Wayne NemecLandscape Architecture Portfolio

“Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future.”

-Walt Disney

Luna Cove Mission Bay ParkSan Diego, California

De Anza Cove in the northern part of Mission Bay Park has been through a long legal battle. It was finally resolved to change the modular home park into a place that can be enjoyed by all the citizens of San Diego. The site is nestled adjacent to the channelized Rose Creek and the Kendall-Frost Wetland Preserve that is currently in a state of neglect. The design focuses partly on restoring the wetland, along with improving the aesthetic quality of the creek. While restoring the environmental qualities of the site, the design also adds four times more public parkland than was previously offered: a sports complex, shopping center, resort, and the Luna Bowl (a large outdoor amphitheater for concerts and events that can hold around 25,000-30,000 spectators). The concept for the design is inspired by the various marine life that can be found within Mission Bay, especially the moon jellyfish after which the new site is named.

“An idea is salvation by imagination.”

-Frank Lloyd Wright

Barton Family Vineyards Paso Robles,California

Barton Family Vineyards is the new name and image being given to the existing Grey Wolf Cellars in Paso Robles, California. What used to be a winery and distillery with no constant flow is now a place with a central theme that tells the story of the Barton family to its many visitors. To increase the functionality and aesthetics of the site, two new buildings have been added - a restaurant and wine tasting facility. A park at the lower lot of the property has also been added to provide more recreation space. The existing wine cellar and distillery have been remodeled to compliment the new theme. The design focuses on the family’s agricultural heritage, along with the philosophies of Frank Lloyd Wright as the concept for the winery and the lower park. The distillery in the back of the property has a more industrial Victorian motif that gives the look of a speakeasy during the early twentieth century.

“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”

-Franklin D. Roosevelt

Academic Commons Kennedy LibraryCal Poly; SLO, California

The Academic Commons is a proposed new building for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo as an adjunct to the current Kennedy Library. The library faculty came to the landscape architecture department seeking help to design the building and grounds. The idea is to create a space for students to study and relax during the regular school term. The site, across from the Kennedy Library, currently has an outdated two-story building that takes up a large footprint while offering low square footage. The new design has a building with three times the amount of space with a footprint that is about one fourth the size of the previous structure. Since the site will have a lot more open space, a new park was added for students to hang out. Circulation played a key part in the overall design. By removing the parking lot and turning it into a pedestrian only pathway, it will add a new level of safety for the students on campus. The design also addresses drainage, which aims to stop all storm runoff from leaving the site. The new park also adds sixty trees to the site, and helps create shade for the students while removing carbon pollutants from the atmosphere.

“Do not impose yourself on the environment, let the setting direct you.”

-Wayne Nemec

About Me: I am a student at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo studying landscape architecture. I was born and raised in San Diego County, and call Southern California my home. Some of the largest influences for me to choose landscape architecture as my profession are Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo/Safari Park, which I would visit frequently in my youth. Disneyland also played a key role for choosing landscape architecture, as I would be amazed by the intricate gardens and layout of the park when I would go there as a child. History has always been a major interest, and I love including historical elements throughout my designs. I also enjoy metropolitan areas due to their abundance of culture, art, and highly designed buildings and public spaces. Due to my love of history and cities I enjoy traveling to different places to see how urban spaces function all over the world. During the fall of 2015 I had the great opportunity to live in Italy for three months to study abroad. The time that I spent in Europe traveling and learning how people live has greatly influenced the way I view the world, and I am truly grateful for the experience.