Landscape Architecture Portfolio

2022-2024

University of Georgia College of Environment + Design

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture

Reema Aboneaaj

ABOUT Me

I am...

A passionate Landscape Architecture student at the University of Georgia. Throughout my academic journey, I have taken on rigorous coursework, delving into the intricacies of landscape design principles, sustainable practices, and the latest technologies shaping our field. Designing innovative landscapes that create inspiring and beautiful escapes is my true passion.

In my portfolio you will see my talent for hand graphics displayed. Being able to translate my ideas onto paper comes naturally whether in the studio or on-site visits. My projects are highly programed and influenced by my passion for creating art in the outdoor world. Developing memorable and pivotal scapes that leave the user eager to come back is the drive behind every design.

REEMA ABONEAAJ

Education

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

: reemaaboneaaj@outlook.com

: www.linkedin/in/reema-abo

: 2830 Drayton Hall Dr. Buford, GA 30519

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture| Anticipated Graduation May 2025

· Minor: Urban Planning and Design

· GPA: 3.6 / 4.0

Experience

S & A INDUSTRIES

Assistant to Super Intendant | Summer 2016, 2017, 2019 & February 2024- Current

· Coordinated employee and contractor schedules.

· Hands on remodeling and demolition for Marriot Resorts and Hilton Hotels

· Created and enforced weekly schedules

VIRAL SOLUTIONS

Assistant Vaccine Manager | May 2022-December 2022

· Prepare and Administer Covid-19 Vaccinations to ages 11 to 90

· Lead and manage team of 8 medical assistants on daily operations

· File and report documents & data with upper management

· Promotion after 4 months with Viral Solutions

Medical Assistant | February 2022-May 2022

· Prepare and Administer Covid-19 Nasal Tests

· Help and care for patients of all ages and background

· Complete duties in unison with coworkers by focusing on teamwork and communication

Campus & Community Engagement

GSLA / ASLA

Student Member | January 2022-Current

· Experience UGA: Hosted 400 high school students to showcase various UGA majors

· Hosting firms to teach students about their company in Lunch & Lauch events

College of Environment + Design Ambassador

Member of the first CE+D Ambassador Program | August 2023 - Current

· Lead Alums, first year students, and prospective students on campus tours

· Ensure events run smoothly with schedule, catering, and guests

Technical Skills

Fine Motor Skills: Hand Graphics, On-Site Sketching, Water Color & Chartpak Rendering

Digital Skills:

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

AutoCAD SketchUp Lumion

Photography

Vectorworks

Microsoft Excel

3

Transforming Athens Through a Series of Urban Development Projects

A sneak peak of the four separate studio projects I completed in my 2nd and 3rd year studios. The focus was to turn underutilized lots and parking areas into a creative space that pulls people from downtown and across Athens to this new innovative landscape. A different take to the traditional style and architecture found in Athens, GA.

1,

4,

2,

3,

Bubble Diagrams

When Given a Grass Slate...

I had many ideas for this space. I wanted the space to be interactive and to bring the college residence that reside here a reason to step outside and enjoy their environment other than hustling to class. I first toyed with forms and what programs would fit into certain spaces. Then I gave those spaces roles. What came from this design process was a combination of these process sketches.

THE FIREFLY TRAIL

FIREFLY THE 1

BACKGROUND

Creating Usable Space

One Plaza at a Time

Since its opening in 2017, The Mark Athens has been criticized for its lack of landscape and urban design elements. Residents, including myself, knew there was so much potential for this 530,000 square foot Luxury Apartment Complex. The Firefly Trail located behind the residential building was a baren space, nothing but steep slopes and blankets of grass connecting to the Oconee Greenway.

The newly designed Firefly Trail completely transformed the space, giving it life and purpose, and most importantly bringing a community together in a once abandoned area.

INSPIRATION

In this redesign, I imagined a space for students and locals to escape the urban bustle that is Athens, Georgia and immerse in a peaceful botanical escape. Through the diverse planting plan, users will be able to wander through 24 varieties of flora. The abstract shapes that are knitted together to complete the botanical aspect of this space provide the audience with a puzzling experience.

