Spaid/SWT Associates Joint by: Greg L. Bernosky, ASLA Spaid Associates and SWT Associates are multi-faceted landscape architecture design firms unique in their clients and targeted projects but sharing a common approach, staff, and passion for the practice and execution of landscape architecture. Since 1995, the two firms have proudly worked with clients on projects-from the design of small playgrounds to large-scale urban planning-across the St. Louis metropolitan area and in many locations throughout the United States. If you were to walk through the main studio space of the renovated Victorian house that is home to the two firms, you may find an employee developing a planting plan for a church contemplation garden, another preparing construction documents for the design of a water feature, and another developing management and maintenance practices for a large urban park. This diversity creates a unique work environment, bringing together individuals with special skills who synergistically help to enrich both firms' knowledge of the profession. As a principal in both firms, Ted Spaid understands the importance of the long-term viability of a project. As a former employee of the esteemed Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, Ted had direct experience cultivating, sustaining, and enhancing the lush landscape of the garden's grounds. It was there that he learned the value of making design decisions that fit the site conditions and the design intent, and are also maintainable by the client, enjoyed by the end-users, and will fit within an evolving setting over time. This tangible knowledge, expertise, and approach can be applied to a variety of design and planning issues of different scopes and scales such as a park master plans or an urban planning project. The employees of Spaid Associates and SWT Associates have learned the parallels in the appropriate selection of plant material for a contemplation garden and the recommendation of land use adjacencies on the planning level. A vision of the future "landscape," whether it be the physical or political landscape, is critical to successful design work, implementation, and client satisfaction. Jim Wolterman, co-founder of SWT Associates and a principal with the firm, has been instrumental in developing the company into one of the leading parks and recreation planning and design firms in the St. Louis area. He has helped shape the company's signature approach-the involvement of the community in interactive workshop sessions at the initial phases of project planning development. Oversized base maps are distributed to small groups of meeting attendees and everyone rolls up their sleeves and graphically "brainstorms" their ideas for the future development. It is an exciting way to involve the community in the design process and to truly understand and develop a vision. Some of the two firms' exemplary projects include: ????? Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World-Grapevine, Texas (winner of a 1999 Merit Award from the St. Louis Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects). ????? Top of the Rock Golf Course Resource Management Plan-Branson, Missouri (winner of 1998 Honor and Civic Awards from the St. Louis Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects). ????? Washington University/Scott Avenue Development-St. Louis, Missouri ????? The Whitecliff Park Master Plan-Crestwood, Missouri (winner of the 1999 Award of Excellence from the St. Louis Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects). ????? The 5th Ward Neighborhoods Comprehensive Plan-St. Louis, Missouri ????? Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Convent Site Master Planning-St. Louis, Missouri Bass Pro Shops' Outdoor World Bass Pro Shops has emerged as the country's premier outdoor recreation and sporting products retailer. This period of surging growth has been championed by owner John L. Morris who has demonstrated a commitment to the protection, enhancement, and celebration of the landscape and the conservation of natural resources. In the era of "big box" retail, Bass Pro Shops is setting an important precedent in the relationship between retail development and landscape architecture-the marketing and financial needs of a retail entity can be significantly enhanced by the extensive use of creative landscape concepts and a responsible approach to overall site planning. The design team was challenged with the reclamation of a superfund site into a stable environment for the growth and development of plant material. Littoral zone wetlands along the lake edge were also developed to fit the character of the site and the region. The execution of wetland mitigation occurred along the fringes of the property. A priority for the project team on all Bass Pro Shops projects is the extensive use of native plant material and indigenous hardscape features such as local stone and boulders. This is not only a good conservation practice, it also reduces the long-term maintenance costs, provides seasonal color, and ensures that the display is unique to the locale of the store. The River's Edge Project at the St. Louis Zoo The St. Louis Zoo is in the process of a major renovation of its exhibits and landscape with the development of the River's Edge. The Zoo seeks to create a setting that reflects the native habitat of the specific animals in each area through "Immersion Exhibitry", enhancing the zoo experience for both visitors and staff members by surrounding them with the sights and sounds of the animal's natural setting. The project consists of three phases, each introducing new animals and ecosystems to the zoo's wildlife habitat. Climatic differences between the St. Louis region and the animal's native habitat prevent the use of plants indigenous to the African savanna, Indonesian rainforest, and other ecosystems that are home to many of these animals. To imitate this plant material, the vegetation selected in many locations has compound foliage and is densely planted, serving to create a lush setting similar to those found in the jungles and rainforest areas. Grasses and other woody plant material were used to create the feel of the African savanna. Pockets of Missouri native plant material as well as other annuals and perennials will ensure seasonal interest. The landscape design of the second phase of development consists primarily of native plant material that reflects the vegetation found in specific Missouri ecosystems. The Missouri Meadow area is an outdoor butterfly garden that includes native annuals and perennials known to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other insects. Plants located in the Missouri Stream portion of the exhibit combine native canopy species with wetland and water edge plants that are sun and shade tolerant. Currently under construction, the third phase promises to be the biggest and most diverse phase of the River's Edge with the introduction of new viewing areas for the Hippopotamus, the Rhinoceros, Warthogs, and other animals. Forest Park Management and Maintenance Plan Forest Park in the City of St. Louis is one of the nation's largest urban parks. The park is home to many of the city's cultural institutions and is visited by millions of passive and active outdoor enthusiasts each year. The firm was hired to assess the park's existing conditions from a maintenance perspective and to evaluate the management and maintenance practices employed in the park. Initial stages of the project included data collection to determine the types of land uses and activities that occur in the park; develop an understanding of vegetation and plant communities; and, evaluate the current approach to maintenance management, associated budgets, and areas of concern from the park's staff. The project team developed standards for the park known as "Modes of Care" based on a set of similar national standards. These "Modes of Care" defined different levels of maintenance and allowed the project team to develop an appropriate management hierarchy for maintenance supervision and to develop cost estimates that will guide future park expenditures. The outdoor butterfly garden, as part of the Missouri Meadow exhibit in Area Two of the River's Edge Project, uses native plant materials that are known to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects. A view of the path and surrounding landscape leading to the Asian Elephant exhibit. The lush landscape serves as 'immersion exhibitry' and surrounds the visitor in the natural setting of the animal. Bass Pro Shops has emerged as the country's premier outdoor recreation and sporting products retailer. Owner John L. Morris has demonstrated a commitment to the protection, enhancement, and celebration of the landscape and the conservation of natural resources. The complex includes many aquatic plants, such as Egyptian Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) and Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata) that line the stream