Alex Hoxsie Ecological Restoration + Design
Landscape Architecture Portfolio
alex.hoxsie@gmail.com ph. (207) 807-4721 Master’s Degree Candidate at Temple University
Contents:
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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 This study of zoning and land use was undertaken to determine how outdated planning is contributing to the deterioration of this once-thriving neighborhood.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
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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