When Salt Lake County Housing Authority set out to commission a new mixed-use, high-density urban housing community located within walking distance of public transportation near downtown Salt Lake City, it specified that the plans must include effective use of landscape architecture to beautify the environment and ensure that the housing would feel like home to residents.
The McNeil Engineering landscape architecture team, led by principal landscape architect Scott Schooner, contributed the design. The team was inspired to create a landscape that people would be proud of, and would make for a comfortable home. They wanted it to be an oasis in the heart of a busy city.
The Bodhi Apartments
The project began in 2017. Salt Lake County Housing Authority partnered with Vecino Group for the collaboration. Bodhi was envisioned to provide both affordable and higher-end housing that would give people choices and balance in existing neighborhoods. They wanted to create a walkable community with close access to the local UTA train system for residents.
It was a challenging project from the beginning. The idea behind Bodhi was to create a peaceful, healthy environment. But the development is located near a transportation hub in a busy urban center, and the site itself was small and hemmed in. The team only had approximately 0.68 acres or 4,996 square feet, and 5 feet wide respectively around the building, to work with.
The McNeil Engineering landscape architects designed all of the elements outside of the building needed to transform the space. The site design included:
- Walkways and pedestrian paths
- Planting and irrigation design
- Areas for relaxation, seating and meditation
- Outdoor dining areas complete with grills for cooking
- Enclosures around the building, including block walls and fencing
Good landscape architecture makes use of many elements. Our team used both hardscaping and greenscaping in the Bodhi design.
The team made use of precast concrete stepping stones, Corten steel planters, raised planting beds with block seat walls and decorative metal fencing, and an integrated lighting design to highlight the appeal. Then, we completed the environment with simple mass plantings with water-wise appealing plants for visual interest and easy maintenance.
When all was said and done, the team was able to create the balance in the environment the name Bodhi alludes to. The McNeil Engineering team was proud to use landscape architecture in Salt Lake City to provide an environment for residents to enjoy. You can learn more about the project by reading our latest newsletter here.
Landscape Architecture and the Urban Environment
Even in urban areas, where folks expect to shop, work, commute, and live in high rise apartment buildings, landscape architecture is an important part of overall design. Both community leaders and residents value effective landscape architecture as a natural buffer against additional noise, and as a beautifier that creates pride within the community.
Across the country, developers and city leaders are adding higher-density transit-oriented developments built around the concept of a mixed use urban center where residents can live, work, access public transportation and play within walking distance of their homes. Effective landscape architecture is an important element to be thoughtfully considered in the design.
About Us:
In 2018, the McNeil Engineering team celebrated 35 years in the community. If you could use additional information about the cutting edge, industry leading services we offer in civil engineering, landscape architecture, structural engineering, laser scanning and land surveying, and roofing and paving consulting and BMI space, please don’t hesitate to visit us online or reach out.
