This document contains Bambi Yost's professional portfolio. It summarizes her educational background and roles managing the Learning Landscapes Initiative, which has rebuilt 48 Denver school playgrounds. It provides details on selected Learning Landscape projects at Carson Elementary and Lincoln Elementary that she managed and designed. Examples of her volunteer coordination and designs for educational elements like murals and a kinetic shade structure are also included. A timeline shows the initiative's planned capital improvements through 2020.
1. Bambi Yost, M.L.A., M.U.R.P.
Professional, Teaching, &
Creative Portfolio
Bambi L Yost, M.L.A., M.U.R.P. 3761 Perry Street Denver, CO 80212 www.BambiLYost.com Bambi_L_Yost@yahoo.com 720.217.2871 c
2. Biography
Bambi Yost, M.L.A., M.U.R.P. (website in progress: www.BambiLYost.com)
University of Colorado at Denver and Boulder
Research Center Affiliations:
Children,Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design with Dr. Louise Chawla (http://thunder1.cudenver.edu/cye/index.htm)
Learning Landscapes with Professor Lois A. Brink (http://www.learninglandscapes.org)
Land Use Futures Lab with Dr. Brian Muller (http://home.comcast.net/~rpglam/storage/projects.html)
Hello. I am a 5th year Design and Planning doctoral student at the University of Colorado at Denver where I also completed my masters
degrees in Landscape Architecture and Urban and Regional Planning. I currently work full-time as a Graduate Part-Time Instructor, Teach-
ing Assistant, and Research Assistant for the Environmental Design Undergraduate Program in Boulder and for the Architecture & Planning
Graduate Program in Denver. My dissertation topic, “Exploring Childhood Attachments to Natural and Outdoor Play Environments” fo-
cuses on ethnographic and innovative mixed-methods, schoolyard environments and behaviors, place attachment, benefits of access to the
natural world, and children & youth. I will be completing my comprehensive exams and presenting my dissertation proposal spring 2009.
Since 2001, I have worked as the Project Manager for Professor Lois A. Brink’s Learning Landscape program. In addition to overseeing con-
struction and budgets, I have planned, designed, organized, and led community-based design-builds. To date, 48 Denver Public School Learning
Landscape playgrounds have been rebuilt and sustained with Denver community, partnering organizations, Denver Public Schools faculty and
students, University of Colorado at Denver graduate students, and AmeriCorps Volunteers. Over the years I have helped Learning Land-
scapes raise 58 million dollars through public and private donations, grants, and school bonds to support the Learning Landscapes. In spring
of 2008 I began working with the Boulder Valley School District to implement Learning Landscapes at 25 sites. Starting spring 2009, I will be
teaching graduate and undergraduate Learning Landscapes courses for the University of Colorado and the Boulder Valley School District.
In addition, I currently serve as a research assistant to Dr. Louise Chawla and the Children,Youth and Environments (CYE) Center and to
Dr. Brian Muller and the Land Use Futures Lab. (LUFL) My research for CYE focuses on beneficial environments for children and youth. My
research for the LUFL focuses on qualitative methods and analysis and public comments as they relate to place attachment to BLM lands and
national forests.
Prior to pursuing my masters degrees, I was a Program Manager and Environmental Educator for five years for the Chesapeake Bay Founda-
tion in Virginia where I designed and led watershed and wetlands programs. I have an extensive background in participatory planning, youth
empowerment, community development, outdoor education, volunteer coordination, physical design and construction, grant research and
writing, and project management.
3. Bambi Yost, M.L.A., M.U.R.P.
Professional Portfolio
Bambi L Yost, M.L.A., M.U.R.P. 3761 Perry Street Denver, CO 80212 www.BambiLYost.com Bambi_L_Yost@yahoo.com 720.217.2871 c
4. The Learning Landscapes Initiative
Roles: Project Manager, Teacher, Researcher, & Author
Years: 2001-Present
Total Budget: 58 million
Average Budget per Playground: $450,000
Grant Funding (Author & Collaborator): $576,141
To date, I have helped rebuild and sustain 48 Denver Public School
Learning Landscape playgrounds with Denver community, partnering
organizations, Denver Public Schools faculty and students, University
of Colorado at Denver graduate students, and AmeriCorps Volunteers.
What follows is a small sample of the many community projects I led
and managed.
A Young Girl Helps Paint Picnic Tables at Gilpin Elementary School
What are Learning Landscapes?
Students Painting Outdoor Mural Maintaining Whittier Elementary School
• Schoolyard landscapes that support physical activity,
outdoor learning, and improved social interaction.
• Multi-generational spaces for outdoor play opportunities
for both students and the community.
• Aesthetically pleasing focal points for the community.
• Public green spaces in a highly urban setting which
promote livability for children and families.
