IN THE DESIGN STUDIO With Lead Designer Sierra Hart

Sierra Hart is lead landscape designer on the innovative Sonoma Mountain Village (SMV) project, a redevelopment of a 200-acre segment of Rohnert Park, which will feature green architecture in its residences and shops, over 25 acres of parks and several miles of trails for walking and biking.  She   recently shared some of her thoughts on this project:

What is your role in SMV and how does one go about designing for a project of this scope and scale?

My role in SMV goes back to the first stages of visioning the project as a totally new kind of community development, one that embraces the ideals of sustainability, creative business growth and healthy living.  Our ongoing role encompasses landscape design of public space/open space, streetscapes, the town plaza and the residential private spaces.  We are also playing a key role in managing the principles of sustainability (LEED and One Planet Living) that have been adopted by Codding Enterprises - specifically sustainable water, wildlife habitat and food production.

Can you describe some of the most exciting components of the landscaping aspect of this project?

The innovation factor is extremely exciting.  This project really represents a one of a kind opportunity to model sustainable development and to shift the course of planning and development on a very large scale.

Have you faced any unique challenges in designing for this project?

We are trying to re-use and recycle materials from the existing site wherever possible - the buildings themselves are being recycled and material stockpiled for future use in buildings, site furnishings, sculpture, etc.  We will look at solutions for wood from trees that need to be removed, soils that will be excavated, infrastructure that can be retained and re-used.  These are opportunities for major creativity among the whole design team.

When do you plan to start planting?

We have already begun planting around the Sonoma Mountain Business Cluster, which was recently launched on the site as a non-profit incubator for environmental start-ups.  The landscape there showcases California native plants in two microclimates - full shade and full sun.  We also incorporated interlocking pavers to create a walkway and patio that demonstrate one example of pervious paving that will be used throughout the project as a storm water mitigation technique.

Have you noticed the general population changing any of their philosophies or priorities when designing their own landscaping?  Can you predict future trends in this area?

Green building and sustainable landscaping are becoming much more recognized among developers, builders and homeowners.  The trends are being somewhat pushed by government regulations and there will always be a certain percentage that will do only the minimum compliance.  But I do see a growing awareness of the bigger EARTH picture and projects like SMV are bringing this more and more into the forefront - people doing the right thing because they care, not just because they have to.