1. table of contents: opening statement
the succession and evolution of
Landscape Designer John C. Duthie: A Portfolio of Selected Works, 2006-2010
1 ...............................................................................................table of conents The design work and pho-
tos selected for this The evolution of my
2 ............................................................................................opening statement
portfolio represent a story professional self and
3 .....................................................................................planting the first seeds: of the learning that is
learning through experience succession and a taking place during that
process of evolution in process is filled with
4 .....................................................................................cultivating my passion: which I am continually the discovery of new
apprenticeship and design school
acquiring insight and approaches, paths and
5-8 .........................................................................continued growth in the field: knowledge, skills and tools which are the
duthiedesign talents on my journey as rerewards of a
a landscape designer. Like willingness to self
8-14 .....................................................................continued growth in the field: the ecological growth of a discovery.
bachelor of landscape architectureture forest woodland, I
15-16................................................................................................branching out:
continue to diversify and
community outreach by duthie design grow, and mature.
17-20 .....................................................................continued growth in the field:
duthiedesign
page 2
page 1
2. planting the first seeds: cultivating my passion:
learning through experience apprenticeship and design school
Realizing greater potential for
landscape design, I promptly
My approach to landscape design was, from the start, a ‘bottom- enrolled into an apprenticeship
up' learning experience. I worked hands-on, learning gardening program at Humber College.
and construction techniques. Many of my first designs were strictly Following my apprenticeship, I
horticultural in nature and designed 'on the fly' with little to no furthered my schooling by
supportive drawings or layouts. taking a Design Certificate
program at Humber college.
Image 1 Images 1 and 2, above, represent two
Verbal on-site communication of ideas and plant choices were my This image shows another perennial
creative tools; I learned that my ability to converse with the client residential design projects intorducing
was my biggest asset, along with my capability to imagine me to design theory and Computer
opportunities and design possibilities while in consultation with the Assisted Drafting techniqes.
client.
Image 1. Smith Residence Presentaion Plan. Image 2. Baller Residence Presentaion Plan.
Image 3
page 3 Image 2
This photo (Stuart Street, Guelph) shows
a perennial garden and stone walkway
page 4
This image (Dawn Road,
Guelph) shows a simple
3. continued growth in the field: continued growth in the field:
duthiedesign duthiedesign
“John has an innate ability
to come up with great ideas
on the spot. Adding raised
planters around our deck One of my proudest design achievements
and natural stone pathway was the Caine Residence in Puslinch,
added a new Ontario. Located on a 3/4 acre
dimension to the country-side estate, the entire property
property that we had never was landscaped under my direction and in
Following my college education and dreamed of! Thanks John!” collaboration with the client over a period
Image 2. Employee Con-
apprenticeship I continued to grow -M. Pelletier of three seasons. struction photos at,Caine
Image 1. Pelletier Deck Design and installation,
my design and build business. The Residence (2007).
Image 1. Caine Residence
following pages (pp 5-6) contain (2007). Front courtyard patio,
photos representing some of the garden beds and retaining
work that I have undertaken over wall.
the last several years.
John is a pleasure to work “John Duthie is extremely creative both with design and plant choices. He has
Imge 4. Pond and waterfall installtion
with. He stays calm and the ability to really understand the needs of his clients, and is always open to new nstalledby Duthie Design, 2008
listens to your ideas. His ideas, which develops a real working relationship. John has a very practical
ability to work through the approach to landscaping and achieves dynamic results whether he is working
process and decisions in a with patios, shrubs, flower beds water features or stone walls. With his
logical and organized considerable experience, John creates a beautiful
Image 2. Image 3. Pacheco front Image 4.
Briden Waterfall, Guelph walkway and beds, Parker front walkway and manner makes him an asset landscape at reasonable cost.” Image 3. Employee Con-
(2007). Guelph (2006). beds, Guelph (2006). to any project. struction photos at,Caine
Residence (2007).
- J. Riddolls Ann Cane
page 5 page 6
4. continued growth in the field: continued growth in the field:
duthiedesign duthiedesign
Problem:
DuthieDesign
Guelph, ON N1E1A1
28 Vista Terrace
How to design a dynamic and interesting residential Quick analysis sketches work well to demonstrate to the
backyard space given a small lot, a small budget and a client the design choices. Additional sketches are often
long list of client requirements. produced to give the client a felling for what hardscapes
will look like and how they will relate to the overall
Solution:
Fugler Residence
theme and feeling of the new space created.
Concept Plan
In response to the client needs, and the conditions of
the site itself, the solution to this design problem was Below (Images 5, 6) is a typical sketch
resolved through analysis of existing conditions and showing client what the cedar arbour will look like.
followed by a functional analysis. Once the funda- To it’s left, is the final design after photo, (facing
mental placement of program elements is rationalized, Image 2. north), depicting the same arbour next to the char-
the designer focuses on layout, shape, and pattern. Site Inventory.
coal blue stone work and surrounding plantings.
