What We Create

Pueblo Plug in to Nature is an analysis of an 18 square mile low-moderate income census block within the City to determine the current levels of connectedness that the middle schoolers of Pueblo have to the outdoors and nature.  The study revealed gaps and barriers that may prevent connections to nature, and identified opportunities to increase access to the outdoors.  Achievable recommendations evolved through a detailed analysis of the availability of nature-based opportunities in Pueblo, and a diverse, high level youth and community engagement process and include tailored program initiatives on what Pueblo middle school aged youth see as a barrier and how they see solutions.

Recommendations include the establishment of a Student Outdoor Council to extend understanding of barriers to outdoor engagement for the 10-14 age group, continued reestablishment of the Pueblo Natural Resources and Environmental Education Coalition to advocate and implement outdoor and nature facility improvements, initiating pilot programs and partnerships with existing programming to support underrepresented outdoor activities for the 10-14 year old age group, establishing a community clearinghouse to empower and organize outdoor facility providers in the Pueblo area, implementing recreational facilities improvements and garnering governmental and financial support.

The collaborative effort by the Project Team and Advisory Committee in undertaking the Pueblo Plug in to Nature study established the importance of access to nature and the outdoors as a contributor to individual and community health. Achievable recommendations evolved through a detailed analysis of the availability of nature‐based opportunities in Pueblo, and a diverse, high level youth and community engagement process. By concurrently addressing policies, infrastructure, and community engagement, the City of Pueblo and its partners have the potential to create a positive shift in the ability of all citizens, and particularly the youth of Pueblo, to access nature and the outdoors now and for generations to come.

Client: City of Pueblo and Design Concepts
Location: Pueblo, CO

Casa Verde Commons CoHousing

The 34 unit Casa Verde Commons CoHousing is nestled within an established and diverse neighborhood. The primary design principle was to encourage interaction while preserving individual family privacy. Additional principles that guided the landscape design were:

• The landscape shall be horticulturally sustainable.
• The landscape shall be fiscally sustainable with special consideration for maintenance and water usage.
• The design shall communicate to the residents, adjacent community and trail users the “limits” for public, cohousing community and individual space.
• Site grading and rainwater conveyance shall maximize on site rainwater capture and infiltration.
• Where possible the landscape shall be multi-functional including edible plant material, solar and wind buffering plant placements, heat dissipating plantings at paving.
• The landscape should reflect the level of pride and responsibility taken in the community.

Professional services included visioning, lifestyle goal setting, maintenance priorities, landscape grading, paving, wall/fence and planting design, irrigation, and site observation. Tapis Associates worked closely with the landscape contractor to ensure the proper horticultural conditions were provided for the landscape.

Casa Verde Home Owners Association as well as individual home owners continue to request Tapis Associates professional services to enhance their property and gardens.

Client: Wonderland Hill Development Company and Casa Verde Commons
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Cypress Ridge Xeriscape Renovation

The challenge was to create a water conserving and beautiful planting design to unify the stark, treeless common areas of this ten year old, thirty acre townhome community.

The design reflects the native landscape on the adjacent park property while providing a sophisticated flare that meets the aesthetic and water conservation goals. The Stylized Arroyo reflects a high prairie drainage incorporating stone stream beds, infiltration areas to mitigate erosion and capture water, and trees carefully located to frame views from each home. The Stylized Prairie includes graceful ribbons to calm and unify the spaces. The plant palette incorporates the yellows, oranges and buffs associated with the high plains prairie. Grasses will capture the wind’s movement. The conceptual design and cost estimates provide an inspirational tool for the Board to strategize priorities and phased funding.

Professional services included visioning, goal setting, conceptual design and cost estimating.

Client: Cypress Ridge Home Owners Association
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Hillside Heights Streetscape and Homesites

When ten bungalows were relocated to an abandoned block in the Hillside Neighborhood the challenge was to create a showcase example block worthy of community pride while at the same time integrating with the existing community fabric.

The need to address property definition privacy, and security concerns were evident during study of the surrounding neighborhood and discussions with the future homeowners. The concept includes a uniform streetscape consisting of street trees, border shrubs, residential scale lighting and fencing; front yard plantings; walks; and driveways. These elements create a consistent high quality character, respond to design concerns, and allow for individual expression by the homeowners.

The pragmatic needs for enduring quality, low maintenance and low water consumption focused the design process. Professional services included site design; grading; wall, fencing, sidewalk and driveway design; streetscape and landscape design; volunteer coordination and construction observation.

Client: City of Colorado Springs Community Development Services
Location: Colorado Springs, CO

Rustic Hills Drainage and Capital Improvements Plan. Colorado Springs, CO

The Colorado College Affordable Housing at the Hill. Colorado Springs, CO

Deerwood.  Highlands Ranch, CO

Lake Ridge.  Virginia Beach, VA

CastleGate Residential.  Castle Rock, CO

South Mountain New Town.  Draper, UT