AJ Bridges , ASLA - Landscape Designer Design Group Work Samples & Golf Course Design
AJ Bridges
Born and raised in the hills of western Kentucky, Lloyd “A.J” naturally inherited a fond interest in Mother Nature’s flora, fauna, landscape and the game of golf. He found opportunity to grasp and advance his understanding of natural sciences in applying to and being accepted into the inaugural class of The Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky at Western Kentucky University, in lue of a traditional twelfth-year of grade school. After graduating from the Gatton Academy, there was an unwritten expectation of him to find research in STEM-based laboratories; however, his interest lay in practicing design -- particularly in shaping the landscape for the enjoyment of all without interfering with natural processes. As a progressive African-American designer, A.J. feels he should provide insight from a pertinent demographic in today’s society. It’s his responsibility to himself, his community, his country and the world to infuse imaginative [oft whimsical] impulse into the solutions to the issues reality produces daily. This personal challenge serves to generally lead to contentment for clients and users in a finished product. A.J. believes it was through the love of the game, fate and a higher power that he found this profession, and he doesn’t intend to let that go in vain.
“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them...” -Albert Einstein
[Objective] To strive to be a strong, inspirational minority representative of the profession, and not let the color of your skin be your crutch; in other words, be extraordinary in your own right.
“What more can you ask for? ... getting paid for doing what you love...� -Tiger Woods
Golf Course Design
Concept Design & Process Iterations
2019 Lido Competition Submission
[01]
Michigan-Ohio State Line, USA/ (via) Lexington, KY USA
[Intent] This conceptual design was AJ’s first submission to this annual Alister Mackenzie design competition. The Lido Competition put on by Golf Digest and the Mackenzie Society challenges armchair architects to present a hole-design (rotating between par 3, 4 and 5’s every year) that complements, emulates and brings back to life the design philosophies of Dr. Alister Mackenzie. AJ’s par-4 design infused a breadth of motifs. The location chosen was specifically done so due to the idea that Alister Mackenzie was chosen to design the club at Ohio State rather than at the University of Michigan -- a major sports rivalry. AJ wanted to give Mackenzie the opportunity to place something special on Michigan soil, as well (though he did also design a major track in Michigan in Crystal Downs Country Club). The challenging lakeside hole resembles something of which you might find at another Mackenzie course in California. It was designed to play fast, have alternative playing routes and greens (for daily play and championship play). It only felt right to have it play as the 18th hole at this imaginary country club somewhere on the MichiganOhio stateline.
[02]
Wilford Family Farm/ Golf Facility Trigg County, KY (via)New Albany, IN, USA
Truth be told, AJ most certainly entered the field of Landscape Architecture just to be routed into a career in the Golf Course Design industry. His experiences working in large firms & small firms, resort-planning & rural community development, and every other civic project inbetween have prepared him to begin this journey into golf & country club design in a multitude of ways. Coupled with graduate classes in business (courtesy of Indiana University )and organizational management, he feels he’s a capable mentee and will be prepared to lead when his number is called.
Studying the art of designing a “Difficult Par”
[Color-Rendering of 75-acre Short Course Concept]
[Design Work for 75-acre Short Course Concept]
[Experimenting with Alternate Options]
This Wilford Family Farm/ Golf Facility project is located in western Kentucky, on a sub-100 acre property AJ’s family owns. He used this location for his short-course study because he knows the site, it presents obstacles for development, and could cause a multitude of issues for the designer; however, it could be done. And, that is how he wants to pick back up. AJ wants to design difficult - “difficult pars”. [Studying Specific Course Design Software]
[View in on a “Difficult Par”]
Wilford Family Farm/ Golf Facility
[03]
Trigg County, KY (via)New Albany, IN, USA
Clubhouse & Maintenance Barn Perspective View
[3D-Rendering of 75-acre Shorta Course Concept]
Holes 1 & 2 Perspective View
Hole 3 (Water Hazard) Perspective View
Featured here are supplementary screenshots for this concept - taken from a 3D-model, animation/ flythrough created using software available to any aspiring golf course designer via computer game software.
University of Kentucky
B.S. in Landscape Architecture
“A successful person never loses. They either win or learn...” -Coach John Calipari
Coldstream Fitness Facility
[04]
Lexington, Kentucky, USA
[Statement] Keeping in mind everything he was exposed to within the discipline from day one, this project challenged A.J. as an aspiring professional designer to “make it work�! Considering all recorded information from initial site inventory and analysis, along with all elements of the project scope & program [a multigenerational fitness facility], by the end of the semester A.J. would have completed a set of construction documents.
Step one was to create a theoretical, strictly-academic landscape architecture firm and to brand the company name. Thus, bridges+partners Landscape Architects was born. Next was to setup a title block design for reference in document sheet listings [below] before beginning the conceptual sketch drawings [right].
