Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
Design to make
...
a bit better, everyday I am excited by the boundless opportunities to better understand and help form the rich places in our communities. Designing for the communities around me has proven to be an amazing experience each time I get to know the people who will come to enjoy the space. I hope they then form it into an even better place.
Table of Contents | Portfolio 2018
SELECTED WORKS COURTYARDS AT BETH SHALOM - Nature-Based Therapy Center
4
WEAVING STORIES - Atlanta’s National Water Trail
8
EMERALD AND SAPPHIRE NECKLACE - A Resliency Park
14
THE GARLAND MARKET - A Growing Commons
20
CURRENT WORK - Private Residences with Loch Collective
26
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
Courtyards at Beth Shalom Nature-Based Therapy Center
The Exploratory Courtyard at Beth Sholom expresses the profound affect nature has on human health. This garden provides a transition for residents to journey outside so that they can exercise, relax, and care for their garden.
Nature-Based Therapy Center | Portfolio 2019
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
An elevated planter is placed at the center of the court to create a circuitous path around this gathering point. Community gardening sessions are held in early spring by a horticultural therapist around the wheelchair-accessible planters. The shape of these gardening beds afford a range of excercises for patients
2'-9"
5'-6" 5 8"
RUBBER COATING.
3000 PSI CONCRETE WITH ROUGH SURFACE. # 4 REINFORCED REBAR.
1'
5 8"
2'-6"
in a wheelchair to those with minor knee and elbow pain. Patients with all ranges of ability at Beth Sholom can experience the beauty of nature whether they be allowed to visit the courtyard or need to remain indoors. 6"
Handicap-Accessible Planter PLANTERS CONSTRUCTED FROM EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE WITH GRP SHELL.
2'-5"
SURFACE TO BE ROUGHENED.
Main Planting Bed
TOPSOIL AND BACKFILL MIX.
6
CONC. PLANTERS WITH RUBBER COATING
ALUMINUM SIDING.
3" 1'-0"
COMPACTED FILL. 1 4"
1'-6"
CR6 AGGREGATE FILL.
Nature-Based Therapy at Beth Sholom | Portfolio 2019
Summer
Fall
Winter
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
Weaving Stories Atlanta’s National Water Trail
Just north of Atlanta, Georgia runs a 48-mile National Water Trail along the Chattahoochee River. After the design team floated two trips down the trail, we realized a missing identity could be where to tie the remaining pristine nature together with the Atlanta “megatropolis”. Weave the sense of place of the Chattahoochee with the Atlanta metropolitan region by establishing an identity for the water trail and then blending it and contrasting it with the cities.
Chattahoochee Water Trail | Portfolio 2019
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
concrete
wood
BOAT RAMP
DOCK
TRAIL POST
Red Oak Quercus rubra
Black Oak Quercus velutina
Pignut Hickory Carya glabra
Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
Chestnut Oak Quercus montana
Bitternut Hickory Carya cordiformis
Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea
Shagbark Hickory Carya ovata
Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia
White Oak Quercus alba
Flowering Dogwood Cornus florida
Hawthorn Crataegus spp.
Chattahoochee Water Trail | Portfolio 2019
This National Recreation Area stretches past historic rock shoals, outcroppings, and fishing wiers. Adventurers are keyed in to their location along the trail by the docks, boat launches, and trail heads located throughout.
Here, the identity of the National Parks Service is expressed in the form and material of these designed features, which are accented by the surrounding ecology.
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
Chattahoochee Water Trail | Portfolio 2019
Bowmans Island
Sugar Hill
Settles Bridge
Roswell
Suwanee
Johns Creek Abbotts Bridge
Vickery Creek Jones Bridge
Gold Branch
Johnson Ferry Sope Creek
Sandy Springs
Cochran Shoals Columns Drive Interstate North Parkway
Powers Island
PalisadesAkers Drive &Paces Mill
Indian Trail PalisadesWhitewater Creek
Atlanta
Island Ford
Duluth Medlock Bridge
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
Emerald + Sapphire Necklace A Community-Based Resiliency Design
“Water is a part of the fabric that makes up Virginia Beach, so let’s take advantage of it.” This design intent allowed my mentors and I to play around with some of the more fun opportunities that may come alongside the bleak consequences of sea level rise. Virginia Beach is the second most vulnerable city in the United States to sea level rise, but strategic planning may allow the city make some unique interventions. As the sea rises, waterways will connect in the lowlands of Virginia Beach. It is here that people will be able to travel through the heart of city on water.
