Landscape Architecture Portfolio

MEGAN M. PRIKOCKISLANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO

PERSONAL STATEMENTThe landscape is meant for living. As long as it thrives, so does its inhabitants. The interface where people conflict with their environment has become the stage; my role is mediator. There is a balance to be maintained. The severity of this daily occurrence varies upon location and management. My personal traveling experiences have shaped how I view these instances. With respect to the land, everyone strives towards the same end to harness its resources for their own benefit. This comes in many forms; nourishment, shelter, energy, religion, entertainment, recreation, admiration, and growth. I believe the relationship between man and earth is symbiotic in nature and, as in any other partnership; we must do our part to ensure we both survive.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONCEPTS & PROCESS Center For the Environment......................................................................................................................1-4

MASTER PLANNING Spring Creek Canyon...............................................................................................................................5-7 Feasibility Study in Mang’ula Villages.....................................................................................................8-13

URBAN SPACES Cologne Plexus: Redesigning Neumarkt................................................................................................14-16

COMMUNITY DESIGN Westerly Parkway Plaza.......................................................................................................................17-19

DESIGN BUILD Laser Cutter Model....................................................................................................................................20 Vario-Solis: A Sun-Based Installation...................................................................................................21-23

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION.............................................................................................................24-28

OTHER WORKS Hand Drawings....................................................................................................................................29-30 Photographs.........................................................................................................................................31-32

CONCEPTS & PROCESSCONCEPTS & PROCESSCENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

1

ForestMeadowExisting Vegetation

Legendg

LANDUSE & SITE PLACEMENT

• CFE placed diagonally in order to mimic the water flow on (and under) the site

• Located on relatively flat area for minimal grading/site impact

• Carefully placed to avoid building over sinkholes

• Forest restoration located on steeper slopes and surrounds campus for secluded mindset

• Thick forest provides habitat and adventurous trail experiences

• Prairie restoration centrally placed on site adds element of surprise for visitors

• Large area of grasses calm guests and provide a unique trail experience

• Trails come from multiple locations to encourage everyone to visit

Tall prairie grasses create a full enclosure experience for the pedestrian/biker

CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

2

CFE: PROGRAM FUNCTION & SITE RELATIONSHIPS

Vegtation:+ Thick, tall plantings act as visual buffer from the service access and parking lot.+ Thick, low vegetation help define paths + Vegetation kept low in front of Living Machine to get maximum sun+ Native plants used to strengthen connection to the environment

Outdoor Classroom:+ Placed close to Education Center’s indoor classroom + Allows students and faculty easy access to outdoor learning opportunities +Thick hedges act as visual buffer to keep students focused

Rain Garden:+ Located between two buildings , captures roof runoff, cleans it, and recycles water to be used to power courtyard fountain

Geology Demonstration:+ Welcomes visitors upon entry + Offers symbolic history when water first impacted the site+ Provides beatiful vista overlooking Bald Eagle Ridge and entire campus upon arrival

Service Zones:+ Located on both sides allows for all buildings to be serviced+ Two buildings share a zone minimizing overall impact on the site

Building Orientation:+ Orienting buildings to face south allows for maximum sunlight flow into Living Machine+ Also, this orientation offers opportunity for passive solar heating and cooling

Courtyard:+ Central location allows easy access from cafe and education center serving as a casual eating and relaxing area

Drop Off Zone:+ Allows for easy site access for everyone+ Extra space in Welcome Garden offers guests area to gather large groups or wait for other arrivals+ Wood trellis’s provide shelter for visitors in inclimate weather situations and a transition zone into Courtyard

Parking Lot:+Splitting parking lot in two, forces visitors to move either left or right to enter campus-making movement patterns opposite, parallels the way water flows on and under the site

Geology Plot

Drop-off Zone

Initial Gathering SpotWelcome Garden

Prairie Research Plot

BioswaleBioswale

Parking LotParking Lot

Thick ForestThick Forest

Flowering Trees

Flowering Trees

Indoor Classroom

OutdoorClassroom

Service LotService Lot

Courtyard Rain Garden

Kitchen

Education Center

Research/ Maintenance

Cafe’ & Gift Shop

Serv

ice

Road

Serv

ice

Road

Zones: EducationalSocialService

Buffering:Visual-High VegetationPhysical-Low Vegetation

Other:Connections

Views

KEY Views to Bald Eagle Ridge

Views Overlooking Prairie Restoration

Thick Hedge Barrier

Entrance

View of Whole Campus

Materials:+ Site naturally produces crushed limestone and sandstone, used in the Geology Plot+ Limestone and sandstone aslo used for seating, walls, tables, stepping stones and fountain