07-5-2009
LP-C-1
FUGL
Image 4.
Form is and pattern being determined here, in Image 7.
this sketch by choosing between curvilinear, Concept Plan. Hand Drawn and Rendered in Photoshop.
zigzag and other combinations. In the end, the
decision is to use zig- zag, and to orient the
patio at a 45 degree angle to the house wall. The concept plan illustrated above makes best use of the limited space by arranging the
patio at 45 degrees to the house wall, and placing other functional elements around the
Image 1. Existing view facing
perimeter of the main seating area. This arrangement, in combination with the staggered
North towards the driveway. arrangement of paving stones, and surrounding arbour, creates a vibrant and dynamic space
for entertaining or relaxing in the garden.
page 7 Image 3.
Functional Analysis Image 5. Image 6. page 8
Hand drawn Sketch. After shot, Facing North
Cedar arbour
5. continued growth in the field: continued growth in the field:
bachelor of landscape architecture bachelor of landscape architecture
Aspiring to greater professionalism, I
We were instructed to take
pursued a Baccalaureate fo Landscape
elevations, determine elevations,
Architecture at the University of Guelph. This
and to make
experience opened my eyes to the scope of
observations about the
possibilities found within the profession. The
existing conditions of the
following pages show a typical group project
adjacent stream and water
assignment. This particular project involved
channels with the intention of
site visits to Beaver Valley Ski Club in Beaver
re-designing those elements in
Valley, Ontario.
order to improve water runoff
issues and erosion
problems. A full construction set
was produced. Two pages from
that set are highlighted in this
portfolio.
Image 1.
Fellow classmates on-site at Beaver Valley Ski Club, (2008).
page 9 Image1. As a team project this project involved the co Image 2. As a team effor we each contributed
page 10
planning and execution of three team members including several details to this detail sheet.
myself.
6. continued growth in the field: continued growth in the field:
bachelor of landscape architecture bachelor of landscape architecture
My first response to
6/ Vegetation
the probelem was to
prepare a proposal
As mentioned, the asphalted area is devoid of any green space creating an uncomfortable microclimate.
Tree plantings were observed along the edges of the asphalted area, which is a good start to adding
shade, interest and definition between spaces and near the playground. Additional vegetation is noted
Executive Summary along the fence-line, mostly and groupings of trees and shrubs at the council ring. Restrictions to plantings
outlining my
would be necessary within the sports field areas, for obvious reasons. Some areas require rejuvenation of
shrubs and trees including some pruning and shaping to make the areas more inviting. Overall the planting
Problem:
seems to take a band-aid approach to improving the site’s appearance without a sense of a grand vision
observations and
or theme. The school yard employs a large amount of turf. Some turfed areas are steeply sloped and
could be seen as opportunities for planting a more diverse vegetation regime. Despite any of the site’s
Background
shortcomings, many of the community members and staff of the school have invested their own personal
time in planting trees and shrubs on the property. This gives the school yard a community feel and sense of
initial analysis of
Wish Lists and Goal Setting: pride and ownership. Community involvement is a great asset to have and should be encouraged and
In the spring of 2009 I met with Ian Malcolm to discuss opportunities for the design and layout of Maple Leaf recognized.
How to rejeuvenate a typical public
Public School. In particular, Ian mentioned that an overall tree planting design for the property was of
Objective of the Design Proposal:
existing conditions on
primary interest. In addition, Ian mentioned several key existing areas of interest that could be modified. A
copy of survey results was passed to me which listed possible areas to focus on or a community ‘wish list’.
In order to gain support, research
From this list I made several observations of main categories of focus: The objective for the design intervention is to develop a master plan for the school yard that will ultimately
schoolyard that contains over 30
provide a grand vision for the programming of activities, and overall health of the site and its users. It will
Drainage issues at the bottom of the hill / lower field;
the site,
provide a reference for future years to come, so that as the site progresses and develops, that vision will
Sports field improvements including regrading, drainage, surfacing;
Differentiation between play areas for the junior and intermediate students; remain true throughout the many years to come.
percent of its useable outdoor space and community involvement, Students, staff, administrators and other
Hardware improvements and additions for sports fields ( B-Ball posts, soccer posts, football);
Increased seating opportunities; Goals of the Master Plan:
and introducing the
Protecting and care for existing trees (mulching, weeding);
Additional themed areas for play and teaching (tranquility area, amphitheater, etc).
in asphalt; contains a high level of I initiated a community input
Creation of an overall theme for the school yard’s design;
stakeholders provided valuable information
Site Observations and Analysis: Positioning, placement of trees and other vegetation throughout the site;
goals and objectives
Location and details of individual program elements and their uses;
From my analysis of my site visits and aerial images of the site I observed the following characteristics: Details for tree and shrub installation and care;
competition for programmed and brainstorming session, and
Improve drainage functions in problem areas;
in the research during the design process.
