Historic Oklahoma: Landscape Architecture and Design

What a great state we live in!  There are so many things to do and historic places to visit.  Starting in 2017, we will highlight places in Oklahoma that are on the map.

As a landscape architecture and design firm, we take pride in showing off what Oklahoma has to offer. We hope you will follow us on this journey!

By:  Americathebeautiful.com

     Oklahoma is located in South Central United States and it is 28th when it comes to being the most populous amid the 50 US states. It is nicknamed the “Sooner State” and was formed by the unique coming together of both the Oklahoma Territory and the Indian Territory on November 16, 1907. Oklahoma's capital city, as well as its largest city is no other than Oklahoma City. The residents of this fabulous state are known as being Oklahomans or simply Okies for short.

     If you go and explore Oklahoma. It will sure be an adventure in pure discovery that you will be unlikely to ever forget in this lifetime. Because Oklahoma is one of those rare places that doesn't permit you to not remember ever being there. This is because it is sure to provide tourists with an epic getaway that they will never want to leave after visiting. So, with this said, if you crave real Western adventure in every sense of the word...then you need to visit Oklahoma during your time here in the United States.

     Once you arrive this western experience can be felt in almost everything about this state and when a newcomer gets a taste of this influence they are pleasantly surprised.  It will be something that will be with them for life. You will be enchanted by all of the outdoor activities this state offers  to exploring the historic wonders and  personally witnessing the influence of the American Indian Culture.

     Come and get your soul fueled up by visiting the Sooner Than Later State. You can experience the colorful atmosphere of the famous Route 66 and also enjoy some of Oklahoma's natural gifts. These natural gifts are its very lovely and lush 35 state parks. 

Oklahoma is definitely the state when it comes right down to seeing and doing things sooner than later too. Because there is so much to do now and not later as a tourist. Everything from scenic drives to rodeos to historic sites to dude ranches to hiking to canoes and kayaking is doing it Oklahoma style!

Source:  Americathebeautiful.com

The History of Landscape Architecture

"Landscape architecture" was first used by Gilbert Laing Meason in his book On The Landscape Architecture of the Great Painters of Italy (London, 1828). Meason was born in Scotland and did not have the opportunity to visit Italy. But he admired the relationship between architecture and landscape in the great landscape paintings and drew upon Vitruvius' Ten books of architecture to find principles undere relationship between built form and natural form.

Olmsted used the term 'landscape architecture' describing the whole
professional task of designing a composition of planting, landform,
water, paving and other structures, using the word for the first time
when designing the Central Park. photo source:  wikipedia

This led to its adoption by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. Frederick and a man named George Oskar gave a different slant to the meaning of 'landscape architecture', using the term to describe the whole professional task of designing a composition of planting, landform, water, paving and other structures. Their first use of this term was in the winning entry for the design of Central Park in New York City. Olmsted and Vaux then in 1863 adopted 'landscape architect' as a professional title and used it to describe their work for the planning of urban park systems. Olmsted's project for the Emerald Necklace in Boston was widely admired and led to the use of 'landscape architecture' as a professional title in Europe, initially by Patrick Geddes and Thomas Mawson. Frederick Law Olmsted and Beatrix Farrand, with eight other leading practitioners

Landscape architecture has since become a worldwide profession, submitted for recognition by the International Labor Organization and represented on a world-wide basis by the International Federation of Landscape Architects.

A history of landscape architecture, including the natural and designed the landscape and of public and private gardens: also includes the crucial professional component of artistic and technical representation which have always been responsible for visualizing and communicating - the creative concepts, ideas, designs, options, 'manifested theories', and guiding aesthetic principles - between the landscape architect and the clients, builders, and interested parties. A few of the media and methods are unchanged, while most have evolved over the centuries to reflect new artistic methods and graphic supplies. 

At Studio W, our team of professional landscape designers create solutions while maximizing function and durability in every project, both commercial and residential.  

For more information, contact us at info@thestudiow.com or go to www.thestudiow.com.  

Source:  wikipedia

Green Roofs: Healthy Environment, Healthy You

A green roof or living roof is a roof of a building that is partially or completely covered with vegetation and a growing medium, planted over a waterproofing membrane. It may also include additional layers such as a root barrier and drainage and irrigation systems.

The Chicago City Hall green roof helps
cool the building and minimize water run-off
courtesy: science/how stuff works

If you aren't familiar with green roofs, one of the most famous green roofs is the Chicago City Hall.  It combines extensive, intensive, and the intermediary semi-intensive systems on one retrofitted roof. 

In Chicago, under the Mayor's direction, the City kicked off a citywide pilot program to support green rooftop systems with incentives and grants.

Green roofs last longer than conventional roofs, reduce energy costs with natural insulation, create peaceful retreats for people and animals, and absorb storm water, potentially lessening the need for complex and expensive drainage systems. 

On a much bigger scale, green roofs improve air quality and help reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect, a condition in which city and suburban developments absorb and trap heat. Anyone who has walked across a scalding parking lot on a hot, summer day has felt one effect of an Urban Heat Island.

The layers of a green roof must, like any roof, accommodate drainage and protect the building from the elements with a waterproof membrane. But they also must create a growing area and potentially provide support, irrigation and root protection barriers while staying as light as possible.

Two types of green roof exist: intensive and extensive. Intensive green roofs are essentially elevated parks. They can sustain shrubs, trees, walkways and benches with their complex structural support, irrigation, drainage and root protection layers. The foot or more of growing medium needed for an intensive green roof creates a load of 80-150 pounds per square foot.  

Extensive green roofs are relatively light at 15-50 pounds per square foot.  They support hearty native ground cover that requires little maintenance. Extensive green roofs usually exist solely for their environmental benefits and don't function as accessible rooftop gardens.

For more information on green roofs, contact: StudioW at info@thestudiow.com or 405-285-5610.

Read more at science.howstuffworks.com

Landscape Architecture: Harmonizing Geography and Architecture

What does a Landscape Architect do?

Landscape architecture covers a huge spectrum, perhaps best understood by the profession’s mantra: achieving a balance between the built and natural environments. It requires a multidisciplinary approach involving environmental science, art, ecology, and much more, leading to extraordinary results like restoring endangered wetlands, reducing hospital stays, securing government and other buildings, and removing toxins from rainwater. These aren’t pie in the sky. These are what landscape architects are designing right now.

Landscape architecture encompasses the design of almost anything under the sky. Think of iconic places like Boston's Emerald Necklace and the FDR Memorial in Washington, D.C. But also consider your downtown square, your local park, or even your own backyard. Green roofs, urban farms, and corporate campuses—all define landscape architecture.

Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the national professional association representing landscape architects. ASLA promotes the profession and advances its practice through advocacy, education, communication, and fellowship. Central to ASLA’s mission and all outreach is stewardship of the land.

ASLA also works to increase the public’s awareness of and appreciation for the profession of landscape architecture and its contributions to quality of life. ASLA is an active advocate for the profession at the local, state, and national levels of public policy involving licensure, the environment and sustainable design, livable communities, surface transportation, historic preservation, and storm-water management issues, among others.

At Studio W, our team of professional landscape designers create solutions while maximizing function and durability in every project, both commercial and residential.  We know the importance of serving the community we live in and are proud to serve on the board of our local ASLA chapter.

For more information, contact us at info@thestudiow.com or go to www.thestudiow.com.  

Read entire article at:  National Building Museum

Passion and Community Involvement Drive Studio W

The team at Studio W takes pride in their involvement in the community as well as the local Oklahoma chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA).

Since 2009, Jason Wilke, Owner of Studio W has been the Treasurer of the Oklahoma Chapter of ASLA.  As he moves into the role as President-Elect in 2017, Studio W's Associate/Production Manager, Ryan Grider will take over as Treasurer at OKASLA.

The mission of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is to lead, to educate and participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning and artful design of our cultural and natural environments.

ASLA seeks to improve the public understanding of the profession and advance the practice of Landscape Architecture.

"Our team here at Studio W takes an active role not only in the professional design community, but in the civic community as well," said Jason Wilke, Owner of Studio W.  

"We know how important it is to stay involved not only with the leaders in our community, but with the local universities educating and speaking to college students about Landscape Architecture and Design and the impact it has on our environment."

Wilke, a graduate of Oklahoma State University, feels it is crucial to stay connected to your roots.  His goal is to grow Studio W into a nationally known design firm and travel around the country educating others on his passion to preserve and restore the environment and natural habitat.

"We love when we educate a class of college students and when they graduate, they come to work for us.  You either love what we do, or you don't really understand our passion.  We like to think anyone taking landscape architecture courses has the same passion we do."

Studio W is a professional design and architecture firm offering creative solutions to commercial and residential clients.

For more information, or to schedule a speaking engagement, contact: Studio W at info@thestudiow.com or 405-285-5610.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Studio W team would like to wish you and your family a happy and blessed Thanksgiving holiday!  

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, a time to remember and to embrace those who enrich our lives.  We are thankful for our many friends and clients.  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

OUTERLIVING: Paradise In Your Own Backyard

Outerliving helps you create paradise in your own backyard

"Outerliving became the sister company to Studio W, a professional design and landscape company in 2013 when our clients encouraged us to serve as general contractor so that they would not have to live with third party contractors interpreting our designs," said Jason Wilke, Owner of Studio W. 

Studio W provides transparent ideas and designs for a beautiful outdoor living space. 

We can help with pools, fireplaces, pergolas, cabanas, water features, landscape and more.  Our team will help you create an outdoor space that will add value to your home and provide a great space for entertaining family and friends.

Our team of Landscape Designers will work alongside you and provide a construction budget upfront and communicate with you each step of the way.

Outerliving truly utilizes the best craftsmen and subcontractors to ensure quality and timeliness. Our approach in collaborating with select individuals has elevated the construction of our designs to one of the highest standards in the industry. 

Whether you are looking for something simple - or extravagant, our professional team will help make your ideas...a reality.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment, or for more information. info@outerlivingok.com

Our Team: Meet Zach Murphy, Landscape Architecture

Zachary Murphy

Studio W,  Associate/Construction Manager

At Studio W, our company values, integrity and knowledge are never more apparent than when you meet our employees. Studio W feels fortunate to have such wonderful people on our team! 

Landscape Architecture for me was a simple decision.  I was always outside growing up and spent my childhood outside playing with neighborhood friends, going camping, playing every sport I could and going to work with my Mom at a grade school and my dad at a concrete plant.  If I wasn't outside, I spent my time watching sports or starting another art project.  I remember drawing up plans of my "future house" in grade school.  I always wanted to design and build things from my Halloween costume, bike ramps, arts and crafts and even convincing my dad to let us bury the trampoline so it sat flush with the ground.

In high school, I continued to play sports and take every art class I could.  I began working on a concrete / foreman crew during the summers and found out how rewarding it was to see a project you worked on get installed and used daily.  Even though it was around 100 degrees  most of the time, I was still having fun and enjoying my job.  Working on the concrete crew is when I realized that I wanted a job that combined my love for being outside, designing and building, art, and being part of a team that works together.

In college at Oklahoma State University I majored in Landscape Architecture with an emphasis in Art.  I continued to work in the summers with the concrete crew before I started working for the Turf Management Team for the recreation center at OSU.  This is where I realized how important maintaining the landscape really is.

I am now the Associate / Construction Manager for Studio W.  My role is to prepare sites prior to the commencement of construction work, to plan projects and ensure that they meet the agreed specifications, budget and timescales and to oversee the construction process.

I meet and work with contractors,  work on-site to manage and solve any issues that might arise.  I am the liaison with clients - reporting progress with the professional staff and client.  I manage site inventory and analysis.  And I am a landscape designer - designing the outdoor environment to meet the client's needs.

A few of the projects I have had the privilege to work on are:
Magee - Outdoor Kitchen and hardscape
Oklahoma Farm Bureau - Design and construction management
BancFirst Prague - Planting Plan construction management
Hartnett - Installation of Planting Plan, irrigation system, new gate, new hardscape and stained fence
Porter - Installation of Planting Plan, irrigation, and potted plant design

I am a member of ASLA and the Oklahoma Beta Alumni Association - Event planner for homecoming and other annual events.

In my spare time, I like to watch Oklahoma State University sports, OKC Thunder basketball, Art (painting, woodwork and ceramics).  I also enjoy design, camping, outdoor activities and being with  friends and family.

Everything from my childhood, to the jobs I had growing up lead me to choosing Landscape Architecture as a career path.

Meet Jason Wilke - Owner, Designer, Professional

Beginning in 2009, Studio W created a niche in functional high end residential design. The high standard of function was a result of taking each project small or big and looking at it with a broad lens. Starting with a true site plan/ master plan, the firm would then develop ideas and concepts that involved not just plant material but hardscape as well. Incorporating elements such as water and fire, the development of high profile pool and outdoor living designs have maximum aesthetic appeal. The result is a built environment that truly engages all 5 senses.

Prior to beginning the firm, Jason Wilke was mentored by accomplished landscape architect Warren Edwards in Oklahoma City, OK. This experience cultivated a respect for the existing architecture and a site’s natural attributes. Here also, a trademark for sophisticated design and consideration of all design elements with high attention to detail were formulated. Studio W‘s portfolio is innovative yet timeless. Jason believes the power is in the details. Therefore, hardscape elements of each design are clean and very detailed.

The firm’s design priorities are generated by the scale and functionality of a space.  Jason’s design principles - integrity, relevance and honoring nature - create landscapes and built environments that harmonize with the existing site and the client. The firm’s site planning efforts strive to tread lightly on the land, provide habitat and incorporate elements of interest.  

Today, Studio W has expanded their focus and expertise to not only work on high-end residential projects, but commercial projects as well.  Whether it is a community play area with pool, city parks, commercial landscape, or anything that deals with architectural landscaping, our professional team can help make your ideas, a reality.

Studio W is a professional design firm offering creative solutions while relying on our formal training as landscape architects to maximize function and durability in our projects. We pride ourselves on being able to provide production for larger projects while not getting lost in the size and mechanics of a "corporate" office.

We value working intimately with our clients and having a very strong bond with each and every project we undertake. Located in the rapidly growing Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area, Studio W is fortunate to have access to virtually limitless opportunity. With that in mind, we are driven to influence our clientele, our professional design community, and our civic community as well.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment to discuss your upcoming project, contact:  
Studio W, info@thestudiow.com or 405-285-5610