffalo Bayou and has a densely wooded, sloping topography that the Client is very interested in preserving. SWA’s involvement began when the Client’s preceding landscape architects were unsuccessful in designing a backyard pool area that met the her expectations. The Client desired to have a large pool with both zero and infinity edges that could accommodate swimming laps, playing volleyball and a diving area. At the same time she wanted a sophisticated landscape appropriate to the scale and character of the house, while preserving the natural qualities of the existing landscape. The design includes a large lap/diving pool with a cascading infinity edge, tiered pond, bluestone and limestone terraces, reflecting pools, bay-ou overlooks and decorative iron work fencing and portal elements. I had a heavy hand in the conceptual design, grading and detailing of the three project spaces. I worked closely with the contractor to select materials, finishes and problem solve design elements in the field.

Holthouse Residence, 2005Page 15

Lauren V. Brown Holthouse Residence, 2005

Infinity Edge Detail

Concept Sketch

Page 16

Lauren V. BrownHolthouse Residence, 2005Page 17

Lauren V. Brown Holthouse Residence, 2005 Page 18

Lauren V. BrownHolthouse Residence, 2005Page 19

Lauren V. Brown Holthouse Residence, 2005 Page 20

Lauren V. BrownHangzhou Waterfront Urban Planning & Design, 2003

Location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, PR China

Client: Hangzhou Hubin Commerce & Tourism District Redevelopment Inc.

Scope of Work: Masterplanning Conceptual Design Design Development Construction Observation Project Size: 30 Hectares

Dates: Jan 2002- Oct 2004

Awards: ULI Global Award of Excellence ULI Award for Excellence :Asia Pacific ASLA Texas Chapter Excellence in Design

The SWA Group and Jerde Partnership were hired by the Client to transform the outmoded downtown Hangzhou city waterfront into a vibrant pedestrian district and tourist destination. In nine months, through an extraordinary collabora-tion between the client, local design institutes and the City, HuBin Road was transformed from a major thoroughfare to a mixed-use promenade allowing a broadened West Lake Linear Park; the 1.5 km long Hubin Tunnel beneath West lake was constructed and portions of four streets were transformed into “Water Streets” to connect the District and West Lake.

My role in the project was lead project designer under Principal Scott Slaney. I developed plans, diagrams, details, graph-ics, and design development documentation. I participated in two, half month long charettes in Hangzhou with the Client and Local Design Institutes. I personally designed the entire plaza space and trellis structure at the Block 24 com-mercial area and most of the streetscape detailing. I had the pleasure recently of visiting Hangzhou and experiencing this project’s tremendous success.

Page 21

Lauren V. Brown Hangzhou Waterfront Urban Planning & Design, 2003 Page 22

Water Streets Diagram

Rendering by Rong Hui Li

curbless street - gutter detail

Water street lantern

Lauren V. BrownHangzhou Waterfront Urban Planning & Design, 2003Page 23

Lauren V. Brown Hangzhou Waterfront Urban Planning & Design, 2003 Page 24

Lauren V. BrownHangzhou Waterfront Urban Planning & Design, 2003Page 25

Lauren V. Brown Hangzhou Waterfront Urban Planning & Design, 2003 Page 26

Dong Po Plaza Bollard

Dong Po Plaza Rendering by Rong Hui Li

Lauren V. Brown

Location: Houston, Texas

Client: Hermann Park Conservancy City of Houston Parks & Recreation Department Scope of Work: Design Development Construction Documentation Construction Observation

Project Size: 18.5 acres Date Begun: 2000- 2002

Awards: ASLA National Award of Excellence 2005

Hermann Park Reflection Pool - “Heart of the Park”, 2001

SWA provided schematic design through construction phase services for the reflection pool, the ‘heart of the park” and the ceremonial park entry. An 80’ by 740’ reflection pool extends southward from the plaza toward McGovern Lake, establishing the major north/south axis aligned with the Sam Houston Monument. The pool’s edge is defined by orna-mental limestone coping and decomposed granite paths follow the pool edged to form promenades lighted by historic fixtures. Sloping lawns on both sides of the pool take up the grade from the pool edge to the existing mature Live Oak allee, the trees which were planted 80 years ago for World War Veterans. The preservation of these trees was a critical as-pect of the project, which called for low-weight machinery in the allee areas and extensive hand digging around roots for the pond piping. A water cascade defines the north end of the pool and the Molly Smith Plaza anchors the south end.

