The goal of this project was to develop a traffic circle with a sense of place; converting from turf to a drought tolerant landscape was the main objective of creating a dynamic gateway to a revered Las Vegas community.
Using the Summerlin logo, which depicts an abstract mountain range, rammed earth features were made to look old and weathered to represent a cultured past while an emerging present design motif uses water conservation and artistic expression to give a voice to a once neglected urban streetscape. The walls were positioned in a relaxed curve to enhance the onlookers view as one drives or walks around the traffic circle. The design seems to morph before your eyes from one side of the roundabout to the other.
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The conceptual design used the abstracted vision of the borrowed mountainous landscape to further enhance a sense of place in a timeless landscape. The geometric plantings to the north end of the project are reminders of the modern approach to development while the cascading stream beds pour from the mountains in an effort to signify the varied desert landscape within which we live. The desert plant palette is a reflection of the surrounding mountain and valley scenery.
Overall, the conversion saves the community more than 1 million gallons of water per year! The Summerlin South Roundabout is located at Village Center Circle and Town Center Drive.
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