Human & Rohde, Inc. (HRI) has provided landscape architectural design throughout Maryland for over 40 years with services including master planning, construction documents, estimating, environmental evaluations, and construction administration services. HRI is a small business staffed by five licensed Landscape Architects, one of whom is a Certified Playground Safety Inspector, and an environmental specialist. Several of their staff of six have been with the firm for more than 20 years. The HRI environmental team also has decades of experience providing wetland delineations and forest conservation services, as well as processing environmental permits through county, state, and federal agencies. Their projects range from one-acre urban sites to rural settings 200 acres and larger, and their scope of work includes logistical coordination; environmental evaluations, wetland delineations and forest conservation plans; schematic plans and exhibits; public presentations; master plan reports, estimates, construction plans, details, and specifications; playground and interpretive signage design; bidding assistance; and construction administration services.
Software used: AutoCAD, MicroStation, ArcGIS, MS Word Suite,
SketchUp, Illustrator

COVID-19 Memorial,
Thurmont, Maryland

 

A: This memorial was dedicated to Frederick County healthcare workers and to those lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. The site is a small meadow tucked within a tree preservation area along an existing park trail. The memorial is a journey along a tree-lined spiral walkway of exposed aggregate concrete leading towards a sitting area comprised of circular concrete pavers surrounded on one side by four steel benches set under a custom curved and cantilevered steel pergola. A five-foot-wide band of Delaware river stone parallels the walkway and is planted with 'Exclamation' London Plane (Platanus x acerifolia) trees.

Annapolis Corporate Park, Annapolis, MD

A: The owner of this property is a commercial developer with a high standard of quality who builds and maintains all their facilities. Knowing that commercial and office buildings are often difficult to fill, they tasked HRI with designing a variety of exceptional outdoor amenity spaces for their corporate park in Annapolis. The idea was to provide tenants with an enhanced experience not offered at other office parks. These lushly planted open spaces include shaded seating areas with pavilions and a dry stream bed through the interior courtyard in between the flex buildings.

Utica District Park,
Thurmont, Maryland

B: In 2002, HRI worked with the Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation and the Master Plan Advisory Committee to prepare a master plan that would provide recreational activities and a district park maintenance facility while preserving the heritage of a 257-acre historic farm complex. Construction phasing was also a significant consideration, given the total cost was estimated to exceed $31 million. Following approval of the master plan, HRI was selected as the prime consultant over the course and provided wetland delineation and forest conservation services, including obtaining required environmental permits to ensure that all phases could proceed without issue. The park contains several lighted multi-purpose fields, softball and Little League fields, three playgrounds, four park shelters, and more.

Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) Essex, MD

C: HRI was hired by the CCBC to produce a master plan for the renovation of the 50,000-square-foot plaza between the Student Services Center, Library, and Administration Buildings on the Essex Campus with the goal of providing a more inviting environment that will encourage attendance by a younger demographic. The chosen design proposes areas defined by rectilinear planters and special paving with large and small cantilevered pergolas. CCBC requested a variety of seating for learning and events, leading to the inclusion of picnic and caf?(C) tables with umbrellas, benches, seat walls, and lounge chairs. The planters and walkways are designed to provide clear travel paths. Low-maintenance plantings are proposed for shade, to soften the visual appearance of the plaza, screen undesirable views, and provide seasonal interest.