SERVICES PROVIDED
Courtyard Design
Planting Design
Estimating
DETAILS
Location: Village of Pittsford, New York
Client: Town of Pittsford
Completion Date: October 2021
WORK IN PROGRESS // SSLA is leading the the exterior site rehabilitation improvements along the Genesee Street frontage of the Munson. The project will create a more welcoming publicly accessible museum frontage that is sensitive to the historic context, enhances safety and appeal for museum visitors and students, and facilitates the organization’s various arts-based programming.
This project is partially funded by the NYS-DOS Downtown Revitalization Initiative program (DRI). Construction anticipated 2024.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Campus Planning
Site Design
Planting Design
Estimating
DETAILS
Location: Utica, New York
Client: Munson
PROJECT TEAM
Torchia Structural Engineering and Design (Structural Engineering)
IPD (Electrical Engineering)
Foundation Design (Geotechnical Engineering)
WORK IN PROGRESS // SSLA led courtyard design and planting design for the SUNY Fredonia Kirkland Plaza reconstruction project. Construction anticipated 2024.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Campus Design
Courtyard Design
Planting Design
DETAILS
Location: SUNY Fredonia
Client: Colliers (Prime Consultant)
The Frog Pond Trail is a scenic shared-use trail within the newly established Erie Canal Preserve, providing connectivity between the Auburn Trail and Erie Canalway Trail in the Town and Village of Pittsford, New York. The trail is a paved shared-use trail and includes a wetland boardwalk and bridge at a stream crossing, includes custom-designed wayfinding and interpretive signage, and community built seating elements at wetland overlooks.
The site’s rich history and unique ecological features are interpreted though a series of rest overlooks and educational signs. The project celebrates historic remnants of the Rochester and Eastern Rapid Railway, Ward Scientific ‘frog’ ponds, and the ecological importance wetlands. The project also includes site planning and development of construction documents for the rehabilitation of a salvaged historic barn. When constructed in a future phase, the barn will serve as a pavilion and event space for the community.
As prime consultant hired by the Town of PIttsford, Sue Steele Landscape Architecture managed a multidisciplinary team from concept to construction, led environmental and municipal permitting, and coordinated with the New York State Historic Preservation Office and New York State Canal Corporation.
SERVICES
Trail Design
Signage Design
Environmental Permitting
Cost Estimates
Community Outreach
Construction Administration Services
PROJECT TEAM
Sue Steele Landscape Architecture
Design Works Architecture (Architect)
RAVI Engineering & Survey (Survey and Wetland Specialist)
CP Ward (Bridge and Boardwalk Contractor)
Town of Pittsford Parks Department (Trail Construction)
DETAILS
Location: Town of Pittsford, New York
Client: Town of Pittsford
Size: 0.25 Miles
Anticipated Completion: May 2021
PLAY Walk is a playful urban trail located in the heart of the City of Rochester. The trail provides a playful immersive experience along the streetscape connecting The Strong Museum of Play and the Central Library of Rochester.
Developed through a series of youth workshops, Artist Shawn Dunwoody and Sue Steele Landscape Architecture facilitated a series of sessions with local teens focused on urban design and public art. The teens were provided the tools to design and present their ideas to the public. During the course of the workshops, the youth were tasked with creating a vision and character plan for the urban trail.
The streetscape improvements include ‘breadcrumb’ trail markers that guide users to elements of play, musical instruments, and murals spreading positive and empowering messaging. The installations enliven the streetscape and enhance the experience of place.
SERVICES
Urban Trail Design
Placemaking
Streetscape Design
Community Engagement
PROJECT PARTNER
Shawn Dunwoody (Artist)
DETAILS
Location: Rochester, New York
Client: Common Ground Health
Size: 0.25 Miles
Completion Date: September 2019
Our firm is an advocate and participant in community arts throughout the region. With broad experience in both public art procurement and integration, planning, and design of artworks into both public and institutional projects, we bring a highly specialized skill set to projects where art are desired a component.
Our experience allows us to design an art integration process for clients that is specific to a community, budget, and site. We work with local governments and non-profits to develop a tailored RFP/RFQ arts selection process, prepare Call-for-Artists, manage community or jury based selection processes, and design construction details for solid, long-lasting installation into the public realm. As Americans for the Arts members, we also stay informed of best practices and educate clients on the unique management and maintenance needs of public art.
Sue Steele is past Chair and active volunteer of the Village of Fairport Public Arts Committee, leading a small Erie Canal community to embrace its tourism and arts culture through the acquisition of four public works of art in five years, with more planned. Sue also managed the public arts process for more than $350,000 in public art installations for the ArtWalk Extension project in Rochester, New York, which ultimately included more than a dozen professional artist installations and numerous community-based works incorporated into streetscape enhancements.
