PORTFOLIO LAUREN
PROKOP
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
ABOUT ME
My passion for landscape architecture goes beyond mere interest—it is a genuine commitment that is reflected in the heart and soul I invest in my work. This field feels like home to me; I’ve formed meaningful connections with professors and colleagues, creating a supportive family within the community. My passion extends beyond the academic realm, to a love for the world landscape architecture has unveiled and the friendships forged. I am a dedicated and supportive peer, consistently there for my colleagues, and privileged and proud to contribute to their growth. Landscape architecture has not only shaped my work but also my worldview, fostering a deep appreciation for the environment and the people around me.
CONTACT
lauren.prokop@uga.edu
www.linkedin.com/in/laurenprokop
issuu.com/laurenprokop
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA ATHENS, GA
bacheloroflandscapearchitecture 2025expectedgraduation
MCINTOSH HIGH SCHOOL
PEACHTREE CITY, GA 2020diploma
EXPERIENCE
INTERN - KOONTZ JONES DESIGN summer 2024
12weekinternshipgaininghands-on experienceinrendering, constructiondocuments,andthe comprehensiveaspectsofthefield, whilecollaboratingeffectivelywithina professionalteam
UGA CORTONA STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM summer 2023
spenttwomonthsstudyingtheinterworkings ofItalianculture,aswellasworkhandson withthecommunitytodesignanartistic revivialwithintheTuscanlandscape
EXTRACURRICULAR
SIGMA LAMBDA ALPHA - PRESIDENT 2023-pres.
CED STUDENT AMBASSADOR - SECRETARY 2023-pres.
GSLA 2022-pres.
EXPERIENCE UGA TOUR GUIDE spring2022/ fall2023
SKILLS
HIGHLIGHTS
INTERESTS
ADOBE photoshop indesign illustrator
MICROSOFT OFFICE excel word powerpoint
ARCGIS storymaps
HAND GRAPHICS
LUMION
WEIGHT TRAINING
TRAVEL
HIKING
TENNIS
PICKLE-BALL
INTERIOR DESIGN
READING AUTOCAD
lacermicascappa cortona,italy
sullivan residence watkinsville,ga
various selected works
01 02 03 04 05 06
dawgwoodplace athens,ga
marsh hills jamescitycounty,va
fireflytrail athens,ga
miscellaneousproject pieces
01. MIXED USE
spring2023 2ndyearbla athens, ga
The Dawgwood Hills community is a combination of apartments, houses, retail, dining, and greenspace. This community consists of “the village,” a roundabout of housing seated upon two ponds, “the grove,” a shopping center with second-story apartments, “the dawgwood lodge,” and of course, the dawgwood greenway. Not only is this community inviting and friendly, but it is also accessible and 100% walkable, with only the back side allowing cars and parking for the lodge and village. Everything in this community is connected by walking trails on the greenway and a boardwalk that spans its entirety. This creates a sense of place and wellbeing with its softer, more colorful aesthetic that contrasts with that of the surrounding, more modern development.
DAWGWOOD PLACE
BLACK = EXISTING BUILDINGS
GREEN = EXISTING GREENSPACE
BLACK = EXISTING BUILDINGS
GREEN = EXISTING GREENSPACE
RED = TO BE REMOVED
GRAY = PROPOSED ARCHITECTURE
LT GREEN = NEW PARKSPACE
BLACK = EXISTING & PROPOSED BUILDINGS
GREEN = EXISTING & PROPOSED GREENSPACE
grading plan /autocad gradiing ng plaan
/autocad
MASTER PLAN
/photoshop rendering
1- AMENITY DECK
2- APARTMENTS “DAWGWOOD LODGE”
3- PARKING DECK
4-ALLEY SEATING
5- RETAIL & SECOND LEVEL APARTMENTS “THE GROVE”
6- OPEN GREEN
7- OPEN PLAZA W/ SEATING
8- DECKING PATHWAY
9- EVERGREEN TREE TYP.