Limestone

Limestone Gravel Sandstone

B.E. RidgeGeo Plot

Passive

Surface Water

Ground Water

NNot to scale

R

Bioswales:+ Catch and clean storm water runoff + Provide natural atmosphere amidst sea of permeable pavement

BioswaleParking Space

3

CFE: COURTYARD DETAILS

NScale: 1/8”=1’

y

Depressed Wetlands

Education Center

Drop Off/Waiting Area

• Rain collects in the basins and flows through a small fountain• Fountain flows into the wetland depression• Vegetation filters the water and recycles it, continually powering the fountain to sustain a wetland habitat

A curved ripple of depressed wetland vegetation flows in between the sandstone masses, suggesting that a ‘river’ has cut through the mountains and created a valley.

Small fountains feed into the wetlands providing a calming noise and simple entertainment for guests to enjoy

COURTYARD PLAN SUSTAINABLE WETLANDS

FOUNTAINSGEOMETRIC DESIGN PATTERN

4

+ Depressed wetlands act as a physical buffer, dictating visitor movement patterns. Depressing the wetlands implies a deeper meaning involving water’s movement under the surface.

+ Limestone tiles the ground allowing for smooth movement. Since it is the most easily erodible material, it defines the lowest level of the courtyard.

+ Granite slabs at 18” high provide perfect seating opportunities throughout the space. Granite is used above the limestone to represent shale and its higher resistance to weathering processes.

+ Sandstone blocks vary in height to create nooks and crannies where plants flourish, adding a unique touch of greenery to the rock masses. As the highest material, the sandstone parallels the peaks of the mountains-the most resisitant to water’s erosional effect.

Not to scale

A

B

C

D

D E

E

F

F

G

G

Differential ErosionThis process occurs when the exposed rocks erode at different speeds. The diagram to the left shows the topography of the valleys in the State College area. The peaks are sandstone, (most resistant to erosion), the middle layers are mostly shale, (less resistant) and the bottoms of the valleys are limestone (the least resistant to erosion).

+ Native boulders cascade down the sandstone blocks subtly suggesting that the geometric forms have crystallized from nature.

+ Vertical tree rows buffer the service area from view within the plaza

+ Singular trees growing out of the sandstone provide shade and a permeable overheard plane for visitor’s comfort.

A B C

CFE: COURTYARD DETAILS

This process occurs when the exposed rocks erode at different speeds. The diagram to the left shows the topography of the valleys in the State College area. The peaks are sandstone, (most resistant to erosion), the middle layers are mostly shale, (less resistant) and the bottoms of the valleys are limestone (the least resistant to erosion).

DIFFERENTIAL EROSIONINSPIRATION

MASTER PLANNING MASTER PLANNING SPRING CREEK CANYON

5

Building Analysis

Agriculture AnalysisDistance From Streams

Soil Suitability For Corn

Slope

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000Feet

LegendCanyon Parcels

Land Use

Residential

Transportation

3

4

5

6

Roads Analysis

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000Feet

Legend Streams Canyon Parcels

Good Fair PoorSuitability:

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000Feet

Analysis Process:

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000Feet

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000Feet

Legendgreaterarea

Canyon Parcels

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Projection: PA State Plane NorthData Source: PSU Larch 311 Data Set

By conducting a suitability analysis within the spring creek canyon parcels, one can efficiently implement different design features such as buildings, roads, trails, etc. on the landscape with minimal impacts on the environment.

N

N

N

NN

0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000Feet

Legend

Canyon Parcels

Scattered

Low

Common

Abundant

Invasive Concentration:

Projection: PA State Plane NorthData Source: WPC 1991 Data Set

Invasive Plant Species Percentage (%) Acres Within Site

Scattered

Low

Common

Abundant

16%

2%

13%

8%

301

26

244

152

*Chart created by author using data from Municipalities, 2007.

The map above illustrates the concentration of invasive species within the canyon. These locations will serve as a guide for the picking tours. The chart tells how many acres are invasively contaminated within the site.

Invasive Species Analysis

N

SPRING CREEK CANYON

By conducting a suitability analysis within the spring creek canyon parcels, one can efficiently implement different design features such as buildings, roads, trails, etc. on the landscape with minimal impacts on the environment.

