UNITY | PROGRESS

Located across from Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden for over 60 years, Unity of Santa Barbara is an integral part of the Santa Barbara community.  We recently had the pleasure of working with Unity on the renovation of their downtown campus.  CJM::LA worked closely with both the Unity leadership team and congregation to develop a new design for their “front yard” space.  What was once a traditional lawn with limited event capacity is now a beautiful courtyard suitable not only for outdoor services, but also weddings and other community events.  Thank you to Allscape Design + Installation for an incredible job with the landscape installation, Stone Concepts for hardscape installation and VE Builders for carpentry work.

BEFORE | AFTER :

Unity courtyard before

Unity courtyard after | new permeable pavers, olive trees and custom wood benches

PROCESS PHOTOS:

CJM::LA verifies hardscape, gravel and wood samples on site

Stone Concepts lays Hydro-Flo permeable pavers by Pacific Interlock Pavers

Allscape installs olive trees in the courtyard

hardscape and olive trees installed in the courtyard

VE Builders installs custom mangaris benches in the courtyard

completed courtyard


A First Look at our SOMOfunk Project

Read Full Article:
First Look at the Blockbuster Development Proposed for the Funk Zone
April 27, 2020
SITELINE

We are excited to share some initial drawings for the SOMOfunk project via this recently published article.  The SOMOfunk project will bring a new energy to the Funk Zone on Santa Barbara’s waterfront.  Following is an excerpt from our landscape narrative:

FUN[KY]
THE LANDSCAPE DESIGN IS INSPIRED BY ITS NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT.  WHAT IS TODAY KNOWN AS THE FUNK ZONE, HAS PREVIOUSLY EXISTED AS AN INDUSTRIAL AREA, A WORKING CLASS NEIGHBORHOOD, PART OF THE EL ESTERO SWAMPY MARSH AND A VIBRANT TRADE HUB.  REMNANTS OF THESE USES REMAIN IN THE BUILDINGS, THE LAND, THE HARDSCAPE, THE PLANT MATERIAL AND THE SOUL OF THIS PLACE.  THESE REMNANTS WILL BE RE-PURPOSED FOR USE AS HARDSCAPE, FURNISHINGS AND SCULPTURAL ELEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT SITE.  WHAT MAKES THE FUNK ZONE FUNKY IS ITS ABILITY TO SHAPE-SHIFT AND ADAPT, WHILE MAINTAINING ITS OWN IDENTITY SEPARATE FROM, BUT IN CONVERSATION WITH, THE LARGER SANTA BARBARA COMMUNITY.  THE EXTERIOR SPACES AT THE PROJECT FIT SEAMLESSLY INTO THE FABRIC OF THE FUNK ZONE BY IMPLEMENTING FUN, COLORFUL AND QUIRKY ELEMENTS INTO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.

Click here to read the full article.


WLAM | Landscape Architecture Myth Busting – Part 2

Part 2: More myth-busting as we continue to address common misconceptions about landscape architecture.

Myth #3. Density means eliminating urban green space

FALSE: We can have both density & greener, healthier cities

Larger, denser cities are cleaner and more energy efficient than smaller, suburban towns. Suburban and rural towns may have immediate access to open space and wildlands outside city limits because of their more dispersed organization, but large cities can emulate natural ecologies.

Street trees, courtyards, green roofs and living walls, along with botanic gardens and parks provide a network of outdoor spaces that enhance the biological diversity of our cities and help provide essential infrastructure. This framework of planted spaces is able to capture and treat urban run-off, lower temperatures, improve air quality and provide resilience against climate change. Gardens and community farms also provide food and improve human health.

At CJM::LA, we help make our cities healthier and greener by advocating for more planting and functional outdoor space, especially in our densest multi-family housing projects; designing public parks, paseos, and green roofs; and improving city streetscapes.

transplanted Mexican fan palms line the stairs at Bella Riviera workforce homes in Santa Barbara, CA

plant pockets and climbing vines beautify the drive aisles at the East Beach Collection in Santa Barbara, CA  | architect: WHA

live roof at the Hilton Garden Inn in Goleta, CA

textural plantings line the sidewalk at the Arlington Village apartments in downtown Santa Barbara, CA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

entry plantings at homes designed for Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County in downtown Santa Barbara, CA

citrus trees within over-structure planters create a beautiful courtyard at Bella Riviera workforce homes

mediterranean plantings within raised planters help create opportunities for outdoor seating

neighborly gifts grown in downtown Santa Barbara, CA

Myth #4. Planting shouldn’t be done in a drought because plants use water

FALSE: Drought resilience is improved by planting smarter & better managing water resources

During a prolonged drought, there is less available water in the natural ecosystem, which negatively impacts human food and water security. Less water available in aquifers and other natural water bodies means less water for the agricultural industry and for our cities.

Landscape architects provide drought resilience by designing systems to comprehensively and efficiently manage water resources. By implementing bioretention basins, rainwater cisterns, efficient irrigation, greywater recycling and use of climate-adapted and native plants, we optimize our water resources and reallocate the potable water supply for drinking use.

