Sam Nash Riggs | Design Portfolio 2024

portfolio SAM NASH RIGGS

design Design is everything to me. Understanding how people move through

time and space. How spaces make people feel. We are always in some environment at every moment of our lives, and these environments affect us whether we realize it or not. I want to understand how to make spaces that allow people to feel – something. Ideally, it is a place where people feel good (whatever that means); even if it’s a place they don’t like, there is a feeling, not one of indifference. ‘ A way to do this is through color. Life needs color. It doesn’t always have to be loud and bold, but it needs to be there. It’s essential.

It conveys meaning, evokes emotions, and has evolutionary advantages that have been around for centuries—color matters. I want to understand how and then implement it thoughtfully.

There is a connection between color and representation and identity.

There is a human need to feel like we belong. To feel seen. Even if we are not wholly understood, we all want to feel like we matter. Matter.

Cared about. Considered. Thought about. Representation of who we are and validation of who we are is important. This is a human truth.

Spaces. Places. Faces: Pigments in color, skin, hair. We can use color as a design tool to create environments where people feel seen. I will spend my life figuring out this connection and sharing it with the world.

philosophy

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03 Graphic Expression

01 Landscape + Architecture

02 Data Visualization

CONTENT.

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LANDSCAPE + ARCHITECTURE

OLD FIREHOUSE | FT MOORE This studio-based project was done in collaboration with Fort Moore (formally Fort Benning) in Columbus, Ga. Each student was given a specific site with the design guidelines that were to align with the sustainability initiative being developed for the base.

LEED requirements regarding stormwater, bioretention, impervious surfaces to emphasize the resiliency plan.

existing site plan

SITE ANAYLSIS

masterplan 6

Building no. 9 is the old firehouse, a 19th century building with a few large cedars, a coupleof nice shade trees and some fruiting trees. However, majority of the property is made up of impervious surfaces. These surfaces are disjointed, made up of varying materials and pooling/flooding has been anissue between building no. 9 and the one behind it, building no.92. In the areas with soil, it is compacted and uneven. The lack of trees makes the entire area hot. The future use of the location will include both buildings being utilized as offices with shared parking. Currently, the circulation is uneven and unintuitive

BIORETENTION + LEED

Below: 1. walkway + bioswale 2. pervious pavement + bioswale 3. Rain Garden

The redesign of the historic firehouse integrates sustainability and resilience through the incorporation of stormwater management systems, including bioretention areas, permeable surfaces, and rain gardens, to mitigate urban flooding and enhance water quality.

Expanding tree coverage and green spaces fosters biodiversity while providing shade and cooling, supporting mental health and community well-being. This adaptive reuse celebrates the building’s heritage while prioritizing environmental stewardship and creating a restorative urban oasis.

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OLD FIREHOUSE | FT MOORE Programs used: AutoCad, HydroCad Photoshop + Illustrator

bike lane

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street trees

side walk

bioretention + parking lot

drive lane

SECTIONELEVATION The section elevation highlights the integration of traffic-calming measures, including dedicated bike lanes separated by landscaped buffers, street trees that provide shade and reduce heat island effects, and widened sidewalks. Within the historic firehouse compound a private plaza space for employees features seating, greenery, and permeable paving, promoting relaxation and social interaction. These elements enhance safety, sustainability, and connectivity, creating a pedestrian-friendly streetscape that supports both the community and the workplace environment. .

Sustainability + Resiliency Goals: Tree coverage = 39.50% (up from 6%) Impervious Pavement = 13.6% (down from 60%) Meadow coverage = 12.94% Bioretention coverage = 1.83%

meadow

courtyard

seat wall

bioret.

meadow

side walk

street trees

bike lane

ingersoll street

landscape + architecture

A LYNCHIAN OVERLAY In this project, I explored Kevin Lynch’s framework for understanding the image and legibility of cities, focusing on Downtown Athens. Using Lynch’s methodology, I identified key urban elements—paths, edges, districts, nodes, and landmarks—through a detailed interpretive overlay on a base map. Walking through Downtown Athens allowed me to experience these elements firsthand, observing how they interact and shape the socio-physical urban environment

I documented details, materials, and moments that a two-dimensional analysis might overlook, constructing a cognitive map of my impressions. Guided by an intentional theme of ‘transitions’ and ‘thresholds’ , I pieced together a narrative that captured the dynamic interplay of these urban elements. This process culminated in a second map overlay and the selection of specific places for deeper investigation.

TRANSITIONS Exploring transitions and thresholds throughout downtown Athens with a lens of edges being these moments of change.

