4th Year Landscape Architecture Portfolio Winter Semester 2012/13 UCD School of Architecture, Landscape, and Civil Engineering.

Project 1 Video
The starting point for this project was the production of a 10 minute video which illustrates the characteristics, material qualities, atmospheric (ambiance) aspects, context, physical characteristics, spatial qualities, sequences and scale of a range of tree species, in forestry context/conditions which would be appropriate for the project running this semester. This was a group project in conjunction with Ruth Williams, Ruth Turpin, Eoghan Riordan Fernanez, Michele Farley and Bryan Parsons. The video was filmed on Canon DSLRs (1100d and 550d) on location in; Ballygannon Woods, Rathdrum, Belleview Woods, Delgany, California Hills, Ballyfermot, Farrankelly, Delgany, Old Downs Hill, Kilpeddar, Stepaside, Tymon Park Templeogue and UCD, Belfield. The background music was All I Need - Air and Crystalised - Labrat Remix - The xx

Project 2 Sculpture
For the next stage of this project we were asked to take on the three strands from the preparation work stage: Ambience, Literature Review and Site Data to arrive at a synthesis. This synthesis will form the basis for all decision making in the last two work stages. During this work stage we were asked to investigate various methods, media and techniques to express this synthesis to create a three dimensional experimental and artistic expression of the effects of human intervention on forest material and its resultant spatial characteristics. We were asked to take apart and reassemble basic, raw forest materials to such as branch, twig,. The final piece represents mans interference with the natural environment, specifically the way in which human intervention can fragment and deteriorate the structure of a forest and its trees. Initially I started off by looking at the spatial and visual effect removing a tree from a forest and the resulting void left behind. This then progressed on to the idea of perception and awareness of ones surroundings. I asked myself the question; If a tree was removed would we notice? and also What is a tree?. From this idea of how we perceive a tree I made a collage with parts of the trunk of a tree removed to see how recognisable it is. This fracturing of the form led on to a stage of deconstructing the branch shape to a simple form. After a group brain-storming session to focus my concept I came to the idea of When Is a Tree Not a Tree?. This focused me on the way that humans take over land and cut into the forests for both space and resources. This causes the forest to eventually become fragmented and can lead to isolation. I looked at the way that the natural line of the edge of

a forest was degraded by human intervention and simplified this to basic squares. I then cut these strong shapes out of the wood and pushed them through to create tension and the feeling that a slight move further can cause the piece to collapse..

Project 3 Poster
The sculpture previous was my expression of the effects human intervention had on forest material and its resultant spatial characteristics. This task allowed me to investigate the particular and detailed aspects of material and space. Using the ideas that have emerged from the 3D work of the sculpture and by teasing out my preconceptions of the site we were asked to construct a composite image which expresses information and ambience at the same time. This was intended to help us explore the strategic vision we have for this project, the study area, the scale(s) of intervention, the spatial and geometric possibilities, temporariness/rotation/phasing etc. The poster I created was a represntation of the fragmented nature of Pelletstown from the city in terms of its physical and mental detachment. This disconnection from the city led on to the idea of reconnection, which is represented by the circles in the composition. Pelletstown is isolated in the geometric shape in the centre wanting to connect to the city it also represents a cocoon and its transformitave properties. The motif of the compass represents further this idea of directionality and purpose in future development of the Pelletstown area. The pixelated tree is used to describe the fragmented nature of the site and the change over time which can lead to it becoming complete on many levels. The overall image led to my design intention of Metamorphisis for the site.

Site Analysis & Draft Masterplan

This stage of the project involved us making a free-scale site interpretation drawing expressing our overall perception of the site after our first visit. I found the site to be fragmented as earlier noted and elongated with the large tower blocks dominating the space. They felt out of proportion to the site which is generally flat and bare. I also felt like there was a lack of any real elements of the landscape which stood out to make the place memorable. The public spaces in the site were generally just manicured grass areas with a small playground placed in a corner of one of these spaces. The area lacked anything which gave it an identity or differenciated it from other planned developments in the country. An analysis was undertaking and the ones which I found to be of interest are outlined below. With the theme of urban foresty running throughout this studio, we were asked to first produce a draft masterplan based on the ideas of urban forestry. My design was based around the need for education into how forestry works, at an urban level, and the education of the people in the area in respect of this. I also felt that the site needed a space which would add a sense of identity to Pelletstown which would it lacks currently. The design I proposed involved community allotments and plant nursery, an urban park, and a densly planted area for production. These areas would in turn educate the inhabitants to the process of growth (allotments), use (transplanting from allotments/nursery to the central park area) and production (in the densly planted area) of plant material within urban conditions.