It might seem counter-intuitive, but plants improve our ability to resist the impacts of drought by improving soil health, allowing soils to better capture and store water. Plants also sequester carbon, lower air temperatures, and if used in applications like green roofs, reduce building energy use and reduce the urban heat island effect. We shouldn’t eliminate plants because they use water. Instead, we should be smarter about how we supply plants with water and which plants we elect to use.

Want more info? See these additional links about drought resilience and using green infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of other hazards, like wildfires and climate change.

bioretention plants treat stormwater runoff at the Direct Relief headquarters in Santa Barbara, CA.

 


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.


AIASB ARCHITECTOURS 2018 | FEATURING NEW WORK BY CJM::LA

CJM::LA’s recently completed Arlington Village property, as well as our in-progress adaptive reuse property will be featured on this year’s AIASB ArchitecTours!

The Santa Barbara AIA’s annual ArchitecTours, a celebration of local architecture, will showcase the architectural fabric of downtown Santa Barbara, including new and recently completed properties in the downtown core.  The theme of this year’s ArchitecTours is ‘Rediscover Downtown Santa Barbara: Imagine How You Can Live, Work & Play’.

Arlington Village Apartments | 1330 Chapala Street

Adaptive Reuse | 418 State Street

Each of the twelve projects showcase the best of downtown and include a mix of commercial and residential projects demonstrating how we live in downtown Santa Barbara.  This event draws attention to the extraordinary architectural legacy in Santa Barbara and the value of well-designed architecture to its surrounding community.  Equally, ArchitecTours highlights the expertise that AIA architects (and Landscape Architects!) possess including a thorough understanding and expertise in urban design, sustainability, accessibility, structural improvements, building materials, and historic renovation.

The tour will be held this Saturday October 6th from 10am – 4pm and will culminate with a festive party.

Tickets are $80 for general public, $70 for AIA members and seniors, and $25 for students.

Tickets can be purchased here.


CJM::LA Team Expands

We are very pleased to announce the addition of Nicole Horn to our Santa Barbara design studio.

NicoleHorn
Nicole comes to us with a background in urban planning and landscape architectural design and is interested in fostering social benefit through the implementation of ecologically sensitive and creatively designed spaces.  She holds two masters; in both landscape architecture and urban and regional planning.  Nicole enjoys surfing and also volunteers her time as an active board member of the Ventura Botanical Gardens.  She joins us as a project manager and has already become an integral member of the CJM::LA team.  Welcome Nicole!


Crossrails Station Roof Garden

Read Full Article:
Crossrails Station Roof Garden
June 7, 2016
Landezine

Image courtesy of Jason Gairn

Image courtesy of Jason Gairn

Part of a new transit link for the city of London, the Crossrails Station roof garden celebrates the arrival of this new hub but also pay tribute to the neighborhood’s past. This exotic garden sits atop a five story mixed use commercial and transit center. The building’s exterior shell wraps the entire building with large openings above the garden creating a dynamic scene for visitors.

Click here to read more about this project.


The Park – Las Vegas

Read Full Article:
The Park – Las Vegas, NV
May 26, 2016
Landezine

Park-the-strip-melk-landscape-architecture-01

Image courtesy of Hanns Joosten

Las Vegas isn’t exactly known for its parks, but all that is about to change. New York City based firm !melk has brought cutting edge urban design and green space to the heart of Las Vegas Boulevard.

Click here to read more about how !melk is changing the conversation on the famous Las Vegas Strip.


Modern Desert Home

Read Full Article:
This House Doesn’t Hold Back and Embraces the Desert
May 24, 2016
Dwell

Image courtesy of Dean Kaufman

Image courtesy of Dean Kaufman

Phoenix couple Thomas and Laura Hyland bought the award winning Dialogue house in 2010. Working with the homes original architect, they restored the home to its former glory. With the renovations, the couple paid special attention to the surrounding desert landscape by maintaining the rocky landscape and native vegetation.

Click here to read more about this project.


Kit of Parks

Read Full Article:
Kit of Parks
May 19, 2016
World Landscape Architect

Image courtesy of Ben Gebo

Image courtesy of Ben Gebo

This low cost and portable kit is a great way to activate under programed public spaces. Constructed from a lightweight material, the pack fits into a bike trailer, can be unpacked in 10 minutes and contains a high top table, benches, side tables, stools, games, and planters.

Click here to read more about this project.


The Power Station

Read Full Article:
The Power Station
May 17, 2016
Landezine

Image courtesy of Adolfo Cantu-Villareal

Image courtesy of Adolfo Cantu-Villareal

Hocker Design Group has transformed this local Dallas landmark into a new art space, residence and garden. Click here to read more about this project.


Every Chair Tells a Story

Read Full Article:
Every Chair Tells a Story
May 12, 2016
Dwell

Image courtesy of Veerie Evens

Image courtesy of Veerie Evens

Designer Yinka Ilori has turned to simple dining chairs as canvas for telling his personal story. He finds old and abused chairs and up cycles them using Dutch Wax batik–print fabrics that are closely associated with his Nigerian heritage. The traditional patterns are a part of his personal narrative of being British and Nigerian and it resonates with other people of similar backgrounds.

Click here to read more about Yinka Ilori’s work.