Communicating Design in Myriad Ways
Collaborating on projects requires imagination and attention to detail. It calls us to blend sweeping visions with the finest nuances to create joy and memorable experiences. For years, EPTDESIGN has crafted landscapes for a range of projects, from intimate courtyards to expansive developments, such as renowned hotels and resort spaces.
A shared philosophy unites all of our projects: crafting spaces that feel truly welcoming. This commitment to inclusiveness drives our design process, shaping environments in both intentional and unexpected ways.
For this project, the goal was to establish a new entry experience for visitors arriving from nearby hotels or parking areas. This new southern entrance serves as their first “welcome” to the area’s vibrant public spaces.
As we designed the space, we continually asked, “What makes a welcoming place?”
Multi-layered Ways of Sharing and Evolving Design
Working in close collaboration with the Client and Architect, we engaged in a highly visual design process that harnessed many ways of communicating design allowing options to be explored quickly to evolve the design. Using different media to generate the design narrative, we were able to create the story that would ultimately hold the design together.
The team conducted precedent research, hand sketched various options, and diagrammed in creative ways. They used Rhino and Lumion to create renderings, 3D animations and fly-throughs. Using these techniques facilitated the design dialogue, helped stakeholders to watch concepts evolve, and expedited decision-making. Adhering to the design narrative and visualizing ideas heightened the creative process and kept things moving at a fast pace.
How We Visualize Design
Creating a Sense of Context
This diagram was created to offer context for the site and to confirm programming requirements received from the Client.
Beginning in the east, the visitor who enters the site through the new south checkpoint experiences the story of California’s architectural history. Envisioned as a series of rooms, the path winds its way through Craftsman, Art Deco, and California eclectic architecture. To complete that story, mid-century modern design was introduced, complementing and honoring the architecture and history of the adjacent hotel.
Honoring the History
To understand and create the backstory of this place, we asked ourselves, “What makes this place special, and how can we honor what was there before?”
We looked at the history of inhabitants of the land from the first peoples to native Americans, immigrant settlers, and today’s inhabitants.
Taking advantage of Miro’s online whiteboard as a real-time collaboration tool, our team began sharing ideas and sketches with the Client and design team. The board was plastered with everything from World’s Fair projects to the works of Garrett Eckbo, Roberto Burle Marx, and Paul Revere Williams. We looked at iconic and interesting contemporary public squares, markets, and outdoor performance spaces for ideas.
Rapid Design Iterations
To drive design ideas forward, we quickly developed several sketches on iPads using the digital art app, Procreate.
The first design iteration draws inspiration from landscape architect Garrett Eckbo, celebrated for his modernist and functional design philosophy. Emphasizing seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces and incorporating geometric forms. The detailing reflects the intricate patterning work of iconic graphic designer Mary Blair, which adds a touch of whimsy and creativity to the overall composition.
We then conveyed design iterations by different influences of mid-century modern architecture.
The second design iteration is inspired by the mid-century international landscape style influenced by Burle Marx, emphasizing the incorporation of natural elements and organic forms.
The third design iteration honors the historical agricultural grid of the site. The Procreate software made it virtually effortless to create straight lines, perfect curves, and tree symbols.
We then engaged in abstract diagramming, a method used to visually represent complex concepts or relationships in a simplified manner. This helped us to clearly convey to the Client the thought process behind the design layout which established the foundation and framework for design development.
Through layering, investigation, and inspiration, we blended the orthogonal grid of the region’s historic agricultural fields with the straight lines of mid-century modern architecture.
We then investigated more organic and free-flowing designs of mid-century modern landscape architecture and art could interplay with the grid.
We arrived at the final design when we thought about the power of story and how a unifying narrative could shape the entire space. Inspired by this vision, the design took on the form of a river—a continuous, flowing thread that ties everything together.
Creating a Concept Statement
Settlers named this place “Ana” for the Santa Ana River, and “heim” which is German for home. Anaheim, a home by the river. By creating a “river” through the site, we gave the project its own home by the river. Visitors start their day meeting family and friends in this place before moving on to the parks. The “river” provides the public space for play, rest, celebrations, and casual nights out.
Guests are guided by the symbolic form of a “river,” an organizational thread, abstractly portrayed through simple area development design queues such as a wide lawn teeming with activity flanked by restaurants with outdoor seating. Canopies encourage guest flow while the entrance, shade structure, and stage act as visual stepping-stones flowing to the hub where a spring fills a stretch of riverbed framing part of the stage.
The Gateway to Playtime
To carry forward the theme of the river as an organizing concept, the team created simple sketches and diagrams using Adobe Illustrator.
Overlaying the playful spirit within the river narrative, these visuals were employed to help us explore diverse approaches for integrating playful landscape elements into the overall site design, all without the use of traditional play equipment.
Symbolizing Water
Actual water wasn’t feasible for creating the “river.” Instead, we created a clear diagram with supporting images to communicate the concept of a waterless river.
Various site design elements symbolize different forms of water articulated through unique paving patterns, turf mounds, and architectural articulations.
Illustrating the Plan
Continuing to use various design techniques to aid in evolving the design concept, we created the actual illustrative site plan showing proposed materials and design elements using Adobe Photoshop.
Planting Design
Inspired by the mid-century Palm Springs theme, we delved into a Californian desert palette with vibrant pops of color to embody the playful and joyful spirit of the site design. After establishing the groundwork for the planting palette, we continuously oscillated between 2D plant placement and 3D modeling using the exact proposed plants with a mature look to assist us in refining the planting design.
As designs evolved and plants were selected, we used 3D modeling tools to test the species and placement of plants for each planting area in its context.
From initial modeling to intricate detailing, every element of the design is thoughtfully crafted by imaginative minds.
Creating Place
This space is for everyone—a place where people of all ages can relive cherished memories and look forward to new possibilities. It’s designed with a commitment to ideals, dreams, and the experiences that have shaped our communities, with the hope that it becomes a source of joy and inspiration for all who visit.