Landscape Architecture Portfolio

Blake Hightower Portfolio

About MeFROM THE FIRST TIME I COULD WALK, BEING OUTSIDE WAS THE PLACE TO BE. GROWING UP IN SOUTH GEORGIA THERE WERE PLENTY OF HOT SUMMER DAYS THAT ALL I DID WAS WALK THROUGH THE WOODS AND SWIM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD POND. AWAY FROM THAT I GREW UP PLAYING MANY SPORTS AND TRAVELING TO NUMEROUS SPORTS COMPLEXES AND GOLF COURSES THAT HAVE HELPED EXPAND MY KNOWLEDGE OF HOW SPACES THAT ARE NAMED THE SAME TYPE OF AREA, BUT CAN VARY AND BE PORTRAYED IN MANY EXCITING WAYS. THE EXPERIENCES I GAINED THROUGH THESE ACTIVITIES HAVE LED ME TO A LOVE FOR DESIGNING I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD EVER BE AT. THE DESIRE TO CREATE SPACES THAT ALLOW GENERATIONS AFTER GENERATIONS TO ENJOY AND EXPERIENCE JUST AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEFORE ME, PUSHES ME TO BE BETTER EVERY SINGLE DAY.

"SPACE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF ARCHITECTURE. IT IS NOT THE PHYSICAL STATEMENT OF THE STRUCTURE SO MUCH AS OF WHAT IS CONTAINS THAT MOVES US."

-ARTHUR ERICKSON

THIS PROJECT STARTED WITH A VACANT LOT IN AN AREA SURROUNDED BY OTHER HOUSES AND OLDER BUILDINGS. THIS PROVIDED THE PROBLEM OF CHOOSING AN ARCHITECTURE STYLE THAT MATCHED ITS SURROUNDINGS, BUT ALSO MAKE IT FEEL DISTINCT.

IN THIS FIRST DESIGN, SPACE TO WANDER IS CREATED BY THE VAST ARAY OF SMALL PERIN-NIALS AND MEDIUM SIZED SHRUBS. WHILE WANDERING YOU WILL FIND AN OPENING TO A HIDDEN SEATING AREA AROUND THE BASE OF A MASSIVE SHADE TREE. IN THE BACKYARD YOU EXPERIENCE A NICE MOOTH FLOW AS YOU WALK FROM THE BACK DECK ONTO THE POOL AREA AND THE GRASS.

Infill Housing

THIS SECOND DESIGN WAS DESIGNED AROUND BEING MORE LOW MAINTENANCE. THE FRONT YARD WAS KEPT SIMPLE FOR LESS YARD WORK BUT STILL FORMAL LOOKS WITH THE PAVED WALKWAY ALLEED TO WITH SMALL EVERGREEN SHRUBS THAT GUIDES YOU TO THE FRONT DOOR. THE BACKYARD HAS A SIMPLISTIC RECTANGULAR POOL AND BAR AREA, AND LARGE SPACIOUS GRASSY AREA.

Athens, GA

The Reserve on Bainbridge Island

THIS DESIGN FEATURES A RESORT POOL IN BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA. IT WAS A PROJECT THAT FOCUSED ON THE CLIENTS NEEDS FOR A LOCATION THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCESS EVERYDAY. LEARNING HOW TO DESIGN FOR A CLIMATE AND LOCATION THAT I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH WAS A TOUGH BATTLE BUT WITH PERSERVERANCE AND DETERMINATION I WAS ABLE TO COME UP WITH THIS DESIGN.

INDOOR SLIDE

OUTDOOR BAR

MAIN BUILDING

THIS POOL AREA FEATURES AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR POOL COMBINATION, A BAR TO GET DELICIOUS COCKTAILS FROM, AND A ROOFTOP RESTURANT WITH A DECK THAT ALLOWS YOU TO LOOK OUT OVER THE WATER AND SEE THE SEATTLE SKYLINE.

Bainbridge Island, WA

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH PARKING LOTS, YOU BASICALLY SEE THE SAME SCENE OVER AND OVER. THIS PROJECT WAS ABOUT CREATING A PLACE OF INTEREST THAT SLOWS DRIVERS DOWN, BUT PROVIDES A PLACE TO ENJOY OUTSIDE OF THE STORE YOU ARE VISITING.

THIS AREA IS LOCATED IN THE LOWES PARKING LOT OFF LEXINGTON ROAD IN ATHENS, GA. THIS SPACE IS LIKE A MINI GREEN OASIS IN THE MIDDLE OF A DESERT OF ASPHALT. IT ALLOWS FOR A NICE VISUAL EXPERIENCE AS YOU ARRIVE TO THE STORE, BUT ALSO ACTS AS A GREAT SHOWCASE FOR PLANTS AND MATERIALS SOLD AT LOWES AND ALLOWS THE CUSTOMERS TO SEE HOW THESE MATERIALS ARE PROPERLY USED.