Emerald + Sapphire Necklace | Portfolio 2019
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
While residents continue to move to higher ground, the city’s canals will connect the Green Sea Blueway and Greenway to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, forming a water-wise public park central to the city. Today -- The park is a tidal canal that fosters some water sport activity when submerged, and as a pedestrian corridor through the center of the city when the water recedes.
Emerald + Sapphire Necklace | Portfolio 2019
SL 2100 + 31 in. Tomorrow -- This will be a main recreational transect through Virginia Beach that connects residents to unique destinations from as far south as Pungo, to the north, at Pembroke and Lynnhaven Beach.
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
SL 2010
SL 2050 +15 in.
SL 2100 +31 in.
The Atlantic Ocean will rise to more than 15 inches higher than Virginia Beach by 2050. This sea level rise (SL 2050), with the concurrent subsidence, threatens multiple communities in the city. One of the most critical areas of the city lies in the floodplain between the iconic Mt. Trashmore Park and the Bow Creek Golf Course (shown from left to right respectively).
Emerald + Sapphire Necklace | Portfolio 2019
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
The Garland Market A Growing Commons
This studio was charged to design a democratic landscape for Southwest D.C. Compared the commons, which saw its downfall in its overuse, today’s commons could grow with more frequent use. Truly democratic public space is one that purifies the rain, which then runs off to other sites below and provides an amenity for the public. A forest garden on the hilltop of St. Elizabeth’s East is maintained and replanted throughout the city as people extend this garden t0 their own communities.
The Garland Market, D.C. | Portfolio 2019
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio GARDENS OF NEW COLUMBIA
STATE CAPITOL DEMOCRACY
GROUNDS NEW COLUMBIA
GARDENS OF NEW COLUMBIA
STATE CAPITOL DEMOCRACY
GROUNDS NEW COLUMBIA
SLOPE SLOPE
FLOOD FLOOD
ELEVATION ELEVATION
SLOPE SLOPE
SLOPE FLOOD SLOPE FLOOD
FLOOD ELEVATION FLOOD ELEVATION
SLOPE OF 0-8% SLOPE OF 0-8%
FLOOD ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE FLOOD ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE
ELEVA ELEVA
Slopes in less than 8% or OF 3.5°0-8% most are suitable for development SLOPE and cultivation. SLOPE OF 0-8%
The 2% annual FLOOD floodplain should be protected from development OF 0-8% FROM SCOPE SLOPEELIMINATED unless a harbor, marina, or other water related industry is ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE OF 0-8% SLOPE FLOOD planned for this area.
Much of the initia F ELEVA but over time de ELEVA Lady of PerpetuaF
Slopes in less than 8% or 3.5° most are suitable for development and cultivation.
The 2% annual be protected from Slopes in less floodplain than 8% orshould 3.5° most are suitable fordevelopment development unless a harbor, marina, or other water related industry is and cultivation. planned for this area.