TRAIL

PLANT LIST

NTS

1: Jasminum nudiflorum / Winter Jasmine

2: Ibris sempervirens / Candy Tuff

3: Juniperus squamata / Blue Star Juniper

4: Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Guard’ / White Yucca

5: Chamaecyparis pisifera / Golden Mop False Cypress

6: Allium giganteum / Ornamental Onion

7: Canna ‘Ambassadour’/ Canna Lily

8: Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’ / Upright Japanese Plum Yew

9: Campanula rotundiflora / Blue Bell

10: Ilex crenata / Japanese Holly

11: Heuchera ‘Winter Joy’ / Coral Bells

12: Onoclea sensibilis / Sensitive Fern

13: Liriope muscari / Big Blue Lilyturf

14: Sigina subulata / Irish Moss

A: Buchloe dactyloides / Buffalo Grass

B: Portulaca grandiflora / Rose Moss

C: Acer palmatum / Japanese Maple

D: Rhaphiolepis umbellata / Indian Hawthorn

E: Abilia x Rose Creek / Abilia

F: Calycanthus floridus / Sweet Shrub

G: Pentas lanceolata / Egyptian Star Flower

H: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ / Maiden Grass

I: Picea smithiana / Morinda Spruce Tree

J: Taxodium distichum / Bald Cypress

7

HISTORY 2

MUSEUM

The Rich History of Athens

This design was inspired by the natural and beautiful history of Athens. In this plan you see that this monumental design will draw the community of Athens-Clark County together by creating several tailored spaces for anyone to enjoy whether that is with a group of friends or solo. I wanted to combine a mixture of round soft edges with straight hard lines throughout this site to create a sense of wonder. In doing this it gives users an opportunity to let your eyes and body explore the landscape. This space not only brings ideas together to showcase the history of Athens, but it also marks the beginning for a more urbanized and modern Athens being the start of the new Oconee Greenway River Walk.

3

THE OCONEE RIVER WALK

Forms Diagram

Path Diagram

THE SEARCH FOR THE RIGHT PATH...

Program Diagram

S2

S1

P1

P2

A Program Filled Site, Full of Activities

This design was motivated by the idea of having an interactive and creative space near the UGA campus, but not in the midst of the downtown chaos I wanted a free-flowing design that incorporates organic shapes and curvilinear structures. This space was designed with the idea of drawing many different communities. Across the site you can find various sized boulders that encourage people to use them to express art through graffiti. There are physical activities and adventurous things to do such as ziplining across the North Oconee River to climbing a rocky instalment. Everything is tied together by the various walkways and paths you can take to close the gap between all the separate spaces.

S1

S2

RIVER WALK

NTS

Site Programs

Climbing Rocks

Sand Beaches

Weaver D's Soul Food

Cail N' Titos

Community Garden

Outdoor Gym

Zip Line

Lounging Grass Mounds

Graffiti Rocks

Athens History Museum

Rain Garden

Fire Pit

NEW URBAN ATHENS

Figure Ground Diagrams

Pulling the downtown audience away from the crowded city center into a playful outdoor escape. A place to decompress by yourself or interact with friends, family, or furry friends. This large urban plaza encourages its community to come out and stay a while.

NTS

Ways to Interact

Firefly Trail Tie in Botanical Garden

Daylighted Original Athens Spring

Putt Putt Golf Course

Reflection Pond

Open Green Space/Fields

Small and Large Dog Park

Adult and Children Playset

Urban Plaza for Police Station

Athens, GA

CONSTRUCTION

DIGITAL WORKS

Cypress Sights: Neighborhood Entryway

Section B-B'

Section A-A'

Hazel Grove : Community Center

Master Plan

Section Elevation

URBAN PLAZA

Exploring the various design forms through quick sketches

LEGEND:

A: Lawn B: Pergola

Design Consideration

C: Planter with Water Feature

D: Seating & Table E: Bench

This design is driven by a rectilinear form to alter its past from an underutilized dorm courtyard to a flourishing multi use outdoor space. I wanted to give the user a space that has many spaces in it. It was also important for me to slow down the user experience by taking out the original straight shot path between the buildings. This design not only allows for meandering around the planter / water features but the benches attached to the concrete wall for the water feature allows for relaxation by listening to the trickle of water and searching through the various plants in the planters with your eyes. There are also locations away from the center of it all such as the lawn area for lounging and the area under the arbor for those that need the extra shade.

RESIDENTIAL

A Backyard Redesigned

I transformed this once bland and rectilinear shaped backyard to an organic tropical paradise. From the large Agave salmiana 'Green Giant' center piece that is hugged by the deck stairs, to the sweet Koi Pond on the ground level. There are many elements that give you the at home getaway you need.

Legend:

A: Water Fountian Feature

B: Back Yard Deck

C: Waterfall

D: Koi Pond

E: Fire Pit

F: Tropical Vegetation

G: Boulders

B

Section A-A'

Section B-B'

NTS

Section A-A' represents a cross section cutting through the upper pond and back deck

SECTION

Elevations

Section B-B' represents a cross section following the stairs

Other

EXPRESSIONS

Oil Painting

Photography