BRYAN WHITE

Headquarters for AMGEN Pharmaceuticals, Seattle WA

This 40-acre campus housed six buildings including labs and associated supporting office space, totaling 750,000 SF. Additionally, an award-winning pedestrian bridge was built to provide staff and local residents with direct access to waterfront parks. Murase Associates was responsible for the design and planning of all exterior spaces with extensive hardscape--creating a landscape that referenced the natural features of the Pacific Northwest region and that responded to the specific waterfront site.

Bryan’s time at Murase Associates focused on using his knowledge of building technologies to facilitate the immense amount of detailing and specifications needed for the construction of hardscape throughout the project. His role in the project included construction documentation of hardscape elements including extensive stone and water features, along with construction administration. Because of the scale of the project and its vast scope, a unique delivery system for that information and detailing was warranted, requiring the presence of full-time, on-site construction administration.

The project also included the large-scale construction of multiple land art formations. As the nature of these works required in situ decision-making, the firm principals, Robert and Scott Murase, were on site for a six-month construction period, working “hands on,” as they directed subcontractors during the process. Bryan provided intensive support to the principals, during this period, coordinating with the trades, and facilitating a smooth construction process.

Project completed while with Murase Associates Landscape Architects

A full-block urban mixed-use project, located in the Seattle Denny retrograde neighborhood, encompassing multi-family residential, restaurants, retail, commercial office space and underground parking.

The project created a pedestrian environment that was part of an overall redevelopment strategy for the neighborhood. In addition to preserving the existing alley right-of-way, the design incorporated a second public pedestrian throughway, crossing through the middle of the block, bringing a total of 6 urban edges (with differing typologies and responses to adjacencies required) to the project. The reintegration of an existing historic industrial building (the New Richmond Laundry) was also part of the program. Additionally, the ground -up project required multiple public areas to fill the city’s zoning requirements for open spaces, including a roof deck.

The roof deck’s community open space also included a pedestrian bridge linking the building ro NBBJ’s office spaces in the adjacent building.

Bryan’s role as project landscape architect utilized his expertise in navigating urban conditions. His knowledge of building and hardscape systems made for smooth interactions and exchanges with the architects, other consultants, and city agencies for a complex and very urban project with many user groups. Additionally, his ability to naviagate both landscape and architectural concerns meant that the design continuity from exterior to interior spaces was a priority.

Project completed while with Murase Associates Landscape Architects

Central Station is a full block mixed-use development that includes privately developed office, residential, commercial, retail and hotel programs. Additionally, the ground plane serves as the primary City of Phoenix Transit Hub for the Downtown Community.

Role included preparing Landscape Schematic Documents for the Ground plane Transit Hub + Urban Streetscapes, Rooftop Hotel Pool Complex and Amenities. Coordinating with Contracting Teams during Budgeting Phases and selecting building systems and materials appropriate to a complex Urban Project. Coordinating with Agency Transit Staff, Structured Parking and Engineering Consultants in addition to extensive storm water retention requirements.

Project completed while with Floor Associates Landscape Architects.

This adaptive re-use project, transformed an abandoned warehouse in an industrial area of downtown Phoenix into a design and production facility, for Kornegay Design, a designer and manufacturer of cast concrete site furnishings.

As the building formerly housed a battery manufacturer, the site underwent remediation for soil contamination. The project was the beginning of a new generation of gentrification in the industrial zone, and Douglas Architects worked closely with Steve Martino Landscape Architects to create a site that worked in harmony with Larry Kornegay’s products, and manufacturing needs, re-introducing native plantings to the site to create a desert habitat that was quickly adopted by all manner of desert creatures: birds, butterflies and bees.

Bryan’s role as Project architect included all phases of the project through permitting and construction.

Project completed while with John Douglas Architects and Landscape Architects

Epic Systems Corporation, Verona Campus

This project encompassed the landscape design (schematic through design development) for a medical software company’s headquarters located in Verona, Wisconsin.