1. Car Priority 2. Cycle Lanes 3. Car and Pedestrian Priority

1. Micro Climate 2. Greenfields and Brownfields 3. Green Wedges

1. Links Through Site 2. Fragmented Landscape 3. Views In and Out

Urban Park Area

Young Growth Area

Draft Masterplan Pelletstown

Production Area

Masterplan, Sections & Phasing

The master plan follows on from the draft masterplan with only a few minor changes in terms of the scale and location of some of the proposed paths and a more detailed representation of each element described before. Following this sections were produced to give a sense of the site in relation to the growth of the planting within the site, with sections being produced on 7, 14 and 21 year projected growth. A further study was carried out into the phasing of the design over the next 21 years in relation to development on site to see how the site would progress over the next 2 decades and how our design could shape this.

Masterplan for Pelletstown Area

Metamorphosis

North

Young growth area consisting of a nursery and allotments. Here the residents can see how the trees are grown from youth. The allotments stem from the draft Local Area Plan for the area where a survey was carried out and allotments were requested. From analysis of the site this area appears to be the first place development will commence when it restarts so temporary and young planting is suitable here. The planting takes the form of the future blocks and streets with trees placed along the future streets allowed to mature for permanant planting.

The large central area is connected via intersecting pathways to link the West and East of the site. This area takes the form of a large urban park with an emphasis on bicycling and pedestrians. The northern part of this area is planted densly following the curve of the River Road. This planting continues along these lines to the nursery area in the South West. Dirt tracks are interspersed within the heavy planting to allow a more interesting route for users opposed to the more angular avenues. These northern areas of planting consist of bands of diceduous planting, evergreen and mixed broadleaf. They are planted in a natural form to allow for exploration of the area and to create a true forest effect. They will be planted at different levels of maturity to give an undulating effect to the bands to give a strong visual impact from the ground level. Copicing will take place on the evergreen trees here to ensure good growth as it may become a permanent feature of the site

The Easturn end of the site is planted with a dense mix of trees for production purposes. Here the viability of certain species can be guaged to allow for a more informed planting plan in the future. Thinning and copicing will need to take place here to ensure the health of the trees along with regular transplantation to ensure that the trees can be replanted when they are removed in the future. As with the central area there will be dirt tracks placed within this area to allow for off-road cycling. The retention pool will be retained and aquatic planting can be experimented with here along with production of planting for SUDS for future developments.

er Road. This planting continues along these lines to the nursery area in the South West. Dirt tracks are interspersed within the heavy planting to allow a more interesting route for users opposed to the more angular avenues. The long central avenue is sectioned into areas of seating and pedestrian walks with a bicycle route along its easturn side.

to the bands to give a strong visual impact from the ground level. Copicing will evergreen trees here to ensure good growth as it may become a permanent

Pelletstown Section AA

Young growth area consisting of a nursery and allotments. Here the residents can see how the trees are grown from youth. The allotments stem from the draft Local Area Plan for the area where a survey was carried out and allotments were requested. From analysis of the site this area appears to be the first place development will commence when it restarts so temporary and young planting is suitable here. The planting takes the form of the future blocks and streets. Trees placed along the future streets are intended to mature to become permanant street planting.

The Easturn end of the site is planted with a dense mix of trees for producti the viability of certain species can be guaged to allow for a more informe the future. Thinning and copicing will need to take place here to ensure the along with regular transplantation to ensure that the trees can be replant removed in the future. As with the central area there will be dirt tracks place to allow for off-road cycling. The retention pool will be retained and aquatic experimented with here along with production of planting for SUDS for fut

Richard Mc 0644

14 Years 1:200

21 21 Years Years1:200

for users opposed to the more angular avenues. The long central avenue is sectioned into areas of seating and pedestrian walks with a bicycle route along its easturn side.

