Alex Hoxsie - Landscape Architecture Portfolio

Alex Hoxsie Ecological Restoration + Design

Landscape Architecture Portfolio

alex.hoxsie@gmail.com ph. (207) 807-4721 Master’s Degree Candidate at Temple University

Contents:

1 2 3 4 5 6

Kensington Neighbor’s Studio - Inventory and Analysis Model Design Charrettes South Philadelphia High School Native Garden Oxford Wetland Mitigation Bank Schuylkill Arch - Urban Floodplain Park Technical Samples

Alex Hoxsie Ecological Restoration + Design

1 Kensington Neighbor’s Studio- Inventory and Analysis

The North Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia is home to one of the region’s most notorious illegal drug markets. The blight caused by widespread heroinuse, theft, and prostitution has spread into the surrounding neighborhood, causing a drop in home values, a decrease in public safety, and an exodus of legitimate businesses.

This study of zoning and land use was undertaken to determine how outdated planning is contributing to the deterioration of this once-thriving neighborhood. The findings suggest that decreasing cover for criminal activity through park creation and demolition could lead to a major change in usership.

The following was included in a 2014 PA-DE ASLA Merit Award-winning project submission.

Zoning Local zoning suggests that the site is primarily residential and industrial, with a commercial strip along the northeast boundary. A more detailed land-use study is used to determine whether this zoning pattern corresponds to daily activity on the site and meets the needs of its primary users.

Residential

Residential Mixed-use

Commercial

Industrial

Land-Use Residential

Commercial

2-Story

Auto

3-Story

Salon Food/Drink Laundromat Pawn Furniture/Appliances

Industrial

Institutional

Scrapyard

SEPTA

Warehouse

Religious

Construction

Education

Unknown Industrial

Community Health

Open Space

Vacancy

Viaduct

Building

Playground

Lot

Community Garden

0

500

1000

2000 Feet

Land-Use Mosaic Land use patterns in the neighborhood create four distinct areas of activity and character. There is a commerciallydominated shopping district, two separate residential districts, and a diverse multi-use district with a large industrial component.

Kensington Avenue Commercial District

North Residential District Ca S ria mb t.

g

sin

n Ke

e.

Av n to

rse me

So t.

tS

Frankford Avenue Industrial Belt

. ve hA

hig

Le

rd kfo

e.

Av

n Fra

Residential 2-Story 3-Story

Commercial Auto Salon

Industrial

Food/Drink

Scrapyard

Laundromat

Warehouse

Pawn

Construction

Furniture/ Appliances

Unknown Industrial

e.

Av n to

en Tr

Open Space

Institutional

Vacancy

Viaduct

SEPTA

Building

Playground

Religious

Lot

Community Garden

Education

South Residential District

Community Health 0

LAND USE AND DRUG CULTURE: Commercial- The current composition of commercial uses in the site are indicative of transience, addiction, and criminal activity.

Open Space- Left unmaintained, large green areas and defunct playgrounds provide shelter for drug use.

The viaduct area is littered with paraphernalia.

IndustrialScrapyards encourage theft, fueling local drug use among addicts.

250

500

Institutional-A testing center and recovery houses are systematic of the drug prevalence on the site and demonstrate an attempt to improve health and safety in the neighborhood.

1000 Feet

VacancyAbandoned lots and buildings invite illegal activity such as drug use and prostitution.

Kensington Avenue - Commercial District

Kensington Ave.

itu

lo n

F ur n

Auto- These shops represent a drop-off and pick-up usership pattern rather than attracting customers to spend time in the area.

Auto

Sa

re/

ce s

F o o d/ D r i n k

Pawn

Kensington Ave. Breakdown of Primary Commercial Uses

Cambria St.

Somerset St.

Lehigh Ave.

Ap

an p li

Furniture/Appliances- These locations sell cheap used goods, but not the staples that would promote frequent usership.

Pawn- The high occurrence of pawn shops can be indicative of a market for stolen goods and customers desperate for cash.