The intial conceptual design was centered around a water feature that connected the various buildings on campus, and the idea of “weeping beaches”.

Bryan was tasked with taking Bob Murase’s conceptual and schematic designs into an executable direction. Beyond the complexity of filling programmatic and landscape requirements on a large scale project, there was a uniquely challenging situation, as part of the construction of the landscape was situated over an existing, below-grade parking garage.

Bryan’s expertise was utilized to navigate those challenges of coordination with civil and structural consultants, for this unique building scenario, and also communicate to the team the degree to which those factors would play a part in the design and execution of the project. Additionally, as the water features were central to the concept of the design, his role also focused on the design and detailing of the complex waterproofing assemblies required for the project.

Project completed while with Murase Associates Landscape Architects

The Green House Farm is a private residential, urban farm project with the expressed goal of environmental education. Development of this central Phoenix, 20-year project, located on a half-acre, agrarian-irrigated property, was based on a long-term planning principle developed under a regenerative permaculture-based concept.

Along the way the project generated other opportunities to share the lessons learned over the years of development. On-site demonstration-based learning and off-site institutional teaching programs were developed to support the goals of this project. Lessons learned at the GHF benefited curriculum developement and  classes that were taught at the Desert Botanical Garden and The Valley Permaculture Alliance, including subjects such as:

Urban Fruit Orchards in the Desert

Designing Residential Food Producing Landscapes

Water Features in the Garden

Attracting Backyard Wildlife

Backyard Chicken Keeping

The GHF was also a multi-year participant in the annual ‘Tour-de-Coops,’ a backyard chicken-centered event. Additionally, the now ubiquitous farm-to-fork movement in our culinary culture has recognized a truth we’ve know all along--that eating food grown in your own garden is one of the most rewarding connections we all have to the land.

This project provided an opportunity to manage a $900,000 Science Foundation Arizona Grant for Metro Tech High School [trade school] Phoenix AZ.

Role included project management and distribution of grant money. Projects included a Photovoltaic Array and battery storage charging station, a Riparian Ecosystem Science Curriculum [Rio Salado AZ Adubon - River Pathways conservation education programing]  an on-site retention area and pond construction Study Area, a Food Orchard for 'field to fork' Culinary Programming / a Solar Shade Structure for the Building Technology Curriculum / an Aquaponics System / the Sustainable Table Restaurant Renovation / a Rain Water Harvesting System, and educational signage about each of the projects.

The Desert Botanical Garden (DBG0 in Phoenix, Arizona is a world-renowned botanical garden featuring desert plants from around the world, with a collection of over 50,000 plants.

As an active botanical garden and cultural institution, Desert Botanical Garden is constantly evolving, and as a result, in order to meet its needs, the master planning for its facilities ongoing. During the time period when Bryan was working at Douglas Architects and Landscape Architects, priorities were focused on multiple scopes of work throughout the Garden.   Bryan’s role on various projects included:

Project architect for the full-phase architectural scope on the Horticultural Lab and Library

Project architect for the planning phase for Gertrude’s Restaurant

Project architect for the planning phase of Ullman Terrace Renovation

Project architect for the entry restroom renovations

Project architect for the Arizona Ballet at DBG Amphitheater and parking

Additionally, during an earlier phase of building at DBG, Bryan worked under Steve Martino Landscape Architects during the construction of the Pavillions, reviewing steel shop drawings and some minor construction administration.

The Soleri Bridge was the third major intervention in the City of Scottsdale’s efforts to develop the canal as an urban waterway. Previously, as typical of the hundreds of miles of irrigation canals that traverse the greater Phoenix area, the embankments of the canals that wound through parts of downtown Scottsdale retained their original agrarian infrastructure.

John Douglas Architects and Landscape Architects were responsible for the overall site plan and bridges, and acted as Architect of record for the Soleri Bridge, and the public art percentage for the project.