ANALYSIS PROCESS

INVASIVE SPECIES ANALYSIS

The map above illustrates the concentration of invasive species within the canyon. These locations will serve as a guide for the picking tours. The chart shows how many acres are invasively contaminated within the site.

6

SPRING CREEK CANYON

MASTER PLAN

Using the suitability analysis on the previous page, the placement of an Education Center, Agricultural Research fields, Recreational Trails, and areas designated for Restoration and Conservation Management Practices were effectively determined.

7

SPRING CREEK CANYON

Restoration areas will undergo evaluation to select which native ecosystem fits best to protect and maintain the high level of biodiversity within the Canyon. With management efforts led by the Clearwater Conservancy, the invasive species will thin out and let the true native vegetation thrive.

CONSERVATION & RESTORATION METHOD

RESTORING INDIGENOUS PLANT COMMUNITIES• Reduce survival of invasive species • Reforest existing open & thinning native communities • Enhance overall habitat quality

• Trail head board provides key maps and wildlife info• Gates keep vehicles off hiking trails

• Allows stormwater to infiltrate• Filter rocks and fabric reduce pollutants entering Spring Creek

• Able to store farming equipment without compromising visitor lots

• Encourage people to visit• Locations offer scenic views and seating

• Increase learning opportunities• Offers adequate info but suggests visiting education center

MASTER PLANNINGMASTER PLANNINGFEASIBILITY STUDY IN MANG’ULA VILLAGES

TEAM PROJECT

8

FEASIBILITY STUDY IN MANG’ULA VILLAGES: BIOGAS

The map shows the location of animal pens in Mang’ula A. Targeting families with existing cattle will minimize start-up costs.

ANIMAL PENS IN MANG’ULA A

FEED SOURCES

• Grass gathered based on convenience• Along streams, roads, in between Shambas or structures, and any bushland areas

The total available land was calculated by taking the existing land uses such as cultivation, residential and a potential stream buffer in Mang’ula A, and finding their total area and subtracting it from the area of the overall village. The cow carrying capacity for the158 Hectares in Mang’ula A is 387 cows.

AVAILABLE LAND FOR FEED DIGESTER FOOTPRINTS

Tubular Plastic Fixed Dome Example Plot

9

FEASIBILITY STUDY IN MANG’ULA VILLAGES: BIOGAS

As of 2006, 95% of the villages surrounding Udzungwa Mountains National Park relied upon firewood as their main energy source. July 1, 2011, villagers were banned from collecting wood from the park. Currently, wood still remains the main fuel source despite the ban. These communities will need to make the switch to an alternative energy source in order to survive.

CURRENT ENERGY CRISIS

BIOGAS BENEFITSBiogas is formed from the natural process of converting organic material, such as manure, into the gases methane and carbon dioxide in the absence of oxygen. • Improves sanitation• Reduces indoor smoke• Produces better lighting• Reduces labor efforts

• Generates employment• Improves water quality• Conserves natural resources• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

10

FEASIBILITY STUDY IN MANG’ULA VILLAGES: WATER QUALITYWATER QUALITY ISSUES

Erosion Downstream Effects Flooding

Simple diagrams help to illustrate the main concepts to non-English speakers when working with a heavy language barrier.

SOLUTION: BUFFER STREAMS IN MANG’ULA

The map above indicates the 100m buffer plan along the streams of Mang’ula. The circled areas show where the buffer would disturb people and structures.

11

FEASIBILITY STUDY IN MANG’ULA VILLAGES: WATER QUALITYCOMPROMISE BUFFER ALONG STREAMS IN MANG’ULA CONFLICT CHART

Minimum buffer width is 100 meters surrounding a water source. This zone should be free of animal pens, latrines, houses, and agricultural activities. The 100m buffer results in the displacement of people and structures. Through compromising a few areas by 50 meters, the number of affected structures is reduced by 58%.

Planting the right vegetation can maximize soil stabilization along stream banks, efficiently filter stormwater runoff, and can even serve as a feed source for livestock.

BUFFER BENEFITSNo Buffer Vegetated Buffer

DIFFERENCE IN BUFFER LENGTHS

Short buffers help cleanse water before returning it to a bigger source but they are not as effective as long buffers.

12

FEASIBILITY STUDY IN MANG’ULA VILLAGES: HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTSWildlife accounts for approximately 40% of crop loss of all that are planted (Nahonyo 2012). Elephants wander into Mang’ula and destroy farmlands as they eat and trample most, if not all, of a cropland that they venture into. Such destruction devastates the income of affected farmers, as there is no compensation for lost crops by Udzungwa Mountains National Park.

