The above photos are during and after construction shots of the Brightview South River property.

Construction on the new Brightview South River senior living community in Anne Arundel County, Maryland is nearing completion. As Brightview Senior Living’s seventh senior living community in Maryland, Brightview South River will feature 64 assisted living units and 26 units dedicated to Alzheimer’s Care once completed.

As project landscape architect, FTLA handled all elements of landscape design for the site which was designed to achieve a LEED silver rating. Notable features include a covered entry drop-off with a trellis and seating areas, an outdoor dining area and walking path. FTLA also designed an Alzheimer’s garden, roof top terrace and two green roofs for the community.

All site elements such as bike racks, minimal maintenance and adaptive plants and no maintenance seeded grass areas meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s requirements to qualify Brightview South River as a LEED Silver site.

Check back soon for photos of the completed Brightview South River project.

The above photos  are of the stormwater facilities at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.

In late October I had a chance to attend the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Annual Meeting & EXPO in San Diego. I was looking forward to the great sessions and networking opportunities, but most importantly as a landscape architect and nature enthusiast, I was excited about the hands-on outdoor adventures.

Dead Man’s Cliff

My favorite outing of the meeting was a kayaking trip that took us by the Salk Institute near La Jolla. While out on the water I got the opportunity to see sand sharks, sea lions and albatross birds up close – as well as the infamous Dead Man’s Cliff.

Dead Man’s Cliff stands about 107 feet tall (depending on the tide) and is legendary to thrill-seekers who used to jump from it into the waters below. If not timed perfectly, the consequences could be—and often were—fatal, which led to the local jurisdiction ultimately prohibiting would-be jumpers by making it illegal to jump from the cliff.

International Wildlife Crossing Competition

Another, very different session I attended also captured my interest. The session showcased ARC, the International Wildlife Crossing Infrastructure Design Competition, which engages the best and most innovative interdisciplinary design teams to create the next generation of wildlife crossing structures for North America’s roadways. Did you know that wildlife-vehicle collisions have doubled in the past fifteen years and has concentrated transportation agencies’ attention on engineering solutions that prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions on the continent’s roadways?

As you may know, FTLA was heavily involved in the design and construction of the Intercounty Connector. One of our objectives was to work with an interdisciplinary team of biologists, environmentalists, and engineers to produce a design that would also work to preserve the wildlife. This competition sheds light on the importance of wildlife crossing and the winning ideas are sure to be great resources for future projects.

I encourage you to learn more about this significant competition and visit www.arc-competition.com. As the 2012 competition unfolds, I will be sure to make a point and update you on its progress.

Hope your New Year is off to a great start!

Joan

Located in Harford County, Maryland, Brightview Avondell is an independent and assisted living community for seniors. Built in two phases, this latest expansion added additional units and amenities to enlarge the community and make it more attractive to potential residents.

As the landscape architect for the project, FTLA was tasked with developing a landscape design that would allow for future growth. In designing the space surrounding the pool building, the goal was to create an exterior space that offered complementary amenities to those inside. The resulting design includes a patio, benches and chairs as well as a fire pit for residents to enjoy on cool evenings. FTLA worked closely with the local fire marshal to find an attractive alternative to the required fencing around the fire pit.

Click here to learn more about other unique design features FTLA provided for Brightview Avondell.

As the team’s landscape architect, FTLA is pleased to be participating in this important Baltimore transportation project. Working closely with the project engineer, STV Incorporated, FTLA will be responsible for the landscape design, planting and streetscape design for the roundabout.

The roundabout will slow traffic for increased pedestrian safety and help eliminate the confusion of how to travel to Federal Hill or stay on Key Highway. Located adjacent to the Inner Harbor and near the Maryland Science Center, the intersection connects the Inner Harbor to South Baltimore and is critical to the surrounding neighborhoods as well as for access to nearby I-95.

Stay tuned for more details on the Key Highway roundabout once designs are finalized later this year.

The new school will feature two distinct areas: an early childhood learning center and a K-8 grade school. The school will become the permanent home for 540 students who have been housed in a temporary facility since September 2009.  In addition to academic space, the EBCS will house a 30,000 square-foot Family Support Center, auditorium, library, gymnasium and sports field.

FTLA plays a significant role in this landmark project. As the team’s landscape architect, FTLA is responsible for ensuring that the exterior spaces of the 103,000 square-foot building are as inspiring and functional as the interior. Learning courtyards will seamlessly tie back into interior learning commons spaces through a blend of paving, planting, seating walls and amphitheaters. Sustainable rain gardens are employed throughout the site to reduce rainwater discharge from the site and provide learning environments for the children.