Bryan’s role as project architect included working closely with city agencies, SRP, and all consultants including Steve Martino Landscape Architects, (to facilitate interactions with Paolo Soleri and all parties involved in the process.

Additionally, as part of a continuing services contract that John Douglas Architects held with the city, Bryan worked on a number of other downtown Scottsdale projects, including construction administration and shop drawing reviews for the Marshall Way Bridge. Mutiple civic projects with the same group of city development and building agencies, and consultants including landscape, civil and structural, allowed for an opportunity to develop a rapport with those actors, and facilitate a deeper understanding and smoother process.

As is the case with all civic projects for the City of Scottsdale, there was a public art percentage for the project. Bryan worked closely with Paolo Soleri and consultants to facilitate the construction of the art works and its integration into the project and built environment.

Projects completed while with John Douglas Architects and Landscape Architects.

Culdesac is a developer-led, multi-family, transit-oriented project, designed and conceived as an urban community with reduced vehicular use. Amenities planned within the pedestrian-scaled master plan include restaurants, groceries and other local retailers, and are centered around interior-facing courtyards and shared spaces.

As a member of the team, Bryan focused on hardscape detailing and infrastructure.

Project completed while with Floor and Associates.

The Health Futures Center is a medical learning facility built for Arizona State University (ASU) in partnership with the Mayo Clinic. Situated in the native Sonoran Desert environment of north Phoenix, the newly-developed site is part of a new ASU campus built to house for the university’s burgeoning biotech presence, adjacent to Mayo Clinic Phoenix. The design aims to immerse students and staff in the desert landscape, featuring native plantings that blend with the surrounding desert.

As a member of the project team, Bryan’s efforts were focused on hardscape and construction detailing.

The landscapes Steve Martino designs are heavily influenced by minimal, colorful geometric hardscapes, however they are also full of unapologetic nuances speaking to their sense of place in the desert environs. It is not uncommon to find indicators of true environmental ethos at work: native wildlife thrives in these verdant environments and many have had their irrigation systems long ago abandoned by design.

Role included construction documentation including architectural detailing of hardscape elements such as masonry walls, concrete stairs, water features and lighting. Also responsible for structural consultant coordination, project management and coordination with principal.

The Palo Cristi Residence, having been constructed nearly 2 decades ago, now clearly stands out as a near native desert oasis. Now surrounded by the over-scaled McMansions and artificial landscapes of its neighbors, it seems a vestige of the former sonaran desert.

Project completed while with Steve Martino Landscape Architects.

The Echo Canyon Residence, protects its inhabitants with strong spatial thresholds and an inward looking Entry Courtyard. In contrast the primary informal living spaces embrace the adjacent Camelback Mountain’s red sedimentary sandstone formations, while adopting a rugged Sonoran Desert inspired plant palette.

Role included preparing Landscape Permit Documents for the Town of Paradise Valley. Construction Documentation including architectural detailing of hardscape elements such as masonry walls, steel planters, and concrete stairs.

Project completed while with Floor Associates Landscape Architects.

This Paradise Valley Residential Project, proposed a sensitive renovation to a mid-century era residence. The project proposed updating contemporary functions with a cast-in-place concrete family guest suite and renovated pool with extensive landscape enhancements. Agency Hillside Review and coordination with Project Engineers produced a highly integrated solution for a sensitive hillside site.

Role included preparing documents through early Design Development for Consultant coordination + pre-permit review by The Town of Paradise Valley. Documentation included extensive rooftop planting research and development of subterranean drainage strategies.

Project doumentation completed for Biegner - Murff Architects.

Home Owners Association

Landscape Design + Consultation

Major Remodel of community Pool Commons.

Design collaboration with

Jerry Park, Architect

This adaptive re-use and tenant improvement project, was for the New York offices of Visual Supply Company (VSCO), a company that offers editing software for digital photography. The scope encompassed one floor (10,000SF), of an existing 1910 building,  located in Manhattan.

