PARKER SCHANKWEILERlandscape architecture portfolio

RESIDENTIAL 1-6 PLAYGROUND INSTALL 7,8 COMMERCIAL 9,10 SENIOR PROJECT 11,12

1

RESIDENTIAL HOMESJOB DESCRIPTION

• RESIDENTIAL CUSTOM-BUILD HOME• MECHANICSBURG, PA• ROLE: PROJECT MANAGER / INSTALLER• TIMETABLE: FIVE WEEKS• CREW: 6 PEOPLE,2 HARDSCAPE,4 LANDSCAPE INSTALLERS

PROJECT TASKS• Create Excel spreadsheets to track materials, man hours, equipment use, fuel and other miscellaneous costs for later review and comparisons.• Meet to review project with designer, homeowner and home builder.• Work with hardscape foreman to layout/grade back patio, front walk and timing of material delivery.• Review plant material with designer; hand-select and transport plants from nursery to job site. • Mark plant beds and location of plants; drill holes with skid-loader auger unit for larger trees/shrubs and ensure proper install of plants by crew. • Oversee and help mulch all vegetation beds.• Assist hardscape foremen with installation/completion of patio and walkway.• Review install with homeowner, answer questions, give suggestions, fix any issues that come up and ensure they are happy upon completion.

SKILLS USED• LEADERSHIP• TEAMWORK• ORGANIZATION• TIME MANAGEMENT• PROBLEM SOLVING• PLANT IDENTIFICATION• INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATOIN

OVERVIEWFor being the first complete project under my leadership, I gained valuable experience. This house was still being built as my team was installing the landscaping, so I had to work in conjunction with the home construction team and all other companies involved in completing a house. This meant constant check-ins with the building foreman to make sure we were not in their way or if we could work on the same portions at the same time as them to make it easier for everyone involved. I had to communicate with my hardscape foreman, place orders for material, pick up supplies and materials, and orga-nize them on-site to make their install easier. Doing walk arounds at the start and end of the day helped review the work to make sure it was completed to satisfaction. Decision-making is another skill I used, whether it be at the nursery selecting a substitute plant because the first wasn’t in stock or decisions on the fly for the daily schedule to make sure the crew had constant work to complete. Overall, it was a fantastic project, and the homeowner and builder were ecstatic about the landscaping results.

WHAT I LEARNED• Plans change, so be prepared for challenges and setbacks; try to learn from them and keep pushing forward.

• Learn to speak up when I see something wrong or a different way to accomplish something.

• Always review the site at the end of the day; detail is important and easy to overlook.

• Work together with all teams working on the project for new ideas and feedback.

2

RESIDENTIAL HOMES

3

RESIDENTIAL HOMESJOB DESCRIPTION• STREET OF DREAMS COMPETITION• RESIDENTIAL CUSTOM-BUILD HOME• HARRISBURG, PA• ROLE: PROJECT MANAGER / INSTALLER• TIMETABLE: 2 MONTH• CREW: 10 PEOPLE

PROJECT TASKS• Review landscape plan with designer and home builder; layout a timetable of when phases needed to be completed to ensure a finished project in the allotted time. • Create materials list with designer and hardscape foreman. • Aid in using machines to move and place boulders for rock walls, fire pit and steppers.• Review plant list with designer; hand-select plants from nursery and safely transport to job site; mark out landscape beds and location of plants; assist and oversee plant installs; and maintain plant health.• Oversee and aid in mulching flower beds, doing touch-ups and final adjustments.• Order, pick up and install grass sod for front of house and keep watered.• Be available for open houses to answer questions, explain ideas for the landscape design and represent the company.