Design For Speed

EAST - WEST SECTION

NORTH - SOUTH SECTION

THESE SECTION CUTS SHOW THE TWO SITTING AREAS. THE EAST-WEST SECTION FOCUSES ON THE REFLEC-TION POND AND THE WRAP AROUND BENCH AND PLANT WALL. THE NORTH-SOUTH SECTION SHOWS BOTH THE BENCH BY THE POND AND THE BENCH THAT WRAPS AROUND A FIRE PIT.

Athens, GA

THIS PROJECT IS A DESIGN FOR AGRITOURISM. THE GOAL WAS TO CREATE A WINERY THAT FUNCTIONED NOT ONLY AS A FARMING INDUSTRY BUT ALSO A COMMUNITY LEARNING EXPERIENCE ON HOW AGRICULTURE IS GOOD FOR THE WELL BEING OF MOTHER NATURE, THE ECONOMY, AND IN THIS CASE OUR TASTE BUDS.

TRAVELING THROUGH WINE COUNTRY IN THE NORTH GEORGIA AREA, THE WINIERIES IN DAHLONEGA, GA ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR ONES TO VISIT. WITH NASIM MEANING "A BREATH OF FRESH AIR" THE WINERY IS THAT BREAK FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE AND A PLACE FOR YOU TO WINE DOWN. NASIM WINERY PROVIDES GUESTS THE CHANCE TO GET AWAY FOR AN EVENING OF TASTING THEIR AWARD WINNING WINES, A WEEKEND RETREAT AT ITS RELAXING BED AND BREAKFAST, OR A BEAUTIFUL VENUE FOR EVENTS.MAIN ENTRANCE

Nasim Winery

BLOW UP SECTION OF MAIN WINERY AREAOUTDOOR PLAZA

ENTANCE TO WINERY

Dahlonega, GA

New Town Development

THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT WAS A CHANCE TO INCORPORATE AN OLD MILL TOWN IN ATHENS, GA, INTO AN ONCE AGAIN FLOURISHING AREA. THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED TO CREATE A SMALL COMMUNITY WITHIN A LARGER CITY MAKING IT A PLACE WHERE FAMILY LIVING AND THE BUSINESS WORLD COLLIDE.

USING THE EXISTING RAILROAD, THE DESIGN CONNECTS ATHENS, GA TO ATLANTA, GA AND SAVANNAH, GA. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE DESIGN ARE SHOPS, RESTURANTS, A PARKING GARAGE, A CHURCH, AND MUL-TIPLE RESIDENTIAL LOTS.

Athens, GA

"IN EVERY WALK WITH NATURE ONE RECIEVES FAR MORE THAN HE SEEKS"

- JOHN MUIR

"AUTUMN IS THE SECOND SPRING WHEN EVERY LEAF IS A FLOWER"

-ALBERT CAMUS

ART WORK

Photography

David Blake Hightower211 North Ave apt 713 – Athens, GA 30606 – (229) 402-9376 – [email protected]

Delivering the top solutions for visually appealing Landscapes utilizing aesthetic sense.

Detail oriented, highly creative aspiring Landscape Architect with knowledge in designing and implementing stunning landscapes to support client needs and business objectives. Functional knowledge of reviewing, modifying and creating drawings for landscaping projects.

Education

University Of Georgia August 2012 – Present

-Bachelors of Landscape Architecture (Projected graduation December 2015)

Thomas University August 2010 – May 2012

-Core Curriculum, Natural and Cultural Resource Management

Scholarships Awarded

HOPE Scholarship

Golf Scholarship (Thomas University)

Chamber of Commerce – HR/Employee Committee

Relevant Course Work

Landscape Design Studio I, II, III, and IV, Plants of the South, Plants of Georgia, Landscape Construction, Planning and Designing, Applied Engineering, Applied Landscape Ecology, Field Tech Archeology, Digital Photography

Work Experience

Cracker Barrel – Server February 2013 – Present- Ensure guest expectations are met and every dining experience is a positive one. - Superior people skills - Promote merchandise and menu items - Communicate effectively with other team members to ensure a flaw-less shift

Howard Properties - Maintenance June 2014 – August 2014 - Lawn and property maintenance

Bold Formulators LLC - Pack Line Temp Worker May 2013 – August 2013 - Packed chemicals correctly and labeled them accurately for further distribution - Helped with order pick-ups and filing paperwork in the front office.

Springhill Country Club - Head Lifeguard May 2008 – August 2011 -Thorough knowledge of lifeguard surveillance and rescue techniques - Superb leadership, PR and communication skills - Excellent decision making skills - Proven ability to provide CPR and First Aid immediately and effectively

Campus and Community Involvement

Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity August 2012 - Present -Assisted the philanthropy chair running canned food drive for Athens Food Bank

UGA Ultimate Frisbee Club Team Fall 2013 –Present -Team Member

Hands on Athens Spring 2013 -Worked with a small group rebuilding a front porch and repainting a house Thomas University Golf Team Fall 2010-Spring 2012

Resume