• Participatory community-based playgrounds which
Bromwell Elementary School Sculpture encourage civic engagement.
Smith Elementary School Volunteers
5. BEFORE - Columbian Water Harvest Garden Area, 2000
AFTER - Students Weeding and Pruning Water Harvest Garden Area, 2006
Learning Landscape Accomplishments*
• 48 built Learning Landscapes in Denver
• $58 million raised to date
• 8,500+ community volunteers
• 18,000+ students served
• 250,000+ city residents served
• 250+ AmeriCorps volunteers
• 20+ volunteer organization partners
* As of December 2008
DURING - Planting of Columbian Water Harvest Garden Area, 2003 Planting Water Harvest Garden
6. Ecosystem Transect Garden Nautilus Shade Structure Gateway Detail
Kid’s drawings Main Entry Dragonfly Hopscotch
Lizard Leap Land Model of Sound Sculpture Fractel Pattern Revealed in Stones
Carson Initial Design Concept, Pencil on Trace Paper with AutoCAD Overlay - 2003
7. Before After
Phase I
Gardens
What If Science
Garden Area
Carson Elementary School Learning Landscape - Denver, CO
Role: Project Manager & Designer
Years: 2001 (phase I) - 2004 (completion of build)
Products: Conceptual Design, Design Documents, Curriculum Development
Carson Elementary School is a magnet school for the hearing impaired. I conceived the basic Carson Aerial Photos - BEFORE with Phase I Completed, 2002 (top) and
design after conducting several sound studies on-site and interviewing users. A pattern of AFTER with “What If Science Garden” still to be created, 2007 (bottom)
elements and forms spreads out across the playground based on both the Fibonacci Series
and the paths of sound waves. Playful educational elements include lizard leap-land, “what if”
science garden, insect games, transect ecosystem garden, nautilus pavilion, and more.
8. ABBR SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME AMT SIZE COLOR HEIGHT WIDTH
Native Plantings
Annual Helianthus maximiliana Sunflower, Maximilian #1 GO/SUM-FAL 8 1.50 - 2
Grass Andropogon gerardii Big Blue Stem #1 4-6' 2-3'
Grass Calamagrostis acutiflora Karl Foerester #1 4-5' 18-24
Grass Deschampsia cespitosa tufted hair grass #1 1.5 2
Grass Festuca glauca Blue Fescue F15 8- 10
Grass Liatris spicata 'Kobold' Gay Feather #1 PU/JUL-SEP 3
Grass Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal' Heavy metal Switch #1 3-4' 12-18
Grass Schizachyrium scoparium Little Blue Stem #1 2.5 2.5
Grass Stipa tenuissima Mexican Feather Grass #1 2-3' 1-2'
Perennial Achillea servica serbian yarrow #1 Wh : sp-su 4-8 12-15
Perennial Agastache cana sonaoran sunset #1 Pi : su 18-24 12-15
Perennial Agastache rupestris Hyssop sunset #1 Or-Pi : su-fa 2-3' 2-3'
Perennial Amorpha canescens Lead plant #5 2-4' 2-3'
Perennial Artemisia cana silver sagebrush #1 3 3
Perennial Artemisia frigida Sage #1 4-12
Perennial Brunnera macrophylla forget-me-not #1 BL : May-June 12-18
Perennial Campanula persicifolia Bellflower,peach leaved #1 BL : ear-lat su 2-3' 18-24
Perennial Coreopsis grandiflora Early Sunrise' #1 Ye : Ear su 18-24
Perennial Echinacea purpurea coneflower #1 Pu/Jul-Sep 24-36
Perennial Epilobium fleischeri willow herb #1 Pi/Sp-Fa 12-18 8-10
Perennial Erigeron compositus Cut Leaf Daisy F15 Wh/L-sp - M-su 4-6 6-12
Perennial Eschscholzia californica California Poppy F15 Or/Ea-sum 1-2' 12-18
Perennial Heliopsis helianthoides Summer sun False sunflower #1 Go/Sum-fall 3-4' 18-24
Perennial Hemerocallis Happy Returns Day lily #1 Ye/Sp-Fall 12-15 12-18
e/Early mid seaso 30-36
Perennial Hemerocallis 'Carey Quinn Red with gold Daylily #1
Perennial Ipomopsis aggregata scarlet gilla F15 RE/SP-FALL 12-24 12-18
Perennial Lavendula angustifolia Hidcote - Lavender #1 BL/ear.sp-sum 8-12 8-12
Perennial Mirabilis mulitflora four oclocks #1 Pu-Re/mid sum 1-3' 2-4'
