The Gardens in Storza Woods, Atlanta Botanical Garden,
Atlanta
Set in a four-acre mature woodland, the richly detailed garden includes stone clad bridges and overlooks, terraces with intricate mosaics based on plant morphology, an elevated boardwalk, and a formal garden surrounding a water mirror that terminates in dramatic water stairs. The Gardens in Storza Woods invite visitors of all ages and abilities to discover the forest's evolving and distinct character in every season. Among the technical considerations were best practices for preservation of critical root zones around the many magnificent, existing hardwood trees. Solutions included a combination of elevated walkways and structural slabs on helical piles to minimize soil disturbance.

The Gardens in Storza Woods, Atlanta Botanical Garden,
Atlanta
Set in a four-acre mature woodland, the richly detailed garden includes stone clad bridges and overlooks, terraces with intricate mosaics based on plant morphology, an elevated boardwalk, and a formal garden surrounding a water mirror that terminates in dramatic water stairs. The Gardens in Storza Woods invite visitors of all ages and abilities to discover the forest's evolving and distinct character in every season. Among the technical considerations were best practices for preservation of critical root zones around the many magnificent, existing hardwood trees. Solutions included a combination of elevated walkways and structural slabs on helical piles to minimize soil disturbance.

Del Mar Civic Center and Town Hall
Del Mar, Calif.
The project redeveloped the former City Hall site with new public buildings and amenities including outdoor plaza and garden spaces designed to maximize public access for the Saturday farmers market and other gatherings, and enjoyment of the coastal scenery. Spurlock worked closely with the architect, City, community stakeholders and residents to develop and refine the site program and design for a centralized public venue that emphasizes place and civic commitment.

The Laguna Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters
Laguna Beach, Calif.
Transforming a beloved but aging cultural institution into a vibrant one, created an iconic gateway connecting the Laguna Coast Wilderness to the charming village core of Laguna Beach. Using the historical context of the Festival and Laguna's legacy of plein air painting as a lens for reimagining the campus, the landscape architects went above and beyond the baseline goals of improving functional needs, addressing code compliance and providing year-round public access. Through an integrated, collaborative design process and with unstinting client support, the project fully embraces the unique coastal canyon setting by prioritizing the preservation of significant trees that define the Laguna landscape, addressing circulation and stormwater mitigation with strategies that work with the canyon topography and incorporating art and stellar craftsmanship throughout the site. The result is a cultural amenity rooted in the heritage of place. The public can now enjoy an easily accessible, inviting and celebratory experience featuring dynamic, bold and sustainable materials.