10- SINGLE FAMILY HOUSING “THE VILLAGE”
11- POND
12- KURUME AZALEA
1-AMENITY DECK
A- RESTAURANT
B- OUTDOOR PATIO
C- ADA PATH
I- TIERED VEGETABLE BEDS
J- MUSEUM
D- STONE POND
E- SUNKEN FIRE PITS
F- OUTDOOR BAR
G- AMPITHEATER
H- GAZEBO
K- KURUME AZALEA
L- CHEROKEE ROSE
M- ROCK FOUNTAIN
N- RAIN GARDEN
O- DECK
P- FIREPIT AREA
Q- PERGOLA
R- OPEN LAWN
S- WEAVER D’S
T- OUTDOOR PATIO
U- PINESTRAW
DAWGWOOD GREENWAY
ATHENS HISTORICAL PARK
E. - CONVERSATION FIREPIT
G. - AMPITHEATER
O. - DECK AREA
P.- FIREPIT
A. - D. RECREATION SECTION
J. - Q. HISTORIC PARK SECTION
MARSH HILLS
jamescitycounty,va
In cultivating this unique site nestled along the York River in Virginia, I aimed to seamlessly blend the principles of New Urbanism with the rustic charm of a quaint mountain village. The juxtaposition of these two distinct styles creates a harmonious environment that pays homage to the region’s natural beauty while fostering a sense of community and connectivity.
Marsh Hills draws inspiration from the surrounding waters; the communities within this design echo the fluidity and grace of the marshland. Walkable spaces, communal parks, and integrated golf cart paths encourage residents to engage with their environment and each other. Within this site, I have created three main hamlets: Bloom Bay, which features a predominately residential housing corridor; Reedside, which integrates more affordable housing and townhomes; and First Harbor, which largely caters to a younger, first-home owner demographic. These three communities foster a diverse economy and population that provide a place for everyone and anyone within Marsh Hills.
A resort village called The Haven sits on the northernmost tip of the land. This features not only hotel lodging but also single-family cottages of varying sizes. With direct water access, this resort is not simply for out-of-towners looking for a stunning place to stay but acts as a public attraction that draws in the community to interact with the land and river it runs along. The StoneHouse park adjacent to this fosters, even further, community interaction and outdoor exercise.
While ensuring minimal impact on the delicate marsh ecosystem, this design offers a lifestyle that blends the tranquility of nature with the vibrancy of an urbanist community. It is a testament to the possibility of harmonizing modern living with the timeless appeal of a quaint mountain village, creating a unique and enriching development in the heart of Virginia’s marshlands. fall2023 3rdyearbla
MASTER PLAN
/photoshop rendering
MARSH HILLS CODE
SECTION ELEVATIONS
BLOOM BAY
REEDSIDE
THE HAVEN
The Marsh Hills Community is a new development in James City County, Virginia. This up-and-coming new urbanist town consists of several special hamlets, dedicated to the different stages of life. In addition to these flourishing areas, there is also a resort village, The Haven, that allows those from out of town to enjoy Marsh Hills. Through the exclusivity of golfcart, foot, and bike transportation, this resort is truly an escape. Open green space, an intriguing planting palette, and many other on site amenities make you never want to leave your luxury home away from home. By using a combination of textures, colors, and materials to create these paths throughout the nicely wooded forests of Virginia, a truly unique experience is created for each and every resident.
PLANTING PLAN MATERIALS
GRADING PLAN
02. GLOBAL VISION
Inspired by local ceramicists, and tasked to create a space that “reinvigorates and celebrates art in Cortona,” I have designed an area that facilitates creativity, highlights local ceramicists’ artwork, and allows for a place of gathering and relaxation in a beautiful setting of art itself. Set on the ‘Basolata del Ghiandea’, one of the driest, sunniest, and undisturbed areas in Cortona, I was provided with an abundance of opportunities to create a place of art and creativity. To encourage traffic through the site, I have added large shade structures upon newly leveled grounds, creating a rare retreat from the hot sun in such an exposed atmosphere. Within these shade structures, consist of stained glass mosaics, designed by a local artist, that reflect upon the grassy grounds forming beautiful mosaics throughout the space. In order to emphasize this hidden paradise, I have also brought water to the desert site and created a sort of oasis, or escape. Channels run along the terracing, flowing into one large ceramic well inspired by Etruscan pottery. Paths on either side of this site act as a ceramic garden walk through, for local ceramicists to display their work on a cycle, in a site 100% designed to highlight their artform. This ceramic escape will encourage people to explore local artists while retreating to a one of a kind mosaic oasis.
LA CERAMICA SCAPPA
/hand rendering
VISION DEVELOPMENT
/hand rendering
G.
The ceramic garden paths are lined with wild grasses and flowers, creating a fun combination of textures. The ground is made up of pebble rock and mosaic pieces, continuing its flow from the central plaza
F.