[Looping Concept]
Illustrative Site Plan
[Grading]
[Section revealing the site character and notable grading by design]
The complete set of drawings consists of: Cover, Site Plan, Layout & Dimensioning, Grading, Storm Drainage, Electric & Lighting, Planting and Irrigation Sheets. [Storm Drainage]
“[But] I just wanna design hotels and nail it.� -Kanye West
Edward D. Stone & Associates EDSA Summer Internship 2013
The Baths Pool Island Lounge
[05]
Atlantis Paradise Island
[Intent] By client request, EDSA’s Behling Studio took on the challenge of supplementing an existing swimming pool with a unique, edgy “island lounge” style structure. The structure itself creates an optical illusion that makes it appear to float on the surface of the water, while, in actuality, it is adhered to the pool bottom.
These photorealistic renderings depict the [3] offered options for island lounge amenities to be implemented as additions to The Baths Pool at Atlantis Paradise Island in Nassau, Bahamas. Features include: water-proof seat cushioning, elegantly tiled interiors, swim ladders and moveable umbrellas per user comfort.
Renderings created using| Adobe Photoshop CS5.5, Autodesk AutoCAD 2014, Trimble SketchUp 2013 + Podium
The EDGE Group, Inc. Professional Portfolio
“Excuse me while I kiss the sky.” -Jimi Hendrix
Holt Crest Development [2015]
[06]
[Brentwood]Nashville, TN, USA
[Intent] Holt Crest was a semi-controversial land development initiative for the affluent suburb of Brentwood, TN just south of Nashville. The project site was a historic Middle Tennessee farm and summer home for a wealthy, Louisiana cotton farmer by the name of John Holt. Holt Crest, a 250+ acre site, was a candidate for IP-OSRD (innovative project - open space residential development) zoning in early 2015. Holt Crest’s sub-one acre per dwelling unit density maximizes overall living space, open space and cultural remnants. The large mansion and old slave quarters on site will remain standing and be completed renovated and sold as a lot, in the name of historic preservation. The 200 feet elevation difference from the site’s highest to lowest points didn’t come as a surprise, as this is very typical of Middle Tennessee geography. However, steep and dramatic slopes presented issues and were marked (in red on plan to right) as hillside protection areas and therefore undevelopable land per the city’s code; nonetheless, gorgeous terrain and viewshed for trails and other amenities. Holt Crest would prove to eliminate a good portion of available lotting space for homes (if left a traditional residential zoned property), but under an innovative project zoning it became more than wasted space - it in turn became 60% preserved tree canopy, recreational trails & amenities, and a very unique land use for residents of Holt Crest to enjoy!
[200+/- Feet in Elevation Change]
[A.J. started working on this project at late analysis stages and continued into all production and illustrations featured. Holt Crest is an on-going production.]
Renderings created using| Adobe Photoshop CS5.5, Autodesk AutoCAD 2014, Trimble SketchUp 2014
[A View from the Hillside Overlay]
Holt Crest boasts its complete, walkable through-streets [below], traditional neighborhood housing frontage, and amenities [bottom right], and tight-knit community layout that freed up space for dynamic trail amenities with majestic, breathtaking outlooks; this space in some cases a result of Tennessee Valley Authority easements [left].
[Walkable Main Thoroughfare]
[Illustrative Master Plan and Lotting Chart]
[Green Amenity Areas]
“If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress...” -President Barack Obama
Lose & Associates, Inc. Professional Portfolio
[07]
Hamilton Springs Station Park Lebanon, TN, USA
[Viewshed - Looking into the Future Stage]
[Intent] Hamilton Springs Station Park was an evolution of a little bit of wasted space and financial, opportune revisioning. What was once revered as the perfect opportunity for a simple dog park and small stage revealed a much, much more valuable and efficient use of space along the railroad tracks adjacent the Music City Star, an ongoing rail line development along transit-oriented developments in middle Tennessee. Through a more thorough analysis of ridgelines and valleys on the 20+ acre site, A.J. proposed a controlled outdoor music venue and dog park separated by a jurisdictional stream; just like that, undevelopable land intended for more homes in the PUD became a viable realization for the City of Lebanon to generate real revenue and take advantage of the trains coming in from Greater Nashville.
