PAIGE ISHMAEL, PLA, JUNIOR PROJECT MANAGER, BIRMINGHAM STUDIO

Paige Ishmael, PLA, joined the Dix.Hite Birmingham, Ala. office in 2014 after earning a Master of Landscape Architecture from Auburn University. She recently became licensed as a Professional Landscape Architect. Paige is not only great at visioning and landscape design--as proven on projects ranging from corporate headquarters to residences--but she also has an eye for color that positioned her perfectly to lead the firm's color-studio practice. Here, she reflects on some of her favorite recent work.

My favorite color-design project is Creekside at Providence, a multi-family development in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., developed by the Dobbins Group. The architecture was complex and we were able to really bring the site to life with a dynamic color palette.

There is an undulating pattern of depth and light that changes as you look across the landscape. Also, the colors of the buildings were carried into other elements, such as the planters, the accent tile and fabric on the furnishings, which all worked together to create a cohesive aesthetic.

Creekside at Providence: The architecture was complex and we brought the site to life with color.

[Image courtesy of Fogelman Management Group]

Another of my favorite recent projects is The Henry at Fritz Farm, a multi-family component of the new Summit in Lexington, Ky.  I really enjoyed working on this site because it’s located in my hometown and a part of a larger development that is helping catalyze interest in a fairly underutilized part of town. 

I held this design close to my heart throughout the entire design process from concept to the built finished product.  I feel like our end result is a high-end product that offers the residents of Lexington a new way of living that wasn’t yet seen in the city. Residents can live in a place with resort-style amenities and are able to walk to high-end shops and fine dining.

The private residence on Greystone Crest here in Birmingham was a phenomenal project to work on.  It was truly a testament to the power of design, and the positive experience that landscape architecture can bring to a client’s daily life simply through utilizing the natural landscape in an artistic way.  I started working on this project during my first week at Dix.Hite and I came in at the end of the design process.  Seeing the careful thought that was put into the details of this site and the high-end result told me immediately I was at a firm that holds the craft of design at the highest of levels.    

Private residence on Greystone Crest in Birmingham, Ala.: Truly a testament to the power of design.

Careful thought was put into the details.

The Henry at Fritz Farm: I held the design close to my heart.

A high-end product that offers residents a new way of living that wasn’t yet seen in the city.

College Park >> one of Orlando’s most eclectic and well-defined neighborhoods, was the hosting center for this year’s PARK(ing) Day - an event where citizens, artists and activists collaborate to temporarily transform parking spaces into usable park spaces. This event is one device of tactical urbanism which uses short term, low cost installations intended to show how permanent applications could improve our communities and neighborhoods.

Focusing on a bigger picture idea, we wanted to portray an implementable concept that would serve to improve Edgewater Drive, utilizing complete street initiatives, and its centerpiece space, Albert Park. As part of the first installation of our WHAT IF series, we portrayed this vision in an installation called “Stand, Sit, Stand” which framed existing conditions while providing opportunity to show the possibilities. We acknowledge the successes of the Edgewater Vision Plan adopted in 2009 but wanted to explore ideas that could go beyond the plan in order to create an authentically vibrant main street environment true to College Park.

THE QUESTION

WHAT IF...

• Albert Park had more interaction with its surroundings?
  

• Families could bike together?
  

• Albert Park had more flexible spaces?
  

• Edgewater Drive was more walkable?
  

• You could live, work, and play here?

THE RESPONSE

CONNECTION

...Albert Park had more interaction with its surroundings?

The park, being more engaging of the adjacent streets, allows for a flow of movements and uses. The edges between the park and the adjacent sidewalks begin to blur. The intersection of Edgewater and Vassar could be elevated to create a flush street condition which supplies a venue for street festivals while providing traffic calming and slower speeds. This space can become a place where pedestrians, bicyclists and cars share the space alike.

...Families could bike together?

A critical component of the creation of complete streets is providing accessibility for all. While bike lanes serve as great connections for moderate to experienced cyclists, separated bicycle systems provide a safe, usable and practical route for people of all ages and abilities.

FLEXIBILITY

...Albert Park had more flexible spaces?

Parks with flexible open space provide opportunities for a diversity of functions and users, as well as creating a transparent, safe and welcoming environment. Edges in the form of shopping and dining would add another layer of activity and use to the park. Artful elements could be multi-functional, serving as signage, seating, interactive play and visual attractions.

LIVE.WORK.PLAY

...Edgewater Drive was more walkable?

By narrowing Edgewater Drive, we provide opportunity for street trees (shade), wider sidewalks, and dining zones. We allow more space for people on foot and bike to shop, dine and support our local businesses.

...You could live, work and play here?

We all want to have more places to dine, shop, and socialize. Serving to activate the park and support retail along Edgewater Drive, mixed-use, infill development would bring people and commerce to the neighborhood.

HOW IT WORKS

How would it work in College Park?  The images illustrate some of the possibilities, and we took it a step beyond to examine the functionality of the concepts. In the past, Edgewater Drive has changed from 4 lanes to  3 lanes reducing its total collisions by 40%, injuries fell by 71%, bicycle counts increased by 30% and pedestrians on sidewalks increased by 23%2.

If all modes of transportation were given equal importance, Edgewater Drive could be even further improved and could become a true point of destination. The street could be narrowed allowing for wider sidewalks and slower speeds, while bike lanes could be consolidated to create a separated bike trail.

The bike trail would become a great asset for College Park and the surrounding neighborhoods as it could connect to the Orlando Urban Trail and Gaston Edwards Trail.

THE PROCESS

Over the course of 7 days, our team designed, fabricated, and painted the “Stand, Sit, Stand” installation. It is designed as a mobile, temporary installation that is easily assembled and broken down for transport.

PARK(ING) DAY

Being strategic in our parking space selection, we at Dix.Hite saw a need in the Albert Park area and responded with  “Stand, Sit, Stand,” portraying three before and after illustrations highlighting critical elements of great street and park spaces.

Our goal was to provide big idea solutions in order to generate conversation with the College Park community. In doing so, we were able to speak to hundreds of people of all ages, genders and ethnicities throughout the day. Many questions were asked and further ideas expressed. As the takeaway from the installation, we gathered community input on a reclaimed, painted chair.

For a more in-depth look at our process DOWNLOAD our vision book here.

WALKING THE WALK/EARLY 2017

As the landscape architects of SunRail and supporters for mass transit, our team is passionate about its success and role as the most progressive transit project in Central Florida. Nearly half of our Longwood office team commutes to work via bike, on foot and SunRail.

We wanted to celebrate the economic, environment and physical benefits that it provides to our team and community. Through the use of an infographic, which we are proud to have shared with other local support groups and media outlets, we provided a concise study containing quantifiable statistics generated over the first two years of SunRail’s running.

We are very excited to be working on a number of transit-oriented-development projects along the SunRail corridor and look forward to the future Orlando, a well-balanced city containing a series of multi-modal transportation options.

Please feel free to download and share.