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portfolio fabrichistorical

energyuniversity

transportationcommunitysustainable

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The Yarmouth Historical Society proposes to develop a new location for its museum and office at the former site of the Yarmouth Water District on the picturesque Royal River. Working in conjunction with Scott Simons Architects’ proposed building addition and renovation plans, we strove to create an integrated and environmentally sensitive architectural and landscape design for the site. We envisioned a site plan that improves accessibility, highlights the rich history of the Town of Yarmouth, preserves and enhances the vegetative buffer along the Royal River, and provides connections to the Royal River Park.

“The center will be a repository and gallery for town history dating back to the Abenaki Indians and the first British settlers, who came here in 1636... The center will feature artifacts, photographs, stories and educational programs about the town’s once-bustling shipbuilding and manufacturing industries.” - Portland Press Herald

Existing Conditions, 2012

Yarmouth History Center yarmouth, maine

Artist rendering by C. Michael Lewis

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Yarmouth History Center Site Plan

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Maine Power Reliability ProgramThe Maine Power Reliability Program consists of approximately 352 miles of new transmission line corridor system upgrades throughout the state. A Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) has been prepared for each segment where physical changes will be occurring. This information was used to make a determination of whether the project would significantly compromise views from scenic and historical resources such that it would have an unreasonable adverse effect on its scenic character or negatively effect public use and expectations.

Ben generated three-dimensional modeling and computer generated photosimulations to illustrate the visibility of the upgraded transmission lines and substations. He produced planting plans for multiple substations and other areas of visual sensitivity.

Above: Photosimulation of a roadside buffer plan proposed to screen drivers’ views of a new substation in Benton, Maine.Inset: Existing conditions

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Top: Photosimulation of a native buffer plan proposed for a direct abutter to the transmission corridor expansion. Right: Sketchup model of a substation, used to assist in the creation of photosimulations.

energy fabr ic

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university of maine, orono

Photosimulation of Black Bear Way Existing Conditions

Black Bear Way

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Black Bear Way, together with amenities, entry plazas, thoughtfully placed green spaces, and public gathering areas, will be a focal point for all University of Maine athletic programs. The new campus connection will provide a safe, functional, and attractive avenue for non-motorists to travel. Low impact development strategies were employed to treat stormwater run-off along the path. Black Bear Way was designed to extend the vision of the current campus master plan.

ALFOND ARENA

MORSE FIELD

MAHANEY DIAMOND

MEMORIAL GYM

KESSOCK FIELD

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Streetscape Design

Route 1, Yarmouth, MaineRoute 1 is a critical corridor for the Town of Yarmouth. It serves countless travelers, residents, and businesses of the community and region. Various design solutions were studied in an effort to provide the Town a long range vision for the corridor.

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Androscoggin River Trail, Lisbon, MaineA preliminary plan was developed for a shared-use recreational trail to connect the villages of Lisbon, Lisbon Center, and Lisbon Falls. This project was an exceptional opportunity to restore Lisbon’s connection to the Androscoggin River, which has played a central part in forming the town’s history, culture, and environment. The trail will be an essential connection between neighborhood community centers, schools, and the three villages.

North Boyd Street, Portland, MaineA preliminary plan was produced for a shared-use recreational trail to connect Portland’s Bayside District with Kennedy Park. Photosimulations and cross sections were produced for public and abutter input and acceptance.

Trail Design

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Form Based CodeDamariscotta, MaineResidents of the town of Damariscotta, Maine wished to address concerns regarding preservation of their unique New England downtown. With the help of the planning organization, Friends of Mid-Coast Maine, we were able to produce conceptual models of potential future developmental patterns. The key goals we strove to address included: to build community places, encourage close knit neighborhoods, allow for jobs to be developed locally, and maintain open spaces in the rural areas to allow denser development closer to downtown.Left: Sketchup model of Damariscotta’s existing conditions.Bottom: Sketchup model of conceptual development patterns.

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South Portland, MaineSeveral neighborhood centers in South Portland were selected for a study focusing on potential future development and improved streetscapes. Ben produced photosimulations of these focus areas to aid in the public’s understanding of design alternatives.

Left Column: Photosimulation of Main Street in South Portland, Maine. Several streetscapes and building sizes were examined for this intersection.Right Column: Photosimulation of Cash Corner in South Portland, Maine. We viewed this corner as an opportunity to anchor this busy intersection through the use of multi-story buildings and street trees.

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Wind Power visual impact assessmentsHighland Wind Project, Highland Plantation, MaineHighland Wind LLC has proposed the Highland Wind Project , a 39 wind turbine generating facility located in Highland Plantation, Somerset County, Maine. In addition to the wind turbines, the Project also includes a 34.5-kilovolt (kV) electrical collector system, an electrical collector substation, a 115-kV generator lead, an Operations and Maintenance building, up to five permanent 80-meter meteorological towers, and a series of roads to construct and then access the turbines and related infrastructure.

A Visual Impact Assessment (VIA) applied the criteria in the Maine Wind Power Law to examine each of the scenic resources of state or national significance, in terms of their context, significance, existing public use, viewer expectations, project impact, and the potential effect on public use. This information was used to make a determination of whether the Project would significantly compromise views from these resources such that it would have an unreasonable adverse effect on its scenic character or the existing uses related to its scenic character.

There are several scenic resources of state or national significance within the viewshed of the Highland Wind Project. Within the 8-mile study area the most significant scenic resources are the views from Little Bigelow Mountain on the Appalachian Trail in the Bigelow Preserve, the eastern end of Flagstaff Lake, and Gilman Pond. A portion of the Arnold Trail, a nationally significant historic resource, runs from Wyman Lake to Flagstaff Lake within the study area.

Below: Graphics from our firm’s VIA used to describe the viewpoints along the Appalachian Trail on Little Bigelow Mountain.

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visual impact assessments Other Wind Power Projects at TJD&A

Bull Hill Wind Project, Blue Sky East LLC,T16 MD, Hancock County, ME. Assisted in producing the Visual Impact Assessment for a 19 turbine wind project. Computer generated photosimulations and mapping.

Saddleback Mountain Wind Project, Patriot Renewables, Carthage, ME. Assisted in producing the Visual Impact Assessment for 12 turbine wind project. Computer generated photosimulations and mapping.

Photosimulation of the Highland Wind Project from Little Bigelow Mountain.

Photosimulation

Photosimulation

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There is a need and place for nature in the city of man. An understanding of natural processes should be reflected in the attribution of value to the constituents of these natural processes. Such an understanding, reflected in city building, will provide a major structure for urban and metropolitan form, an environment capable of supporting physiological man, and the basis for an art of city building, which will enhance life and reflect meaning, order, and purpose.

- Ian McHarg

© benjamin gleason

47 twilight lanegorham, maine 04038

207.899.8043

bgleason87@gmail.com