1/Existing Programmed areas:
Provide additional play areas for students;
of the master plan
The schoolyard is packed with multiple program-related activity areas including sports filed areas :
activities; and offers little vegeta- subsquent
Soccer;
The hope was that active stakeholder
Football;
process.
Baseball;
Maple Leaf Public School: Proposal for Outdoor Design Intervention 3
tive biodiversity, while gathering the co-design event with the students.
Maple Leaf Public School: Proposal for Outdoor Design Intervention 1
A paper was also involvement would lead to a design that
Image1. Map;e eaf P.S., Proposal for Design The adjacent panel shows student
support of all stakeholders including Intervention, (2009). produced investigating would foster community ownership of the
children, parents, neighbours, involvement and goals of process and the final design.
opportunities to:
community members, teachers and co-designing with the public.
increase the site's
school board administrators. functional connectiv-
ity within the school’s
This project was initially offfered to urban context; outlining
me as an unpaid work project, which the idea of naturalizing
then turned int my final fourth year portions of the school-
term project, as partial fulfilment of yard; and, promoting
the B.L.A degree. social change by linkng
these ecological
benefis with the
school’s educational
page 11 curriculum.
page 12
Image 2. Schoolyard Naturalization Report, (2009).
7. continued growth in the field:
continued growth in the field:
bachelor of landscape architecture
bachelor of landscape architecture
It became increasingly obvious that a lack of
ecological connection and a sterile
environment could be overcome if the pro-
From my research and analysis, including the
gramming focused on building an
community information gathering sessions,
ecological ethic, by using natural materials,
and the codesign workgroups, I began to
and by creating simple outdoor play activities
understand more clearly what the students,
that involved the natural world.
over the course of their formative school
Combining school curriculum with natural
years, actually experienced during the course
outdoor programming would create additional
of their formative school years. It became
benefits in terms of learning outcomes.
obvious that the banality of the school yard
Planning for and allocating naturalized
and its lack of interesting spaces, its lack of
spaces would also benefit the adjacent com-
life, promoted vandalism, attention deficit
munity aesthetically and would reconnect the
and a general malaise amongst the popula-
site to the regional ecosystem.
tion. Additionally, the lack of any vegetative
By simply providing a layout for natural play
diversity and the highly asphalted playground
activities, both the aesthetic and education-
supported water runoff issues which created
al objectives were co-jointly determined.
unusable play areas. With virtually no micro-
My interaction with educators revealed that
climate on the site, hot fall afternoons made
almost any grade school subject from
for uncomfortable classroom teaching time,
counting, to mapping, to experimentation,
windy winter environments and offered little
to identification, could be taught from an
shade for students or community members
outdoor perspective. The staff and the
who frequented the playground in the warmer
students confirmed that this idea was valid,
months. Image 2. Mater plan - Maple Leaf Public School.
Image 1.
Panel 1 / 2, Inventory and Analysis Maple Leaf Public School.
Panel 2 / 2, Final Design Project Design Panel, BLA (2010). Created with Adobe Creative Suite 3.
and both were overly anxious to have those
Final Design Project, BLA (2010). Created with Adobe Creative Suite 3. experiences realized.
page 13 page 14
8. branching out: branching out:
community outreach by duthiedesign community outreach by duthiedesign
This project,entitled Discovery Ponds and Butterfly
Garden was designed and constructed by
duthiedesign in 2009-2010.
farm house
Project Objective: 1
The aim of this project is to bring children with mental 1 Existing porch Photo Collection - First Year of
and physical challenges closer to nature 3
4
2 wheel chair accessible
viewing area (limestone Operation
during their experience with summer camp. A
6 screeings)
5 3 Pond and waterfall
15
two-tiered pond and stream system was constructed 6
2
4 cedar trees and native
shrubs In its first year of operation the
complete with native shrubs, perennials and ground open
grassed
pony and
5 Stream
Nature Ponds and Discovery
covers planted along the perimeter of the stream and
alpacca
area 6 Native wildflowers/butterfly
8 9
6 garden
Center at Sunrise Therapeutic
ponds. For accessibility, a large deck platform was
7 open grassed area
Riding and Learning Center are a
6
6 10 8 ramp and connecting board
created next to the water features which includes a
walk
tremendous success.
pavillion
13 main platform 9 raised planters (Wheelchair
wheel chair accessible potting bench. Campers are
accessible)
11
10 planting table (wheel chair
encouraged through programmed activities to collect
17 accessible)
Children and camp counsellors
12
11 raised beds
16
insects, butterflies and plant specimens. Each year 12
13
ramp
main platform (8.5 x 6 m) are able to have fun
campers will assist in planting trees, perennials and
6 14
7 open grassed
14 Living willow fort
experimenting and engaging
wildflowers on the property.
area
in a naturalized setting.
