Pragmatic Visions

When repositioning a suburban office park and expansive golf course into an urban mixed-use development, there are a few things you must consider. How will the infrastructure support the long-term growth of the community? How will the roadways and open spaces connect to commercial experiences? LandDesign's multidisciplinary team is working with Northwood Office to answer these questions for Ballantyne Reimagined. On this episode of Pragmatic Visions, we sat down with members of our design team, Adam McGuire, Lori Milam, and Matt Weschler, to understand how the inspiring vision for Ballantyne Reimagined will be implemented. Listen to Discovering Ballantyne Reimagined Part 1 to learn more about the bold vision for this project.

Ballantyne is a nationally recognized community that has catalyzed growth in South Charlotte. Today, Ballantyne is undergoing an exciting transformation to reposition its 535-acre corporate park and golf course into an urban, mixed-use destination. For the next two episodes of Pragmatic Visions, we will discuss the journey we have embarked on with Northwood Office to implement their bold vision for Ballantyne Reimagined. On this episode, we sat down with LandDesign's Dale Stewart, who was part of the initial planning of the community in the 90s, and current members of the project team, Rhett Crocker and Nate Doolittle to discuss the early planning efforts that set the stage for the development occurring today and the long-term plans for Ballantyne Reimagined.

How do we measure the positive impact of the places we create? LandDesign's Allison Peckett and Stephanie Roa were inspired to answer this very question and for the last several years have been digging into data and metrics as measures for project performance. In 2020, the duo took their research to the next level by partnering with the Landscape Architecture Foundation for Case Study Investigation Program that brings together leading design firms, academia, and funding to analyze landscape performance. Over the last year, Allison and Stephanie worked with George Mason University to quantify the social, environmental, and economic impact of the Potomac Science Center. On this episode of Pragmatic Visions, we sat down with Allison and LAF's Megan Barnes to discuss key findings from the study, valuable lessons learned, and the importance of performance metrics in guiding the future of design. Read the full Potomac Science Center Landscape Performance case study, here: https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/potomac-science-center

The land planning phase of a project can often work like a jigsaw puzzle. The big picture vision is there, but the process of assembling the pieces, entitlements and rezoning, can be nuanced and complex. Pairing engineering with zoning and entitlements are two integral parts of the land planning puzzle, and for LandDesign that's Director of Engineering, Jim Scanlon, and Land Use Attorney, Tony Calabrese. Together, they combine their jurisdictional knowledge and expertise in infrastructure planning and real estate development to bring a project vision to life. On this episode of Pragmatic Visions, we sit down with Jim and Tony to discuss the value of combining their unique perspectives to maximize a client's assets, make informed decisions, and deliver some of the most ambitious and exciting real estate projects in the Northern Virginia region.

As designers and engineers, we see endless possibilities within every project we work on, however, there are limitations and constraints we must work with—one being the landscape. But what if there was a way to physically change the landscape and incorporate movement that could range from adjustable seating, to movable trees, to plazas that adjust to the users needs? LandDesign's MatterLab grant recipient and this year's first-place award-winner, Rachael Shields recognized the potential of kinetics in manipulating the landscape beyond plan drawings or even 3D modeling. Incorporating movement and time into design, Rachel leveraged Arduino and C++ code to program a movable and adjustable prototype of a fully adjustable kinetic topography that allows for real-time modification. On this episode of Pragmatic Visions, we spoke with Rachael about the inspiration for her research, her experience learning to code, and aspirations for the application of this technology on projects she works on. #designpodcast #researchanddevelopment http://www.rmshields.com/#/prototyping-movement/

The rapid growth of micro-modal transportation is challenging cities across the U.S. to integrate infrastructure, such as cycletracks, multi-use paths, and bicycle lanes, to make it easier for micro-modal users to travel within their community. These facilities are crucial to the success of multi-modal networks, however, they tend to be infrequent, inadequate, and rarely address the importance of protected micro-modal facilities through roadway intersections. After a successful first round of MatterLab, Jeromy Wegrzyn leveraged the program for a second time to continue his research into micro-modal systems, and examined existing protected intersections for micro-modal users to develop a guide for designing these facilities. On this episode of Pragmatic Visions, we spoke with Jeromy about his experience utilizing these facilities as an avid cyclist and the importance of protected intersections when planning for multi-modal systems.

Traditionally, children are not introduced to concepts like landscape architecture until later on in their academic journey, if at all. Xiao Cui recognized the opportunity to leverage MatterLab as a way to combine her passion for the profession and natural talent for hand drawing to illustrate the value of landscape architecture to young children through an unlikely medium, a children's book. Throughout the pages of her book, Xiao tells the story of Emma Lake, a young girl who loves parks and desires to be part of creating them, to communicate the role of landscape architecture in shaping the world around us. We sat down with Xiao to discuss her process for illustrating an entire children's book and future plans for publishing Emma Lake's story.

