Summer Internship with Coplon Associates Landscape Architecture and Planning Firm in Bar Harbor, Maine Christine Wilson ’08 Integrative Project:

Coplon Associates A small landscape architecture firm in Bar Harbor, Maine, owned by Sam Coplon (an alum of Harvard’s Graduate School of Design). Besides Sam, there are 2 full-time employees (both certified landscape architects) and 2 part-time employees (one college graduate working toward his MLA and a bookkeeper). The firm is involved with a variety of projects ranging from high-end residential properties to commercial work. Jackson Lab

An “Ornamental Grasses Plant Manual” for in-office use. An updated version of the illustrative drawing for Island Nursing Home. (An illustrative drawing is drafted and colored by hand and not with the computer). Sketches of different options for a Trail Center in Machais, Maine, which Acadia National Park could present to the bank. A catalog of the office library. An illustrative drawing of the Sieur de Monts Spring Visitor Center to be included in the application for an award given by the Boston chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. Projects on which I worked on: Jackson Lab

During my time at Coplon Associates (about 150 hours during Summer 2007), I was treated as a professional employee. I was given my own key, desk, computer and drafting materials. Often, I worked by myself in the office since the other employees worked odd hours and split their time between the office and the field. While I was in the office, I manned the phones and interacted with clients who stopped by. For the following projects, I worked almost exclusively on my own with guidance from Sam and the other landscape architects in the office. Because Sam trusted me and treated me the same way he did his other employees, I felt even more compelled to contribute professionally to the office environment and produce quality work.

Ornamental Grasses Plant Manual My first project was to create a plant manual specifically of ornamental grasses for the landscape architects at Coplon Associates. The manual includes 36 of the most popular ornamental grasses which are able to grow in Downeast Maine. Each page is dedicated to a different plant and includes images and information on height, spread (or width), spacing, growth form and flower length. The purpose of the manual is to make it easier to decide what plant to use in a design. It is constructed in a format which is practical to present to clients.

A sample page from the manual:

Island Nursing Home Because a section of the Island Nursing Home project in Deer Isle, Maine, was redesigned, the original illustrative drawing required updating. Original Drawing

Using Photoshop, I replaced the section of the original drawing with the updated version of the section which I had drafted and colored by hand. Drafted Section (before color and Photoshop)

Acadia National Park “Boxcar” Trail Center Downeast Sunrise Trail Machais, Maine For the new trail, which runs along the old railroad, an old boxcar is being renovated and placed near an existing building that is located near the junction of Main Street and Back Street. Together the renovated boxcar and existing building will serve as the trail center. DESIGN OBJECTIVES:  Park area around trail center  Parking for 10 cars

Option #1

Option #2

The “Boxcar” Trail Center was my favorite project of the internship. Not only did I get to draft and color the drawing by hand, which is a strength of mine, but I also got to employ design techniques I had learned at Connecticut College. It was the only project I got to design by myself. I did so with little guidance as well, since Sam was on vacation in Italy at the time. Being in charge of the project was intimidating, yet exciting. Fortunately, the project was pro bono, which helped ease the stress. In the end, the client was pleased with the work. It was rewarding to find out I am capable of working one-on-one with a client to create a landscape design that is aesthetically and functionally successful.

Office Library Catalog I created a document which catalogs all of the books in the office library. It lists the books in order of their location in the library. For each book I included: 1.Title 2.Author 3.Publisher 4.ISBN

Sieur de Monts Spring Visitor Center Completed in Summer 2006

Coplon Associates is submitting the Sieur de Monts Spring project to a Boston awards contest for innovative landscape architectural designs. The collection of drawings and information about the design needs to include an illustrative drawing. Illustrative Drawing for 2008 Award Contest (work in progress – to be completed by February 2008)

Looking back on my internship with Coplon Associates, I do not think I could be more pleased with how everything worked out. Everyone at the firm went out of their way to make me feel part of a team of professionals and to give me a real taste of what it is like to work as a certified landscape architect. I came out of this summer with multiple pieces to put into my portfolio, the knowledge of how to deal with clients and co-workers in the field, and a job offer!

For any student interested in working in a small landscape architecture firm, I would definitely recommend Coplon Associates. I was able to improve my drafting, coloring, design and computer skills during the internship. I only wish I could have learned to use the AutoCAD while I was there. The landscape architects at the office offered to teach me, so if I had more time, I am sure I would have had the opportunity to become proficient at AutoCAD. One of the best skills I acquired during my internship was the ability to interact with both co-workers and clients at a professional level. Prospective Interns:

Coplon Associates Landscape Architecture and Planning Samuel R. Coplon 112 Cottage Street Bar Harbor, Maine (207)