Firms & Projects: Aspen Resource Consultants

Aspen Resource Consultants is a small firm with a portfolio that runs the gamut of project types and scales. Specialties include drought tolerant and native planting design, recreational planning and design and commercial development. The firm debuted in 1999.

Project: Water Quest

Water Quest

In the spring of 2003 the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District began a program to encourage landscape water conservation among Wasatch Front Residents. The focus of this program would be to break down common misconceptions about water conservation by showing how the typical residential landscape could be renovated to conserve water while actually improving its aesthetic appeal.

Project: San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District

Water District

The project architect hired Aspen as the landscape architect to help tie a modern emphasis and sustainable design into the site and landscape. Aspen was involved in the early site planning phases of the project to help position the building and all the functional elements such as parking and walkways.

Design Elements: A key aspect of the overall landscape design was the incorporation of drought tolerant and native California plant material. Aspen began by creating three distinct plant communities: chaparral, woodland and riparian woodland?EUR??,,????'???mimicking several of California?EUR??,,????'???s native bioregions. The firm also included a Mediterranean grouping featuring more colorful species as well as some adaptable exotic plants to bring color and visual focus to the design. These four plant groupings were placed around the site based upon functionality, solar access and design.

Principals: Michael O. Bischoff and Scott Schoonover
Employees: Two principal, licensed landscape architects, with four employees total
Primary Design Software: AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. While many firms now use computerized 3-D renderings, Aspen still produces quality hand graphics to illustrate concepts for clients.