PORTFOLIO LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
EMERY WAHLEN
RIVERBANK PRESERVE
Coastal Conservation Development
ATLANTA GULCH
Pedestrian-Centered Urban Redevelopment Walkable
RIVERBANK PRESERVE
Williamsburg, VA
4,120. 69 Acres
August 2023 - December 2023
Riverbank Preserve is a development located just off the coast of the York River in Williamsburg, Virginia. The design is centered around conservation, connectivity, and community. Unique hamlets of development are located across the site, connected by a series of pedestrian- and bike-friendly streets. Designed for visitors and residents alike, the development feels nature-oriented, busy, and friendly. Existing communities such as Palmetto Bluff’s Wilson Village in Bluffton, SC were referenced as precedents to create the design and feel of Riverbank Preserve.
SITE LOCATION
MASTERPLAN
Before the site became Riverbank Preserve, it was a piece of conserved land in James City County, Virginia. Almost completely undeveloped, it was a blank slate for designing. Intensive site analysis was performed and many iterations of designs were created. These steps determined which areas were suitable for development and ultimately led to the completion of the site’s final masterplan.
ANALYSIS LAYERS
Viewshed Analysis
COMPOSITE SITE ANALYSIS
High Points
Bluffs
Existing Circulation
Rivers & Streams
Low Topography
Proposed Conservation Area
Proposed Recreation Area
Proposed Residential Area
Proposed Commercial Area
Circulation Analysis
Elevation Analysis
Slope Aspect Analysis
Slope Analysis
Topography Analysis
The analysis portion of this project was completed with peers Ambar Reyna and Kathleen O’Donnell. All work shown is my own.
INITIAL SITE PLANNING
PROPOSED “SUPERBLOCKS”
Once Riverbank Preserve’s masterplan was finalized, a small area of the site was focused on to create construction details for potential contractors. This area features a linear park nestled among blocks of mixed-use and commercial buildings. A planting plan and plant schedule, hardscape plan, and grading plan were all created, showing specific details of the area.
PLANTING SCHEDULE
MATERIALS PLAN
PLANTING PLAN
ATLANTA GULCH
Atlanta, GA
130.91 Acres
February 2024 - May 2024
The Gulch is a part of the otherwise booming city of Atlanta that currently sits undeveloped and underused. Despite its close proximity to major tourist attractions, the area is primarily utilized as a parking lot. The goal of this redesign was to push the boundaries of what the area could become while maintaining practicality and usefulness for both visitors and residents. A network of pedestrianand bike-friendly streets connects the mixed-use buildings across a 22-acre park. The development feels vibrant, connected, versatile, and innovative.
SITE LEVELS
MASTERPLAN
SITE PLANNING SKETCHES
Concept sketches of possible road and building layouts of site.
A primary goal of the Atlanta Gulch design was to seamlessly integrate the development into the surrounding city fabric. The use of a grid pattern extends the existing layout of buildings and roads adjacent to the site, while also creating a more walkable, pedestrian-friendly environment. Another key objective was to introduce more public greenspace to Atlanta. Several park iterations were explored, with the final design focused on fostering a sense of community and enhancing urban tree coverage.
Concept sketches of possible park layouts and programming.
ROAD DIGEST
The streets within the park were designed to prioritize walkability and pedestrian safety. A comprehensive road analysis was conducted for both types of streets to ensure these critical elements were addressed. The design provides adequate space for vehicular traffic, dedicated bike lanes, and street parking. Sidewalks are separated from traffic by wide planting buffers, enhancing both pedestrian comfort and safety.
FOREST GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD
Athens, GA
46.47 Acres
February 2023 - May 2023
Forest Grove is a neighborhood centered on walkability, interactions with the outdoors, and community. Designed to bring residents together, small “pockets” of homes have communal spaces that make hosting, gathering, and building community accessible to every resident. Sidewalks connecting all streets allow residents to easily walk or bike throughout the neighborhood. These elements create a safe, friendly, comfortable environment.
ENLARGEMENT OF AMENITY AREA
MASTERPLAN
Pocket Cluster with Patio Space
Pocket Cluster with Water Feature
Pocket Cluster with Community Garden
Pocket Cluster with Wooded Picnic Seating
Pocket Cluster with Firepit
ANALYSIS LAYERS
Slope Analysis
Soil Analysis
Vegetation Analysis Hydrology Analysis
LAND USE ANALYSIS MAP
Cannot be Developed
Difficult to Develop
Possible to Develop Prime Development
Extremely Steep Slope
Forest Grove is designed to balance the importance of vegetation conservation with the need for a developer’s profit. This was accomplished through intensive site analysis to determine areas suitable for development. A soft, curvilinear road and sidewalk structure was put in place to connect elements of the neighborhood with one another. Lots were then placed in accordance with these guidelines, creating over 85 residences.