The 2% fl Much of annual the initia unless harbor, but overa time de planned for this Lady of Perpetua
SLOPE OF 8-100%
FLOOD FROM 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN
ELEVA
OF 8-100% 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN SLOPE FLOOD FROM The lands ELEVA below Slopes in excess of 8% or 3.5° are prone to erosion and should be The 2% annual floodplain is valuable for marine-dependent communities such protected or stabilized with plantings, unless developments makes institutions as well as for fertile soils for agricultural purposes. 8-100% 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN SLOPE FLOOD ELEVA OF 8-100% SLOPEFROM F continue to expan strong effort to fortify the OF slope. “We wish to find the discrete processes that carry their own values and prohibitions: it is from these that open space should be selected, it is these that should provide the p This site was found by Slopes extracting the citizens work toannual this historic hospital’ s farmland OFlandscape 8-100% FROM 100prone YEAR FLOODPLAIN SLOPE FLOOD ELEVA OF 8-100% SLOPE The belowflF in excess the of 8%key or 3.5° are prone to erosion and should be The 2% floodplain is3.5° valuable for marine-dependent Slopes ingrow excess of 8% or are to erosion and should be The lands 2% annual -should Ian McHarg Design with “Weorwish to find the discrete processesdevelopments that carry theirmakes own values and prohibitions: itoriswell from thatplantings, open space be selected, it is Nature these that should provideasthe communities such protected institutions as asthese forwhile fertile soils for agricultural purposes. protected stabilized with unless developments institutions wep elements (shown in green) thatstabilized affect with theplantings, healthunless of the into a productive landscape, gathering either at makes - Ian McHarg Design with Nature continue to expan strong effort to fortify the slope. strong effort to fortify the slope. “We wish to find the discrete processes that carry their values and Market’ prohibitions: is from that open space selected, it is these provideitthe “We wish to these find discrete processes thatbecarry their own valuesthat andshould prohibitions: is frp forest garden, and the surrounding sites. Within this site, theownGarland sitfarmer’ s the market, localshould arts and
-should Ian McHarg Design “We wish to find the discrete processes that carry their own values and prohibitions: is from that open space selected, it is Nature these provideitthe “Weit wish to these find the discrete processes thatbecarry theirwith own valuesthat andshould prohibitions: is frp - Ian McHarg Design with Nature
The Garland Market, D.C. | Portfolio 2019 GARDENS OF NEW COLUMBIA
STATE CAPITOL DEMOCRACY
GROUNDS NEW COLUMBIA
GARDENS OF NEW COLUMBIA
STATE CAPITOL DEMOCRACY
GROUNDS NEW COLUMBIA
ELEVATION ELEVATION
ASPECT ASPECT
ELEVATION ASPECT ELEVATION ASPECT
ASPECT ASPECT
FLOOD ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE FLOOD ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE
ELEVATION OF 30 TO 430 FEET ELEVATION OF 30 TO 430 FEET
ASPECT SOUTH-FACING SLOPES ASPECT SOUTH-FACING SLOPES
floodplain should be430 protected from development ELIMINATED FROM FLOOD 30 TO FEET SCOPE ATION OF marina, or other water related industry is ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE FLOOD OF 30 TO 430 FEET ATION area.
Much of the initial ridge SOUTH-FACING inOF Southeast D.C.FEET was heavily forested, 30 TO 430 ELEVATION SLOPES ASPECT but over time developed with the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Our OF 30 TO 430 FEET ELEVATION SOUTH-FACING SLOPES ASPECT Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
The top of the ASPECT ridge is susceptible to high winds from the SOUTH-FACING SLOPES northwest in the winter, but can benefit from sun exposure to the SOUTH-FACING SLOPES ASPECT southwest.
floodplain be protected from development al ridge in should Southeast D.C. was heavily forested, marina, or other related industry eveloped with the water St. Elizabeth’s Hospitalisand Our alarea. Help Church.
Much in Southeast D.C.winds was heavily forested, The topofofthe theinitial ridgeridge is susceptible to high from the but over time St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Our northwest in thedeveloped winter, butwith canthe benefit from sun exposure to the Lady of Perpetual Help Church. southwest.
The top of the ridge is susceptible to high winds from the northwest in the winter, but can benefit from sun exposure to the southwest.