Providing a safe passage for the elephants will keep them away from village crops and angry vengeful farmers.

Udzungwa Mountains National Park

The Selous Game Reserve

SOLUTION: CREATE WILDLIFE CORRIDOR

13

FEASIBILITY STUDY IN MANG’ULA VILLAGES: HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICTSCORRIDOR COMPROMISE

Implementing this 100m wildlife corridor would provide the beginnings of migration route connecting Udzungwa Mountains National Park to the Selous Game Reserve. Beyond the sugarcane fields, the rest of the corridor will need to be identified in order to link to the Selous.

EXTRA INCENTIVETo keep elephants on the path, bee boxes and tasty crops should be implemented within the 100m corridor. Also any villagers living close to the corridor’s edge will be advised to relocate or assume responsibility for the risks.

PLANNING A WILDLIFE CORRIDORSince wildlife corridors work better if they have already been identified as existing migration routes, it would be best to define those movement patterns first and develop the corridor along them. The above solution is likely to have complications unless the corridor follows an established elephant migration pattern.

Based on studied corridor widths, 100m is only one tenth of an appropriate size to accommodate large fauna, such as elephants. If a corridor was to be implemented immediately, the compromise for a 50m corridor may not be in the locals’ best interest.

Small corridors do not provide adequate space to keep wildlife separated from humans.

Fencing corridor with bees can help keep elephants on the path.

URBAN SPACESURBAN SPACESCOLOGNE PLEXUS: REDESIGNING NEUMARKT

TEAM PROJECT

14

COLOGNE PLEXUS: REDESIGNING NEUMARKT

TramsCarsBicycles

Legend

Pedestrians

Views

Nodes

INITIAL ANALYSIS

TramsCarsBicycles

Legend

Pedestrians

NEW CIRCULATION

Neumarkt is located in the heart of Cologne Germany. Historically established as a trade market and event space, this plaza is currently surrounded by three lanes of moving automobiles, trams, and bicycles; Neumarkt becomes a quiet island in a sea of traffic. Many storefronts overlook the plaza as well as St. Aposteln Church.

By pushing the traffic to the southern side of the site, shoppers and pedestrians can safely enjoy the plaza without having to cross the busy traffic. The main pedestrian path follows the Decumanos, the first city road built by the romans.

All diagrams created by me

15

COLOGNE PLEXUS: SEASONALITY

PLAN KARNEVAL

The main goal of this open air design allows Neumarkt to continue to host its famous Christmas Market and popular parade during the Karneval festivities. It can also serve as a concert venue. The overhead suspension system can provide a unique atmosphere tailored to each event taking place in the plaza. It could even become a covered canopy adding shade during the summer months.

All plans rendered by Elliot Shibley

CONCERT SETTING CHRISTMAS MARKET

16

COLOGNE PLEXUS: SEASONALITY

All sections rendered by me

CHRISTMAS MARKET SECTION

KARNEVAL SECTION

KARNEVAL SECTION DETAIL CHRISTMAS MARKET SECTION

COMMUNITY DESIGNCOMMUNITY DESIGNWESTERLY PARKWAY PLAZA

TEAM PROJECT

17

WESTERLY PARKWAY PLAZA

The Westerly Parkway development will convert a predominantly commercial plot of land into a green community backyard. With the upcoming student housing project, the“Retreat,” the community will use this common area to gather, picnic, play, stroll and unite.

18

WESTERLY PARKWAY PLAZA

Analyzing existing circulation conditions help identify opportunities and constraints when designing for multiple modes of transportation. By using the existing bus route, residents will have easy access to the University and surrounding amenities without needing their own vehicle.

• Narrow street to discourage traffic through residential neighborhood• Sidewalks for safe pedestrian movement• Vegetation acts as barrier for pedestrians

• Street lights line roadways for safe travel at night• Planters slow traffic and boost visual quality in roadways

throughout the site

CONFLICTS & OPPORTUNITIES:1. Opportunity to keep existing connections

to the site from the high school.2. Opportunity to implement bus stops to

create social nodes and promote public transportation.

3. Conflict area: redirect “Retreat” traffic so it does not disturb existing residential communities.

ON-SITE TRAFFIC

CONFLICT AREA #3

CIRCULATION DIAGRAM

19

WESTERLY PARKWAY PLAZA

COMMERCIAL ‘WOONERF’This space serves multiple functions. It provides an access-way for small service vehicles, and initiates a connection between the surrounding green space and the mixed use commercial area. This ‘woonerf’ inspired space also serves as a social setting for shoppers and residents. These buildings also allow on-site residents to work locally, limiting the need and use of vehicles.

