theatre — art — landscape
FOREST FLOOR WALK weaves between Seitu Jones’ memorial poles marking the homes lost in the 50’s and 60’s. Fallen pine needles dampen sound, making the walk quiet, while the high branches open sight lines, making the space feel safe for all
CANOPY WALK intersects at a pedestrian and bicycle bridge between Maxfield Elementary and the Rondo Commemorative plaza, and provides a space among the trees for gathering and education
LISTENING THEATER. Curved walls amplify surrounding forest sounds
Sound movement through forest, transition, and boulevard
AMPHITHEATER. The shape of the depression helps to dampen sounds, making it the perfect space for a contained, intimate concert without disturbing nearby neighbors
DISCOVERY CENTER serves as the gate to the forest paths and invites people to engage deeply with the local ecology by tuning in. Visitors can take classes, volunteer with a maintenance team, or engage in activities such as listening to the forest through the sound funnels
RONDO BOULEVARD sits at the heart of new and ongoing commercial and residential development, bringing back the spirit of Rondo Ave. The boulevard is centered on the high speed rail’s Dale Station.
SOUNDS OF RONDO
2nd year Master of Landscape Architecture Studio
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
April, 2023
Using healing, celebratory and everyday sounds to bolster community health
By replacing highway I-94, the new landscape offers a future-oriented forest, boulevard, and train line to improve local community health and connectivity for people, plants, and animals in the Rondo neighborhood. The design prioritizes physical and mental well-being through sound, which serves as both an indicator for community health, and as an opportunity for people to listen deeply to the sounds of the landscape in which they live.