Perennial Nepeta x faasenii 6 hills giant catnip #1 LAV/ear-lat sum 2-3' 2-3'
Perennial Oenothera macrocarpa evening primrose #1 LtYE/mid-sum 1-2' 18-24
Perennial Phlox subulata phlox F15 Pi/May - June 6-8
Perennial Salvia nemorosa 'May Night' May night salvia #1 Pu/ear-lat sum 18-24 12-18
Perennial Sedum arce evergreen stone crop-gold moss F15 Ye/May - June 2-4 12-18
Perennial Sedum spurium Red Carpet F15 Re/Jul - Aug 2-4 12-18
Perennial Sempervivum species hens and chicks F15 Re/su 2-6 12-18
Perennial Solidago Golden Baby Golden Rod, #1 Y/JUL -AUG 1.5
Perennial Thymus praecox 'Minus' dwarf creeping thyme F32 pink/ear su 1 6-12
Shrub Antennaria dioica 'Rubra' pussytoes - F15 Pi 2-3
Shrub Asclepsias tuberosa butterfly weed #1 Or : Jul-sep 18-24
Shrub Atriplex canescens Salt brush, four-wing #5 6 3
Chrsothamnus nauseosus albicaulis subs Rabbit Brush Tall Blue #5 3 3
Shrub
Shrub Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltinii' blue rug juniper #5 GREEN 18 6
Shrub Ligustrum vulgare 'Lodense' Lodense Privet #5 2-3' 3-4'
Shrub Potentilla atrosanguinea RED cinquefoil #1 RE/SUM 12-18 12-18
Shrub Potentilla fruticosa 'Sutter's Gold' sutters gold potenilla #1 Ye/ear-lat sum 1-2' 2-3'
Shrub Prunus virginiana melanocarpa Chokecherry, Native 6.0'
Lincoln Elementary School’s Learning Landscape - Initial planting plans (left top and bottom), quick sketch of trees for faculty and
student review, (left middle) and native plant list.
9. Neighborhood Kids Playing in the Summer
Lincoln Elementary, School 2008.
Lincoln Elementary School Learning Landscape - Denver, CO
Role: Project Manager & Designer
Years: 2005-2006
Products: Planting Plans, Curricular Development, Educational Design Elements
Working with Intrinsic Design, I created planting plans and educational elements such as butterfly, multicultural, native, and vegetable gardens; an outdoor amphi-
theater, and science areas. Recreational opportunities include playing fields, climbing boulders, and age appropriate play areas.
11. Kinetic Shade Structure - 2003
I designed this shade structure to allow for move-
ment of the “masts” which anchor the wing-like
roof pieces. The idea was to create awareness
about wind and sound and light as the rooftops
sway in the breeze. Unfortunately it was never
built due to budget constraints. All drawings were
drafted in AutoCAD.
12. Learning Landscape Volunteer Projects - Denver, CO
Role: Project Manager & Volunteer Coordinator
Years: 2001-2007
Volunteers help create and maintain the Learning Landscapes. Projects
which I oversaw included: play equipment assembly, sod laying, planting,
Volunteers in Action
painting murals & banners, painting & setting tiles, building raised planter
beds, mulching & weeding, setting pavers, stamping concrete, and more.
13. Educational Murals Created with Students and AmeriCorps NCCC Volunteers at Eagleton Elementary School AmeriCorps NCCC Volunteers Pruning
Selected Volunteer Projects
14. Grassed Fields
Eagleton
Smith Columbian
Columbine
Capital Improvements Timeline Continued
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Replace Plastic Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace Replace
Crack/Seal Coat Crack/Seal Coat Crack/Seal Coat
Play Equipment Engineered Engineered Engineered Engineered Engineered Engineered
Blacktop Blacktop Blacktop
Cowell Wood Fiber Wood Fiber Wood Fiber Wood Fiber Wood Fiber Wood Fiber
Cowell Colfax Barrett
Fairmont Garden Place Cowell Colfax Barrett Cowell Colfax
Fairmont Crofton Castro
Greenlee Fairmont Crofton Castro Fairmont Crofton
Greenlee Eagleton Columbian
Whittier Greenlee Eagleton Columbian Greenlee Eagleton
Whittier Munroe Columbine
Smedly Whittier Munroe Columbine Whittier Munroe