Role as a member of the project team included construction documentation, and coordination of remote (NYC based) mechanical, plumbing and electrical consultants. The role also included review of submittals, RFI resolution, coordination with the owner's representative, and support of the firm's principal in long distance construction administration. 

Project completed while with Debartolo Architects.

This adaptive re-use project for Cowley Companies, a real estate developer, encompasses an extensive interior and exterior renovation of an existing warehouse in downtown Phoenix--previously the Itule Produce Building--into 36,000SF of contemporary creative office suites.

(6) 6,000SF white shell leasable office spaces were created along with necessary utility cores, site access amenities, and right-of-way urban parking. New HVAC systems and one new roof structure were required to modernize these characterful industrial spaces to meet current building codes. Building permits were issued in spring 2018, with construction slated for  completion in the fall of 2018. Existing openings in the historic structure were resolved with minimal, contemporary dual sided entries, creating balanced light apertures and providing building transparency.

Role in the project included extensive interaction and coordination with multiple City of Phoenix building departments and the development team owner, in order change the use of an existing zero lot line industrial structure into a contemporary office use.

Project completed while with Debartolo Architects.

This project was an extensive renovation (16,000SF) of the historically significant Sunkist Packing Plant in Mesa AZ. The building, previously used as a agricultural packing facility, was adapted to accommodate a high tech CNC tooling manufacturing company for aftermarket automotive accessories. The addition of corporate offices for Autoline Industries, all new HVAC and extensive structural remediation were also part of the project.

Role in the project included client project programming, existing building evaluation, construction documentation, coordination with consultants including landscape architecture, city permitting, and construction administration.

Project completed while with Debartolo Architects.

In subsequent years, Bryan also provided private consultation services to the owner, extending the scope of the landscape on the project.

This project entailed the renovation of an existing WWII era quonset hut / barn and the addition of (2) new Prefab Metal building structures for the Johnston Family's  Agritopia community in  Gilbert, AZ. Barnone encompasses twelve merchants and maker studios housed in the original homestead barn, and provides a creative hub for the surrounding area.

Role in the project included interface during the owner programming phase, schematic design, and design development MPE and structural consultant coordination.

Project completed while with Debartolo Architects.

This project was an extensive renovation of architect Bennie Gonzles' Scottsdale Center For The Performing Arts, built in 1968. The scope included replacement of the front and back of house with a state of the art technical theater. The renovation also included a new entry, box office, foyer, elevator and restrooms.

Role in the project included construction documentation, and  coordination of remotely based expert consultants, including acoustics (California), stage and sound (NYC), along with local landscape (Steve Martino Landscape Architects), MPE and structural consultants.

Project completed while with John Douglas Architects.

This project was a renovation of a Ralph Haver designed home, built in the early 50's in the Marlen Grove subdivision.  A sensitive yet dynamic renovation was required to reclaim the original structure's simple mid-century bones, while also adding additional program required by the owner.  A master suite and a second bedroom and bathroom addition were constructed at the rear of the original structure in order to modernize and enlarge the original small footprint. A lap pool and extensive landscape were designed to enhance the use exterior spaces. Strengthening the home's interior / exterior relationship reinforced the resort-style living brief provided by the owner. Sculptural hardscape elements were added to provide functional shade, privacy screening and whimsical night and day color.

Role in the project included construction documentation, intensive project management, site coordination, construction administration. An abbreviated construction schedule required a hands-on and fast pace resolution to this project for a long-term valued client.

Project completed while with John Douglas Architects.

This adaptive re-use and tenant improvement project, was for the Phoenix offices of Berghoff Design Group, a company that offers landscape design, installation and maintenance. The scope encompassed a leasable TI Space, Design Studio, Corporate Operations and Maintenance Divisions over two floors, of an existing 1980’s era building,  located in Phoenix, Arizona.

Role as a member of the project team included construction documentation, and coordination of mechanical, plumbing and electrical Consultants and Agency permitting.

Project completed while with Biegner - Murff Architects.