STREET OF DREAMS• 7 PREMIERE BUILDERS FROM CENTRAL PA• A PROGRAM OF THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF METROPOLITAN HARRISBURG• 110-DAY PROJECT COMPLETION• 4,000 SQUARE FEET, UNDER $900,000

SKILLS USED• TEAMWORK• TIME-MANAGEMENT• ORGANIZATION• ACTIVE LISTENING• PROBLEM-SOLVING• PUBLIC SPEAKING

4

OVERVIEWStreet of Dreams is an honor to be a part of and a great way to showcase our company to a several thousand people. What they don’t get to see is how we reached our final product. On one street, seven houses are being built on both sides, not to mention that the street is on a hill. The amount of trucks, people and equipment moving in such a small area on a time constraint can become a headache very quickly. Balancing and managing vans moving in and out, material-drop off and where to have people park was a daily task. Even though it is somewhat of a competition, we had to work very closely with all other parties involved. In the end, all the hard work paid off for my company and the home builder.

RESIDENTIAL HOMES

WHAT I LEARNED• Extra effort is the difference between good and great, even if it’s after hours or on the weekend.

• Lead by example; let your actions speak for you instead of verbal commands.

• Don’t ask someone to do something I wouldn’t do myself.

• Stay on schedule and keep work flow consistent.

AWARDSOVERALL: BEST OF SHOW

LANDSCAPING: 1ST PLACE

OUTDOOR LIVING: 1ST PLACE

RESIDENTIAL RENDERING

OVERVIEWThis rendering was completed using Dynascape Design (CAD based) for the base line work. Then rendered and completed in Dynascape Color.

5

RESIDENTIAL RENDERINGOVERVIEWThis 3D model was completed using Google Sketchup. The base line work was done in Dynascape Design (CAD based).

6

7

PLAYGROUND INSTALLATIONJOB DESCRIPTION• PLAYGROUND DEMOLITION AND INSTALLATION FOR GENERAL RECREATION INC.• GREENCASTLE, PA AND LANCASTER, PA.• ROLE: CONSTRUCTION TEAM• TIMETABLE: VARIED• CREW: 3-6 PEOPLE

PROJECT TASKS• Meet with representative from General Recreation, township or school association leaders to review the plan and timetable for the project. • Begin disassembly of existing playground equipment and removal from site. Use machines to dig out existing concrete footers of playground equipment and also remove existing wooden timber boarders. In some instances, remove existing wood carpet and move off site.• Be at site to receive shipment of playground equipment and packaging to organize and set up a base location somewhere on the site.• Stake out new playground boundary, lay out general locations of equipment to meet regulations and ensure that the layout works.• Begin to dig locations of concrete footers, based on plan provided by General Recreation. Pour and set equipment footers.• Follow guideline information booklet on constructing equipment.• Organize all pieces of equipment, making sure of proper install and that they’re easy to find.• Final check with General Recreation and owner of project.• Order and spread new wood carpet inside new containment area. • Clean area, re-seed and do lawn touch-ups; remove trash and leftover equipment from site.

SKILLS USED• LASER-LEVEL SURVEYING• PROBLEM-SOLVING• PROJECT PARTNERSHIPS• ORGANIZATION• FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS• SAFETY PRACTICES

8

PLAYGROUND INSTALLATION

Playground installation was a great change of pace from landscape install, and it provided a new learning opportunity. Some projects involved staying out of town in hotels for a few nights, so I was exposed to travel and time with coworkers outside of work. I gained experience in reading construction documents, following multiple step processes and paying attention to project safety. Working with people in the community broadened my experience. One project I assisted on was the disassembly and reassembly of a township skate park. We worked with some users of the skate park to get input on placement of certain ramps and objects when we put the park back together. Playground installation was challenging and enjoyable. Each project was different but had similarities, so I could use experience from a past project to help me in the current one.

WHAT I LEARNED• Before jumping into a project, take a look at what you have and come up with a thought-out plan.

• Safety is important; be on the same page with those around you.

• When working with multiple contractors, be sure to avoid damaging other parts of the project.

• When constructing playgrounds, kids are always watching; be appropriate around the work site.

