Morrow Reardon Wilkinson Miller
Albuquerque, N.M.

Founded in 1973, Morrow Reardon Wilkinson Miller, Ltd. Landscape Architects (MRWM) has a full time staff of 16 professionals and has earned over 110 design and planning awards. After designing and overseeing construction of more than 4,000 projects over the past four decades, MRWM has been a pioneer of water-wise design, incorporating grading, hardscape, xeric plantings and efficient irrigation into solutions that comprehensively reduce water consumption. The firm offers planning, complete design and construction document production, irrigation design and construction observation services.

Sandia Pueblo Hotel & Casino, Phases I ?EUR??,,????'??? III, Albuquerque

Since 2001, MRWM has provided design and construction documents for three phases of landscape improvements at the Pueblo of Sandia Casino Hotel and Resort, including nonpotable irrigation, walkways, outdoor pool, patio areas and site amenities. This high visibility, $2.3 million landscape project includes a fountain at the main casino entry; low stone walls that create landmarks and facilitate wayfinding in the parking areas; and native, water-wise shrubs and bushes that blend into the surrounding high desert. The project required reduced water use and easy maintenance, screened parking, and attractive plantings leading to the resort entry and along roadways, while maintaining clear pedestrian connections and a welcoming first impression for resort patrons. MRWM won a NMASLA award in 2001 for this project, and is working on designs for additional resort expansion, including an employee parking lot and parking garage.

Alamosa Skatepark, Albuquerque

Alamosa Skatepark is a large-scale in-ground skatepark that draws inspiration from the area's extensive arroyo system, and incorporates site-specific elements from city buildings that are now off-limits to street skaters. The $2.2 million project, completed in 2007, is split into two distinctive sections: the Trenches and the Skylit Bowl. The Trenches features street/plaza elements with a mix of banks, ledges, walls, stairs, gaps and rails. The Skylit Bowl features three bowls of various depths connected by a ¾ pipe. Multiple entry points and connections between the sections provide easy internal circulation and a sense of openness. The multiple levels of the park and integral landscaping soften the otherwise imposing hardscape, and turf grass and shade trees create cooler passive areas.

''Big I'' Landscape Upgrades, Albuquerque

The landscaping along the Interstate 40 ''Big I'' interchange is the largest project of its kind ever undertaken by the city of Albuquerque. The $12 million design incorporates three primary themes: (1) foothills gardens reminiscent of those found throughout the Rio Grande Valley; (2) linear orchards similar to those found in the historically agricultural areas of central and northern New Mexico; (3) sweeping forms that draw the patterns of the arching flyover into the ground plane. Each theme has distinctive features, but use common materials that unify the aesthetics. Artwork lit with LED accents is integrated throughout the landscape to create focal points and reinforce the design themes. Arcing plant patterns and subtle color variation in gravel materials highlight the form of the artwork. Gabion walls were used for retention on the escarpment.