Amanda OwensMLA Portfolio

2016

Amanda Owens509 Meadow Oaks

Dripping Springs, Tx 78620amandowe@tamu.edu

(512) 417-8842

BackgroundIllustrative Site Plan ................................................................ 2

technical SkillsMixed-Use Center Grading Plan ............................................ 4

Concrete Step Detail .............................................................. 5

Rain Garden Detail ................................................................. 6

IndexEvidence Based DesignThompson Grace Medical City Phase II ................................. 8

David Reed Park Master Plan .............................................. 10

Boonville United Gardens ..................................................... 12

1

Background

1

I earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts at Texas Tech University in May of 2013. This degree equipped me with an understanding of the basic principles of art and design, as well as introducing me to the use of a variety of 2D and 3D mediums such as:

• Acrylics• Watercolors• Oils• PastelsandCharcoals• VariousComputerPrograms

Additionally, I was taught how to use conceptual thought to develop my work. This means that every technical decision that one makes throughout the duration of the artistic process should reflect the goal of the piece. Having an understanding of conceptual design has helped me immensely throughout my under-graduate and graduate education.

• Ceramics• Welding• Woodworking• Sewing• VariousPrintmakingProcesses

A Background in Art

In 2014, I was accepted into the Masters of Landscape Architecture 3-year Program at Texas A&M University. Currently, I am in my second year. During my time at Texas A&M, I have further developed my knowledge of the design process aswellasmyunderstandingofthephysical,political,environmental,andfinancialattributes included in landscape architecture and design.

Left: Meditation, 10” x 15”, Corel Painter Essentials 4 w/ drawing tablet (2013) This piece displays the 'build-up' process I undertake when working on a piece. It depicts one of my favorite landscapes located within Butchart Gardens, located in Victoria, Canada.Top:Section Elevation, 18" x 20", ink on vellum (2014) This piece was created for my architectural communication class as a section practice assignment. My History of living in the southwest UnitedStatesinfluencedmetointegrateculturallysignificantarchitectureandplantlifeintomy design.

Furthering My Education

2

Illustrative Site Plan11”x17”

Ink on Vellum2014

3

Technical Skills

3

Before I was accepted into the MLA program, I attended AutoCAD and GIS courses at Austin Communtity College to aquaint myself with techical drafing and computer aided analysis. In addtion to learning ArcGIS and AutoCAD software, I have become efficient in various computer programs that assist me in gathering information,analyzingthesite,andproducingfinalgraphicpackages.ProgramsIhaveexpericencewithareasfollows; • CivilAutoCAD3D• ArcMapandotherGISprograms• GoogleSketchup• GoogleEarthPro• LandFxAutoCADattachment• AdobePhotoshopCS5.1

Computer Graphics Experience

Site Engineering and Techincal Drafting PartofmyfirstyearatTexasA&Mwasdevotedtounderstandingthebasicprinciples of site engineering and aqainting myself with various construction materialsandmethods.WithinmysiteconstructionclassesIlearnedhowto;

• readcontoursignatures• interpolateslope• gradesites• sizestormwaterpiping

Left: Site Location Inventory, 11” x 17”, ArcMap and Photoshop(2015) for the research stage of my internship with Dr. Jon Rodiek, I created the distance and quartile maps using site information fromshp.filesandlaterenhancedthemapsusingphotoshop.Top: Sketchup Practice, 10" x 19", Sketchup (2014)This assignment was an introduction to Google Sketchup and how to build models off of pre-existing skectches.

• AdobeInDesignCS5.5• MicrosoftPowerpoint• MicrosoftExcel

• calculaterunoff• calculatecutandfill• draftvariousconstructiondocuments• prepareaCDPackage

4

Background

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Mixed-Use Center Grading Plan11”x17”

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BC 94.53

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BC 94.48

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BC 93.36TC 94.22

BC 93.72

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BC 94.58

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Concrete Step Detail11”x17”Civil AutoCAD 3D2015

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Rain Garden Detail11”x17”

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7

Evidence Based Design

7

As stated before, my undergraduate learning prepared me to think critically about how to construct my artwork with a main concept in mind. Similarly, my graduate training has expanded this notion through evidence based design. This design method consists of thoroughly researching andanalysingasite'sphysical,cultural,environmental,political,andfinancialattributes tohelpachieve a consistent and meaningful design. the design process is as follows;1. Gather Inventory- research aspects relevant to the site.2. Analyze Inventory- relate inventory to the site and concept.3. Design a Program- develop a solution that displays analytical decision making.4. Communicate Program- relay solution through graphic documentation.

