Projects

A portfolio of studio and research projects by Samantha Harper, Master of Landscape Architecture candidate at the University of Georgia — grounded in ecology, native plants, and a belief that landscapes thrive when people value and defend them.

Alternative Lawns

Alt-Lawn Anatomy — a native lawn field trial

An ongoing field trial testing 13 low-growing native species as a functional, biodiverse alternative to conventional lawn.

ResearchField TrialNative Plants

Rails to Trails

UGA Arts District — Railroad Trail & Sculpture Garden

A defunct rail line reimagined as a woodland sculpture trail linking the Georgia Museum of Art to campus.

Public RealmAdaptive ReuseAthens, GA

The Innovation Corridor

Reprogramming Post-Industrial Land

A 50-acre brownfield reprogrammed as a living, mixed-use district driven by ecology and community.

Master PlanLEED v4.1Brownfield Reuse

Alternative Lawns for LEED

Turf as living infrastructure

A LEED-driven case for native lawn alternatives as multi-beneficial socio-ecological infrastructure.

LEEDAcademicNative Plants

Historic Barnwell Tabby

A Living Legacy of Land and Learning

A heritage master plan celebrating Gullah agriculture through heirloom crops and wetland restoration.

Cultural LandscapeMaster PlanHeritage

Innovation Spring

A Gathering Place at the Athens Spring

A gathering space linking downtown Athens, North Campus, and the Innovation Hub around a historic spring.

Public SpaceStudioAthens, GA

Sawyer Residence

A Romantic Woodland Planting Design

A plant-centric residential design that draws the adjacent woodland into a private, romantic garden.

ResidentialPlanting DesignNative Plants

South River Parks & Trails

A Greenway Master Plan for Southeast Atlanta

A greenway master plan connecting trails, paddle routes, restored landfills, and cultural landscapes.

Master PlanGreenwayAtlanta, GA