The project is expected to be completed in 2014. Check back as work on the EBCS begins to unfold and to learn more about FTLA’s involvement with this significant project.

Renaissance Gardens is part of Baltimore City’s Park Heights Urban Renewal Plan designed for the revitalization of the Park Heights community and implemented by The Park Heights Renaissance Group, whose mission is to make “land and economic development, alongside human development, transformative influences in the revival of a thriving and sustainable community.”

CHAI Baltimore awarded the design team of FTLA, Grimm + Parker Architects and Colbert Matz Rosenfelt along with the general contractor Southway Builders the Renaissance Gardens project in the spring of 2011. As landscape architect for the project, FTLA is responsible for all landscape planting as well as hardscape design and site furnishings. FTLA will also be “greening” the alley adjacent to the project site.

For construction updates and more information about Renaissance Gardens, be sure to check our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.

Floura Teeter Landscape Architects have been active social media users and want to make sure you aren’t missing out on important messages and notifications, including industry news, business opportunities and contests.

So if you’re actively using social media stay connected with Floura Teeter Landscape Architects by “like”ing us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

Here is a preview of just some of our latest posts:

Yesterday, FTLA attended the ICC ribbon-cutting for MD 97/Georgia Avenue to I-95 segment, scheduled to open today.

Greening vacant city lots could improve residents’ health http://ow.ly/7AvEE

FTLA’s Jeff Stump with David Patterson of the ICC and Doug Gove of MD 200 Constructors signing off on the completion of the ICC B plantings. http://ow.ly/i/lAzB

FTLA’s Intercounty Constructors Joint Venture Qualifies for Engineering News-Record’s Northeast Region Best Project of 2011 http://ow.ly/7tuQX

We look forward to staying connected with you!

Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown

From L-R: Jeff Stump, ICC's David Patterson, Joan Floura and Hunt Valley Contractors' Tom Sparks

Yesterday, FTLA’s Joan Floura and Jeff Stump attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the ceremonial grand opening of the final two segments of the MD 200 Intercounty Connector (ICC), connecting I-70 and I-95. As the landscape architect and key participant in the award-winning Intercounty Constructors design/build team and the MD 200 Constructors team for the project, FTLA was also responsible for overseeing project aesthetics such as color theme of bridges, piers, screenings and noise walls.

A host of dignitaries attended the grand opening event, including US Deputy Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari, Transportation Secretary Beverley Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III, Montgomery County Executive Isaiah “Ike” Legget and newly-appointed SHA head Melinda Peters among other transportation, Congressional and state representatives.

From L-R: MD Senator Jennie M. Forehand, Montgomery County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett, Prince Georges County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown, US Deputy Transportation Secretary John D. Porcari, Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley and SHA Melinda Peters

From L-R: F & F Landscaping Team's Jemhi, Salvador, Placido Freni, Vance Deniston with FTLA's Jeff Stump

The ICC is Maryland’s first all-electronic toll road that uses highway-speed toll collection as motorists drive under tolling structures, eliminating the need for toll booths. Ultimately, the ICC is designed to increase community mobility and safety  in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. The new segment of the ICC is set to open to the public, today, Tuesday, November 22, 2011.

EZ-Pass Maryland is inviting motorists to sample the roadway and Test Drive the ICC from November 22 through December 4 at no charge.  After the Test Drive, toll rates will be applied and varied according to the time of day. For more information on the Test Drive and how to navigate the ICC visit www.mdta.maryland.gov.

Continuing its work from the Intercounty Connector – Contract A (ICC A), FTLA is responsible for overseeing project aesthetics such as color theme of bridges, piers, screenings and noise walls. FTLA’s main focus for the ICC B is landscape design, and  reforestation to minimize impact on the outlying forest as well as on continuing outreach work with concerned local community members.

Stay on top of work on the historic ICC project as more updates unfold by following us on Twitter and Facebook.

In addition to typical considerations of rooftop gardens such as safety, accessibility and preservation and enhancement of existing views, this specific project also calls for flexible programming that can accommodate both individuals seeking private contemplative seating areas and also groups of up to 20 people for day and night, four-season usage. Other project challenges include consideration to views from neighboring, taller building and identifying plantings that are hardy enough to withstand high winds associated with the flight path of the adjacent Shock-Trauma helicopter.

The FTLA is already hard at work on preliminary designs with work slated to begin in March of 2012. To learn more about the UMMC Healing Garden and for project updates, be sure to check the FTLA blog or follow us on Twitter @FlouraTeeter.