Tag Archives: ASLA

Direct Relief Honored with Merit Award at the SOCAL ASLA Quality of Life Awards

We are honored to announce that our Direct Relief Headquarters project has been recognized by the Southern California Chapter of the ASLA with a Merit Award in the General Design category at the 2021 Quality of Life Awards!  This year’s theme, “growing importance of the outdoors” celebrates outdoor space as a crucial part of our existence.

A collaboration with DMHA, the design of this new campus brought forward the concept of healing as a reference to our client’s mission as well as the ecological context of the site.

Led by Nicole Horn, this project has been recognized by multiple architectural, engineering and green building organizations for it’s exemplary design.  Congratulations Nicole!

WLAM 2021 | Ecological Wellness

April is World Landscape Architecture Month, and CJM::LA is celebrating by highlighting a few recent projects that demonstrate our focus on wellness.  As the third in a three-part post, this week we’re highlighting recent projects that promote ecological wellness.

Two projects that demonstrate our focus on ECOLOGICAL WELLNESS include: the restoration of Alamo Pintado Creek as part of our Mattei’s Tavern project (currently in construction) and various seating and display features for the Ventura Botanic Gardens. The Ventura Botanic Gardens is a non-profit established in 2005 with a mission to “create and maintain public gardens for the preservation, education, cultural contribution & enhancement of the entire community.” The 100+ acre garden will exhibit and conserve plants from Earth’s five Mediterranean climate zones, which are all adapted to our local coastal region. The gardens use recycled water for irrigation and provide habitat for native animals, insects and birds.

Alamo Pintado Creek is a riparian corridor immediately west of the new Inn at Mattei’s Tavern. Our design team, along with True Nature and Watershed Environmental, developed a planting and irrigation plan to restore 5,000 s.f. of riparian woodland with indigenous species from local seed stock. Additionally, we’re planting over 25,000 s.f. of native shrubs and 50+ native trees within 50′ of the creek bank. The restoration area also includes a multi-modal public trail (for bikes, pedestrians and horses) and stormwater biofiltration basin.

WLAM 2021 | Physical Wellness

April is World Landscape Architecture Month, and CJM::LA is celebrating by highlighting a few recent projects that demonstrate our focus on wellness.  As the second in a three-part post, this week we’re highlighting recent projects that promote physical wellness.

Two projects that demonstrate our focus on PHYSICAL WELLNESS include: the Ocean Meadows residences, a collaboration with DesignARC (currently in the permit process); and the renovation of Cabrillo Ball Park (completed in 2018). Both designs include outdoor recreation amenities for individual and group activities. Upon completion, Ocean Meadows will provide pedestrian and bike trail connections to the North Campus Open Space, a restored and preserved coastal open space for public access and passive recreation. It will also feature natural play areas for children and a shared residential street. Cabrillo Ball Park was an existing public ball field to which CJM::LA, together with the City of Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation Department, added a circuit walking trail with exercise equipment, better lighting and biofiltration plantings to provide a sense of enclosure while maintaining important sight lines for public safety.

WLAM 2021 | Social Wellness

April is World Landscape Architecture Month, and CJM::LA is celebrating by highlighting a few recent projects that demonstrate our focus on wellness.

This year, our team has been getting outdoors and into nature, finding time to meditate and focusing on our individual health and well-being.  This inward focus has inspired us to define “wellness” within the practice of landscape architecture.  Wellness generally refers to the intentional pursuit of optimal health, which can be broken down into different categories: mental wellness, physical wellness, spiritual wellness, social wellness, financial wellness, etc.

At CJM::LA, we believe landscape architecture can enhance our cities and communities through the intentional pursuit of wellness:

Social wellness | We design community spaces for positive social interaction.
Physical wellness | We build safe environments for physical activity.
Ecological wellness | We conserve and restore ecological resources.

 

In a three-part post, we’ll highlight recent projects that promote social, physical and ecological wellness.

Two projects that demonstrate our focus on SOCIAL WELLNESS include: the Louise Lowry Davis Center renovation, a collaboration with Bildsten Architecture and Planning (currently under construction); and the Unity of Santa Barbara courtyard renovation, which was completed in 2020.  Both of these designs include beautiful expanded outdoor courtyards – the perfect locations for both community and private events.

Central Coast Green Building Council 2020 Green New Construction Award

We are thrilled to announce the Direct Relief Headquarters has been awarded a U.S. Green Building Council 2020 Green Award by the Central Coast Green Building Council. Thank you to DMHA , our incredible client and the entire project team.

The Central Coast Green Building Council Green Awards recognizes outstanding sustainable building achievements and community members within the tri-county region.