FLOOD FROM 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN
ELEVATION FROM 0 TO 30 FEET
ASPECT NORTH-FACING SLOPES
NORTH-FACING SLOPES FROM 0 ridge TO 30comprise FEET 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN FLOOD FROM The lands ELEVATION below the southeastern of historic floodplain is valuable for marine-dependent Forested areas ASPECT along north-facing slopes should be preserved for communities such as Berry Farm and Historic Anacostia, which will ell as for fertile soils for agricultural purposes. nature corridors as well as wind pro NORTH-FACING SLOPES TOYEAR 30 FEET FROM 0 TO 30 FEET ATION FROM ASPECT FROM 0100 FLOODPLAIN FLOOD ELEVATION ASPECT NORTH-FACING SLOPES continue to expand outside the floodplain. rom these that open space should be selected, it is these that should provide the pattern, not only of metropolitan open space, but also the positive pattern of development” crafts market, or culinary The forest garden thatbeofpreserved vegetables forForested yourself, for your and nut NORTH-FACING SLOPES NORTH-FACING SLOPES FROM 0100 TOYEAR 30comprise FEET FROM 0slopes TO 30comprise FEET ATION ASPECT FROM FLOODPLAIN FLOOD ELEVATION ASPECT the southeastern ridge of historic Theschool. lands below the north-facing southeastern ridge historic Forested areas along should for floodplain is valuable for marine-dependent areasfruit alongtrees north-facing slopes children, should be preserved for -should Ian McHarg Design with rom that space be selected, is Nature these that should provide the pattern, only of metropolitan open space, but also the positive pattern of development” h as Berry Farmopen andfor Historic Anacostia, which itwill communities such as Berry Farm and Historic Anacostia, which will nature corridors as well as not wind pro ell asthese for fertile soils agricultural purposes. nature corridors as well as wind pro encompasses the majority of the campus here was trees for your grandchildren. Ian McHarg Design with Nature nd outside the floodplain. continue to expand outside the floodplain. COLUMBIA pattern, not only of metropolitan open space, but thethat pattern of the development” rom these that open space should be selected, it isalso these should provide pattern,NEW not only of metropolitan planted according topositive the popular farmer’ s CAPITOL axiom -- plantopen space, but also the positive pattern of development” STATE GROUNDS
Ian McHarg Design but with Nature pattern, not only of metropolitan open space, thethat positive pattern of the development” rom these that open space -should be selected, it isalso these should provide pattern, not only of metropolitan open space, but also the positive pattern of development” NEW COLUMBIA
STATE CAPITOL
GROUNDS
- Ian McHarg Design with Nature
NEW COLUMBIA
STATE CAPITOL
GROUNDS
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
GARDENS OF NEW COLUMBIA
STATE CAPITOL DEMOCRACY
GROUNDS NEW COLUMBIA
SLOPE SLOPE
FLOOD FLOOD
SLOPE OF 0-8% SLOPE OF 0-8%
ELEVATION ELEVATION
FLOOD ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE FLOOD ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE
Slopes in less than 8% or 3.5° most are suitable for development and cultivation.
The 2% annual floodplain should be protected from development unless a harbor, marina, or other water related industry is planned for this area.
ELEVATION OF 30 TO 430 FEET ELEVATION OF 30 TO 430 FEET
Much of the initial ridge in Southeast D.C. was but over time developed with the St. Elizabeth Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
Forest Garden
GARDENS OF NEW COLUMBIA
STATE CAPITOL DEMOCRACY
GROUNDS NEW COLUMBIA
SLOPE SLOPE
FLOOD FLOOD
SLOPE OF 8-100%
FLOOD FROM 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN
ELEVATION FROM 0 TO 30 FEET
ASPECT ELEVATION FROM 0 ridge TO 30compr FEET SLOPE FLOOD FROM OF 8-100% 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN The lands ELEVATION below the southeastern Slopes in excess of 8% or 3.5° are prone to erosion and should be The 2% annual floodplain is valuable for marine-dependent ASPECT ELEVATION communities such as Berry Farm and Historic A protected or stabilized with plantings, unless developments makes institutions as well as for fertile soils for agricultural purposes. continue to expand outside the floodplain. strong effort to fortify the slope. “We wish to find the discrete processes that carry their own values and prohibitions: it is from these that open space should be selected, it is these that should provide the pattern, not only of metropolit
Ian McHarg Design with “We wish to find the discrete processes that carry their own values and prohibitions: it is from these that open space -should be selected, it is Nature these that should provide the pattern, not only of metropolit - Ian McHarg Design with Nature
NEW COLUMBIA
STATE CAPITOL
GROUNDS
SLOPE OF 0-8% SLOPE OF 0-8%
FLOOD ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE FLOOD ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE
Slopes in less than 8% or 3.5° most are suitable for development and cultivation.
