This past July, the interns at Studio Outside participated in our annual Intern Week—a fast-paced, hands-on design challenge that gives emerging landscape architects the opportunity to lead the conceptual design of a real-world project and receive feedback directly from clients. The theme of this year’s Intern Week revolved around one of the most exciting projects in our portfolio: the Santa Fe Trail Artifact Park.
Located at the key ‘T’ intersection of the Santa Fe Trail in Dallas, the Artifact Park will serve as a gateway for visitors choosing to enter either Fair Park or Deep Ellum. The project was first envisioned as part of the masterplan Studio Outside developed for the Trail in 2019. In collaboration with the Friends of the Santa Fe Trail, this year’s interns were tasked with pushing forward the design of the Artifact Park, which will showcase architectural remnants of Dallas' past, preserving fragments of the city’s history for future generations.
‘T’ Intersection in Deep Ellum.
Many of these artifacts come from the City’s "architectural boneyard," a collection of salvaged building materials that have been set aside thanks to the efforts of former Parks Director Willis Winters. These pieces—ranging from concrete reliefs from Cobb Stadium to metal facade modules from the Salvation Army's former headquarters—serve as tangible pieces of Dallas’ architectural history, waiting to be rediscovered.
A Hands-On Design Experience
The week kicked off with an immersive visit to the boneyard, where the interns had the unique opportunity to photograph, measure, and inventory the various artifacts earmarked for the project. This initial exploration sparked immediate creative energy, as the interns began to brainstorm ways in which these historical fragments could be thoughtfully integrated into a public space. Their guiding design theme was to create a sense of discovery—an environment where visitors could stumble upon “hidden relics” as they explored the park.
The interns quickly conceptualized an interactive landscape, incorporating winding paths that led to curated displays and intimate seating areas nestled among the artifacts. Each idea was carefully considered with an eye toward not only the preservation of the materials but also how to enhance the visitor experience. The design aimed to create a dynamic relationship between the old and new, where forgotten architectural elements could come to life in a public setting.
Collaboration and Refinement
Throughout the week, the interns worked collaboratively, using a mix of hand-drawn sketches, digital models, and CAD drawings to flesh out their ideas. Peer-to-peer discussions and feedback from mentors helped refine their designs, pushing the ideas in new directions while keeping the core concept intact. The interns’ diverse skills—from technical construction knowledge to artistic rendering—brought a rich, multifaceted approach to the project.
As the week progressed, the interns refined their design into a cohesive vision that merged the history of Dallas with an engaging, interactive public space. Each design iteration brought them closer to realizing a vision that not only paid homage to the past but also created a vibrant, functional space for the future.
Final presentation to the Friends of Santa Fe Trail.
Presenting to the Friends of the Santa Fe Trail
On the final day of Intern Week, the interns presented their designs to the Friends of the Santa Fe Trail. This presentation was an exciting culmination of the week’s work, where they showcased their designs and discussed how the reuse of historical artifacts could transform a forgotten landscape into a dynamic community hub. Their presentations focused on both the aesthetic appeal and the functionality of the space, highlighting how the integration of salvaged materials could breathe new life into the site.
The feedback from the Friends of the Santa Fe Trail was invaluable, offering fresh perspectives and constructive insights that will continue to shape the design moving forward.
A Transformative Experience
Intern Week was more than just a design exercise; it was an immersive learning experience that gave the interns a deeper understanding of landscape architecture and the power of collaboration. By working together, they navigated challenges, offered constructive criticism, and shared their individual expertise to develop a cohesive and innovative design for the Santa Fe Trail Artifact Park.
Summer 2024 Interns.
In the end, the interns left with a strong sense of accomplishment—having developed creative concepts for a project that not only honors the architectural history of Dallas but also envisions a new space for public engagement and reflection. This experience underscored the importance of teamwork, creativity, and hands-on problem-solving, leaving each intern better prepared for the next step in their design careers.
Shoutout to our 2024 summer interns, Stanie Zhang, Odin Johnson, Ryan Shelburne and Jaime Escribano!