Runnels along the terracing collect water and direct it down to the well. Pots across them act as stepping stones to enter the different terraces
CONCEPT SKETCH
RUNNEL DETAIL
SITE WIDE SECTION VIEW /hand rendering
H. Ceramic pieces in stone walls
B. Sun through mosaic shades
E. Etruscan inspired well walls
C. Ceramic movable seating
D. Runnel Grates
03. RECREATIONAL REVIVAL
The name Firefly Trail alludes to a whimsical, hidden forest, secret garden, but the area itself does not relate. My goal in this redesign was to create a space that felt like you were walking through a whimsical forest with running streams, hidden seating areas, and good vibes all around. At the start of the trail, you’re greeted by a gentle fountain, and given the option to take either the path to the left, or the path to the right, which leads you to the hidden alcoves. In the middle runs a stream with bridges overtop to connect the two seperate walkways. As you continue through the space, you reach a terraced plaza where one can sit and relax by the running water, as well as a water feature all the way at the top which acts as a larger gathering area with tables and open space.
FIREFLY TRAIL
/hand rendering
7 BEFORE UPPER FOUNTAIN PERSPECTIVE
/photoshop rendering
MASTER PLAN
/hand rendering
LEGEND
1- STONE FOUNTAIN STREAM
2- TERRACING
3- STREAM
4- SEATING COVE
5- ENTRY FOUNTAIN
6- PERSPECTIVE VIEW
7- VIGNETTE VIEW
PLANTING
A- MUHLY GRASS
B- PODOCARPUS
D- SUGAR MAPLE
E- GOLDEN LARCH TREE
C- WHITE CREPE MYRTLE
The Sullivan Residence embodies a classic southern ambiance. The goal of this project was to create a space that better suited the family’s lifestyle while emphasizing its southern charm. By providing interest in the front yard, the Sullivans are introduced as an inviting family. In order to create a space that encourages friendly gathering and provides a fun space for children to play, balance was key during the design process. Creating areas where the children can play, as well as keeping the lawn open for other activities, was important. In combination, formal areas, such as an outdoor kitchen dining area and deck bar, give adults a space to relax while being able to keep an eye on their younger children. Seemlessly blending together functionality, aesthetics, and enjoyment is what sets this landscape apart from others.
PLANTING PLAN
SEQUESTEREDTRADITIONALATMOSPHERIC
Creating privacy, through a traditional aesthetic, while remaining open and airy were three objectives of this redesign. Thuja giants are used along the back sides paired with southern magnolias in the front for privacy. Hydrangeas and pampas grass act as accents to keep with the traditional, southern aesthetic, and the vast part of the lawn is manicured as open space for activity and an open flow throughout the landscape.
TIERED GARDENING BED
KITCHEN, DINING, & FIREPLACE
FIREPIT & SEATING
DECK & BARTOP
PLAYSET
UPPER PORCH
PEBBLE ROCK MEDIAN
STONE WALKS
FOUNTAIN FOCI POND HOUSE
DRIVE & WALK OPEN
OPEN LAWN
Outdoor patio and grill deck - a needed outdoor space for the Sullivan family. This space extends their living area to the outdoors and allows for bonding and entertainment. /hand rendering
Front yard redesign- the intermingling of textures and colors combined with a wider more open entrance, creates an inviting and interesting facade for the house. /photoshop rendering
05. SUPPLEMENTAL WORKS
A showcase of work, displaying additional skills and ideas that highlight the depth and range of my work.
NEXUS INNOVATION
/photoshop
The Nexus Redesign revitalizes UGA’s Innovation District by enhancing connectivity between North Campus and downtown Athens through improved walkability and dynamic public spaces. Featuring pedestrianfriendly pathways, green infrastructure, and collaborative outdoor areas, the design blends functionality with contemporary aesthetics to foster innovation and engagement.
/fall 2024
TATE PLAZA
/hand rendering
This design embraces abstraction, balancing direct pathways with irregular, eye-catching spaces that introduce intrigue and excitement to a busy spot on campus through unique shapes, fountains, and dynamic gathering areas.
/spring 2022
A of an underutilized open spac
A redesign of an underutilized open space at the University of Georgia using an arc and tangent concept to create movement, interactive gathering areas, and structured flow, incorporating features like fountains, a fire pit, and a coffee cabana to enhance both social and study environments. /spring 2022
/hand rendering
MYERS QUAD
ADVANCED VISUALIZATION
06. ARTISTIC EXPRESSION
I love diving into the creative side of landscape architecture. Whether it’s printmaking, drawing, or designing, expressing myself in different ways is both freeing and fulfilling. It’s not just about academics; it’s about celebrating the beauty that comes when passion and imagination come together.
PRINTMAKING
/linocut /etching /monotype
