RESUME 3

DESIGN PROJECTS SpringfieldRiverfront4

Greenway Design 8

Multi-FamilyHousingDevelopment10

SMALLER SCALE PROJECTS 12

CONSTRUCTION SKILLS 14

CONTENTS

QUALIFICATIONS and SKILLS AutoCAD Google Sketchup Adobe Design Suite Applications GIS Public Presentations Customer Relations Construction Equipment and Heavy Machinery Drafting and Design.

Mullins and Armington Landscape Associates, MA Designer/ Foreman - Summer 2011 - Present Designed multiple high end residential designs, and led landscaping crew for various residential and commercial construction and maintenance jobs.

What Else Landscaping, Central MA Region Landscape/Garden Design - Summer 2009-2011 Co-founder of the What Else Landscaping Company focusing on grounds and hardscape maintenance. Designed residential gardens, hardscapes, and planting plans; followed by presentation to a client. (References upon Request)

MICHAEL RITACCO

EDUCATION University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture – Class 2012 Worcester State College, Worcester, MA Public Speaking Course – 2007 Essentials of speech production and speech writing for large and small groups. - 3 credits

Member of the ASLA and ASLA student chapter at UMass Amherst

Town of Holden, MA Tree Maintenance - December/Summer 2008 Worked around central MA clearing trees, branches, and brush left over from winter 2008 ice storm. Trained in the identification of the Asian Longhorn Beetle and proper care and removal of infected trees.

UMass President’s Office, Shrewsbury, MA Desktop Support/Office Internship - Summer 2007

WORK EXPERIENCE

14 Alexander Road Worcester, MA 01606ritacco.mike@gmail.com

774.364.2651

GIVING the CONNECTICUT BACK to the PEOPLE

of SPRINGFIELD

RIVERFRONT DESIGN

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RIVERFRONT DESIGN This project reconnects the people of the South End and Forest Park neighborhoods to each other and the riverfront. Through this design, the people of Springfield will be able to rediscover the value of the water, and the many assets it can provide as they engage the waterfront. River Rise Park brings new mixed-use development to the river’s edge to stimulate multi-seasonal use with a variety of active and passive activities. The citizens of Springfield will be able to enjoy the recreation areas which include everything from walking and bike paths to rock climbing walls and kayak rentals. The unique buildings contain commercial shops along West Columbus Ave. as shown in the section below, which will stir year round activities, as well as provide an opportunity to enjoy the high end residential and office space overlooking the majestic river.

Revitalization

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RIVERRISE PARK

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River Rise Park gets its name from the elaborate pedestrian system that gives the users many different perspectives of the Connecticut River. A boardwalk is the first level which runs along the entire length of the park at the river’s edge to allow actual interaction with the water. The Connecticut Walk and Bikeway has been re-vamped and runs through the wooded riverbanks and overlooks the boardwalk. The River Rise Highline is a unique feature to the park. While this walk seems to float in the tree tops allowing for new view of the Connecticut River, it also connects to the spacious roof gardens of the River Rise buildings and to the newly designed promenade along the South End Bridge.

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“A City Runs Through It...”GREENWAY DESIGN

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The Mill River Greenway studio project was a collaborative project, worked on in teams of four. The goal of the project was to create a greenway from the headwaters of the Mill River in Conway, all the way to its confluence with the Connecticut River. This focus area is aimed at resurrecting the historic Mill River that had once run through downtown Northampton, while creating a public open space geared towards the education and culture of the city’s history. Parts of the actual river bed will be restored allowing for a regular flow of water through the historic channel, which can be viewed from constructed nodes and overlooks with signage describing the historic restoration and industrial legacy of the Mill River.

The conceptual design of thisnew open space calls attention to the Roundhouse building and features a deck overlook of the restored river bed, a boardwalk through the water, a grand lawn, and an overlook extension of Pulaski Park.

Cultural EnhancementGREENWAY DESIGN

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HOUSING DESIGN

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This studio project was worked on in teams of two, however the graphics shown were done individually on vellum with graphite. These sections show how the housing clusters are focused around open spaces, which are formed through landform and planting media. The pedestrian circulation system and the network of open spaces interact with the rainwater, as it is collected and infiltrated on site.

HOUSING DESIGN The multi-family housing development is located in Amherst, MA, on a farmland site that encompasses about 26 acres. The goal of this project was to create a community focused around a series of private and community green spaces, while using sustainable methods to reduce environmental impacts and maximize the amount of housing units per acre. The design connects the residents to the open spaces and each other through a system of pathways which create a complete circuit throughout the entire site. The housing units and open spaces are placed to provide for more desirable views out to the landscape, while respecting the wetland buffers around the site.

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This model was built in a residential design studio for a client in Granby, MA. The view into the back patio shows the shows the connection to the intimate spaces of the property.

Pic 2: GALLERY SPACE

The proposed multi-functional gallery space in Springfield provides a network of plots for farmers markets, while the centralized pergola allows for art gallery exhibitions as it directs you towards the indoor market shown in picture 3.

Pic 1: BACKYARD PATIO

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These semi-permanent vertical structures is designed to be placed in an urban environment. The modular levels can be stacked to fit the city’s needs allowing space for citizens to engage in the community gardens.

The planted gateway forms an urban plaza for the residents of Springfield as they enter the proposed indoor market.

Pic 4: VERTICAL GARDENS

Pic 3: MARKET GATEWAY

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Detail sample for a bollard and light attachment describing proper electrical and stability requirements.

Pic 1: BOLL ARD DETAIL

Pic 2: PRIVATE GARDEN

The upper garden, supported by fieldstone retaining walls on all sides, is the first in a series of circular nodes off a central walk leading down to the back.

(design by Mullins and Armington Landscape Associates, Leicester, MA)

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Detail sample for a small caliper tree planting, including directions for proper installation and care.

Pic 3: PL ANTING DETAIL

Pic 4: SCULPTURE GARDEN

A rustic pathway leading to a moss covered sculpture. The first node in a series of paths for a residential sculpture garden.

(Location: Holden, MA)