This was one of my first projects with SWA and I worked on the majority of the construction detailing including the de-sign of the limestone walls and banding. I enjoyed participating in the construction observation on such a highly public project. Witnessing the emergence of this once ugly duck pond into a classical Houston public open space has been very personally rewarding.

Before

AfterRendering by others

Page 27

Lauren V. Brown Hermann Park Reflection Pool - “Heart of the Park”, 2001 Page 28

Lauren V. BrownHermann Park Reflection Pool - “Heart of the Park”, 2001Page 29

Lauren V. Brown Hermann Park Reflection Pool - “Heart of the Park”, 2001 Page 30

Lauren V. BrownHermann Park Reflection Pool - “Heart of the Park”, 2001Page 31

Lauren V. Brown Page 32Hermann Park Reflection Pool - “Heart of the Park”, 2001

Lauren V. Brown

Tai Lake

Wuxi

Shekou

Yangtze River

Project Area

Jinchen Harbor Commercial & Mixed Use Conceptual Planning, 2004

The Jerde Partnership and SWA were invited by Narada Real Estate (Shanghai Division) to develop a master plan for a high end, mixed-use community in Wuxi China, (two hours northwest of Shanghai). The 540 hectare overall study area is located on the northern most tip of Tai Lake and encompasses a medium size bay visually separated by a cable stay bridge. Water is one of the site’s greatest resourc-es, with multiple finger canals feeding the surrounding agricultural areas as well as a primary link to China’s Grand Canal. The site is also centrally located in relation to resort areas, universities, a new government center and Wuxi’s CBD.

SWA is worked collaboratively with the Jerde Partnership to develop the master plan and land use diagram for the study area. Jerde, as the prime consultant, concentrated their efforts on the 100-hectare commercial portion of the project that includes a harbor develop-ment similar in scope and scale to Baltimore’s Harbor place. SWA focused on giving character to the 140-hectare residential portion of the site. Themes of the community include water, sustainability and quality of life. A mix of residential products including villas, mini high rises and multi-family living are interconnected through an matrix of waterways and parkways, connecting the resident’s to the commercial harbor, eco-corridor, community parks, schools and each other.

Location: Wuxi, PR China

Client: The Jerde Partnership International, Ltd.

Narada Real Estate Shanghai Branch

Scope of Work: Mixed Use Planning, Schematic Design

Project Size: 150 Hectares

Project Budget: $160,000

Date Begun: April 2004

Page 33

Lauren V. Brown Jinchen Harbor Commercial & Mixed Use Conceptual Planning, 2004 Page 34

Lauren V. BrownJinchen Harbor Commercial & Mixed Use Conceptual Planning, 2004

Lake Tower Community

The Lake Tower Community is a premier high-rise community located in the heart of Jinchen Residential. The primary feature of this parcel is it’s centralized lake. The lake is an extension of the Greenbelt Canal system that links the community by boat and pedestrian trail to the Commercial Harbor, Jinchen Neighborhood Community Center, adjacent neighborhoods and the Eco-corridor. The lake edges are green and natural, inscribed by leisure trails for strolling, jogging or biking. An island in the center of the lake houses Lake Tower Community’s primary community center where service buildings are nestled in a natural and park-like landscape. Internal canals and streams divide the parcel into four neighborhoods, each ac-cessed by a gated vehicular entry. Internal pedestrian / vehicular bridges connect the three southern most parcels to one another and to the com-munity island. The northeast parcel is unique as it forms the terminus to the Jinchen Residential Boulevard that connects the Lake Towers to the Eco-corridor parkland to the east. This neighborhood features its own community center as well as a commercial center at its northeast corner. The Lake Tower residential buildings form two, tiered layers around the central lake taking advantage of both internal lake views and northern harbor views. The tallest towers align Jin Shi Road forming a backdrop to the commercial harbor, and spiral down in height to connect to the more inti-mate scale of the greenbelt corridor. Facades facing the central lake form tiers of green with landscaped terraces and balconies. Outdoor walkways connect towers to each other, enhancing the continuity of the Lake Tower Community.

