Work Sample 2026

WORK SAMPLE IVAN KEATH

YUCCA CREST

Interpretive Design on Cahuilla Land

Location: Mountain Center, California Date: Spring 2024 Category: Studio Project Type: Ecological Design, Planting Design Collaboration: Individual

Camp Scherman, nestled in Mountain Center, California, has long been a landscape of memory, fostering deep connections across generations. For those who have lived, visited, or explored its terrain, the land holds a profound, almost familial significance.

Originally home to the Cahuilla people, it sustained their livelihoods and cultural traditions for centuries. Their enduring bond with the landscape tells a story that deserves recognition and integration into contemporary design practices. Now serving the Girl Scouts of Orange County, this project seeks to honor the land’s sacred history while educating future generations on its cultural significance.

PLANT STUDY LEFT The Chaparral Yucca was chosen as the inspiration for a unique Girl Scouts program.

This plant was essential to the Cahuilla people, offering numerous practical uses. Its leaves were processed and braided into strong, durable ropes, showcasing the resourcefulness and ingenuity of indigenous traditions.

YUCCA BRAIDING PROCESS BOTTOM This bracelet and necklace were crafted using traditional methods, providing a hands-on program for the Girl Scouts.

Through this activity, they can engage with the land while learning about the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of the Cahuilla people.

1

2

3

A blunt object, such as a stone, can be used to break apart plant fibers.

A sharp object, such as an arrowhead, can be used to scrape off excess plant material.

The fibers are then braided to enhance their strength and durability.

1

2 3

SITE PLAN

PERSPECTIVES

D D

C

B D

A

D D

0 2 8

A

YUCCA BRAIDING LEARNING CIRCLE

B

This program teaches the traditional technique of processing and braiding yucca leaves.

C

CORTEN MURAL This mural illustrates the step-by-step process of preparing yucca leaves for braiding.

16’

STAINED GLASS These stained glass pieces symbolize the four Cahuilla colors: red, yellow, blue, and black.

D

CAMPING SPACE The design integrates the Yucca braiding program while maintaining the existing Girl Scouts’ camping program.

PLANT SCHEDULE

EXISTING TRAI

L

TREES 1653'

SYMBOL

EXISTING GRASS

CODE

BOTANICAL/ COMMON NAME

CONTAINER

SIZE

QTY

CER FLO

CERCIDIUM FLORIDUM / BLUE PALO VERDE

BOX

24"

29

CER MIC

CERCIDIUM MICROPHYLLUM / LITTLE LEAF PALO VERDE

BOX

24"

12

BOX

48"

1

CONTAINER

SIZE

QTY

POT

5 gal.

22

POT

3 gal.

11

EXISTING GRASS

YUC WHI

CER FLO CER MIC

QUE CHR QUERCUS CHRYSOLEPIS / CANYON LIVE OAK

1652'

SYMBOL

TIN

BOTANICAL/ COMMON NAME

DAT WRI

DATURA WRIGHTII / SACRED DATURA

ENC FAR ENCELIA FARINOSA / BRITTLEBUSH

G

LES LNO MUH RIG MUH RIG YUC WHI

TR AIL

A B

DAT WRI YUC WHI ERI FAS ENC FAR

CODE

IS EX

3%

SHRUBS

EXISTING GRASS

ERI FAS

ERIOGONUM FASCICULATUM / CALIFORNIA BUCKWHEAT

POT

2 gal.

12

LES LNO

LESSINGIA FILAGINIFOLIA / CALIFORNIA ASTER

POT

5 gal.

66

MUH RIG

MUHLENBERGIA RIGENS / DEER GRASS

POT

3 gal.

78

YUC WHI

YUCCA WHIPPLEI / CHAPPARAL YUCCA

POT

2 gal.

67

3%

PAVING SCHEDULE SYMBOL

QUE CHR

CODE

PAVING TYPE

A

CONCRETE

B

STONE

C

EXISITING GRASS

HYDROZONES

CER FLO CER MIC

ZONES CODE PLANT WATER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

'

50

16

1'

EXISTING GRASS

5

16

LOW VERY LOW LOW MEDIUM MEDIUM VERY LOW LOW

PLANT FACTOR (PF)

IRRIGATION TYPE (IE)

IRRIGATION EFFICIENCY (IE)

0.2

SPRAY

0.75

0.05

DRIP

0.81

913

0.2

DRIP

0.81

225

0.5

DRIP

0.81

315

0.5

DRIP

0.81

747

46 45 158 374

0.1

SPRAY

0.75

8,589

859

0.2

DRIP

0.81

79

16

HYDROZONE AREA (HA) 1,590

(PF)(HA) 318

EXISTING GRASS No Special Landscape Area

'

1652

ETo = 55.1

YUC WHI MUH RIG MUH RIG LES LNO

TOTAL

ETWU =

(

(55.1)(0.62) (1,177)+ (639) (0.75) (0.81) MAWA = (55.1)(0.62)(0.45)(12,458)

)

76,590

191,516

'

1651

PLANTING PLAN 1/8" = 1' - 0"

0 2 4

8'

16'

HYDROZONES 1" = 30'

0

15

30'

Sacred Datura (Datura wrightii)

California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)

Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa)

Canyon Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis)

Chaparral Yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei)

Deergrass (Muhlenbergia rigens)

California Aster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia)

Little Leaf Palo Verde (Parkinsonia microphylla)

Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida)

0

10

20’