15 Teepee
16 Pump
17 Lower pond
Additionally, a living willow structure was planted as a
respite from the summer heat, and place to hang out
and interact during the season. The plantings are
on-going from year to year and it expected that an Project Intent:
The aim of this project is to bring all kids, and especially those with special needs, the op-
increased sightings of birds, insects and other living portunity to enjoy the outdoors and learn about nature. Kids will be able to help plant, to
catch insects, and just plain enjoy being outside!
biota will migrate towards the site. As the garden matures, it is expected that wildlife, including birds and butterflies, will be at-
tracted to the colours and scents of the plantings surounding the stream and ponds. We
hope to see frogs and other wildlife sightings soon!
DISCOVERY POND AND BUTTERFLY GARDEN
page 15 SUNRISE THERAPEUTIC RIDING AND LEARNING CENTER.
RR2 PUSLINCH, ONTARIO page 16
9. continued growth in the field: continued growth in the field:
duthiedesign PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT duthiedesign
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Naturalized Perennial Plantings
Scabiosa columbaria ‘Pink Mist’ Hemerocalis ‘Always Afternoon’ Liatris spicata Rudbecki hirta ‘Prairie Sun’ Echinacea purpurea Clematis and Rosa Clinmbers Festuca glauca ‘Elija Blue’ Echinace purpurea‘Big Sky Sundown’ Budleia Davidii ‘Peacock’ hemerocalis ‘Always Afternoon’ Alchea ‘Chater’s Double Pink’
DWARF PINCUSHION FLOWER DAYLILLY ‘ALWAYS AFTERNOON’ ELIJA BLUE FESCUE Veronica L. Eveline PEACOCK BUTTERFLY BUSH
GAYFEATHER PRAIRIE SUN CONEFLOWER PURPLE CONEFLOWER (Colour and variety of Client’s BIG SKY SUNDOWN CONEFLOWE ALWAYS AFTERNOON DAYLILLY CHATER’S COUBLE PINK HOLLY HOCK
SHED EVELINE SPEEDWELL
choice).
Pigeon Coop
Cedar Screening
Flowering Shrubs Naturalized Perennial Plantings
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Phlox subulata ‘Candy Stripes’
CANDY STRIPES PHLOX
Cedar Tree Screening
Formal Perenninal Ring
Shade Tree
This presentation panel is
Lawn submitted to the client at 36 x 24”
format outlining the planting plan
Formal Perennial Groupings
Crushed gravel Walkway
with colour photographs of all plant
Campanula capartica
BELLEFLOWER
Privacy Fence Cedar Pergola
selections. The coours adhere to
and Gates
Stone Patio
Floral Climbers
Ground Covers
Image 2. the tones that were requested by
Crushed Gravel Walkway
Salmon Residence, Construction Detail Cross Section (2010) Aster dumogous ‘Wood’s Pink’
WOOD’S PINK ‘ ASTER the client in the initial assessment
Cedar Lattice Screening
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
phase of the design process.
Cedar Deck
The objective of this design is to transform a new residential
backyard property from a relatively barren and open
BBQ
Lecanthemum x superbum ‘Silver Princess’
SILVER PRINCESS SHASTA DAISY
environment to a more closed yet intimate and colourful
experience for the client. Full master plan and
construction sets were compiled for the client, Cerastium tomentosum
and a few selections of those documents are provided in
SNOW IN SUMMER
this portfolio.
74 Norton Rd. 76 Norton Rd. 78 Norton Rd.
Image 1.
16
Salmon Residence, Master Plan (2010).
Page PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
Cercis canadensis Amelanchier laevis columnus Euonymous alata compacta Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Gracilis’
page 17
Ginkgo biloba ‘Autumn Gold’ Acer rubrum ‘Brandywine’ Hydrangea paniculata ‘PINKY WINKY’’ Thuja occidentalis
EASTERN REDBUD ALLEGHNEY SERVICEBERRY COMPACT BURNING BUSH DWARF HINOKI FALSE CYPRESS AUTUMN GOLD MAIDEN HAIR TREE BRANDYWINE RED MAPLE PINKY WINKY HYDRANGEA EASTERN WHITE CEDAR
(Showing Spring Bloom) (Showing Fall Colour)