Smedly Remmington Ebert
Blacktop
Swansea Smedly Remmington Ebert Smedly Remmington
Swansea Smith Gilpin
Overlay Smith Gilpin Smith
Mitchell
Swansea Swansea
Colfax Mitchell
Crofton
Blacktop Replace Small Replace Small
Eagleton
Overlay Grassed Fields Grassed Fields
Replace Play
Munroe Replace Site Replace Small
Cowell Cowell Colfax
Blacktop Equipment
Remmington Furniture Grassed Fields
Fairmont Greenlee Crofton
Overlay
Smith Garden Place
Greenlee Garden Place Swansea Eagleton Columbian
Barrett
Whittier Whiittier Smith Columbine
Castro
Smedly
Replace Athletic
Replace Large Columbian
Swansea
Columbine Apparatus
Grassed Fields Replace
Ebert Crack/Seal Coat Garden Place
Replace Site
Munroe Engineered
Gilpin Replace Site
Remmington Blacktop Furniture Wood Fiber
Replace Large Mitchell
Furniture
Garden Place Colfax Garden Place Re-Rubberize
Grassed Fields Cowell Crofton
Erosion Hill
Fairmont Fairmont Eagleton
Whittier Garden Place
Greenlee Munroe
Replace Small Replace Large Replace Site
Whittier Remmington
Grassed Fields Grassed Fields Furniture
Smedly Smith
Colfax Fairmont Swansea Barrett
Crofton Whittier Castro
Replace Small Eagleton Columbian
Grassed Fields Smith Columbine
Cowell Ebert
Greenlee Gilpin
Replace Small
Swansea Mitchell
Replace Plastic
Grassed Fields
Whiittier
Play Equipment Columbian
Colfax Columbine
Crofton Replace
Eagleton Artificial Turf
Munroe
Ebert
Rubberize Replace Plastic
Remmington
Erosion Hill Play Equipment
Smith
Garden Place Barrett
Castro
Columbian
Columbine
Ebert
Gilpin
Mitchell
20-year Projected Timeline and Budget (2001-2021)
Learning Landscape Maintenance Costs
Since Denver Public Schools did not have a maintenance schedule or budget, Professor Lois A. Brink, Director of Learning Landscapes, and I created one
for them. Costs were calculated based on facility management and contractor estimates to help plan for ongoing maintenance fees and to raise additional
money. These budgets were a critical component of the 2003 and 2008 bonds which were passed to help build and maintain the playgrounds. For several
years I provided general on-site maintenance checks and special technical assistance as needed.
15. Denver Public Schools
Learning Landscape
Annual Maintenance Costs for 2008 Built 2000 Built 2001 Built 2001 Built 2001 Built 2001 Built 2001 Built 2001 Built 2001 Built 2002 Built 2002 Built 2002 Built 2002 Built 20
Responsible Unit Price
Areas Activity
Party Cycle Unit per cycle Inflation RATE Garden Place
Cycle Cowell Fairmont Fairview Greenlee Smedley Swansea Whittier Colfax Crofton Eagleton Remington Munroe
DPS QTY Cost QTY Cost QTY Cost QTY Cost QTY Cost QTY Cost QTY Cost QTY Cost QTY Cost QTY Cost QTY Cost QTY Cost QTY
LANDSCAPE AREAS 2% year
Track/Plaza Top Dress Crusher Fines annually SF 0.10 NA 2000 $200 7744 $774 4675 $468 400 $40 1533 $153 3500 2500 4900 1360
Regrade 3.00 3 years SF 0.15 NA 2000 7744 $0 $525 $375 $735 $204
Irrigation Replace 30.00 30 years
Repair/Vandalism 1.00 annually LS 5000.00 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000
Fertilize , Top Dress,
Grass Field Aerate, Mow 1.00 annually SF 0.15 63,000 $9,450 $0 61000 $9,150 NA 70,000 $10,500 $0 43200 $6,480 46800
Soils Prep to replace sod
40K+ sq. ft. 10.00 10 yrs SF 0.15 NA
Fertilize , Top Dress,
Grassed Areas/Small Field Aerate, Mow 1.00 annually SF 0.15 2500 $375 35000 $5,250 NA NA 32642 $4,896 5400 $810 33000 $4,950 8000 $1,200 13800 $2,070 26400 $3,960 43000 $6,450 NA NA
Soil Prep to replace sod 5.00 5 yrs SF 0.35
Trees/Shrubs Replace/Prune 1.00 LS 100.00
1-5yrs per yr.
Prune LS 100.00 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $100
5-15yrs per yr.
LS 50.00 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
15-25yrs per yr.