Transitions between hardscapes signifying a change in environment. Differing thresholds indicating a change from public/exterior spaces (streets/sidewalks) to “private”/ interior places (shops, restaurants, etc.).

PATHS

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EDGES

My path through downtown Athens notating where each image was taken on page right.

DISTRICTS

NODES + LANDMARKS

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12 landscape + architecture

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

Programs used: AutoCad, SketchUp, Photoshop + Illustrator

This residential landscape architecture project reimagines the home and its surroundings as a cohesive and inviting retreat. The design integrates the house redesign with thoughtfully planned front and back yards, blending planting compositions, hardscaping, and entertainment spaces for seamless indoor-outdoor living.

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Key features include a separate studio for flexibility and creativity, as well as a fireplace with a built-in seating wall that anchors the backyard as a social and functional focal point. The result is a harmonious space that balances beauty, utility, and comfort for everyday enjoyment and special gatherings

The project required us to first hand-sketch the layout, allowing for intuitive design exploration and creative problem-solving.

Transitioning to AutoCAD for the final masterplan refined the design with precision, ensuring accurate spatial relationships and clear communication with clients and contractors.

The illustrative planting plan brought the design to life, showcasing the aesthetic and ecological intent of the planting compositions.

These skills are invaluable for residential landscape projects, as they balance creativity with technical expertise, ensuring designs are both inspiring and implementable.

landscape + architecture

For the next phase of the project, we imported our AutoCAD plan into SketchUp to create a detailed 3D rendered model, allowing for a more immersive visualization of the design. We exported six distinct views, applying unique image filters to each, and further refined them in Photoshop and Illustrator for post-digital rendering. This workflow combined technical precision with artistic enhancement, resulting in compelling visuals that communicate the design’s spatial qualities, materials, and atmosphere. These skills are essential in residential landscape projects, as they bridge the gap between technical documentation and client-focused presentations, making designs accessible and visually engaging.

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SAME HOUSE | DIFFERENT VIEWS

BERT ADAMS SCOUT CAMP Programs used: AutoCad, Photoshop + Illustrator Collaborator: Annelie Pineaar

SCOUTS UNITE Bert Adams Scout Camp is a 1,300 acre camp located in Covington, Ga. The goal of this studio project was to reimagine the main community space for the camp into an entetainment space for the entire family to enjoy for large Scout get-togethers. This project required an in depth site anaylsis, schematic design, construction documentation, and a final presentation to the leaders of the Scout camp.

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SITE ANALYSIS Maple Tree

SUN / SHADE PATTERNS SURFACE RUN-OFF SIGNAFICANT TREES

Chestnut Tree

WATER SPIGOT

CULVERT

EX. DRAINAGE PATH

DOWNSPOUTS

CULVERT

Chestnut & Maple Tree

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Flat Area

E E

Full Sun

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Surface run-off E

Shady to Semi-Shade

NORTH

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0 feet

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DESIGN GOALS The careful analysis and design process for the redesign of the outdoor space around the JJJ Pavilion at Camp Gorman, emphasize the importance of connection between the people who use this space, the functionality as well as the history at the Bert Adams Scout camp an important aspect toconsider in our design.

This connection is inter weaved through out the pathways, interactive areas and design elements. Native plant choices creates opportunities for scouts to earn badges. Donor opportunities are created and acknowledged through out the site.

landscape + architecture

02 DATA VISUALIZATION

PLANTING COMPOSITION Programs used: ArchGIS, Photoshop + Illustrator

This project focused on analyzing and visualizing planting compositions, starting with a photograph of a planting arrangement we captured. From this image, we developed detailed visualizations and graphs to explore functionality, bloom timing, seasonality, and the examination of it’s color palettes.

Meaning was conveyed through the thoughtful use of textures, layering, and vibrant color combinations, showcasing the dynamic relationships within the composition. The graphic-heavy approach relied on Illustrator to create precise vector graphics, resulting in clear and visually engaging representations that highlighted both the aesthetic and ecological value of the planting design.

I spotted this planting combination while visiting the High Line in New York City this past summer. I love this composition due to it’s wild nature, they incorporated many plants with similar forms and habits but they used color and layering in a way that allows you to distinguish them from one another. You’ve got the bold yellow from the Rudbeckia, rich dark red from the Astilbe combined with the soft purple of the Joe Pye and the white/grey of the mountain mint.

Although the leaves from many of these plants are similar in texture, you have completely different textures represented by the flowers. All of these flowers feel soft and are easily swayed with a simple breeze that creates movement - mimicking the business of NYC (and the High Line) while also softening and breaking up the hard lines of all the surrounding buildings.