Food/Drink- Food and drink on the site revolves mostly around alcohol sales and convenience stores. Grocery stores, healthy food, and restaurants would encourage a more neighborhood- and family-friendly clientele.

Salon- The salons serve the needs of those living in the neighborhood and create eyes on the street unrelated to the drug trade in the area.

Frankford Avenue - Multi-Use Street Prevalent Construction Material Warehouses

#5 Bus

Fresh Start Recovery Center

Emerald St. Lehigh Ave.

Frankford

Ave.

#54 Bus

Gas Station

Viaduct

Community Garden Community Women’s Trinity Presbyterian Education Center Church

0

125

250

500 Feet

2 Model Design Charettes

The following is a series of landscape concept models based on the artwork of the Russian painter, Kazimir Malevich. This was an iterative study in which the artist’s painting was gradually adapted into a landscape design concept through examination of the two-dimensional form.

This study demonstrates the compositional considerations in landscape design and relates them to other artistic disciplines. The concept of mass and void, the color hierarchies, and the organization of forms are the same; the difference is in the media used to express them.

Had he used landforms and vegetation rather than paint and canvas, Malevich may have created something in the same vein as that which is presented here.

Suprematism 3

Kazimir Malevich, 1916-17

First Iteration

This first iteration is a representation of the artwork in the third dimension. The added element of relief starts to create shadows, vertical hierarchies, rooms, and sightlines in the space.

This phase helps us understand how the objects in the composition relate to each other and it makes the focus on rectilinear forms more pronounced.

Second Iteration

This iteration deals with landform and texture abstractions. It begins to raise questions about how the forms and colors in the painting might translate to the landscape.

Using the previous iteration to establish relative spatial and volumetric relationships, specific landforms and vegetation masses become easier to visualize.

Third Iteration

This final iteration seeks to create a more realistic landscape to bring in the human perspective. Following the monochromatic deconstruction of the original painting, the reintroduction of color creates an interesting juxtaposition. Where the painter uses color to distinguish forms, the landscape designer uses vegetation and topography.

3 South Philadelphia High School Native Garden

This native perennial garden was designed and installed in 2014 as part of the new South Philadelphia High School Greening Master Plan. This garden benefits the neighborhood aesthetically and serves as a living laboratory for the students that planted it. As a first step towards realizing the school’s sustainability goals, the South Philadelphia High School Native Garden helps students get involved in their school’s future and gives neighbors a sample of the improvements yet to come.

Before - Existing Site Condition

Native Garden Precedent Study Temple University Native Garden

Textures and Paths in a Canopy Break

Vegetation Relating to Existing Walls

Snyder Ave.

Existing G

arden

Broad St.

South Philad elphia High School

Existing G

arden

Jackson St. 25 0

100 Feet 50

SPHS Native Garden Rendering

Aesthetics + Education + Ecology

Installed by SPHS Students

Planting Plan Phlox stolonifera (Creeping Phlox) Aster divaricatus (White Wood Aster) Solidago spp. (Goldenrod) Vernonia glauca (Ironweed)

Bird Bath

Break in Existing Wall

Monarda didyma (Bee Balm/Bergamot) Eupatorium purpureum (Joe Pye Weed) Baptisia australis (False Blue Indigo) Andropogon gerardii (Big Blue Stem) Pycnanthemum muticum (Mountain Mint)

7.5 0

30 Feet 15

4 Oxford Wetland Mitigation Bank

Wetland mitigation banking represents a valuable opportunity for ecological restoration design. This plan was developed using the Evaluation for Planned Wetlands (EPW) to maximize the ecological potential of the site while designing for public recreation as well. Demonstration of improved ecological function corresponds directly to increased economic value, satisfying the triple bottom line approach that has become synonymous with the profession of landscape architecture.

A

B

Proposed Cover Types Existing Site Cover Types

FOREST COVER (PATCH TYPES FF, EF, AND UI).

