For Landscape Architects at the Sussex, WI-based design/build firm Lied's Landscape Design & Development, corporate office park development is even more challenging; after settling on a design for the client, this firm constructs the landscape in a manner that lives up to the promise of its design. Firm president Judson Griggs, RLA, explains, "There seems to be a greater appreciation from the client when he or she has to deal with only one company. The design/build market offers great potential for Landscape Architects, yet comes with a great challenge, too." Griggs, who is currently serving as president of the Associated Landscape Contractors of America, continues, "Our company's real hurdle was in finding qualified labor; so we rose to the challenge ourselves!"

When WISPARK approached Lied's to develop a landscape plan for their corporate park-- a plan which maintained the existing beauty of the land and emulated the proposed name-- the Landscape Architects were at first uncertain as to what direction the project should take. Designing around or "into" the existing landscape would not be difficult, but trying to create the desired "feel" of Ridgeview Corporate Park would take some careful contemplation. As the design team walked through and analyzed the site, it became apparent that the natural rolling topography and the dramatic elevation changes would provide the needed inspiration.

The main entrance to Ridgeview was of the utmost importance to the client. The owner wanted an entry that drew users into the park, gave them an emotional response, and directed them to their destination; he wanted to accomplish this with some form of a water feature as the main focal point. With that in mind, Lied's decided to create a multi-tiered limestone outcropping waterfall; this feature mimics a "ridged" environment while also accentuating the existing land forms.

Careful attention was paid to the plant selection of the waterfall as well. Perennial masses add textured color and provide a wonderful contrast to the selected windswept evergreens and coarsely branched ornamental shrubs. Designed to operate continuously, the waterfall and surrounding landscape offer a spectacular show through every season.

A second element that required emphasis was the detention pond. This pond was designed to collect water in periods of heavy rain, then empty them in dry weather; this resulted in a weedy, unkempt depression. Lied's took the owners up to some of the unsold parcels of land to show them what potential owners would see. It was at this point that the Landscape Architects suggested turning the detention pond into one that would hold water continuously. This was accomplished by importing a clay liner, and then reshaping the pond to repeat many of the same elements present at the waterfall. The pond became an important asset to the owners when selling the upper parcels of land.

The interior roads within the park were randomly planted with clusters of native shade and ornamental trees that reflected the existing tree stands present throughout the site. Each intersection or boulevard was designed to maintain the theme introduced at the entry, creating nodes and transition elements. Thus, as one moves through the project, the main theme is reinforced repeatedly.

The end result is a site which incorporates the needs of the client into the land, while giving the corporate park users an opportunity to experience a beautiful, cohesive landscape. The landscape design proved to be an integral element in attracting potential tenants to the office park, as well as in the final sale of the office building sites.

Just as some corporate clients require guidance and inspiration from the Landscape Architects, others know exactly what they want in a corporate park. One client of Lied's remarked, "Help me build a 100,000 square foot world-class office and surrounding landscape. I must move into some office space in the building in thirteen months. I want the building and the site to express permanence. I want my smallest clients and my billionaire clients to be comfortably impressed as they drive up to our entry. The landscape must help us attract and retain associates. It must provide a restful atmosphere for our associates in this stressful business."

Lied's helped to choose the land and to hire the architectural and construction firms to fill out a very cooperative team. The firm located the building footprint on the land, we designed and built all the site improvements, utilities, and of course, the landscape. The landscape team built three-quarters of a mile of streams, and three major lakes as a water detention system. Thousands of mature plants, tens of thousands of flowers of all types, and acres of hard surfacing were installed on the site. The client moved into one suite of offices thirteen months after the first discussion.

Strong clients and the entire community are treated to a flower garden at the property entrance on the site of a gas station that was demolished and converted into an entry feature. Simple sophisticated signs, using the same granite as on the building, are set into supportive landscapes to announce the entry to the site. Large, mature plants abound, and journey to the office are punctuated by controlled wildflower groups, flowing groups of trees, shrubs, and evergreens along with water features.

The major lake in the center of the corporate development is both an engineered water detention feature and a calm, serene view from the associates' office windows. Pumped by two 500 G.P.M. turbines, it also serves as a focal point for a quick walk.

Landscape Architects today are certainly primed to accept the challenges of the corporate client. By directing and enhancing designs that reflects the stated business missions of their clients-- either through prominent water features or through corporate identity, gateways and signage-- Landscape Architects can in fact convey new strategic goals and management insights into the corporate landscape. lasn