The 2% annual floodplain should be protected from development unless a harbor, marina, or other water related industry is planned for this area.
ELEVATION OF 30 TO 430 FEET ELEVATION OF 30 TO 430 FEET
Structured Growth
Much of the initial ridge in Southeast D.C. was heavily forested, but over time developed with the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
ASPECT SOUTH-FACING SLOP ASPECT SOUTH-FACING SLOP
The top of the ridge is susceptible to high wind northwest in the winter, but can benefit from su southwest.
GARDENS OF NEW COLUMBIA
STATE CAPITOL DEMOCRACY
GROUNDS NEW COLUMBIA
SLOPE SLOPE
FLOOD FLOOD
SLOPE OF 8-100%
FLOOD FROM 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN
ELEVATION FROM 0 TO 30 FEET
ASPECT NORTH-FACING SLOP
ASPECT ELEVATION NORTH-FACING SLOP FROM 0 ridge TO 30comprise FEET SLOPE FLOOD FROM OF 8-100% 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN The lands ELEVATION below the southeastern of historic Slopes in excess of 8% or 3.5° are prone to erosion and should be The 2% annual floodplain is valuable for marine-dependent Forested areas ASPECT along north-facing slopes shoul ASPECT ELEVATION communities such as Berry Farm and Historic Anacostia, which will protected or stabilized with plantings, unless developments makes institutions as well as for fertile soils for agricultural purposes. nature corridors as well as wind pro continue to expand outside the floodplain. strong effort to fortify the slope. “We wish to find the discrete processes that carry their own values and prohibitions: it is from these that open space should be selected, it is these that should provide the pattern, not only of metropolitan open space, but also the positive pattern of development” Ian McHarg Design with “We wish to find the discrete processes that carry their own values and prohibitions: it is from these that open space -should be selected, it is Nature these that should provide the pattern, not only of metropolitan open space, but also the positive pattern of development” - Ian McHarg Design with Nature
NEW COLUMBIA
STATE CAPITOL
GROUNDS
SLOPE OF 0-8% SLOPE OF 0-8% Slopes in less than 8% or 3.5° most are suitable for development and cultivation.
FLOOD ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE FLOOD ELIMINATED FROM SCOPE The 2% annual floodplain should be protected from development unless a harbor, marina, or other water related industry is planned for this area.
ELEVATION OF 30 TO 430 FEET ELEVATION OF 30 TO 430 FEET Much of the initial ridge in Southeast D.C. was heavily forested, but over time developed with the St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.
ASPECT SOUTH-FACING SLOPES ASPECT SOUTH-FACING SLOPES The top of the ridge is susceptible to high winds from the northwest in the winter, but can benefit from sun exposure to the southwest.
Abandoned Farmland
The Garland Market, D.C. | Portfolio 2019
Forest Garden
Urban Parks
The Commons
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
Current Work Private Residences with Loch Collective
Park Street Garden 3/32” = 1’ - 0” 24 May 2 019
COMPOSITE CONCEPT Plan
Current Work | Portfolio 2019
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
The North Point Residence With hopes of getting married on the site of their new home, the clients at this eastern shore Maryland residence gave us a unique challenge to provide a meadow within a few months of construction. These meadows on the perimeter of the property weave together in and out to open up to the front and back lawns while the perennial garden surrounding the house delineates the parking area and interior lawn. - Under Construction -
Current Work | Portfolio 2019
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
Current Work | Portfolio 2019
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
Current Work | Portfolio 2019
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
The Park Street Garden This half acre residence just outside of Washington D.C. plays off the architecture to provide living spaces to the side and back of the home while the ornamental bosque and grass plantings rise toward the home to provide a bit of privacy and elaborate the threshold into the property. - Under Construction -
Current Work | Portfolio 2019
Michael Stelfox | Landscape Architecture Portfolio
Current Work | Portfolio 2019