Page 35

Rendering by Rong Hui Li

Lauren V. Brown Jinchen Harbor Commercial & Mixed Use Conceptual Planning, 2004 Page 36

Lauren V. Brown

Location: Uptown District Houston, Texas

Client: Harris County Improvement District #1 Scope of Work: Schematic Design Design Development Fabrication Observation

Project Size: 40 shelters

Project Budget: $14,000 per shelter

Date Begun: March 2004 - September 2005

The ‘Elements’ portion of the overall Uptown Transit Amenities project focused on the design of a custom bus shelter and its related site furnishings for the Uptown Houston ‘Galleria’ area. As prime consultant, SWA worked closely with Communication Arts to develop the design and was responsible for coordinating all the efforts to keep the design within a fiscal and temporal reality. My role in the project was to conduct analysis of the existing shelters, develop design criteria and prototypes for the new shelters.

This particular project was unique in that it allowed the team to challenge the design of existing METRO transit amenities im-rove the perception of riding transit. A sophisticated and flexible design provides a more appealing space for transit riders and a streetscape architecture commesurate with the character Uptown Houston. The greatest challenges to the project included a tight budget cap of $14,000 per shelter, and an accelerated schedule. Both were met and the shelters have lived up to their promise.

Uptown Transit Shelters, 2004

Criteria for Successful Uptown Transit Stops:

o Recognition: Bus stop as icon for transit service.o Architectural Integration: Relates to the architectural character of the Up town District.o Connectivity / Accessibility: Convenient paths from sidewalks and properties to bus stops.o Shade & Ventilation: Protection from Houston heat.o Weather Protection: Full protection from light showers and some protection from wind-blown rain.o Information: Clear and convenient description of bus routes.o Seating: Adequate seating both inside and outside of shelter for the patron’s comfort. Seating should discourage vagrant use.o Space & Comfort: Ample room to gather to avoid constrained personal space.o Cleanliness: Regular maintenance for site cleanliness, for fresh and cared for appearance.o Lighting: Provide ambient shelter lighting for nighttime safety.o “Green”: landscaped environment including trees, lawn, hedge and flowers.o “Delight”: an element of unexpected pleasure.

Rendering by CommArts

Page 37

Lauren V. Brown Uptown Transit Shelters, 2004 Page 38

Lauren V. BrownWest Loop Architectural Design, 2002 & West Loop ‘Greening’ 2005

Location: Houston, Texas

Client: Harris County Improvement District #1 in collaboration with TxDOT

Scope of Work: Architectural Element Design Planting Design Construction Documentation

Project Size: IH610 from I10 to US59

SWA coordinated with TxDOT to influence the structural system for the freeway reconstruction, to develop gateways at all major street underpasses for the IH610 West Loop. The Harris County Improvement District #1 hired SWA to design the architectural character of the major freeway that forms the District’s eastern edge. SWA designed an architectural finish and rustication pattern for the standard TxDOT MSE retaining wall panels, columns and signage pylons. We also developed the character of the space under the overpasses to improve visibility and pedestrian connectivity. Under-pass features include vertical and rusticated abutment walls in lieu of the standard rip-rap slopes, pavers, 48” diameter concrete sphere bollards, annual planting beds, column-mounted pedestrian lights and induction lights between the trapezoidal beams to provide true color light on the roadway. The once dark havens for the homeless have been transformed into welcoming gateways to the District.