The Green Awards highlight innovative design, construction, products, businesses, schools, governments and educational programs.

Check out this video of our project by DMHA highlighting the project team’s collaborative successes in designing a sustainable, efficient, beautiful and thoughtful site for the Direct Relief headquarters, offices and distribution center.

DUNE | PARKLET

Our friends at DUNE Coffee believe that specialty coffee is for everyone, and should be accessible, approachable and fun.  In May of this year, Santa Barbara City Council voted 7-0 to close State Street to cars in an effort to flatten the curve of Covid-19.  The owners of DUNE wanted to use this opportunity to create an inviting, bold and unique experience for the community.  Our concept was to create modular, multi-use seating elements for people to sit, perch or lean on while they chat, read, think, people watch or simply sip some coffee.

CJM::LA worked closely with the owners of DUNE and Allen Construction to make the parklet come to life. Allen Construction has been supporting the Santa Barbara community through their  ‘Locals Helping Locals’ program, where they offer free labor to help local businesses stay open through the pandemic.  We cannot thank the team at Allen enough for their hard work and collaboration, we could not have done it without them!

DESIGN PROCESS

parklet rendering by CJM::LA

work from home style sketch explorations by CJM::LA

 

INSTALLATION

installation day time-lapse

Allen Construction installing the parklet modules

CJM::LA and Allen Construction reviewing module spacing

Courtney and Mari selecting plants at La Sumida Nursery – Chondropetalum tectorum and Dianella ‘Cassa Blue’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mari masking out pink stripes at the parklet

FINISHED PRODUCT

peaking through the palms at the parklet

WLAM | Landscape Architecture Myth Busting – Part 1

We encounter the work of landscape architects every day, although that work is often overlooked and experienced only in passing. Landscapes are the natural setting, the backdrop of our lives. However, the truth is that our cities and neighborhoods are carefully and deliberately constructed. Landscape architecture is the practice of fusing the natural, built and social environments to create a more engaging and dynamic world.

CJM::LA is excited to share the breadth of our profession by addressing some common misconceptions about landscape architecture in a two-part post.

Myth #1. Landscape architects design gardens and backyards

FALSE: We design all types of living spaces, not just your backyard!

This video by the ASLA shows how public parks can revitalize under-served communities. At CJM::LA, we provide a wide-range of design services for a variety of clients. A sampling of this diversity includes the following project types (as shown below): public park, hospitality, native creek restoration and non-profit.

Santa Barbara locals exercise at the oceanfront Cabrillo Ball Park

drought tolerant plantings frame lounge seating at The Everly hotel in West Hollywood, CA

raised planters create intimate spaces on the rooftop deck at The Everly hotel in West Hollywood, CA

entry plantings welcome you the Inn at the Pier in Pismo, CA

board-form concrete planters at Inn at the Pier in Pismo, CA

native creek restoration plan for Los Olivos, CA

permeable concrete pavers under construction at Unity of Santa Barbara

 

 

 

 

Myth #2. Landscape architecture = “decorative planting”

FALSE:  Landscape architecture is also essential infrastructure

Every project we design at CJM::LA is beautiful and functional. Landscape architects contribute to the essential infrastructure of our cities and communities through design and construction of storm water management systems. We improve air quality and reduce energy use when we plant trees. We support healthier living and reduce vehicle emissions by providing recreation opportunities, bike racks and designing safer streets.

The following images demonstrate how CJM::LA has incorporated some of these essential infrastructure elements: bioretention and filtration basins, exercise equipment, bike racks and plans for future shared, multi-modal streets.

“Filterra” proprietary biofiltration planters by Contech, with native Juncus patens

Direct Relief bioretention basin after a rain event: roof run-off captured and treated! 

we design spaces for people to get out, breathe, and decompress

we improve air quality with the addition of carbon-sequestering trees and plants

we support alternative modes of transportation: the ”Twist” bike rack from Forms + Surfaces

preliminary landscape plan with a shared street, proposed in Goleta, CA

preliminary landscape plan and shared street for a residential development in Ventura, CA

WLAM | Why Landscape Architecture?

As a part of our ongoing stewardship of the profession, this month we’re showcasing landscape architecture to the world and inviting the public to learn about what we do.  This is the second post in our WLAM series, stay tuned for more each week during the month of April.

This week we are taking time to appreciate and share what we do and why it is important to us.

Landscape architecture is essential to nurturing our public health, safety and welfare. This practice is important to us because of its profound effect on the communities and people around us. The spaces we design cultivate the evolution of our lives, relationships, communities and much more.