6” to 2’-0” above water table ( > 2’-0” for upland forest) Elevation Range: 456’ to 458’ ( > 458’ for upland forest) SCRUB/SHRUB WETLAND COVER (PATCH TYPES SS, RC, AND BB).

0” to 6” above water table Elevation Range: 455.5’ to 456’

A. Abandoned Fields with Drainage Tiles

HERBACEOUS WETLAND COVER (PATCHES WM, TS, AND HF).

0” to 6” of surface water Elevation Range: 455’ to 455.5’

B. Phragmites and Cattail Monocultures

SHALLOW EMERGENT VEGETATION COVER (PATCH TYPE SE ).

6” to 1’-6” of surface water Elevation Range: 454’ to 455’ DEEP EMERGENT VEGETATION COVER (PATCH TYPE DE).

1’-6” to 3’-0” of surface water Elevation Range: 452.5’ to 454’ OPEN WATER. NO VEGETATION COVER. > 3’ of surface water Elevation Range: < 452.5’

A Proposed Section of Site Cover Types

Patches listed on next page.

A

0

200

400

800 Feet

Scale: 1” = 120’-0”

Proposed Patch-Planting Diagram Open Water, Plant Community Absent

DE SE TS HF WM SS BB RC EF FF UI

Deep Emergent Wetland Plant Community

SS

EF

Shallow Emergent Wetland Plant Community

FF

HF

FF

Herbaceous Fen Wetland Plant Community

RC

FF EF

Wet Meadow Wetland Plant Community

RC

Scrub/Shrub Wetland Plant Community

HF RC

SS

WM RC

Red Cedar Bayberry Fen Scrub/Shrub Wetland Plant Community Existing Floodplain Forest Wetland Plant Community Floodplain Forest Wetland Plant Community Upland Island Terrestrial Plant Community

Plant lists are shown in project appendices

SCRUB/SHRUB COMMUNITIES AS COVER TYPE CONNECTORS

The hydrolic range of scrub/shrub wetland plant communities means that they fill a generalist role in wetland systems, growing adjacent to, or surrounding, a wide variety of other plant community assemblages.

SHALLOW EMERGENT

SCRUB/SHRUB

FLOODPLAIN FOREST

460

WATER TABLE

450

Scale: 3/16” = 1’-0”

DE

DE HF

EF

Buttonbush Scrub/Shrub Wetland Plant Community

HF RC

HF DE SE HF HF SE DE

SE SS

SE

DE

HF

Tussock Sedge Wetland Plant Community

RC WM

RC HF HF

DE

SE

DE

HF

FF SS

S

HF

WM DE

HF

SE DE

HF

SE RC

HF

SE RC

SE

DE DE HF

DE HF

HF

SE

SE HF SE BB

HF WM SE

HF

DE SE

SS

HF WM

SE

SS

FF

SS SE

EF

SE

TS

TS

FF UI

WM SE DE

EF SE

TS

SE

TS

DE SE SS

SS FF

WM DE

EF

SS DE

SE

EF

SS SE FF

WM SS

TS

SE WM

EF

DE

DE

SE

DE

EF EF EF SS

DE

EF

TS

BB

WM

FF

EF BB

EF

WM

TS

DE DE

BB DE

DE

DE

DE SE

SS

SS DE SE SE DE

BB

DE

SS

SE

EF

SE BB

SS

SE BB SE

FF

WM

DE

DE

FF

SE

SS FF

BB SS

EF

EF

FF

EF

DE

TS

SS WM EF

TS

TS SE WM SE

SS

DE

TS

TS

TS

FF TS

TS

TS TS

SE SS

EF

FF BB

SE

SE TS

SE DE

SE WM

WM

TS

DE

SE

SE BB

SS SE

TS

UI

SE

EF TS

UI

EF

UI

EF

TS

SS

EF FF

SE

EF

EF

WM SE

DE SE SE DE TS SE BB WM SE SE WM SE WM EF

BB

BB SE EF TS EF

SS

WM EF

SS

SE

EF

EF

SS SS WM SS

BB

SE

SS

SE

DE DE

TS

UI

SE BB

WM

TS

WM

EF

EF EF EF EF

WM

BB UI

SS SE

EF

SS TS SE

SS

SE

EF

SE

HF

DE

TS

TS

WM

EF EF

0

200

400

800 Feet

EMERGENT PLANT COMMUNITIES IN RELATION TO WATER DEPTH

Changes in emergent vegetation relate to the water table. As water depth increases, corresponding decreases in light availability lead to a decrease in persistent vegetation.