Pelletstown Section BB

Young growth area consisting of a nursery and allotments. Here the residents can see how the trees are grown from youth. The allotments stem from the draft Local Area Plan for the area where a survey was carried out and allotments were requested. From analysis of the site this area appears to be the first place development will commence when it restarts so temporary and young planting is suitable here. The planting takes the form of the future blocks and streets. Trees placed along the future streets are intended to mature to become permanant street planting.

The Easturn end of the site is planted with a dense mix of trees for producti the viability of certain species can be guaged to allow for a more informe the future. Thinning and copicing will need to take place here to ensure the along with regular transplantation to ensure that the trees can be replant removed in the future. As with the central area there will be dirt tracks place to allow for off-road cycling. The retention pool will be retained and aquatic experimented with here along with production of planting for SUDS for fut

Richard Mc 0644

14 Years 1:200

7 Years Years 1:200

Pelletstown ConceptSection AA 21 Years

Pelletstown Concept Section BB 21 Years

Project Phasing for the next 21 Years

Road and Path Network Year 1
The existing road and path network services the housing areas with some access roads for construction work which are closed off to the public. To the north of the site is the main River Road and on both the east and west side of the site are main roads.

Road and Path Network Year 7

The road network here has developed into a series of rigid linear pathways on the westurn side of the site following on from the roads of the buildings and the future roads which will be built. The centre of the site has diagonal lines of access based on disire lines with a long avenue from north to south, it also includes a woodland trail for both pedestrians and cyclists. To the east the heavily wooded area is accesed by a series of sineous pathways throughout the space.

Road and Path Network Year 21

With the development almost completed the road network is organised along the rows of housing with access to the existing westurn main road. The roads in the centre are also alined along a future block of housing with extra access to the River road and roads connecting the less dense developments in the centre of the site. to the east the roads are also aligned along the buildings for access.

Vegetation Western Area

As the westurn part of the site is to be developed first, allotments were placed here with tree nurseries. This is to assess if allotments are viable in Pelletstown, if they go unused then the building phase will not effect this area, if they do work then a permanent area in the site will be found for them. The tree nursery here is to educate the people in the growing of trees and also for transplantation. Trees are also planted along the roads to mature into avenues within the site.

Vegetation Central Area

In the northern area the trees are densly planted in blocks along the curve of the road with paths intertwined for cyclists and pedestrians. As you move south the planting becomes more angular creating smaller spaces within the area for the amenity use. Copicing will take place here in the north for good growth and to add diversity to the tree-line. The main use of planting here is to create atmosphere for the users and to give them a multi use urban space.

Vegetation Easturn Area

This area functions as the production part of the urban forestry. Here densly planted native species are grown for their production value. This are will be the last to be developed allowing the trees to grow to maturity to increase their potential value when felled. The area also features a retention pool and paths and trails throughout to add an amenity value to the production area.

Development Phase 1 Year 7

The initial development on the site will take place in the west with the existing unfinished blocks being lengthened to create linear blocks as the canal side is the most desirable area for developers.. The houses along the Crescent Park will also be finished in the initial phase of development.

Development Phase 2 Year 14

The second phase of development will be conserned with lower density developments in the central area of the site with single to triple story buildings being built here and along the northern edge following the River road.

Development Phase 3 Year 21

The Final phase of development will take place in the easturn area with the existing blocks being expanded east at a much lower density and the most easturn complex being mirrored to the south with a similar shaped development.

Project Plan 21 Years

The projected plan at 21 years shows the temporality of the design implemented for the Pelletstown site. The only remnants are the tree lines in the westurn area along the new roads. The planting to the north of the central site and throughout the middle which allows the new low density housing to be enclosed in a semi-forested area. The same applies to the easturn side. Overall the concept of Metamorphosis is achieved by the transformation from what appeared to be a flat expanse of space with large tower blocks to an integrated mix of high and low density housing with a strong green presence in the form of the urban forestry. Its metamorphosis is complete

Project Visualisations Project

The final stage of the project was to produce two perspective images based on our design. The use of these types of images is that it gives a sense of the atmosphere of the spaces created and an immediate idea in the viewer of the intention of the design. A scale model was also produced of a slice of our design to give us a sense of the scale of the spaces we were creating in this landscape.