Designing For All Seasons

Abstract

This design project examines how a landscape design can activate a small-scale Midwestern city’s outdoor use and tourism potential during the winter season. In the city of Bemidji, MN, the winter season can start as early as October and continue into late March. This prolonged weather can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in people. One of the recommended treatments for SAD is to increase outdoor activity. The premise behind this project is that if Bemidji’s landscape was more functional and appealing during the winter season, it would encourage the residents of Bemidji to increase their outdoor activity during the winter. In the city of Bemidji, six different winter events bring people from the community, the region, and the world to the area. If Bemidji’s landscape design was better integrated and appealing during the winter season, more of the event participants would be inclined to remain in the area and explore the city.