OPEN WATER

DEEP EMERGENT

SHALLOW EMERGENT

460

WATER TABLE

450

Scale: 3/16” = 1’-0”

THE ADAPTABILITY OF TUSSOCK SEDGE (Carex stricta) MARSH

Although typically occupying similar conditions to wet meadow communities, Carex stricta is able to tolerate a larger gradient in surface water availability. In shallow emergent conditions it will form its own island (tussock) to remain above deeper standing water.

SHALLOW EMERGENT

TUSSOCK SEDGE MARSH

WET MEADOW

460

WATER TABLE

450 Scale: 3/16” = 1’-0”

WET MEADOWS AS A WETLAND ECOTONE

Wet meadow communities occur as an intermediate plant community between emergent and non-emergent wetland assemblages. Transitional communities like this provide habitat overlaps where biodiversity is especially high.

SHALLOW EMERGENT

WET MEADOW

SCRUB/SHRUB

460

WATER TABLE

Scale: 3/16” = 1’-0”

450 SCRUB/SHRUB

FLOODPLAIN FOREST

UPLAND FOREST ISLAND

FLOODPLAIN FOREST

UPLAND ISLANDS IN RELATION TO THE WATER TABLE

Elevation above the water table influences the presence of wetland, facultative, and upland species. Where water is not available in close proximity to the surface, pockets of upland occur that diversify habitat.

465

455

WATER TABLE Scale: 3/16” = 1’-0”

Illustrative Renderings

Section of Target Fish Habitat in Restored Stream

Main Entrance + Welcome Kiosk + Deer Fence + Connection to Oxford Bikeway

Diverse Native Plant Communities + Habitat + Ecological Services + Recreation

Masterplan of Ecological Restoration with Recreational Paths Overlaid 0

200

400

800 Feet

8’-6”

4’-0”

4”

6

9’-8”

2

7

1.5” Diam. sleeve for fence poles.

4” exposed at surface

1” Diam. fence poles

Warning flags

SCALE: 1/8” = 1’-0”

DEER EXCLUSION FENCE GATE DETAIL

2”

9’-10”

2’-0”

3 4

1

SCALE: 1/8” = 1’-0”

DEER EXCLUSION FENCE DETAIL

SCALE: 1/4” = 1’-0”

SAMPLE PLAN OF PROPOSED PATHS

2’-8”

STONE LINED CULVERT CHANNEL

1/2” CUTOUT ON CULVERT PLANK ENDS 4 X 4’S OFFSET BY 1/2”

1.5” 8”

6

CULVERT DETAIL

SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0”

8’-0”

2” 2” 6”

5

1’-0”

8’-0”

4

SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0”

BOARDWALK SECTION DETAIL 6” 6”

10”

5

Frost line

2.5” SCALE: 3/4” = 1’-0”

BOARDWALK SUPPORT BRACKET

BOARDWALK AXONOMETRIC

6’-0” Mineral soil walking surface 8-10” Diam. log retainers 1.5”

1’-0” Stake

8”

Geotextile liner

Gravel fill

7

CAUSEWAY SECTION DETAIL

SCALE: 1/2” = 1’-0”

5 Schuylkill Arch

Located along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Schuylkill Arch is a proposal for a multi-use park that creates a recreational destination on underutilized land and addresses flooding through design.