[08]
Stones River Greenway Extension Murfreesboro, TN, USA
[Image Courtesy of Google Maps]
[Intent] A.J. was introduced to the Stones River Greenway project a number of years in the making. A phased series of constructed greenway trails and (blueway inferences) came to a screeching halt in 2011. Whether it was the result of the Great Nashville Flood of the summer of 2010 or simply the findings of field work performed in the rainy season, an overflow channel of the Stones River emerged and was discovered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers -- the government entity responsible for deeming waters originating from navigable waterways jurisdicitional or non-jurisdictional. Needless to say, this channel was ruled the former, and, along with property acquisition issues, the process and overall project was prolonged. After so many years, permitting expires and it is required of the designer to resubmit applications to the respective agencies. Without a doubt, the Stones River Greenway Extension project has become the most involved for A.J., to date. Specifically, A.J. was tasked with filing utility certification by engaging with Tennessee 811 and all present utility companies to verify existence of lines, pulling together pre-jurisdictional determination applications, and revising applicable design documents (grading, erosion prevention & sediment control, and crossing details) for approval by the assigned environmental engineer.
Lloyd Anthony Bridges
Resume, Sketches & Travels Summary
“If you aren’t living on the edge, you are taking up too much space.” -Anonymous
Curriculum Vitae
Lloyd A.J. Bridges 1225 Vincennes St, Apt 3U | New Albany, IN 47150
Professional Endeavors [Objective] To obtain a progressive and secure position within a welcoming collective of peers, in an intriguing market, by displaying competence and skills that ultimately fulfill both parties’ needs; ultimately, placing myself on the fast track to a career in project management and beyond through experience and diligence. [Education] [2014] University of Kentucky [Lexington, KY] Landscape Architecture Minor in Plant & Soil Sciences [2008] Gatton Academy [Bowling Green, KY] Honor Graduate
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[2008] Trigg County High School [Cadiz, KY] Valedictorian [Experience] [2015] Lose & Associates [Greater Nashville, TN] Land Planner I [2014] The EDGE Group [Nashville, TN] Associate Designer [2013] University of Kentucky [Lexington, KY] Design Implementation Teacher’s Assistant
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[Voluntary Experience] [2016] Park Build [Pleasant View, TN] Community park build day [1]
[2] Fishing, Hunting, and Outdoor Adventure
[Skills] Familiar +, Proficient ++, Excellent +++ Adobe Creative Suites 5.5 Autodesk AutoCAD 2014 Autodesk Sheet Set Manager Interface Autodesk Civil3D + LandFX Autodesk 3DS Max Design 2013 Trimble SketchUp 2013 + Lumion3D Marker & Colored Pencil Rendering Microsoft Office Proficiency Microsoft Movie Maker Technical [Master Plan] Writing [Personal] Born 12/11/89 Nonsmoker Single Willing to relocate and travel
[2013] EDSA [Fort Lauderdale, FL] Behling Studio Intern
[Extracurricular|Interests] [2011] UKLA Intramural Sports [Team Captain] Flag Football, Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
[Honors|Affiliations] ASLA Merit Award 2014 [Kentucky] National Honor Society for Landscape Architects Oswald Research & Creativity Program Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences [MANNRS] Park(ing) Day 2015 - Most Interactive
[References] Dr. Ryan Hargrove [Professor UK] ryan.hargrove@uky.edu|859.948.3155 Mr. Ken Bryant, ASLA [Quality Control] kbryant@loseassoc.com|810.358.9559
[apljck@gmail.com (personal)|270.350.2260]
Curriculum Vitae
Professional Endeavors [Pt. 2] [Objective] To obtain, secure or create a progressive position within a collective of peers, in an intriguing market, by displaying competence, relevant skills and leadership that fulfill both parties’ needs; ultimately, placing myself on the fast track to operations management and beyond through experience and diligence. [Education] [2018] Indiana University [New Albany, IN] School of Business M.S. Business Management Candidate [Experience] [2018] United Parcel Service [Louisville, KY] UPS WorldPort Air Ramp Administrative Assistant [2018] United Parcel Service [Clarksville, IN] UPS Clarksville, Indiana Local Sort Part-Time Operations Supervisor
Founder & President Collegiate, Non-Profit Organization
[Honors|Affiliations] [2017] American Society of Landscape Architects - Public Awareness Summit State Representative [Kentucky] [2018] NCCGA (National Collegiate Club Golf Association) Member
[Skills] Familiar +, Proficient ++, Excellent +++
[2019] Idle Hour Country Club [Lexington, KY] AIT-Assistant Superintendent
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[Voluntary Experience] 2017 Louisville Urban Tree Symposium [Louisville, KY]
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2017 Community Tree Planting [Louisville, KY]
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2018 Indiana University School of Business Golf Scramble Volunteer [Sellersburg, IN]
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2018 UPS Representative - Harvest Homecoming Parade [New Albany, IN]
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Business Communications Organizational Development Organizational Leadership Business/ Technical Writing Adobe Creative Cloud Applications TORO Maintenance Equipment Ops General, Practical Hand Tool Use Golf Course Turf Maintenance/ Sodwork New Industry Networking Video Editing Software
[Ventures|Interests] [2018] Club Golf at Indiana University-Southeast [Corporation] [apljck@gmail.com (personal)|270.350.2260]