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blackHAuS Landscape Architecture
Residential - Scottsdale, AZ

This residential project in the North Scottsdale development of SilverLeaf (Upper Canyon) had a site budget of $250,000 dollars. The Client wanted an exterior space that could accommodate large gatherings and showcase an Arizona "desert oasis" theme. Design elements included a large pool area, multiple outdoor dining areas, outdoor kitchen and full service bar, and a series of intimate courtyard spaces. All aspects of the site design were coordinated under the project scope of services. Rick's design responsibilities included hardscape design, water feature design, grading and drainage, material finishes, furniture selection, presentation graphics, planting design, and construction documents (drafted in AutoCAD). Suite Design Group  (Architect of Record).

Commercial - 'Cactus Power Center' at Prasada, Surprise, AZ

Prasada is a master-planned community that integrates retail and business centers within the residential context of the overall plan. At the core of the project is the Cactus Power Center which includes a variety of national and local specialty shops and dining establishments. The underlying design theme for the project is based on the abstraction of naturally occuring shapes and patterns- spirals, circles, waves, etc. Rick's design responsibilities included hardscape design, material finishes, marketing graphics, furniture selection, planting design, and construction documents (drafted in AutoCAD). Greey Pickett (Architect of Record).

Communities - 'Province' Active Adult Community, Maricopa, AZ

This "55 and Better" Community creates an active adult life-style through an integrated system of interconnected paseos, hiking trails, and lake systems which connect neighborhoods, community parks, an recreational facilities. Located in the heart of the Community, the interactive park complex is designed around a 3 acre lake and includes outdoor swimming pools amphitheater, wedding lawn, gardens and lake side dining terraces -- all of which carefully combine key design elements of the surrounding "Desert Contemporary" residential design. Rick's design responsibilities included land planning, lake design, roadway and parking design, hardscape design, material finishes, marketing graphics, furniture selection, planting design, construction documents (drafted in AutoCAD), and construction oversight / management. Greey Pickett (Architect of Record).

Resort - Montelucia Resort & Spa, Paradise Valley, AZ

Nestled on 29 acres at the foot of Camelback Mountain, this resort property is inspired by the architecture and lifestyle of the Andalusian Region in southern Spain. The resort core includes two large pools, wedding terraces, intimate courtyards, patio cafes, a full service spa, convention center, ballrooms, and over 290 guestrooms. Orientation of structures and amenities were coordinated to take advantage of the spectacular views of Camelback Mountain. Rick's design responsibilities included hardscape design, material finishes, marketing graphics, furniture selection, planting design, construction documents (drafted in AutoCAD), and construction oversight / management. Greey Pickett (Architect of Record).

Parks - 'Western Theme Park' (Mountain's Edge), Las Vegas, NV

This master-planned community south of "the strip" incorporates a series of themed parks and large recreational open spaces. The showcase park, located at the base of the communities iconic mountain, is designed around a western/historical theme through the use of custom play structures, monuments and educational activities. Monumentation and streetscape development reflects a "Spanish / Hacienda" style and planting design incorporates the existing desert landscape with xeriscape plant material and grading techniques to seamlessly blend the developed and undisturbed edges of the Community. Rick's design responsibilities included hardscape design, marketing graphics, furniture selection, planting design, construction documents (drafted in AutoCAD), and construction oversight / management. Greey Pickett (Architect of Record).

Monumentation - Estrella 'Star Tower' Observatory & Signage, Goodyear, AZ

The masonry, stone, and steel 'Star Tower' rises to over 50 feet tall and announces the entry to the Estrella Master-Planned Community. The tower is not only a signage monument, it also serves as an educational, recreational and trailhead attraction. The spiral staircase leads to a 360 degree viewing platform which offers panoramic views both day and night. At the base of the tower visitors will find meandering paths, a stream with waterfalls, and plaza spaces. The tower is a tribute to star-gazing cultures ('Estrella' is Spanish for Star) and it's spiral configuration, backlit with fiber-optic lighting, pays homage to the Milky Way constellation. Rick's design responsibilities included hardscape design, material finishes, planting design, construction documents (drafted in AutoCAD), and construction oversight / management. Greey Pickett (Architect of Record).

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