S c h u y l k i l l

A r c h

A Floodplain Park by Alex Hoxsie

Flooding - Rise of the Schuylkill

Key Schuylkill River

100-Year Flood Plain

Project Site

Art Museum

Cira Center 30th Street Station

A Tidal River +12.5’

100 Year Flood +3.5’ -3.5’

High Tide Low Tide

The Schuylkill River is tidal in its lower reaches, including where it passes Schuylkill Arch.

Daily fluctuations in water level do not effect the site, but Schuylkill do exacerbate flood events Banks Trail/ such that the river rises to an Project Site elevation of +12.5’

Schuylkill River Schuylkill Arch: multifunctional open space, urban floodplain Public Lands Design Studio - Temple University Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Advisors: Baldev Lamba, Hallie Boyce, Skip Graffam Designer: Alex Hoxsie - December 2014

S C H U Y L K I L L A R C H

Design Objectives - Goals and Concepts

Three Zones

Bulkhead Edge

N A T U R A L

-Wetland Area

-Creating Entrance from Schuylkill Banks Trail at JFK Overpass

-Stormwater Capture

-Re-Imagining Connection to Race Street Entrance

-Habitat Creation

-Neighbors

o Ec

-Families

ic log

al D

esi g n

Imp

r ov

-Improving Existing Entrances at Cherry and Arch Streets

ed

-Providing Access Route Down from JFK

ce

y

e

u y l k i l l R i ve r

H I G H

sT

the

il l B a n k

P E R M A N E N T

C

re

W E T

a ti

-Plaza Spaces -Re-purposed Underpass -Views

C L A S S I C A L

-Natural Areas -Play/Exercise Areas -Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Markets, Craft Fairs, Art Installations, etc.

on

to

ylk

B U I L T

Sch

il

Sc

hu

ra

-Market/Fair/Show Attendees

ga n Sq uar

Activation Creating a Neighborhood Nucleus

D em

-Art Community

o g r a p h i c Di v e

rs it

Lo

ss

-Professionals -Schuylkill Bank Trail Users

L O W

-Improving Existing Entrances at Cherry and Arch Streets

-Floodplain Vegetation Area

Ac

T E M P O R A R Y

-Native Plantings

ng

aD e sti n a t io n

n Co

ne

cti

-Bulkhead Reflection: Structure and Trail -Pier Installation

D R Y

-Creating Entrance from Schuylkill Banks Trail at JFK Overpass -Enhanced Visual Connection to the River

M O D E R N

Connected Nodes

Major Sight Lines

Natural Area Street-level Plaza Main Lawn Manicured Landscape Wetland Underpass Room Overlook Entrance

Schuylkill Arch: multifunctional open space, urban floodplain Public Lands Design Studio - Temple University Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Advisors: Baldev Lamba, Hallie Boyce, Skip Graffam Designer: Alex Hoxsie - December 2014

S C H U Y L K I L L A R C H

Site Programming - A Focus on Multifunctionality Schuylkill Connection

Activating 23rd Street

1 Bulkhead Promenade

4 Central Hill

A raised promenade mimicking the active bulkhead uses the condition of urban rivers to give the site an identity and connect it stylistically to the Schuylkill.

2 Upper Plaza Along with the bulkhead promenade, this feature creates a visual connection with the river and the Schuylkill Banks Trail. This plaza also addresses the constraint of the rail line, allowing users to connect to the river above train-level.

7 Schuylkill Arch Plaza

A large hill as the central element of the park redirects the focus and activity within the park back towards 23rd Street and the Logan Square neighborhood.

5 Arch Street Entrance

8 Food Trucks

A major entrance into the park, site lines to the central hill and the Cira Center beyond draw users into the site and direct movement towards the Schuylkill River.

6 Cherry Street Entrance

3 Pier Structures Extending major pathways over the rail line breaks that barrier and provides a physical interaction between the site and the river and Schuylkill Banks Trail.

Underpass Gallery

12

Connection to JFK Blvd.

This area also serves as the gateway to JFK Blvd. with access by stairs, elevator, and sloping lawn. This makes it the primary entrance for users coming from 3oth Street Station and West Philadelphia.

