PUBLIC WORK AND SITE SPECIFIC PROJECTS
The "Big I" is the intersection of Interstates 40 and 25 in the center of Albuquerque, NM. I was brought into this project as a member of the Landscape Design Team (see below) six months into the landscape design phase. As the overall conceptual theme for the landscaping had been determined, my contribution was seen as the creation of "Design" elements incorporated within the landscape. The focus of my design work was to create a visual dialogue between the beautiful curvilinear super structures and what was happening on the ground plane. The integrated elements needed to ground the structure, dovetail with the overriding landscaping conceptual plan and be safely viewable at speeds up to 70 miles per hour both day and night. There are three physical elevation levels and two primary systems of roadways ( high speed interstate and low speed frontage roads) within the 100 acre site. This particular series of photos shows the integration of sweeping curvilinear forms built into the slopes at the highest elevation areas within the site. These forms contain simple iconic imagery which is internally illuminated at night. They span 40-60 feet in length and are 8 feet tall at their highest point. Easily visible and readable at 70 mph, they suggest motion and convergence in their form and placement.
The design team included myself, Morrow, Reardon, Wilkenson and Miller, Landscape Architects and the City of Albuquerque.