SITE PLANNING SKETCHES
Concept sketches of possible road and lot layouts of site.
ROAD ALIGNMENT AND GRADING
PINE STREET
REDBUD ROAD
RIVERBIRCH ROAD
ROSEWOOD ROAD
MYRTLE STREET
HILL STREET RESIDENCE
Athens, GA
0.40 Acres
January 2023 - February 2023
The landscape design of this quaint single-family home is natural, gentle, and playful. Flowing curvilinear forms create a relaxed feel. Seating areas, an open lawn, a firepit, and gardening spaces are key features of the design. These areas provide residents with a variety of ways to enjoy spending time in their yard.
SECTION ELEVATIONS
Section of Firepit Patio
Section of Garden Beds
MASTERPLAN
Firepit Patio
Reading Nook
House
Open Lawn
Rain Garden
Front Patio
Driveway with Parking and Turnaround
Garage
Garden Beds
SECTION ELEVATION OF ENTIRE PROPERTY
Drainage and accessibility were the key focuses of the design. The primary uses of the property (sidewalk, patios, and driveway) are ADA accessible. Stormwater drains away from the home, and most converges into the rain garden along the west side of the yard. These features are practical and functional, and still blend in with the overall design of the yard.
Front Yard and Sidewalk
Front Patio Planting
Open Side Lawn
Dry Rock Bed Driveway
Planting and Path Firepit Patio Planting
A A’
STONE STREET RESIDENCE
Atlanta, GA
0.17 Acres
May 2023 - August 2023
This redesign of a client’s yard enhances its existing features and creates functional spaces within the irregularly-shaped property. Broken up into three subsections with different features, the design makes use of every inch of the property to maximize space. Key focuses of the design were privacy, enclosure, plant variety and color, and hosting space. Plants were carefully chosen to ensure that they would thrive in the various micro-climates of the yard. Overall, the yard feels cozy, lively, and engaging.
EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS
Edge of Backyard
Backyard
Side Yard
MASTERPLAN
Gate to Front Yard A
B Terraced Pathway
C Client’s House
D Patio with Grill, Seating
E Gate to Driveway
F Shared Driveway
G Neighbor’s House (encroaches onto client’s property)
H Clover Lawn
I J Garden Beds
Existing Dry Creek Bed
K L Existing Tree
Edible Plant Garden
PLANT LIST
Abelia Abelia spp
Sedge Carex spp.
Distylium Distylium spp
Mount Airy' Fothergilla Fothergilla intermedia 'Mount Airy'
Lenten Rose Helleborus orientalis
Daylily Hemerocallis spp
Hosta Hosta spp
Bigleaf Hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
Limelight Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'
Iris Iris spp
Virginia Sweetspire Itea virginica
Lavender Lavandula angustfolia
W ax Myrtle Morella cerifera
Mondo Grass Ophiopogon japonicus
Japanese Pittosporum Pittosporum tobira Variegatum
Native Azalea Rhododendron prunifolium
Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
Clover Trifolium repens
Blueberry Vaccinium virgatum
panniculata ‘Limelight’
High Sun Exposure Wet Soil
Average Sun Exposure Average/Dry Soil Average Sun Exposure Average/Dry Soil Low Sun Exposure Wet Soil
Hydrangea
Iris spp.
Hemerocallis spp.
Hosta spp.
Hydrangea macrophylla
Lavendula augustfolia
Fothergilla intermedia ‘Mount Airy’
Abelia spp.
Salvia rosmarinus
Morella cerifera
Rhododendron prunifolium
Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegatum’
PLANT SUITABILITY ANALYSIS
RESIDENTIAL INTERNSHIP
Watkinsville, GA
May 2024 - July 2024
These projects were completed during my summer internship at a multidisciplinary firm, where I worked within the residential studio. Throughout my time there, I contributed to a variety of projects spanning a broad range of services. My responsibilities included researching plant palettes, creating base maps, developing landscape plans, engaging with clients, rendering masterplans, and supporting conceptual design efforts. I had the opportunity to observe projects at every stage of the design process, from initial concepts to construction and final delivery. These experiences have been invaluable to my growth as an aspiring landscape architect.
SELECTED WORKS
Landscape plan with bespoke driveway entrance, buffering around pool, and perennial gardens.
House and driveway placement, with additons of a pool, garden, and barn. Designed to preserve existing trees on site.
Landscape plan featuring fresh, unique plants to revitalize the space.
Driveway placement for new garage addition. Redesign of pool and surrounding landscaping.
Landscape plan and rendering for planting beds located at primary entrance to the home.
EMERY WAHLEN