Zakery Steele has served as project manager for public and private park projects that have included several million dollars of artwork installations from both local and prominent artists. This includes serving as project manager for the University of Rochester’s Centennial Sculpture Park and the City of Rochester’s Genesee Gateway Park which included planning and construction detailing for University-procured sculptures and leading the Call-for-Artists through the installation of municipally owned works.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Public Art Facilitation & Project Integration
Public Art Call Management
Jury Coordination
Artist Contracting and Management Assistance
Installation Construction / Materials Detailing
Recognizing the need for enhanced creative and natural play experiences for children at the Margaret’s House Childcare Center, the Rochester Institute of Technology hired a collaborative landscape architect and contractor team to artistically re-imagine a playground that was no longer compliant with safety regulations.
Taking cues from the legacy of a former executive director, Roberta’s Playground interprets her favorite story, ‘The Little Engine That Could,’ into a new play environment that encourages discovery and growth. The playground includes three distinct play areas for separate age groups allowing increased capacity and safety, particularly for the youngest children. Beyond traditional play structures, the design focuses on meaningful sensory experiences for children, including water play in stone runnel feature and seasonal shrubs with brilliant fall color, ornamental grasses, and flowers that allow children to ‘bravely’ explore nature in a contained and safe manner.
The project also corrected pre-existing site drainage failures by designing a lattice drain system that keeps the playground dry and extends the season of use. Significant shade trees were preserved as focal points of the playground, offering natural charm and critical shade for children on hot summer days.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Stormwater Design
Playground Design
Planting Design
Cost Estimating
Construction Administration Services
PROJECT PARTNER
RM Landscape (Contractor)
DETAILS
Location: Margaret’s House Child Care Center
Client: Rochester Institute of Technology
Completion Date: November 2019
Project details coming soon.
SERVICES
Site Design (temporary installation)
Planting Design
Youth Engagement
PROJECT PARTNER
Rochester City School District
Broccolo Lawn and Landscape (Contractor)
DETAILS
Location: World of Inquiry School, Rochester, New York
Client: smallMaters Institute
Completion Date: August 2020
Project details coming soon.
SERVICES
Site Design
Therapeutic Design
Planting Design
PROJECT PARTNERS
Broccolo Lawn and Landscape (Contractor)
DETAILS
Location: Greece Baptist Church, Rochester, New York
Client: smallMaters Institute & Greece Baptist Church
Completion Date: August 2020
Welcome Enhancements &
Donor Recognition
After constructing a new state of the art facility, administrators shifted focus to the exterior intending to provide a welcoming arrival experience that incorporates opportunities for donor recognition.
The concept design reinforces the vision of the Autism Center. The use of the ‘puzzle piece’ symbol in the site furnishings and integrating the iconic blue and green color scheme strengthens the Center’s branding and identity.
Visitors are greeted with several opportunities for a unique experience upon arrival and at departure from the Center. A sensory walk provides an engaging experience, including plants that have texture, movement, scent, and visual interest in all seasons. Colorful Artist-designed tile mosaics will provide a visual and tactile experience at the threshold to the Center marking a transition between the therapies and services offered inside and the public realm.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Concept Design
Visualizations
Marketing/Advancement Support
DETAILS
Location: Rochester, New York
Client: Golisano Autism Center
Schantz Park is municipal park in the Village of Webster which no longer meets the recreational demands of the community. The Village recognized the need to develop a Master Plan for the park that will better supports the community needs, improve infrastructure deficiencies, and establish a timeline for phased implementation.
The Master Plan proposes improved parking facilities, removal of underutilized tennis courts, and adds new programming to better serve the community. The Master Plan includes an open air pavilion and establishes a nature trail and natural play environment adjacent to the spruce grove. The proposed improvements will enhance the character of the park and expand park programming opportunities.
Veterans Memorial Park is an active public square in the heart of the Village of Webster which no longer meets the programming demands of the Village. Historically a park for remembrance services, the space has become activated by a recent increase in surrounding commercial activity as well as active community programs. The increased park use and community programming has contributed to the perception of diminished significance of the Veteran’s memorial. The Village recognized the need to develop a Master Plan for the park hat will better supports the diverse community needs, strengthen the veteran’s memorial, and establish a timeline for phased improvements to the active and aging community asset.
The Master Plan establishes a vision that will significantly improve the existing Veterans Memorial and public park located in the Village of Webster. The master plan clearly defines the use areas in the park, maintaining open lawn for community programs and establishing a well-defined memorial plaza for the veteran’s and area for recognition services. The Master Plan includes a looped perimeter walking path with opportunities for public art integration that will reinforce the Veteran’s Memorial Park identity. The proposed improvements will support and expand park programming opportunities and strengthen the character of the Village.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Master Planning
Estimating
Architectural Renderings
DETAILS
Location: Village of Webster, New York
Size: 0.50 acres
Client: Village of Webster
Completion Date: July 2018
More Fire Glass Studio is committed to strengthening and enhancing their property as a gateway to the Upper Monroe Neighborhood. Since moving into the neighborhood in 2016, More Fire Glass Studio has been making modest improvements to help beautify the neighborhood gateway. The studio is planning more significant improvements, particularly to address circulation and pedestrian safety. These improvements will reinforce the studio’s role as an arts and cultural center, contributing to the vibrancy of the Upper Monroe Neighborhood.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Site Planning
Architectural Renderings
DETAILS
Client: More Fire Glass Studio
Location: City of Rochester, New York
Completion Date: November 2018
Facility administrators realized the need to develop a Master Plan after significant tree loss from a series of storm events. The tree loss occurred within the 6-acre conservation area and location of the beloved campus nature trail. Along with addressing safety concerns, facility administrators were interested in making improvements to the nature trail and conservation area to appeal to the expanding youthful and active resident population.