At CJM::LA 

Every day is different!  We love the diverse nature of our profession and the variety of ways we apply our collective knowledge and skillsets to our daily workflow.

We oversee projects from site analysis through design development, construction and post occupancy

as part of an initial site visit, Courtney and Cameron study the site plan of a residential property in order to analyze the existing trees and topography, views and opportunities for screening.

typical site analysis notes

Mari collects soil to send to the lab for analysis

as part of the schematic design process, Cameron does a quick sketch of a hotel pool renovation.

Nicole reviews schematic options for a residential backyard with our clients

hand drawings are converted into an illustrative plan using software such as Adobe Photoshop

 

Henri delivers plans

 

 

 

 

 

Courtney and Ryan from DMHA present construction documents at the Central Coast Board of Architectural Review as part of the discretionary review process

as part of the construction observation phase, Nicole oversees the installation of the permeable pavers at our Habitat for Humanity Sawyer Condos project in Carpinteria, CA.

We work closely with our suppliers, manufacturers and collaborators

vertical storage at Santa Barbara Forge

reviewing gravel samples from Decorative Stone Solutions

 

 

harvesting inspiration at San Marcos Growers

sourcing plant material at San Marcos Growers

We work on a variety of projects

We celebrate together too!

Beer festival at the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens

Virtual drawing game at staff meeting

Hatchet building, team building

It is both this dynamic design process, dedicated team and the impact our work has on our community that keeps us dedicated to our practice.

 

 

WLAM | World Landscape Architecture Month

April is World Landscape Architecture Month (WLAM), a worldwide celebration of the impact this profession has on our daily lives.

As a part of our ongoing stewardship of the profession, this month we’re showcasing landscape architecture to the world and inviting the public to learn about what we do!  People hold profound connections to the spaces where they live, work and play.  This year we are celebrating the relationship between us and our environment.  We look forward to demonstrating the impact that thoughtful design solutions have on our collective quality of life.  Each week we’ll be posting something new, stay tuned!

 

 

We encourage you to join us in celebrating the landscape architectural profession by posting pictures from your neighborhood that highlight landscape architectural design with the hashtags #WLAM2020 and #LifeGrowsHere.
Be sure to tag @NationalASLA

 

TO LEARN MORE

Find out more about Landscape Architecture educational opportunities here.

Are you a K-12 educator interested in sharing landscape architecture with your students?
Learn more about Landscape Architecture education for teachers here

Are you hosting a virtual story time for your child?  Check this out:
Green Trees and Sam by Shannon Gapp, ASLA/Bolton & Menk.

7 Years In Business

On April 1, 2020 we celebrated 7 years in business!  What started as a sole proprietorship in 2013 has quickly grown to become a thriving team of creatives.  Today CJM::LA is a dynamic group of individuals who collaborate to produce design solutions that prioritize the environmental, economic and social sustainability of our communities.  In addition to our contributions to the built environment, we also support our local communities via board positions, mentorship programs, internship/shadowship opportunities, volunteerism and contributions to the educational and professional institutions that support the landscape architecture profession.  As we look toward the future, we are excited to expand our creative reach into new markets and develop new methods of executing our shared vision.

HERE’S A LOOK BACK

                                                                                                         
 

 
Thank you to our collaborators, clients, friends and families who helped us reach this milestone.  We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with such powerful minds!

For a closer look at our most recent work:: CJM-LA_Portfolio 2020

San Francisco Roof Garden

Read Full Article:
2175 Market Street
April 28, 2016
Landezine

2175-Market-Street-03
Image courtesy of Patrik Argast

A LEED platinum project, this 88 unit apartment complex in San Francisco is sure to be the envy of its neighbors. Built to accommodate the influx of young tech workers and families moving into the urban core, the design maximizes outdoor entertaining spaces with terraces and a roof deck with eye catching color and form.

Click here to read more about this project.

Over 1,000 perforated aluminium shingles for Texas park sculpture

Read Full Article:
Marc Fornes uses over 1,000 perforated aluminium shingles for Texas park sculpture
April 26, 2016
Dezeen

spineway-marc-fornes-theverymany-architecture-infrastructure-public-art-san-antonio-texas-usa-aluminium_dezeen_936_5
Image courtesy of Dezeen

The French and American studio of Marc Fornes has created its first permanent installation in the United States. Located at the gateway of a century old park in San Antonio, the sculpture is made up of 1,009 perforated aluminum shingles fastened together by 19,429 rivets. The digitally designed installation serves as a prime example of exploratory structural design to create iconic public spaces.

Click here to read more about this cutting edge design.