Mulch Infill 1.00 3 yrs SF 0.15 2500 3000 1000 6000 2000 4000 2500 $375 5700 $855 6000 $900 2500 $375 5000
Artificial Turf Replace 15 yrs SF 2.50 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
Maint -sweeping & infill 1.00 annually SF 0.05 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA
HARDSCAPE AREAS
Blacktop area Crack/Seal Coat 5.00 5 yrs SY 4.50 $0
Overlay 10.00 10 yrs SY 9.50
Replace 25.00 25 yrs SF 16.50
Repaint- 1.00 annually LS 600.00 $600 $600 $600 $600 $600 $600 $600 $600 $600 $600 $600 $600
Repaint- field 3.00 3 years LS 300.00
Concrete Walks/ Replace 30.00 30 yrs SF
HARDWARE
Annual Repair/Vandalism 1.00 LS 2500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500 $2,500
Site Furniture Replace 15 years LS
Athletic Apparatus Replace 20 years LS
Playground Equipment Replace plastic parts 25% 10 years LS
Replace all 20 years LS
EWF Refill 5% annually SF 1.00 13500 $675 10000 $500 13,312 $675 8000 $400 8000 $400 4897 $245 9000 $450 12163 $608 6939 13500 18900 9855 13500
Replace 1.00 6 yrs SF 1.00 $6,939 $13,500 $18,900 $9,855
NON-TRADITIONAL ELEMENTS
Rubberized Hills Replace rubber 8 yrs SF 8.00 1200 $9,600
Rock Area NA
Shade Structure/Gateway Repair-painting & fabric 5 yrs LS 1200.00 $1,200 $1,200 $1,200 $1,200 $1,200 $1,200
MISC.
Graffiti Repair Grounds 1.00 annually LS 500.00 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500 $500
DPS TOTALS $28,800 $14,650 $20,499 $9,100 $15,196 $10,222 $15,340 $21,161 $18,609 $28,590 $36,885 $26,814
NON-TRADITIONAL ELEMENTS
Sculpture Repair
Vol/Site Based 3 yrs LS 300.00 $300
Tiles Replace/Repair 3 yrs 1000.00 $1,000 $1,000
Banners Replace 3 yrs LS 1000.00
Repair annual LS 200.00 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200
Murals Replace 7 yrs LS 2500.00 $2,500
Maintenance LS 100.00
Garden Beds/Plots Prune 1.00 annual LS 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
Paths/Crusher Fines Replace 4 yrs LS 0.10
EWF Maintenance/til 2.00 year SF 0.05 $675 $500 $666 $400 $400 $245 $450 $608 $347 $675 $945 $493
Plantings Replace 1.00 2yrs LS 250.00 $250 250.00 250.00 250.00 250.00
Site Based Training
VOLUNTEERS TOTALS $1,225 $600 $3,366 $600 $700 $345 $750 $708 $1,697 $2,325 $1,295 $843
$31,250 $15,850 $27,231 $10,300 $16,596 $10,912 $16,840 $22,578 $22,003 $33,240 $39,475 $28,500
SCHOOL TOTALS
16. Before - looking north towards main intersection After - looking north towards main intersection
Residential Design - Denver, CO
Role: Designer
Year: 2008
I landscaped this small property using as much free and found
material as possible. Sandstone was reclaimed from a local site
and many plants were started from seed or were propagated.
Final material costs were under $1000.
Bird feeder made from found objects
17. After - Construction in progress looking southwest towards house
Before - looking southwest towards house
Trellis under construction
Birdfeeder made with found objects Vegetable garden in driveway Water fountain made with
recycled copper
18. Teaching Philosophy
“What we have to learn to do, we learn by doing.” ~ Aristotle
I am a firm believer in hands-on education and service-learning and make every effort to provide students with the opportunity
for both as often as possible. I know that enthusiasm is contagious and strive to engage my students in thoughtful and provoca-
tive dialogue on a regular basis. When teaching design courses I encourage students to take “leaps of faith” and to experiment.
As an instructor I try to instill self-confidence and to teach communication skills using a variety of media. There is no one way
to design or to think. Students need to learn what works best for them and then to challenge themselves to push beyond their
comfort zones. As a process-oriented person, I am less concerned about final products in entry-level courses than I am about
what is being learned and how well students craft their projects. As students gain confidence, knowledge, and skills, I expect
them to produce work which clearly demonstrates an understanding of design principles, human behavior, site selection, plant
and material selection, ecology, and sustainability.
What students and volunteers have said about me...
“To a creator of dreams, a purveyor of imagination...Thank you Bambi for an amazing experience this round. Your
dedication is contagious and your perseverence is inspirational.” ~ AmeriCorps NCCC Earth Four Team, 2006
“As a current student of hers in Advanced Planning Methods II, I am often astounded at the alacrity with which
Bambi is able to explore and explain even the most nuanced aspects of planning research methods. Her nimble
intellect is exceptional, as she can clearly maneuver between in-depth statistical analysis, art historical methods of
visual perception and design, the psychological underpinnings of human behavior, and proven techniques of successful
community development efforts to improve the sustainability and design of the built environment.” ~ Deryn Ruth
Goodwin, Graduate Student, 2008
“Her teaching technique is well-structured, thorough, and energetic. Ms.Yost has a unique talent in weaving practical
examples from her own relevant experience into her lectures - an effect which infuses her teaching with practical,
real-world examples that engage and energize her students.” ~ Kristin Kirkpatrick, Graduate Student, 2008
19. Bambi Yost, M.L.A., M.U.R.P.
Teaching Portfolio
Bambi L Yost, M.L.A., M.U.R.P. 3761 Perry Street Denver, CO 80212 www.BambiLYost.com Bambi_L_Yost@yahoo.com 720.217.2871 c
20. LA ARCH 6290, LA 6686, URP 6686:
Learning Landscape:
Faculty mentor, Lois Brink, Landscape Architecture, Architecture and Planning
Prepared by NOBUKO KOMURA, Urban Planning, Architecture and Planning
Finding Common Ground –
Students of this course work with a Denver Public Elementary School, its constituents, and selected experts to design a master plan for future campus improvements.
