What inspires me as a designer is the ability to create the places and spaces that people can enjoy every day. In few other professions is there an opportunity to do this. Working for Alta not only allows me to assist in the creation of places and spaces, but to come up with ways to efficiently and safely travel between them. Whether by bike or by foot, Alta provides people with a healthy, enjoyable way to see the world.
Brian Burchfield has been with Alta Planning + Design since January 2009. Brian graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he was involved in a variety of design projects. Some of the major projects included a redevelopment of Fulton Mall in downtown Fresno, CA, and a design for a environmentally friendly golf course in his hometown of Benicia, CA. He also participated in and intense weeklong design charette focused on how to go about restoring the city of New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. Brian has experience with all of the major design software including: AutoCAD, ArchGIS, and Adobe Creative Suite.
Recent Projects
- Marin County – Mill Valley to Corte Madera Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridor Study
Alta was hired by the Marin County of Public Works to complete a feasibility and preliminary design study for improved bicycle access between the communities of Mill Valley and Corte Madera. The main goal of the study was to evaluate and compare three alternative bicycle and pedestrian routes between Corte Madera and Mill Valley and to select a preferred alternative. The study objectives included an inclusive public and stakeholder agency involvement program and a study product that supported proceeding to the next stages of implementation. Brian was involved with site inventory and analysis, GIS, creating the plan and section graphics for the final report, and facilitating public workshops. - San Rafael – Puerto Suello Path Transit Connector Project
Alta led a major bikeway planning and design project for the City of San Rafael, part of the North-South Bikeway in Marin County. The six-block corridor through Downtown San Rafael connects two major pathways, and required a solution that worked in a dense built environment with numerous traffic, roadway, and other constraints. Alta designed a combination of pedestrian walkway, on-street bike lanes on side streets, and intersection control improvements to provide seamless and safe bicycle access through the corridor. The project is regionally significant due to its proximity to the San Rafael Transit Center and also the future Sonoma Marin Area Rapid Transit (SMART) station. Brian completed the planting and irrigation construction documents for this project. - Glen Cove Waterfront Park
Alta prepared the construction documents, obtained the permits, and created the Vegetative Management Plan for Glen Cove Waterfront Park in Vallejo, CA. Tasks included: preliminary site plans, construction document preparation, permitting support and consultation, and agreements assistance. Brian’s various roles on the project included assisting with production of the construction documents and completing permit applications. - Mojave Riverwalk – Victorville, California
The Mojave Riverwalk is a unique 9-mile trail following the Mojave River in southern California’s High Desert. The trail will connect downtown Victorville on historic Route 66 to Victor Valley Community College and future trails in Hesperia to the south. Alta prepared the master plan and prepared construction documents. Brian assisted with the conceptual design of trailheads, selected drought-tolerant plants appropriate to the area, and developed themes for the signage along the trail.