When the majority of professionals in the AEC industry are of the same demographic, it means our world is being designed through one lens. This realization inspired a cross-office team of LandDesigners to explore new facets of mentorship and education that would directly address the lack of diversity in the civil engineering and landscape architecture professions. While national STEM mentor programs are targeted to high-school and collegiate students, the team saw a bigger opportunity to expose students k-8 to the role of landscape architecture and civil engineering in creating the places they enjoy every day. Months of exploration, research, and collaboration resulted in Studio Toolkit, a hands-on educational program that provides students with all the tools necessary to imagine their own public park. We sat down with Studio Toolkit team members, Rita Schiller and Will Talero to discuss their unique approach to MatterLab, valuable lessons learned, and plans for deploying Studio Toolkit in the local markets we serve. https://vimeo.com/507169624/98502929e8

Has the influence of technology on our everyday lives trickled into the way we experience the public realm? This very question spurred an academic partnership between LandDesign and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Master of Urban Design program. A group of designers and students banded together for a semester-long exploration, analyzing the impact of technology on the way we interact with the physical realm.  During this episode of Pragmatic Visions, we are joined by LandDesign Partner, Richard Petersheim, PLA and UNCC Professor of Architecture and Urban Design Deb Ryan, PLA who led our curious troupe through investigations of plazas and parks to virtual immersion at Walt Disney World. Listen in as they share the unexpected results from the study and the role of digital placemaking and technology on the future of public space.

At LandDesign, we understand the importance of listening first, and then leading. In this time of constant change, from the unique needs of our clients and employees, to the rapidly evolving communities we work in, this empowers LandDesign as a firm to adapt quickly. LandDesign principal, Heth Kendrick, PLA believes in embracing change, whether that be how we design or how we work together.

The impact of design reaches far beyond the built environment, deeply affecting the emotional and physical well-being of communities, especially those that have experienced discrimination and disinvestment. LandDesign Partner Stephanie Pankiewicz, PLA believes it is the responsibility of designers to educate themselves on policy and development patterns that have embedded inequality in our communities. Following that education is the ability to listen so that design may serve the ultimate purpose of unifying people and celebrating culture. Listen in as Stephanie shares her experience working on projects where she leads by listening and how designers can integrate this approach into every project they work on.

There’s immense value in understanding what has been done in the past to make better design decisions for the future. LandDesigners Jason Granado and Paula Narvaez are brainstorming a way to capture projects, from LandDesign’s portfolio and projects nationally, to create a database that would allow designers to search for precedent projects or get deep into the design details. Listen in as Jason and Paula share their MatterLab experience and how each of their projects create an easier, efficient way to find places that matter.

Increased demand for multi-family development in urban settings is challenging designers to push the envelope of amenity design. With resort-style pools and dog parks setting the standard, Nataliya Gurina believes there is a way to better connect residents with their natural environment and researched the value of community gardens in urban multi-family developments. Listen in as Nataliya shares her MatterLab experience and the value of communal gardens in creating community.

Resiliency has quickly become an industry buzzword, even more so since the start of COVID-19, challenging designers to take a close look at the impact of the places we create. Motivated by her dedication to resilient design, Megan Schultz turned her passion into practice by creating an accessible resource library for LandDesigners looking to learn about resiliency and sustainability. Listen in as Megan shares her MatterLab and her mission to engineer a positive impact on our environment.

There are no limits to what can be explored when given the right tools. LandDesign’s Jeff Lape shifted from his day-to-day practice to research sustainable agriculture practices and the role of landscape architecture in the future of farming. Listen in as Jeff shares his MatterLab experience and how he’s thinking differently about farming practices since COVID-19.

Since her time as an LAF Olmsted Scholar, LandDesign’s Lauren Delbridge has used her skills as a designer to find opportunities for the practice to improve the most unlikely landscape—wastescapes. Lauren’s research into coal ash ponds and the opportunities they present to landscape architects are explored in her MatterLab project, Rethinking Wastescapes. Listen in as she shares her MatterLab experience and aspirations to transform wastescapes into open space.

We envisioned our innovation grant program, MatterLab, to provide a platform where LandDesigners could explore their passions with no limitations. It was no surprise when LandDesign’s Haley Dugger blew us away with Pet Rescue Resources, an online platform that educates animal rescues on how to leverage social media marketing to increase adoption rates. Listen in as Haley shares her MatterLab experience and what’s next for Pet Rescue Resources.

What do you get when you combine the perspectives of a landscape architect and a civil engineer? One well-rounded MatterLab project! LandDesign’s Jeromy Wegryzn and Matt Weschler combined their skill sets and passion for cycling to create the firm’s first-ever comprehensive Bike/Ped Design Guide. Listen in as Jeromy and Matt share their MatterLab experience and how their guide has become the starting point for designers looking to dive into micromobility.

At LandDesign, curiosity and innovation are a part of our culture. Over the last year, we made an exciting investment in advancing several #researchanddevelopment initiatives that led us down unexpected paths. From internal innovation to academic collaboration, we are thrilled to share with you an inside look into R+D at LandDesign. Listen in as our R+D champions, Ashley Clark and Richard Petersheim share how we’re investing in efforts that foster our culture of innovation.

As designers, we are constantly ideating, uncovering new ways to make our public spaces safer for all. After 9/11 solutions like barrier walls were implemented into the public realm, but today we are faced with a new public health crisis, COVID-19. LandDesign’s Chase Weaver has been exploring how we design space with self-sanitizing materials, like silver and copper, that give people peace of mind when in the public realm. Listen in as Chase shares his thoughts on how we can create safer, more welcoming spaces in a post-COVID world. #ChangeOrder

Not unlike what we’ve observed during past public health crises, COVID-19 is challenging planners and engineers to think differently about resiliency strategies for our communities. Having spent his career in infrastructure planning, LandDesign’s Dale Stewart sees new opportunities for planners to embrace decentralization as a way to better prepare our communities for global crises. Listen in as Dale share’s his reflections from quarantine and ideas on decentralization on #ChangeOrder.

Humanity’s diversity provides endless opportunities. For LandDesign’s Gabriela Canamar Clark, she sees design as constantly evolving, challenging her to create new ideas. Whether we are thinking about the short-term, mid-term or long-term, she believes that designing with an open mind and being cognizant of our differences will result in places that can be used and enjoyed by all. Listen in as Gabriela shares her reflections and reactions to COVID-19 on #ChangeOrder.

While it's still anyone's guess what the long-lasting lifestyle impacts of the pandemic might be, LandDesign's Richard Petersheim gave us hope that perhaps the "new normal" might not feel so different. Listen in as Richard shares his reflections during quarantine, the importance of experience and the role of digital technology in creating our post-COVID world.

Since the start of COVID-19, a renewed importance of the public realm has come to light. People have flocked to open spaces, what LandDesign’s Beth Poovey describes as places where you can experience togetherness, alone. As people continue to find a safe haven in public parks, playgrounds, trails and greenways, how will communities plan for open space in a post-COVID world? Listen in as Beth shares her reflections and reactions on #ChangeOrder.

So much has happened since we sat down with LandDesign founder, Larry Best for Change Order. The interview occurred the days following the death of George Floyd, but before the peaceful protesting the took place across the world, calling for action against racial injustice. Larry founded LandDesign on the simple idea that great people, doing great work, would result in great places. Hearing him speak to the important responsibility we have in shaping our current and future communities was a timely reminder of why we must be a part of positive change.

Similar to past global crises, like 9/11, the Great Recession and as far back as WWII, COVID-19 will create opportunity, or what LandDesign’s Peter Crowley calls, a new set of parameters. These parameters will push us to be creative and innovate, but ultimately design better for all. Listen in as Peter shares his thoughts on COVID-19 on Pragmatic Visions’ #ChangeOrder.

At LandDesign, we’ve been having conversations about the impact of COVID-19 on design, and while we don’t have all the answers, we do have a lot of ideas. We are excited to share these conversations with you through our podcast, Pragmatic Visions and our first series, Change Order. Listen in as we explore what we’ve noticed during this time, even from the confines of our homes

Episode 10: Public Clients with Frank McMahan + Nate Doolittle by LandDesign

Episode 9: Guiding Client Visions with Gabriela Cañamar by LandDesign

Episode 8: Q4 Update with Rhett Crocker by LandDesign

Episode 7: Leadership Matters with Rhett Crocker + Ashley Clark by LandDesign

Episode 6: Tales with Dale by LandDesign

Episode 5: Leadership Matters with Nikki Curley by LandDesign

Episode 4: Project Management with Adam Martin + Adam McGuire by LandDesign

Episode 3: P3 with Richard Petersheim by LandDesign

Episode 2: Q3 Update with Rhett Crocker by LandDesign

Episode 1: Bikes with Beth Poovey + Gabe Dobbs by LandDesign

An introduction to LandDesign's brand new, cross office podcast!