The intent of this master plan is to lay the foundation for an urban space that responds to the needs of its users, including both the school and its community. These master plans are catalysts for invention and
aim to maximize creativity. From the years 1999-2003, UCD in partnership with Denver Public Schools, and a host of other public and private entities raised 10.6 million dollars and constructed 22 Learning Land-
scapes for Denver Public Schools. (Course Syllabus)
Master Planning Course From the survey results, including children’s favorite playground survey of free drawing, favorite photo votes, photo taking, and existing playground condition surveys, the vision and the goals, as well as a
spatial diagrams, are proposed and presented to the school members.
Spatial Diagram:
Vision:
This is the first course in a trilogy of
We embrace new opportunities of growth in our neighborhood with the expan-
sion of Light Rail and support playgrounds as healthy and sustainable places. We seek a
learning landscape at McKinley-Thatcher that will be safer, more inviting, linked to Platt Park,
interdisciplinary courses focused on the and a forum of the neighborhood.
Goals:
Learning Landscapes. In this class Profes- 1. Develop more inviting open space for the neighborhood.
2. Improve the safety and quality of the playground and increase diversity of playground
sor Lois A. Brink and I teach graduate equipment.
3. Provide fitness and recreational opportunities for community members as well as for stu-
students how to conduct research with
dents at McKinley-Thatcher Elementary School.
4. Involve the community in a maintaining their new sustainable landscape, which includes
green building materials, energy efficient design, and ecological principles.
elementary school students, teachers, staff,
5. Introduce the community to healthy environments by offering native cultivated plantings.
and community to create master plans Existing Site Map
Turf Space:
for Denver Public Schools. These master Under-
utilized
plans are used to raise money and to help ECE/
Kindergarten,
G 1, 2 Play-
Main
Service ground:
Entrance
Entrance
guide the design process in the design
ECE Constricted
K Turf Space:
y Under-
Librar
studio. All plans are reviewed by Denver
1
432 utilized
Gym
Intermediate
community, Denver Public School facility Playground:
Constricted
Children’s Perception: examples of the survey results
managers, teachers, students, contractors, Source of the aerial
photo:
Terra Server
and practitioners before being approved.
Journeys of the playground
By Heather Hufford
Basketball/Tetherball Ball Field: Outdoor Class- N I would want a climbing wall on the play-
Space: Under- room: ground because it feels like you are on a
Completed master plans go under review
Isolated from other stu- journey to reach the top of the tallest
utilized Under-utilized
dents’ outdoor activities mountain in the world. When you are at
the top, you feel good for surviving the
challenge. When you look north, you
Favorite Photos:
again prior to build.
see opening sea with a mouth of blue
darkness. Look in the east, as if a dark
shadow covers the Earth. Look to the
Free drawing/Monkey bar Photo taking/Planets on the ground
south, you see a flock of birds heading
toward warmth of the Earth. Look in the
40 31
Votes for Photo
29 29
28
west, a sunset saying go and sleep in
30 21 19 19
14 14 14
20 13 13
the peaceful night. (Grade 2, McKinley-
9 9 9
7 5
4
10 3
Thatcher Primary School)
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
P h o to N u m b e r
I like it
I do not like it
Free drawing/Swings Photo taking/Dog sculpture
Free drawing/Tire Swing, Basketball... Photo taking/Hand prints What I like and do not like at the school playground
Source: Learning Landscape Survey Board
Student Work:
Nobuko Komura - Master Plan Research
21. Mitchell’s Built Shade Structure, 2005
Student Work:
Cindy Craig Harper - Mitchell Elementary School Illustrative Design & Shade Structure Model
ARCH 6910, LA 6720, URP 6686: Designing Common
Ground - Interdisciplinary Studio IV/VI
This advanced studio is the second course in a trilogy of classes
focused on the Learning Landscapes. In this studio graduate
students create design documents for Denver Public Schools.
These documents build on master plans created in a previous
course. All designs are reviewed by Denver community, Denver
Public School facility managers, faculty, students, contractors, and
practitioners before being approved and submitted to the School
Student Work:
District for the bidding process.