13

15

Functional Bulkhead With little construction upstream, the bulkhead promenade and raised Schuylkill Banks Trail entrance (to 12.5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;) effectively remove the park area from the 100-year floodplain for the Schuylkill River.

Schuylkill Banks Entry Main entrance into the site for users coming off of the Schuylkill Banks Trail.

14

Creates a destination on 23rd Street and a permanent indoor/outdoor dining option with views of the park.

Planning for Flooding

Paved open space can be used for food trucks, outdoor markets, fairs, seating, and an extension to the Underpass Gallery.

Large multifunctional area that is both an indoor and outdoor space. Public art on the existing structure celebrates the industrial urban forms that are integral to a functioning modern city.

11

Outdoor Flex Space

Food trucks diversify outdoor dining options in the park, create activity along the 23rd Street edge, and can vacate the area during flood events.

9 Cafe

Highlights site lines to the central hill and 30th Street Station across the Schuylkill River.

Underpass Park 10

A multi-level, flexible space promotes various and adaptable usership while also providing direct access to the wetland area from street level.

Indoor Rental Space Part of cafe building, this space allows events to be put on that require indoor space for food service, controlled lighting, temperature control, etc.

Managing Stormwater 16

Function + Education Depaving the majority of the site and increasing plant cover drastically improves water infiltration The wetland area serves as an active stormwater basin for the site as well as some of the surrounding neighborhood.

15 6 1

2

8 4

7

3

5

16 12

9,14

10

13 11

Schuylkill Arch: multifunctional open space, urban floodplain Public Lands Design Studio - Temple University Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Advisors: Baldev Lamba, Hallie Boyce, Skip Graffam Designer: Alex Hoxsie - December 2014

S C H U Y L K I L L A R C H

Proposed Site Plan - Schuylkill Arch Park

C

A B

50 0

200 Feet 100

Section A

Section B

Section C

Schuylkill Arch: multifunctional open space, urban floodplain Public Lands Design Studio - Temple University Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Advisors: Baldev Lamba, Hallie Boyce, Skip Graffam Designer: Alex Hoxsie - December 2014

0

50

100 Feet

0

50

100 Feet

0

25

50 Feet

S C H U Y L K I L L A R C H

Getting a Feel for the Park - The Study Model Cherry Street

23rd Street

Arch Street Entrance

The Bulkhead seen from the Schuylkill Banks Trail

JFK Boulevard

Piers Overlooking the River

Forest Area

Manicured Landscape

Plaza at Arch Street Entrance

Schuylkill Arch: multifunctional open space, urban floodplain Public Lands Design Studio - Temple University Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Advisors: Baldev Lamba, Hallie Boyce, Skip Graffam Designer: Alex Hoxsie - December 2014

S C H U Y L K I L L A R C H

Getting a Feel for the Park - Perspective Studies

Bethesda Terrace, Central Park , New York City

Hall of Mirrors, Palace at Versailles Rococo

The underpass is a liminal space; somewhere on the continuum between indoor and outdoor.

Rococo-style decor contrasts the natural forms in the park, the neoclassical 30th Street Station, and the industrial overpass; this makes the underpass room fit into the gradient of structural styles across the site.

Palazzo Colonna, Rome - Late Baroque, Rococo

Rafael Guastavino’s tile work in his “Palaces for the People” Structural tile, Beau-Arts

Schuylkill Arch: multifunctional open space, urban floodplain Public Lands Design Studio - Temple University Dept. of Landscape Architecture and Horticulture Advisors: Baldev Lamba, Hallie Boyce, Skip Graffam Designer: Alex Hoxsie - December 2014

S C H U Y L K I L L A R C H

6 Technical Samples

Paisley Parking Lot - Linework

Paisley Parking Lot - Materials

Paisley Parking Lot - Trees

Paisley Parking Lot - Composite

City Park - Linework

City Park - Street Trees

alex.hoxsie@gmail.com ph. (207) 807-4721 Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree Candidate at Temple University