MKM on blog: Mansion Musings

A Carpet of Velvety Green: Lawns on 19th-Century Country Estates

In historian Margaret Highland’s new blog posted on May 25, 2020, she recounts the history of lawns in 19th century America. In Margaret’s article, she described the undulating lawn at the 1915 Delano & Aldrich formal garden at Bartow-Pell restored by Mark K. Morrison Landscape Architecture PC with a 2012 Partners in Preservation grant from the National Trust and American Express. Pictures of Mark’s private collection of Horse Lawn boots are also presented in the article.

https://mansionmusings.wordpress.com/2020/05/25/a-carpet-of-velvety-green-lawns-on-19th-century-country-estates/

@MKMLA.PC is on Instagram !!

https://www.instagram.com/mkmla.pc

GRHC’s New York Virtual Symposium - 5/21

Mark and Anne made a presentation for GRHC’s NYC Virtual Symposium. Topic of the presentation is The Challenges of Replacing Green.

Green roofs have many documented benefits for cities, including energy savings, storm water retention, wildlife habitat and biodiversity, and the reduction of ambient temperatures, thus reducing the urban heat island effect. In this presentation, Mark Morrison will go over challenges that his firm MKM has encountered and solved, on a project by project basis. Morrison will highlight major structural and material topics that landscape architects must understand and employ for creating successful projects.

Congratulations to our New Registered Landscape Architects, Erica Koh!

We want to congratulate Erica Koh, who has completed her Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE) to become a licensed landscape architect.

Erica has a background in gardening design and earned her MLA from the Illinois Institute of Technology. She has experience from concept through construction, having worked in a variety of design-related industries. Erica has specialized training in digital representation and modeling.

Wausau Native Says Plants Can Help Us Cope in Troubled Times

In this planting season, the Wausau Daily Herald interviewed Mark. In the article posted later on March 26, 2020, Mark shares his passion for landscape and stories of his extensive collection of historic garden tools. He also shares with readers his belief in the power of planting. Mark discusses how gardening and plants have been therapeutic throughout history and that planting can improve mental health.

To read the full article please click the link below:

https://www.wausaudailyherald.com/story/news/2020/03/26/wausau-native-says-plants-can-help-us-cope-troubled-times/2906819001/

Mark Lecturing at Locust Grove

Mark Morrison was invited to give a lecture at Locust Grove Estate, Poughkeepsie, NY in July. The estate is the former home of Samuel Morse, an American painter who invented a small-sized telegraph machine and developed the Morse Code.

Francis Lewis HS Athletic Field, Kick-off Meeting

MKM has been awarded a new SCA project to renovate the Athletic Field of Francis Lewis High School in the borough of Queens.

Our design team will focus on improving the current condition of exercise facilities and paving in the athletic field. The field is mainly utilized for track and field events, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, handball, and JROTC training. The redevelopment of the Athletic Field will enable Francis Lewis High School to hold larger tournaments and regional championships at their facility. Public events granted with a permit could also be held there.

P.S. 88, Kick-off Meeting

MKM has been awarded a new SCA project to upgrade the playground of P.S. 88 in the borough of Queens. The playground is divided into two levels, connected by an ADA ramp and two staircases. The upper level has concrete pavement. The lower playground is paved with asphalt. Both areas currently have simple pavement markings.

Shades, seating, and play/athletic equipment will be designed to allow diverse and abundant activities in this playground such as basketball, running tracks, roller skating, and soccer. An outdoor classroom is also in discussion.