Through the development of the master plan, it was discovered that the forest conservation area is over 90 years old and in need of a forest management plan to preserve and protect the forest. An in-depth investigation guided the development of a forest management plan, which was then used at the foundation for the nature trail master plan.
The nature trail recommendations celebrate the history of the site with expanded trail segments and incorporation of educational signage and interpretive elements. As the trees meet their life expectancy, they will be given a second life and used to create site amenities such as benches, pavilions, and signs. The master plan is deeply rooted in best practices in design for senior facilities, with a goal of creating a restorative environment for the residents.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Master Planning
Estimating
DETAILS
Location: Pittsford, New York
Size: 6.20 acres
Completion Date: January 2019 (anticipated)
An owner shifted their attention outdoors after completing major interior renovations to their summer retreat. The family vision was to rehabilitate neglected exterior elements of their property and recapture a sense of naturalism – a conspicuous effort to create a place of respite that fully removed them from their alternate urban home and lifestyle.
A master plan was developed to help capture this vision and implement it in phases. Beyond aesthetically rehabilitating this creek-side landscape, the plan also addressed practical concerns such as degraded pavements, significant and complex drainage issues, and a need for enhanced privacy.
The first phase of the project was completed in fall 2018 and included improvements to the approach and front entry. The heavily degraded pavement which encompassed much of the front yard was removed and a new auto court was installed with a smaller footprint. An existing perennial garden was enhanced with a charming pea gravel path, reminiscent of the traditional English gardens adored by the homeowner. The garden path connects the visitor parking to the front entry. A natural stone patio and extensive plantings were incorporated at the enhance the entrance, providing a more welcoming arrival for guests.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Master Planning
Concept Design - Construction Administration (Phase 1)
DETAILS
Location: Kueka Lake, New York
Size: 2.5 acres
Client: Private
Completion Date: October 2018
Newly retired owners of a historic village residence in the quaint Village of Fairport sought a new outdoor living space to accompany a new addition to the home.
An entertaining patio, enclosed with natural stone walls and dense native plantings provide enhanced privacy in the rear yard for social gathering and dining.
Removal of an asphalt driveway and addition of a paver parking court brings warmth to the rear yard and provides an enhanced connection between the side yards.
With roots in the Adirondack park, the side yard was left nearly untouched, preserving views to lush native plantings across an open lawn. The rustic flagstone patio nestled beneath a hemlock grove provides a quiet spot for watching grandchildren play and to enjoy the social activity of the neighborhood.
DETAILS
Location: Fairport, New York
Size: 0.5 acres
Client: Private
Completion Date: June 2019
Contractor: RM Landscape
The Market Street master plan is a guide for the streetscape improvements as infrastructure and street trees meet their life expectancy. The Master Plan recommends reconstruction of Market Street following best practices in stormwater management and streetscape design. The project included public meetings, cost estimates, and identification of funding strategies. October 2020.
With increased concern regarding the declining health of street trees along Market Street, the Village of Brockport recognized the need to develop a long term Master Plan. This plan will guide future improvements for the streetscape that address the street tree replacement and aging infrastructure.
Through a series of stakeholder meetings Sue Steele Landscape Architecture worked with the Village to develop a proactive plan for the corridor. The plan recommends reconstruction of Market Street following best practices in stormwater management and streetscape design.
The green infrastructure improvements include porous pavement and stormwater planters which will capture and filter stormwater runoff prior to release into the Erie Canal. Shared bike lanes and bike parking facilities accommodate active transportation. Additionally, the character of the streetscape will be strengthened with the introduction of specialty pavements, seasonal planters, curbside pollinator gardens, and opportunities for public art.
SERVICES PROVIDED
Master Planning
Estimating
DETAILS
Location: Village of Brockport, New York
Size: 0.10 Miles
Client: Village of Brockport
Completion Date: October 2020
With vast experience in residential design, we provide a design process tailored for our residential clients.
Images represent details from multiple private residential projects. Additional information available upon request.
SERVICES
Garden Design
Outdoor Kitchen Design
Pool Planning & Design
Property Planning
Municipal Approvals & Environmental Permitting
Site Design
Custom Design and Details
The staff at the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah took initiative to turn a forgotten space at the medical center into a place of healing for patients.
The project included the planning of a courtyard in the center of a psychiatric unit at the VA facility. The design was developed with nursing staff and is in accordance with the ‘Environment of Care’ physical design standards. The goal of the design is to create a safe outdoor area for patients and staff that would support individual and small group use. The space includes a meditative space with labyrinth, active gardens, seating areas and basketball court. The project plan included a project report, marketing graphics, and cost estimate. The project plan was used to secure funds from the VA to develop the construction drawings and implement the design. The project received funding and is currently under construction.
Client
George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
Services Provided
Master Planning
Estimating
Architectural Renderings
