University Boulevard Extension

This project began with developing aesthetic concepts for two roadway bridges in Mesa del Sol, followed by full landscape design from initial concepts through construction documentation. The visual themes were drawn from the surrounding environment, incorporating the sun and wind patterns of the nearby Tijeras Arroyo and referencing local wildlife through the prominent snake motifs featured on the bridges.

The landscape design uses xeric plantings suited to the high-desert conditions. Grasses are placed near the snake elements, while native shrubs and trees line the cobble swales that run throughout the corridor. Water harvesting strategies supplement the non-potable irrigation system, with curb cuts directing stormwater into median swales to take advantage of natural elevation changes.

Given the site’s location and dramatic topography, the project also required significant reclamation and erosion control. The result is a roadway and bridge aesthetic that is rooted in place, environmentally responsive, and aligned with the character of Mesa del Sol.