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Surface is the means by which we perceive landscape beauty and function and landscape surface is the field of action where we apply our craft to create places that serve the needs of the user, provide for social interaction, and reflect and enhance a site’s natural and built composition. This surface extends and encompasses a broad scale of physical space as well as the human perception within and of that space.

From our studio in downtown Durham, we advocate for the artful creation and transformation of surfaces that integrate a site’s ecology, social function, and architecture into legible and functional landscape design. Distinctive and memorable places often blend function with a celebration of the site as a unique place. We think it’s possible - and desirable – to extend architectural concepts outward and draw landscape inward. Landscape forms, materials, and colors are meant to blend with the architecture in ways that express a connection with the site’s natural setting and cultural context.

We believe all of this requires an excellence in design and planning that can only be achieved through open, honest, and positive internal and external design collaboration among the vested players. The collective intelligence derived from this communication presents itself as an aesthetically satisfying and meaningful integration of architecture, landscape, and community.

In this book you find images and descriptions of a few of our projects; some which we feel express the notion of how landscape can add another layer of magic to an architect’s work.

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ON THE COVER: DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTER / DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA

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One of the state’s top cultural destinations, the Museum is host to over 700,000 visitors annually. The new $130 million, 127,000 square foot museum designed by noted architect Thomas Phifer opened in 2010 and have received numerous awards in recognition of high level of design and contribution to the community.

Surface 678 designed the Museum plaza and surrounding site that encourage outdoor activity and interaction with art, nature and architecture

NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF ARTRaleigh, North Carolina // Site Design

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The 103,000 gsf performance venue is the first phase of an urban master plan that reclaims a former industrial brownfield site. Surface 678 designed an urban plaza serving the needs of the 2,800-seat performance venue in the downtown Durham entertainment district.

The plaza forms the interface between the urban street and the building and provides generously designed hard-scaped spaces. The articulation of the plaza is a rectifica-tion of the contrasting grids of the urban streetscape and the architecture. Beautifully crafted linear wall elements punctuate the design to form spaces, define edges, pro-vide seating and contain stairs.

DURHAM PERFORMING ARTS CENTERDurham, North Carolina // Site Design

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NORTH CAROLINA BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER

The new North Carolina Biotechnology Center building is an 18,000 square foot addition to their Research Triangle Park facility to support their expanding mission of attracting new companies and talent to our State. The landscape designed by Surface 678 includes rain gardens to treat roof runoff, reconfigured parking and service areas, and a deftly sited parking area that uses grassed swales to slow runoff. In addition to contributing to an achieved LEED-Silver certification, The landscape demonstrates the Center’s commitment to innovation in storm water management.

Research Triangle Park, North Carolina // Site Design

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Durham, North Carolina // Site DesignDURHAM COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES COMPLEX

The LEED Gold Certified 244,000 square foot downtown Durham County Human Services Complex houses the new Department of Public Health and Social Services. Surface 678 collaborated with The Freelon Group on the new Department of Public Health and Social Services.

The design features a bluestone and granite paved interior courtyard that serves as a large employee gathering space. The courtyard is closed off from the street by a series of glass doors to increase security while at the same time preserving the relationship between the interior and exterior. LEED fea-tures include a 50% reduction in potable water through effi-cient irrigation design, 50,000 gallon cistern, native and urban tolerant plants, and stormwater features.

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PEOPLE FIRSTWe are fierce believers in the notion that good design hap-pens when you are having fun. Our team of 17 landscape architects and urban designers are self described “land-geeks” who approach every design challenge with positive energy and confidence. Dreamers with a practical notion for how to build. Builders with the heart and fearlessness to dream.

We understand that the success of any project begins with listening to our clients and setting and exceeding expectations for the work to be done. With 20 years of experience at our core and a group of dedicated designers we are capable and ready to provide high quality, imaginative landscape solutions.

s u r f a c e 6 7 8 . c o m // 2 1 5 M o r r i s S t D u r h a m , N C 2 7 7 0 1 // 9 1 9 . 4 1 9 . 1 1 9 9 t e l