City of Lansing's new Comprehensive Plan
>>Comprehensive Plan>> (83.3 KB PDF)

Dr. Rex LaMore, SPDC faculty member and Director of the MSU Center for Community and Economic Development, hosts a public forum for Urban and Regional planning students. The forum which was held on September 22, 2009 in Lansing Michigan, discussed the City of Lansing's new Comprehensive plan. 

Knapp Building - Interior Design Senior Project
>>Capitalgains Feature>> (104 KB PDF)

The Knapp’s building was chosen for the 2009 Interior Design senior’s thesis project. For the past two years, students have worked with real clients to repurpose vacant valuable buildings near Lansing and East Lansing. Dr. Young Lee and Doina Ilies worked with 40 students to redesign the interior of the building.   Although, the student’s designs were constructed well and gave the building new life, renovations to the Knapp building will continue to be prolonged due to the building codes, the difficulty reconstructing the interior and above all the expense.

“Sculpting Movement, Restoring Spirit.” Daimler Chrysler New World Engine Plant Masterplan Regional Design Competition.
>> Design Competition >> (238 KB PDF)

The design team of Pat Crawford (SPDC), Robert Schutzki (Horticulture) and Sissi Bruch (SPDC) receive First Place in the 2004 DaimlerChrysler Regional Design Competition. The design concept statement was translated into the four languages representative of the world engine alliance: English, German, Japanese and Korean.

Movement. It’s physical … emotional … spiritual. It inspires, drives and sustains us. It invigorates us and gives us a sense of vitality. Automobiles can inspire all this and more, and so, too, should the landscape. A well-designed landscape is not just a work of art, but a gift to humanity.

Spirit . The landscape is a gift that promotes health, welfare, and reminds us of the importance of our co-existence on this Earth and with this Earth. These ideals are shared throughout our global community. This is what the landscape of the new World Engine Plant will evoke and reinforce. A living, breathing, thriving testament to stylistic expression, technological innovation, environmental sustainability

Colon Community Park Master Plan & Construction
>> Design Boards >> (712 KB PDF)

In November, 2007, twenty-three 4th year Michigan State University Landscape Architecture students were given the task of designing a park space for the Colon community. After presenting these designs to community members, feedback was used to fine tune the elements of a park specifically for Colon. Through board meeting discussions and thorough attention to community input surveys, this park space was designed as a place for the Colon community, by the Colon community. In March, 2009, the construction process begins with earthwork and pouring shelter footings.

“One Change Can Lift the Heart of a Whole Community.” Home Makeover Lansing Style: Greater Lansing Association of Realtors Centennial Celebration
>> Makeover Designs >> (3,434 KB PDF)

Student Planning Committee: Mark Repella, Shawn Kelly, Tanya Barigelli, Matt Similuk, and Sarah Pochotas. Faculty Advisor: Pat Crawford

A volunteer effort of two dozen 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th year Landscape Architecture students worked in conjunction with the Greater Lansing Board of Realtors to create renovation designs for 12 homes in Lansing, Michigan as part of their Centennial Celebration. Three of the homes were selected for construction in June and using community donations of time and materials. “The goals for this project are to assist the community by helping it in improving small segments in hopes that it will stimulate more people to follow suit and to build a bridge to the community to show that we, as students, are interested in our current community.”

General Motors Assembly Plant Master Plan
>> Design Process with GM >> (1,284 KB PDF)

Pat Crawford, Trish Machamer, Warren Rauhe, General Motors Company, and Alberiche Consultants. Professors, students and interns interacted with GM officials, professional land developers and architects as they searched for cutting edge design solutions that fit within the local environmental, social, and economic context.

The General Motors Assembly Plant Master Plan project was orchestrated through the LA program’s Community Design Initiative (CDI). The initiative combined:

1) a student volunteer kick-off of site reconnaissance and analysis, client meetings, concept brainstorming and program development with 3rd, 4th and 5th year students,

2) a 5th year studio design development component focusing on natural resources and ecology to develop multiple design concepts concluding with formal client presentations, and

3) a CDI student intern driven working session with clients, blending of the class master plans and client comments to reach a final design and formal presentation.