• Communal Land Use • Pedestrian Friendly, Urbanized Neighborhood

• Curving Paths, Meadow, Calming Atmosphere

• Rhythm, no barriers, welcoming vegetation

PRECEDENT STUDIES

DESIGN BUILDDESIGN BUILDLASER CUTTER PALM TREE

20

LASER CUTTER PALM TREEPRELIMINARY SKETCHES MODEL

This project was meant to challenge our mechanical thinking of how to design two dimensionally in AutoCAD for a three dimensional outcome.

Inspired by the lazy days of summer, I created a palm tree. By cutting out different sized notched cogs out of chip board and threading them onto a pipe cleaner, I gave the trunk a rough texture and the ability to sway gently in the breeze.

DESIGN BUILDDESIGN BUILDVARIO SOLIS: A SUN-BASED INSTALLATION

TEAM PROJECT

21

VARIO SOLIS: A SUN-BASED INSTALLATIONSITE & CONCEPT

To create a space where one can relax and interact with the sun. Bean Bag chairs made out of plastic will be located under “stained glass” awnings which create different shapes and shadows depending on the position of the sun. The path will mimic the sun’s daily journey, rising in the east and setting in the west.

The future site of the conservatory is ideal for this installation. There is no set path here and this spot has excellent sun exposure.

CONCEPT MODEL

CONCEPT

PRELIMINARY SKETCHES

22

VARIO SOLIS: A SUN-BASED INSTALLATIONPLAN MATERIALS

The path of the sun was crucial to our design. In order to achieve the desired results, the chairs and awnings must be placed on an arc according to the sun’s position throughout the day. With this arrangement one can experience the installation in a variety of different ways all within the same day.

THE DESIGNThe design consists of five bean bag chairs covered by coloredawnings that reflect shapes onto the ground and visitors. The bean bags are made entirely of plastic bags. Large white bags were cut apart and fused together with an iron. After the fusing process, these large sheets of plastic were then cut according to a pattern (shown above) and sewn together. These plastic bean bag shells were then stuffed with small grocery bags.

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

23

VARIO SOLIS: A SUN-BASED INSTALLATION

The installation process went well. The group ran into some minor problems. First, some of the awnings ripped so we had to fix them with clear tape. Second, we were forced to install all of the metal poles upright instead of on various angles due to high winds. We were not forced to use the buckets as anchors, so we stuck the poles into the ground for stability. The sun shone through the awnings, reflecting beautiful shadows and color patterns onto the bags.

INSTALLATION AT THE PENN STATE ARBORETUM

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATIONCONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION

24

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION: MESIC MEADOW & FOREST PLAN

25

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION: WALL & PAVEMENT DETAILS

26

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION: STAIR DETAIL

27

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION: EDUCATION CENTER GRADING PLAN

Pipe Chart:Pipe Name Pipe From Diameter (in) Slope % Length ( ) RIM Inv In Inv Out

A DI-1 to grass 8 1.00 45 1108.50 1104.83 1104.38B DI-2 to grass 8 1.00 60 1105.50 1101.83 1101.23C DI-3 to grass 8 1.00 50 1103.50 1099.83 1099.33D DI-4 to DI-1 8 1.00 100 1109.50 1105.83 1104.83E DI-5 to DI-7 8 1.00 112.5 1103.25 1097.95 1096.83F DI-6 to DI-7 8 1.00 101 1103.25 1097.84 1096.83G DI-7 to grass 8 1.00 40 1100.50 1096.83 1096.43

BC-1 Roof to Bio Ret.BC-2 Roof to Bio Ret.BC-3 Roof to Bio Ret.

Drainage connec on from building to bio-reten on areaDrainage connec on from building to bio-reten on areaDrainage connec on from building to bio-reten on area

28

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION: EDUCATION CENTER GRADING DETAILS

1

2

FINE ART WORKSFINE ART WORKS

29

TANZANIAN TEMBO

30

A STUDY AT HAND

PHOTOGRAPHYPHOTOGRAPHY

31

WHITE BREEZE VENICE, ITALY

32

DOUBLE TROUBLE MANG’ULA, TANZANIA

CONNECT

MEGAN M. [email protected] YOU