Pamela Bjorlo & Jason Kost - Gathering Area
Student Work:
Darby Brooks Presenting Design
Documents & Study Models
22. ARCH 6910, LA 6686, URP 6686: Building Common
Ground – Interdisciplinary Design-Build Course
In this third Learning Landscape course students gain
hands-on experience working on murals, benches, banners,
gardens, raised beds, concrete walkways, brick pillars,
retaining walls, game tables, tiles, and more. Denver Public
School students, faculty, facility managers, engineers, and
contractors work with graduate students. I have taught
this site-based service-learning course for several years. I
believe this class offers some the best, and most enjoyable,
learning opportunities and is well worth the effort.
Students participating in design-build activities
Student Tim Prescott operating a bobcat for the first time under my supervision
24. Student Work:
Jen Goings - 12” x 16” Ink on Arches Paper
ENVD 2002: Environmental Design Graphic Media
In this introductory graphics course I teach hand rendering, freehand drawing, and technical drafting using a variety of media.
Different types of drawings produced include: gestural, diagrammatic, perspective, axonometric and plan oblique, Composition,
texture, color, typography, light, shadow, and graphic standards are explored in-depth. Special emphasis on cognitive aspects of
drawing (Gestalt principles, visual perception, etc) are highlighted throughout the semester.
25. Student Work:
Clockwise from the Top - Character Sketches by Todd Anderson (pencil),
Sarah Zarba (ink), and Liz Smith (charcoal)
Student Work:
“Resources for the Homeless Map” by Lillian Ruiz, 16” x 16” Ink on Mylar
26. Student Work:
Gwathmey Residence and Studio
Perspectives by Mikkel Christensen
(top left), Christin Brandow (top right),
Lillian Ruiz (bottom left), & Jill Petre
(bottom right)
27. ENVD 2002: Environmental Design Graphic Media Con’t.
Student Work:
Plan, Elevation, & Section Drawings by Jeremy Walters, 16” x 16” Pencil on Vellum
Student Work:
Exploded Axonometric Drawings by Lillian Ruiz (top) &
Mikkel Christensen (bottom), 16” x 16” Ink on Mylar
28. Student Work:
“Senseless: There’s a Whole World Out There” -
Psychogeographic art installation by Tom Johnston
ENVD 2001 Social Factors in Environmental Design
Psychogeographic mapping and cognitive mapping are the two main projects in this course. As a Teaching Assistant
I gave a special hands-on collaborative workshop on how to create psychogeographic art installations as part of a
personal derives project. I also taught students how to collect and analyze cognitive maps using Kevin Lynch’s methods.
Although I no longer serve as a Teaching Assistant for this course, I still give guest lectures and workshops.
29. Student Work:
Cognitive Map Project by Ashley Micikas, 11” x 17” Ink on Mylar
Student Work:
Cognitive Map Project by Tom Johnston, 11” x 17” Pencil on Vellum
30. Student Work:
Dan Powers - Artifact Installation
Chatauqua Park, Boulder, CO
ENVD 1004 Introductory Studio
As the main instructor for this undergraduate introductory design studio I related all projects to Chatauqua
Park, a local open space area, so that they could actually explore their site in person. In this studio students
were required to create 1) an artifact from found objects on the site, 2) a simple shelter, 3) a village, and 4) a
garden cottage. The emphasis of this studio is on concept, process, and model-making. with special attention
to site analysis and experiential learning.
31. Student Work:
Taylor Pridgen -Artifact Project
Student Work:
Breannah Stroh - Artifact Project
Student Work:
Ian Swallow - Simple Shelter Using Only Natural Objects
32. Student Work:
Concept Collage by Alex Michalik
Student Work:
Dylan Warren and Jackie Lee work on their Village Model (left), completed Village Model (middle), Jonathan Miller and Kayla
Steffek work on their Village Model (right)
Student Work:
Garden Cottage Model by Alex Michalik, Rodolfo Romero, Leigh Levato, and Tony Munoff
33. Student Work:
Clockwise top left to bottom left - Shelter Model by Charlie Umbarger, Breannah Stroh presenting Garden Cottage Model, Village Model Close-Up, Ian Swallow with Garden Cottage Model, Garden
Cottage Model by Alex Hoover, and Garden Cottage Model by Kayla Steffek
36. Artist’s Statement
When admiring a painting,
Don’t examine the paint.
When meeting an artist,
Don’t look at the brush.
~ Taoist Deng Ming-Dao
Interactions and transformations have always fascinated me. I am particularly drawn to people and places in transition and
find that I am most inspired when trying to express the moments or places “in between.” What is unseen or unsaid is of-
ten most appealing. I am not sure if this is because I am constantly in search of answers or if it is because dynamic relation-
ships are more frequently charged and alive but I do know that I prefer places and themes of cross-over, edges, transitions,
and contrasts. In particular I love ecosystem “edges” and apply ecological principles to man-made environments whenever
I think about designing for people. After all, we inhabit cities in much the same way that a deer lives in the forest.