SEASONALITY

SPRING

SUMMER

FALL

WINTER

The graphs on this page show the seasonality of the planting combination. The data was provided from national registers that provided the information to create the above bloom chart. This planting combination gives you full blooms during the summer months that trickle into fall. Although these perennials go dormant in the winter, there is still seasonal interest as well as food sources.

data visualization

BIODIVERSITY

JOE PYE WEED

MOUNTAIN MINT

FUNCTIONALITY BLACK EYED SUSAN

These plants are a perfect representation of ones you should highly consider for any bu­erfly or meadow garden. All of them are a­ractive to several species of bu­tterflies including our state butt­erfly, the swallowtail. The most versitality in a­racting pollinators is provided by the Joe Pye Weed and the Black Eyed Susan. However, the Astilbe and Mountain Mint gives you butt­erflies as well as varying species of native bees. No matt­er what combination you choose, you will be sure to see have some friendly visitors.

ASTILBE

Many functions are present among this planting composition. Most notably for our pollinators are the amount of nector produced and food for catepillars. For us humans, we have a robust summer bloom across the board, some strong fragrant flowers and my personal favorite, the viability of cut flowers - because what’s the point of flowers if you can’t share them with your friends!

data visualization

CEDAR LANE FARM SUITABILITY MAPS Programs used: ArchGIS, Photoshop + Illustrator

DEVELOPMENT

CONSERVATION

AGRICULTURE

This studio based project began as an exploration of an in depth site analysis to determine the most to least suitable areas within the 300 acre property known as Cedar Lane Farms, to be used in three categories: development, conservation and agriculture.

The composite layout consists of only the most and least suitable areas for each of the three main areas of focus; agriculture, conservation and development. The organization of the layers was predicated on preliminary concept ideas which will need to have development as a high priority, followed by conservation then agriculture.

CONSERVATION DETERMINING FACTORS:

AGRICULTURE MOST SUITABLE

Intact Corridors - Areas with known intact corridors were considered most suitable.

Current Vegetation - Areas of mesic and successional plantings were considered most suitable with pasture being considered least suitable.

Hydrology - Areas around stream buffers and floodplains were considered most suitable.

MODERATLY SUITABLE LEAST SUITABLE

DETERMINING FACTORS:

Aspect ratio - south and southwest slopes were chosen for most suitable and north facing slopes were considered least suitable.

Current Vegetation - Areas that were pasture and garden were considered most suitable and the mesic areas were considered least suitable.

Farmland - Prime soil for farmland was considered most suitable while lease suitable was well.. least suitable.

Hydrology - Areas around stream buffers and floodplains were considered least suitable.

MOST SUITABLE MODERATLY SUITABLE LEAST SUITABLE

DEVELOPMENT MOST SUITABLE MODERATLY SUITABLE LEAST SUITABLE

DETERMINING FACTORS:

Slope - The areas with less than 5% slope were considered most the suitable.

Soil Type - Areas with the least erosion were considered most suitable.

Hydrology - Areas around stream buffers and floodplains were considered least suitable.

data visualization

03 Icelandic Poppy Papavar nudicaule

GRAPHIC EXPLORATION

PHOTOGRAPHY

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Tomato

Papavar nudicaule

graphic exploration

POWERLINE TREES Let’s cut around it The city in a forest No one will notice.

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graphic exploration

WHALE’S TONGUE AGAVE Agave ovatifolia

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DRAWINGS

Sketches

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DRAWINGS Work Samples

sam nash riggs

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graphic exploration

If I were heading to brunch, what would I feel like? programs used: Photoshop, Illustrator

COLLAGE

IF I WERE...

These digital collages explore composition, color, and texture to create depth and evoke meaning through a contemporary, bold, and playful aesthetic.

Themes include vibrant interior spaces, architectural forms enriched with natural elements like plants as trees, and a celebration of diversity by incorporating people of color. Layered textures and dynamic contrasts emphasize spatial relationships while inviting curiosity and exploration.

Each collage balances creativity and intention, transforming everyday elements into visually engaging narratives

graphic exploration

INTERIOR PALETTE | DIGITIAL COLLAGE If I were a small Palm Springs home, what would I look like? programs used: Photoshop, Illustrator 40

JUST VIBE | DIGITAL COLLAGE If I were listening to Solange Knowles, what would it feel like? programs used: Photoshop, Illustrator

graphic exploration

2022 - 2025

samnashriggs.com