portfolio: public works

While employed with a local Tucson landscape architecture firm, we worked in many capacities on a range of transportation and urban design projects for the City of Tucson, ADOT, Pima County, University of Arizona and Parks and Recreation. Roles included project management, designer, and production support for planting, irrigation, erosion control and structure aesthetics. Please read the full project description links for more information.

Client: PB Americas & HDR
As a subconsultant to ADOT, we have been involved in the design of many elements seen along I-10 in Tucson today. We managed the planting, irrigation and terrace wall layout designs for the I-10 Prince Road to 29th Street construction project, Southern Arizona’s largest roadway project to date. This project will be complete by the end of 2009. The project began as three separate design projects, eventually combined into one construction document to reduce the overall construction time by 7 years. As subconsultants to two different prime engineering companies for two out of the three sections, we attended monthly ADOT coordination meetings, and collaborated with architects and an irrigation designer to produce landscape, irrigation and structure aesthetic (bridge and sound wall treatments) designs. For the wall designs, we were responsible for the layout (height, spacing) of the walls. The structural design, shapes and figures on the walls were designed by others.

Client: URS Corporation
The I-10 Fort Grant Road T.I. (traffic interchange) landscape, irrigation and structure aesthetics design was funded by a Transportation Enhancement grant submitted in 2003. As a subconsultant to URS, we were responsible for erosion control plans while managing the planting, temporary irrigation and structure aesthetic designs. In addition to a planting and temporary irrigation design, the project included the design and construction documents for the structure aesthetics to be applied to bridge barriers, pedestrian fences and protective railings. A large part of the design process was coordinated with a citizens art committee, appointed by the City of Willcox, to aid the citizens in understanding the nature of the project and opportunities for having input to the finished product. Final aesthetic treatments are a direct result of the local committee’s input provided through several meetings and design charettes with the citizens that we attended with the project's Public Relations firm, Kaneen Advertising & Public Relations.

Clients: PB Americas & EEC
Erosion/sediment control plans were developed for approximately 21 miles of freeway on I-10, north of Tucson, through 4 different projects: I-10 Marana – Cortaro, I-10 Pinal Air Park – Tangerine, I-10 Picacho Peak – Pinal Air Park, I-10 SR87 – Picacho Peak. We were responsible for the design and management of the erosion control plans. Wind erosion is a major concern in this area, so the designs responded accordingly. There were also many drainage crossings underneath I-10 that we considered for applications of BMP’s (Best Management Practices). All areas that are disturbed from construction are required to be compliant with ADEQ standards for preventing the pollution of the waters of the United States with sediment or other material. All disturbed areas will be hydroseeded with a mixture of native species local to the project site and a 70% minimum coverage is necessary.

ALL Project Images [PDF]

Client: URS Corporation/Sundt Construction
The Skyline Drive Design/Build Project was a 2.5 mile long roadway project and Pima County’s first design/build roadway project. We managed and designed the planting and NPPP (Native Plant Preservation Plans) Design; coordinated with project artists on the development of noise and retaining wall aesthetics, seating areas, and project material choices and incorporated public input, as well as extensive coordination and construction administration, all at the rapid pace of design-build. This project has currently won 8 awards, ranging from environmental sensitivity to excellence in partnering.

All Project Images [PDF]

Clients: Gould Evans, Architects
The University of Arizona Law Commons project included the expansion and enhancement of outdoor gathering and studying spaces in conjunction with renovations to James E. Rogers College of Law building. Our role in the project included design and management of passive water harvesting plans, preservation of established shade trees, redesign of an existing courtyard (in collaboration with Gould Evans), enhancement of the pedestrian experience along Helen Street by including shade trees and new sidewalks, sensitivity to ADA requirements throughout the project, irrigation, and simplification of plant palette to create a more cohesive design for inclusion into the Campus Arboretum.

All Project Images [PDF]

While working for a consulting firm in New Zealand, Lisa Ribes had the opportunity to manage and assist on a range of projects from roundabout planting designs, visual assessment reports, city entranceway masterplans and urban gardens. Lisa also assisted the graphic design team to create several report covers and brochures.

Client: Hamilton City Council
Lisa Ribes was the Task Manager for the Hamilton Gardens: Te Parapara Garden project, a Maori-themed garden design project that included revisions of an outdated concept plan for presentation to the Hamilton City Council for funding approval.

Client: Tauranga City Council
The Tauranga City Entranceways project was a design and report to create enhancements and gateways into Tauranga City.

Project Images & Plans [PDF]