My creative work tends to be very conceptual and diverse as I love to experiment with materials and ideas. When making
things I prefer to use natural or found objects and inexpensive or recycled things. I typically start with a few loose sketch-
es, words, and conceptual models and then just keep producing until I am spent. I am definitely in the “flow” when creating
and love having time which allows for relaxed and intense creative sessions. Poetry and music frequently play an integral
role for me when designing. I have been writing songs and poems ever since I can remember.
Although much of my work is conceptual and not “practical,” I also enjoy entrepreneurial endeavors and strive to create
“win-win” scenarios which are economically feasible and desirable. In particular, I love creating sustainable settings which
foster beneficial relationships between people, places, and natural and man-made systems. At my core I am an environ-
mentalist who wants to make a difference. I believe in social equity, environmental rights, and the power of place. In fact,
I am currently brainstorming with a friend interested in developing a nonprofit focused on economic stability using micro-
finance loans and other strategies in third world nations. A dream project of mine is to take students to a third world
country as part of a multidisciplinary economic development exchange program which fosters sustainable and aesthetic
problem-solving, cultural and global awareness, and empathy for others.
To date I have not exhibited much artwork beyond the University setting but I would like to eventually. I have been col-
laborating with friends for several years and thrive in team settings. I am currently working on a team art installation titled
“There’s No Place Like Home” with Dr. Joe Juhasz and Rori Knudsten. My creative process feeds my soul and makes me
feel more human and alive. My hope is that others who read or see or experience my artwork find at least a few things
that they can take away with them.
37. Bambi Yost, M.L.A., M.U.R.P.
Creative Portfolio
Bambi L Yost, M.L.A., M.U.R.P. 3761 Perry Street Denver, CO 80212 www.BambiLYost.com Bambi_L_Yost@yahoo.com 720.217.2871 c
39. “Crescent Park In Situ” - 8.5” x 11” Mixed Media Collage
Man In Situ “Under the Skin”
For this series I focused on the interaction of man and environment.
Exploration of a local park revealed layers of conscious and subconscious
relationships resulting in a visual and poetic “book” trying to answer the
“The Remaking” - 8.5” x 11” Mixed Media Collage
question, “What impressions do we make on our environment and what
impressions do our environments make on us?”
41. “This earth, like the body of an animal, is wasted at the same time it is repaired.” ~ Hutton
“Transforming” - 11” x 17” Mixed Media Collage
42. “Two Points Taking a Walk” - 8’ x 8’ x 3’ Installation Mixed Media Close-Up Images of Installation
Point, Line, Plane, & Volume: Waking
I created this art installation as part of a studio project and relied heavily on poetry
and prose to guide my design and discovery process. Installations, models, videos,
paintings, and sketches were created to evoke a sense of wonder and awareness of
little things frequently taken for granted. Concepts of duality, “being” and dwelling,
and “place-making” were explored in depth.
43. Waking… to the Song of Wolves
I am twelve, waking from a sound sleep to the song of wolves. They
were back at the flat rock by the maple syrup hut. The moon was
full and my blood ran thick with each heartbeat calling me to them.
I got out of bed and walked quietly downstairs (missing the fifth step
from the top so my sister would not wake. She always worries too
much).
“Lyrical Lair” - 10” x 10” Collage
It was August, just before we had to return to school. The sky was
huge! Stars everywhere and a moon so bright you could almost read
by the light.
They kept howling – long low guttural sounds followed by higher and
higher melodies of longing.
“Pine” - 8.5” x 11”
I knew that feeling. I never wanted to return. I loved the farm and
Ink on Mylar
the river and the magic of summer more than anything else. My dad
and step-mom bought the rundown farm during the 70’s dairy bust
in upstate New York. 375 acres filled with beaver dams, porcupines,
and more - fields and forest readily available to us. My stepsister
and I would explore until dark and then quietly make our way home
using only our senses to determine the way. We were adventurers.
“Meadow Series” - 11” x 8.5” Ink on Mylar
44. “Inverted Forest” - Flipped 180 degrees
“Inverted Forest” - 8.5” x 11” Ink on Mylar Painting
Inverted Forest - night and day
As part of a personal exploration, I created a series of drawings and models which explore the
dualities of place. Experiments with anamorphic drawings, inverted paintings, and figure ground
studies express complex relationships shifting with the viewer’s perspective. The paintings above
are exactly the same but one has been flipped 180 degrees. This painting is about being on the
edge and crossing over into twilight and other realms of understanding.