The Design Process Preliminary Desgin Programing Process

Above: Trees of Jonestown, 11” x 17”, Photoshop (2015) During my internship with Dr.Jon Rodiek, I researched the various types of foliage. This helped me and my team members gain a sense of the physicalenvironmentoftheareaSource:http://www.wildflower.org/plantsRight: David Reed Park Preliminary Programing,CAD and Photoshop w/ tablet (2015) Seen here are 3 steps used to develop an initial site plan. For my 2015 summer internship, my team members and I used this method to develop 9 parks in Jonestown, Texas.

Step I: Identify Primary Features

Step II: Identify Secondary Features

Step III: Suggest Potential Development Areas

•siteboundary•waterbodies•100yrfloodplain•existingroadways•steepslopes

•flatland (suitable development)•mildlyslopedland (developable)•steeplyslopedland (not suitable)

•conservationareas•preservationareas•developedareas

8

Background

0.5“

Akawa Ibom, Nigeria spring 2015Thompson Grace Medical City Phase II

Phase II of the Thompson Grace Medical City was a group project I worked on in my 2nd semester of the MLA program. The concept was to create a medical community, located in Akawa Ibom, Nigeria, that would support the fundimental needs of residents through industry, social well-being, and further learning opportunities. Withinmygroup, Iwasgiventhetaskofcreatingadetaileddesignforacommunitycenterwithinthe site. The community center is comprised of three landscapes; a plaza, a spiritual garden, and a nature playareaforchildren.Each landscapewasplacedaccordingto theuseof the interiorspaceof thetwo-story building, which includes a day-care, classrooms available for various purposes, a small theatre stage, and ballroom areas for large events. This design not only supports a wide variety of activities, but also encourages residents of all ages to interact with the natural environment in the area.

Designing A Healthy Community

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Land Use Analysis

Community Center Detail

9

Akawa Ibom, Nigeria spring 2015Thompson Grace Medical City Phase II

Section A-A

Perspectives

Spiritual Garden Community Plaza Nature Play Area

continued

10

Jonestown, Texas summer 2015David Reed Park Master Plan

Summer 2015, I participated in a group internship lead by Texas A&M professor, Dr. Jon Rodiek. During my Internship, My team and I performed many tasks related to collecting and analysing information relevant to our park sites. Tasks I performed included:

The David Reed Park design was part of a larger comprehensive master plan for the Jonestown park system which consisted of 9 park sites. Our main goal was to enhance the parks by providing trail systems and attractions that benefit local residents. David Reed Park was designed to contain trails, rest stops, scenic overlooks, a restroom, and a disc golf course, as requested by our client. Addtionally, parts of the site were devoted to conservation of land and restoration of degrated areas.

Master Planning a ParkPark Master Plan

Disc Golf Course Detail

• onsitedatacollection• inventoryaccumulation

• programdesign• graphicgeneration

11

David Reed Park Master Plan continued Jonestown, Texas summer 2015

Section A-A’- Disc Green

Disc Green Index Map Disc Basket Refference Picture

12

Bryan, Texas fall 2015Boonville United Gardens

Boonville United Gardens was a group project I took part in during my 2015 fall semester under the direction of Dr. Changshan Huang. Our goal was to create a multi-cultural community that supported the physical, mental, social, and economic needs of residents as well as promote environmentalstabilitywithin thearea.Weachievedthisbyprovidingahiearchialparksystem,which is connected through trails and green buffers. In addition, we promote cultural exchange in the community with culturally themed villages and a highly social commercial area. Individually, I was tasked with designing the welcoming plaza. Located at the intersection of two major roadways within Bryan, the welcoming plaza was designed to be a social gathering space for residents and attract visitors from outside of the community. Focusing on the theme of cultural exchange, my goal was to join geometric and organic design to create a harmony within thelandscape.Aswell,differentnationalflagsandaglobesculpturewereplacedintheplazatowelcome different nationalities from around the world to our community.

Community Master Planning Boonville Welcoming Plaza Detail

Community Master Plan

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continued Bryan, Texas fall 2015Boonville United Gardens

Section A-A’ Index

Section A-A’

Section A-A’ Drainage Pattern

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continued Bryan, Texas fall 2015Boonville United Gardens

Welcoming Plaza Perspective

Front and back cover photos taken by Amanda Owens (2013)