Upon the freeway completion, SWA designed the planting for the West Loop based on the ‘Foresting of the Freeway’. Native-naturalized plant materials found in adjacent Memorial park were used to create an urban forest. SWA also collaborated with TxDOT to transform a 3:1 slope engineered detention basin into a lake and park amenity for the Uptown District.

rendering by Commarts

rendering by Commarts

Page 39

Lauren V. Brown West Loop Architectural Design, 2002 & West Loop ‘Greening’ 2005

Before

After

Page 40

Lauren V. BrownWest Loop ‘Greening’: Hidalgo Park, 2006Page 41

Lauren V. Brown

Location: Hangzhou, PR China Client: Zhejiang Longhill Investment Group Co. Ltd.

Scope of Work: Site Planning Detailed Schematic Design Construction Observation

Project Size: 8 acres

Project Fee: $200,000

Date: March 2007 - Present

Hangzhou Sheraton Mixed–Use Development is an 8-acre project 15 minutes south of famous West Lake. Located in the heart of Qianjiang New Town, the development anticipates a mix of uses, including a five-star hotel managed by Sheraton Group, a modern entertainment center, high-end condominiums, and various commercial and retail functions. SWA’s design seeks to create a dynamic town square that draws young professionals, compliments adjacent commercial and retail opportunities, and becomes a center of gravity for the area. My role in the project was to flesh out the design of two large water features. The curved, cascading fountains were inspired by the myth of the dragon. Local materials such as classical clay chinese roof tile was used to create the ‘scales’ of the dragon, as well as the desired water effect. The fountain is currently under contruction as seen in the photos above.

Hangzhou Sheraton Mixed-Use Development Page 42

Lauren V. Brown

Location: Cypress, Texas

Client: North Harris Montgomery College District & Gensler

Scope of Work: Schematic Design Design Development Construction Documentation Construction Administration

Project Size: 200 acres

Project Budget: $4,000,000

Date Begun: 2001 - 2003

Awards: Excellence Award: Texas ASLA 2006

ACyFair College is a new community college campus located in western Harris County serving over 10,000 students. During the Master Planning phase of development, SWA identified two critically important issues that were incorporated into the overall campus design. First, storm water detention and retention requirements led to the design of a campus-wide lake system, clustering the buildings around the water features. Second, the site is located within the Katy Prairie, a true prairie ecosystem. Native Katy Prairie Grass species were incorporated in to the design, a positive step in preserving a valuable, but rapidly disappearing natural asset.

CyFair College, 2003Page 43

Lauren V. Brown CyFair College, 2003 Page 44

Lauren V. BrownCyFair College, 2003Page 45

Lauren V. Brown Outpost for the Chicago Stock Exchange Page 46

Location: Downtown Chicago

Studio: Fourth Year Architecture Studio Professors: Nana Last & Carlos Jimenez

Scope of Work: Trade Center Design

Project Size: 1 City block

Project Budget: Undefined

Date: Fall 1999

As a satellite outpost for the Chicago Stock Exchange, the building functions as a forum for small investors who will continue trade after the 4pm close of major exchanges in the city. The building contains trading facilities as well as program for the use of the general public, integrating the outpost into Chicago’s urban fabric. The outpost operates as part of a 24 hour trading network, allowing the extension and diversification of stock trading.

Solution: A flexible and open central trading core gripped by solid support tower. The concept is manifested through an oval shaped curtain wall tower that contains double height trading floors. Supporting program for the traders such as cafeteria, conference and security needs are housed in the single height spaces whose floor plates bulge over the trade floor plate as program neccessitates.

Lauren V. BrownOutpost for the Chicago Stock Exchange, 1999Page 47

Lauren V. Brown Outpost for the Chicago Stock Exchange, 1999 Page 48