OVERVIEW

9

COMMERCIALJOB DESCRIPTION• COMMUNITY BUILDING/POOL, MULTI-USE COMMERCIAL BUILDING, OFFICE BUILDING• MECHANICSBURG, PA• ROLE: PROJECT MANAGER / INSTALLER• TIMETABLE: VARIED• CREW: 5-8 PEOPLE

PROJECT TASKS• Review plan with designer; speak with building owners and other involved parties.• Mark landscape bed locations; mark plant locations.• Review plant list; hand-pick plants from the nursery and transplant them to the site.• Unload and distribute plants throughout the site; aid in proper installation.• Oversee mulch application, review touch-ups and check details of site.• Order and install grass sod where needed; keep watered until healthy.• Maintain properties throughout the year, taking care of trimming plant matter, new mulch application, replacing sick or dead plants and keeping in contact with building owners to meet their needs.

SKILLS USED• INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION• ORGANIZATION• PROJECT PARTNERSHIPS• TIME MANAGEMENT

10

COMMERCIAL

Working on commercial properties has a bit of a different feel to it. Everything we do outside has to reflect what the user or customer should expect on the inside. First impressions are important, and if the customer’s experience isn’t pleasant on the outside of the building that could affect their feelings toward the business. I had to pay special attention to these projects on a weekly basis, trying to keep the business owner pleased.

OVERVIEW

WHAT I LEARNED

• Keeping a clean jobsite is very important.

• Be polite and interactive with customers of the property.

• Keep vehicles and equipment out of the way of entrance/exits.

11

SENIOR PROJECTPROJECT DESCRIPTOIN• RESTORATION OF DIMINISHED SITES ALONG CREEK WATERSHED• ROLE: IN CHARGE OF HIGHWAY CORRIDOR • TIMETABLE: SPRING SEMESTER 2014• TEAM: 3 CLASSMATES

PROJECT TASKS• Partner with 1-2 classmates and select a site; create mission statement with goals and project details to be approved by class professor.• Create booklet on project and give a final presentation that must be one hour minimum, followed by questions from the department and other classmates.

DECKERS CREEK, MORGANTOWN, WVMISSION STATEMENTOur mission is to identify and design a site-responsive master plan of diminished locations throughout the Deckers Creek wa-tershed. The design will focus on restoring and preserving the existing wildlife, aquatic and riparian habitat along the corri-dor. The project will achieve goals that respond to stream rehabilitation efforts and increased access to the stream corridor, transforming sections of the landscape into an immersive educational greenway that demonstrates functional stream resto-ration applications, green infrastructure techniques and acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment systems. It will provide a link-age of outdoor learning environments alongside the Deckers Creek Trail, which encourages the surrounding communities to reconnect and learn about the effects that various pollutants can have on watercourse. The extension and integration of the Deckers Creek Outdoor Learning Park will become an all-encompassing adventure destination, a concept that can be applied to similar tarnished watercourses.

GoalEnhance sites along the Deckers Creek corridor

• Incorporate green infrastructure to manage stormwater runoff.• Highlight and alleviate current AMD sources.• Stabilize sections of the stream’s edge.• Rejuvenate biodiversity by providing additional habitat.

Objectives:

GoalCreate interpretive trail destinations that integrate the surrounding communities.

• Improve pedestrian circulation, stream and trail access.• Incorporate parking and informational signage.• Design areas for community interactions and personal leisure.• Integrate local and recycled building materials to link the site with its surroundings.• Stimulate cultural art exhibits.

Objectives:

GoalIncorporate environmental learning opportunities

• Create a linkage of environmental learning sites along the Deckers Creek Trail.• Integrate interpretive areas through out the stream corridor.• Provide visitors and residents with access to the stream.

Objectives:

N

12

SENIOR PROJECTOVERVIEWCompleting my senior project gave me insight into the broad field of landscape architecture. I gained valuable experiences and felt what it takes to be a part of a successful team to reach a final goal. From site visits, working with community organizations, or giving a one hour presentation my group and I felt like we really accomplished our goal after completing this project. Working on a project close to school made me feel like it more important and that I wanted to create something special. I wouldn’t trade the late nights and countless hours at the studio with my friends for anything. Finishing my senior project was amazing and I’m truly looking forward to being a part of more great projects down the road.

Deckers CreekDeckers Creek

Deckers Creek

Deckers Creek

Deckers Creek

Deckers Creek

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME