Landscape Architecture Theses

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The Historic Third Ward Music Corridor
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Fischer, Dominic L.
The urban corridor engages and accumulates unique relationships between its users and its landscape. This interaction is both visual and musical (aural) in nature. Studying similarities in musical and cultural relations I will relate the landscape to the dynamic diversity of the urban corridor user. Music, in the realm of fine art, can be a universal language; although often spoken in different dialects is as inherent as the human spirit. The underlying premise of this design is that the qualities of separate musical genres can generate linking forms, uniting disparate parts of a high density population through their physical interpretation in the landscape.
Indian Hills Interpretive Park
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Prosser, Amanda Marie
In 1998, the North Dakota Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Advisory committee met with members of the Three Affiliated Tribes and asked, "What do you want us to tell the world about your culture?" "Tell them we're still here," a man responded. That attitude is the impetus for an interpretive center through the Indian Hills Resort and Campground. It is an opportunity for people to gain knowledge and understand the Native American Culture that existed in the area over the last five hundred years. Indian Hills will be an interpretational center, as well as provide camping, hiking, and access to lake activities.
Grand Village Nursing Home Therapeutic Garden: Healing Through Nature
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Oja, Laura
The United States is aging. Baby boomers are getting older and the elderly population is on the rise. As people age many develop diseases and can no longer care for themselves. Lots of people joke about "sending mom and dad to live in a home," but it is no joking matter. The move to a nursing home can be traumatic. Residents have a major lifestyle change when they move into a nursing home. They go from living successful independent lives to living in a small room possibly with a roommate, having their meals picked out for them, and frequently they are bored, depressed, and lonely. Even while living in a high quality nursing home with planned activities, many residents spend a large amount of time staring out windows, watching television, or simply doing nothing. This is not the kind of life they want or deserve. Nursing homes provide care and housing for elderly people who can no longer care for themselves. But the nursing home environment can feel more like a hospital than home and life in one can be difficult. It is difficult for residents to live in a hospital-like environment where life can be mundane and lonely. It is difficult for staff to care for and watch residents as they live out their last few years. And it is difficult for family and friends to visit their loved ones and see them sick and lonely. To make life in a nursing home healthier it has to be more like a home for residents. A home where people make their own decisions, work, and have fun. Healing gardens put these activities back into nursing home residents lives. Gardens have the ability to give residents back confidence, strength, and friends. And happier healthier residents result in happier staff and families. Healing gardens are a fairly new concept, but their popularity is currently growing in the health care industry. More and more the benefits from involving nature in the lives of patients are being observed in hospitals and nursing homes. Patients with access to or views of natural outdoor spaces are less irritable, require less medication and supervision, and are all around happier than patients with no outdoor views or access to nature. Patients are not the only ones benefiting from healing gardens. Staff and visitors use the gardens as places to visit with loved ones, be by themselves and think, or simply grieve. This capstone project investigates how properly designed outdoor spaces can affect the lives of patients, staff, and visitors at the Grand Village Nursing Home. And states what is needed in Grand Village's gardens and outdoor spaces to make them the most beneficial to patients, staff, and visitors.
Eckelson Lakes Golf Club: Helping Golf and the Environment
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Harris, Chris
Over the second half of the 20th century and early into the 21st century, the golf course industry boomed and thousands of courses were built. Beautiful courses have been carved out of unused land, mountains, prairies, lake and ocean sides, deserts, and even landfills. However, golf courses all too often use an excessive amount of water, even in North Dakota. Desert golf courses use so much water to thrive that it is impractical to build them. Excessive water use causes the price of playing to rise and affects the area’s water supply substantially. My project uses land that is used for cattle grazing whose terrain may be too rough for farming and turns it into usable land for a golf course. This course would contain areas for water to drain into detention ponds and stand until suitable time for pumping it into the sprinkler system occurs. Drains on the course are tunneled to other areas to be pumped into the sprinkler system as well. This creates a hybrid between nature and man; nature providing rain and man manipulating where the water is finally sprayed. After all the research is done for this project, hopefully it will bring new light and ideas on how to minimize use of water keep the art of golf course architecture practical.
A New Devils Lake Waterfront
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Zander, Chad
Devils Lake is the largest natural lake in the state of North Dakota, it is also a closed basin lake, which helped contribute to its current flooding problem. In the future, when an outlet is created, the development of recreation areas tied to the lake will be an important amenity to the region. The reclamation of a more natural looking shoreline will again cause people to build along the lake and the lakeside population will start to grow. A public area along the lake that once flourished will again provide residents with the elements for an unforgettable experience. The design of a new waterfront will incorporate past precedents with modem design, to create an open space the city and area can be proud of. The design will primarily focus on the enhancement of human life on the site and the celebration of the areas unique history. The site will tie together the landmarks on the lake and increase the awareness and publicity of the development.
UND University Village Development: Finding Community in a Diversely Populated Area
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Jerke, David
Campus planning has become an increasingly important topic over the past twenty years in the field of city planning. With many state’s universities growing at an alarming rate university officials are beginning to wonder were to look for expansion. This thesis project focuses mainly on how to integrate a new style of public university that begins to fund itself through the events that are located on campus. With this new type of development there are concerns about losing the idea of focusing the attention on the student and turning towards just trying to turn a profit. This is the case on the University of North Dakota Campus. This campus has recently expanded its boundaries to include a luxurious new hockey arena that draws in fans from around the Midwest. With such a fan draw the University is looking into ways to incorporate these new visitors into their campus without disturbing the educational element of the college. One way to achieve this goal is to promote a mixed-use development that incorporates all the users into the same site at different times. This type of high-density development will allow the University to expand its student base onto the site and allow for visitors to enjoy the college atmosphere. This thesis is focused mainly on how to integrate these two groups (visitors and students) and the Universities existing alumni who also have an interest in the site. The main idea behind this design is a form of development called New Urbanism. This type of development promotes mixed-use development at a pedestrian scale. This project will also focus on the ideas of campus planning and transit orientated design or TOD. This thesis project will attempt to create a new type of campus design which will further move the University into the community.
Georgetown Park: A New Urbanist Neighborhood on Fargo's Urban Fringe
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Stachon, Gregory
Poorly planned development is threatening our environment, our health, and our quality of life. In communities across America "sprawl" - scattered development that increases traffic, saps local resources and destroys open space - is taking a serious toll. From Connecticut to California sprawl is increasing air and water pollution, devouring wetlands and forests, and burdening our communities with the social and economic costs of unplanned growth. New Urbanism is a reaction to sprawl. A growing movement of architects, planners, and developers, the New Urbanism is based on principles of planning and architecture that work together to create human-scale, walkable communities. I propose as a thesis project, the design of a high-density subdivision; the research for which will show that land values are not directly related to population density.
Design in Rural America: Preserving the Past by Enhancing the Future, Buffalo, South Dakota
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Lyons, Randy
Rural America of today is faced with major obstacles in the sense of maintaining active urban communities. Some of the factors the feed this fire are aging populations, and young people or moving away and not coming back. The result of this is that many of these small communities are losing local health care, schools and other economic institutions. With decline in active people and economic activity, these town’s aesthetics begin to decline. The site for this design thesis is Buffalo, South Dakota, which is and has experienced some of these struggles. With a major highway dissecting the town, this area will be of primary focus. This highway runs from Canada to Mexico and is a major route for tourists on their way to the Black Hills. I focus on enhancing the visual appearance of this corridor without losing the small town feel. Through research and design development a graphic solution for this problem will be the end result of this project.
Lowell Park: Reconnecting a City to Its Waterfront
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Stein, Robert L.
Stillwater lies in one of the most beautiful locations in Minnesota. It harbors a rich history linked to the river and was one of the first settlements in Minnesota. As of late Stillwater’s downtown has been a hot spot for tourists and travelers. Located only 18 miles from the Twin Cities it attracts many people to this beautiful location. By creating an adjacent waterfront that compliments the already beautiful and successful downtown it will encourage more use and user circulation throughout more of the city. The focus of this design will essentially be to complete Stillwater’s overall downtown by re-designing and connecting it to its waterfront. Stillwater’s downtown currently seems unfinished because the potential of the urban waterfront is untapped. This design will create another focal point for the city center, and utilize the huge potential of its urban waterfront.
Shelter Island Master Plan: Perfection Inspired Master Planning
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Iwen, Benjamin P.
It’s hard to say how a great designer achieves the perfect design, but it seems we all can recognize these perfect designs when we see them. What separates these great designs from the rest? What procedures in the designing process have brought about these perfect designs? There must be a certain balance and harmony to these design that draws us to these conclusions? I plan on studying these relationships to find out what makes and how to make the perfect design through the study of Greek Architecture. In Greek architecture there was a highly structured system of proportions that related each individual component to the whole building. The Greeks took architecture to a higher level when they built impressive symbols of their society, culture, and temples to their gods. They were influenced by mathematics and used it to create beauty and balance in their design. Many lessons can be learned through the study of Greek architecture and their search for perfection that can be used in the design of Shelter Island. These systems of mathematical proportions can be applied to planning and site detailing to achieve a harmonious Landscape Architectural design. The overall underlying premise of this project is that the principals of ancient Greek architecture can be applied today to yield Landscape Architecture of the highest order.
A Trail Through the Seasons: All Seasons Garden Center and Arboretum
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Holien, Jennifer D.
Western Minnesota and especially North Dakota are areas with little variation in their landscapes. These areas (on average) can be categorized as flat and with a few rolling hills in western North Dakota and in western Minnesota. The Red River Valley is considered to be the best farm land in practically the whole country, but to visitors it is just the wide open plains. That is where the idea of an arboretum can come into play. It is a way to enhance and develop an area once thought of as plain into an area of interest and a way to set a standard for new, revitalized landscapes. By providing this area with a year round garden center and arboretum it will be the first step in making this region a focal point for the idea of landscape. By tying an arboretum into a garden center setting will also bring pedestrian traffic in from around the region to visually experience and perceive the different seasons. This is also a way to bring revenue into the garden center by enticing visitors to bring a piece of the landscape home with them and incorporate into their own gardens.
Superior Shores Lakehomes: Lake Superior's Hidden Destination
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Schlukebier, Melissa
The north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota is a major tourist destination for travelers from around the country and worldwide. The past 50 years has seen rapid development of both residential and commercial lots along the lake shore. Much of this development has had an adverse affect on the ecology of the shoreline. Superior Shores, a resort and lake home rental property near Two Harbors is an example of housing and business on the lake which I have interest in. This 46 acre property includes a lodge, several condo units, restaurants, pools, small shops and conference center. The property edges the shore and includes some undeveloped woodland areas. This property is currently undergoing changes in both ownership and property management. Soon the lodge, conference center, and restaurant will be a new property and not part of the Lake Home Association which I am working with. The underlying premise of design is that the Lake Superior ecology can inform ways to restore that environment to a more natural state. I purpose to rework the existing property into a more natural and secluded site.
The Fargo Landfill: A Remediation Leading to Reuse for Refuse
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Hejl, Phyllis Carol
The U.S. has approximately 3,091 active landfills which take in about 279 million tons of garbage annually (How Landfill's Work website). Since 1990, more than 11 billion tons of domestic and foreign waste has been disposed of in the United States. This is equivalent to covering every acre in the nation with 4.7 tons of waste. As the population rises, so does the amount of waste generated and the need for somewhere safe to put it. Landfills are usually capped and forgotten about, or not put to an appropriate reuse. They can also pose a very serious threat to the environment and people around them. Most problems occur when landfills close. Current techniques do not remediate the waste; they simply cover it up. The creation of new landfills faces stiff opposition from every angle. No one wants to live or work near a landfill, and they should not be located in the wilderness at the expense of our natural areas. Our country is rapidly entering into a garbage crisis and something needs to be done. The Fargo area currently has more space to deal with waste so we do not feel the pinch yet. But per capita, people here create just as much waste as the rest of the country. We need to start planning now for better waste disposal and remediation. The Fargo landfill has already taken some steps toward becoming environmentally conscious by installing 20 methane collection pipes and using bio-diesel in all the trucks and bulldozers. Despite these efforts, the process needs to be refined to make the Fargo site safe for its surrounding environment and provide an adaptive reuse. In doing so, the site will become an asset to the city rather than a liability. I propose the implementation of a closed-circuit system for land filling as well as bio and phyto remediation, and a showcase for waste handling and treatment for the city of Fargo. The landfill will become a place for students, civic groups, and others to come and learn what happens to the waste they create, and what affect it has on the environment.
Holy Family Redemption Gardens: Faith Under the Sun
(North Dakota State University, 2005) Vilhauer, Stacy M.
The beautiful new Catholic church of St. Anne & Joachim lies in the far southern part of Fargo. Sullivan Middle/Shanley High School and a new pastoral center sit nearby, separated from the church by a moderately sizable tract of land. A new sanctuary will also soon grace the site. This situation presents two exciting design opportunities for my landscape architecture capstone project. First, the interiors of these buildings provide clergy, parishioners, and students with gracious spaces for worshipping, praying, gathering, and learning. I propose creating spaces outside the doors for people to engage in these same activities during the fair weather months. Second, I propose creating a campus master plan that would incorporate these spaces to unify the current architecture as well as prepare for future developments on the surrounding land. The aim of this project is to bring the people of today, who live centuries removed from the blessed days of our biblical ancestors, into closer touch with the presence of God. Subset goals are threefold: 1)Inspire conversions and affirmations of faith; 2)Strengthen cohesion among the faith community; 3)Encourage respect for the natural environment and all life supported by it. Outdoor spaces unite Sts. Anne & Joachim Church, Sullivan Middle/Shanley High School, and the Diocesan Pastoral Center in a plan to establish an identity of place. A master plan incorporates passive spaces for inspiration and contemplation as well as active spaces for fellowship and ministry. The goal of this project is to create an environment that will awaken people from the realm of being idle listeners to living as introspective thinkers and dynamic participants of faith.
A Multicultural Sacred Space: Reconnecting the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Central Dakota Plains
(North Dakota State University, 2006) Tomanek, Jason
The recent focus throughout much of the central and northwest regions of the United States has been to draw the attention of tourists, travelers, and visitors to the Lewis and Clark Trail. The Bicentennial of the Lewis & Clark expedition from 1804-1806 has drawn national recognition and created countless opportunities for travel, exploration and education. Much like other states in the region North Dakota capitalized on the opportunity by promoting the amenities brought to it through the Corps of Discovery's journey across the state. However; the Native American people existed throughout the region long before Lewis and Clark explored the area. This project is an opportunity to highlight the culture, heritage, and way of life of the Native people in order to preserve their place in the history of America. The multicultural sacred space found as the focus of this project will be an opportunity to educate, preserve, and interpret the culture of the Native American people that settled in the central Dakota plains nearly 600 years ago.
Maverick Harmony, Rapid City, SD
(North Dakota State University, 2006) Chapman, Samuel
This project is a proposal for the revitalization of downtown Rapid City. Rapid City has for the past years been growing outwards. There have been improvements to building facades. There have been new buildings constructed. There have been entire building renovations and additions. One thing that is lacking is planned, designed, and inviting public exterior spaces. My project recognizes the need for these spaces and outlines a core area to begin the revitalization process. The site provides countless possibilities with rich history, diverse demographics, and an ever increasing tourist base. The goal is to create a place that has both a strong sense of community and a comfortable image, as well as a setting and activities and uses that collectively add up to something more than the sum of its often simple parts.
Hermantown Recreational Facility
(North Dakota State University, 2006) Thomalla, Nikolas Gabriel
This project is for a city wide plan for an outdoor recreation facility for Hermantown, MN. The major elements that will be addressed in this project are increasing the functionality of the site as well as the beautification involved in making the site appealing to the users. The current athletic fields are to be renovated and there will be the addition of more athletic fields to make this complex justifiable in hosting larger scale tournaments to increase revenue and tourism to the city. Other than the athletic fields on the site other elements will include a skate park, playground, pedestrian circulation (bicycle and walking) and parking. There is a creek that runs through the site and that needs to be more pronounced, because it will add another beautiful element to this site making this recreation complex stand out from the rest.
An Educational and Transitional Landscape
(North Dakota State University, 2006) Nigg, Joseph P.
This project is centered on an idea for an outdoor educational facility that is directed for use by elementary age students. An interpretive, hands on approach to learning is used to highlight a variety of topics involving biology, ecology, and entomology. The project is implemented into an area of Minot, North Dakota that is strictly an industrial zoned area. The thesis essentially examines the ability of industrial processes to co-exist with a more natural environment.
Gooseberry Mound Park: Children's Sensory Garden
(North Dakota State University, 2006) Sauer, Erin M.
A Children’s Sensory Garden aimed to become a unique learning experience for the public’s enjoyment. Located in Moorhead, Minnesota, with the intention of becoming a place to learn as well as play, emphasis will be on learning about the immediate as well as the distant environments of the Sensory Garden and the Solar System at large.
Buffalo, MN: A Transect-Based Land Use Strategy
(North Dakota State University, 2006) Grandlund, Luke A.
The objectives of this thesis are to explore the social, economic, and environmental dynamics of land use regulations and examine design strategies to increase the community identity and the preservation of natural resources within the city of Buffalo, Minnesota. Transect Mapping (Criterion 2005) is used to create alternative land use proposals for the city and adjacent areas. The use of SmartCode v8.0 (Placemakers 2006) principles assists in the implementation of new land use proposals. Cities were originally an invention to maximize the exchange of goods, services, cultures, friendships, ideas, and knowledge while minimizing travel. (Engwicht 1993) Until the decades following WWII most communities in the United States were built to satisfy these needs. With new loan programs, federal and local subsidies for road improvements, and the convenience and affordability of automotive commuting following WWII, housing types gradually moved from historic traditional neighborhoods to sprawling suburban developments along the periphery of established cities. The purpose of the thesis is to provide a media for the exploration of real alternatives to current land use plans and zoning regulations for Buffalo city officials and residents. The new alternative is one that increases social interactions, economic vitality, and creates a greater sense of community for the city of Buffalo. These improvements establish a community ‘Identity’ for both visitors and residents of Buffalo. A build-out analysis illustrates the benefits these proposals offer for development patterns and densities, economic growth, and the preservation of natural resources. It appears from my analyzes that there are compact, pedestrian friendly options for continued development within the city of Buffalo and adjacent land areas. By restructuring the way land use plans and regulations are designed, more viable economic, social, and environmental land use alternatives are possible.

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