Landscape Portfolio 2024

Ryan Ong

BSLA // Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

+1 607 262 3109

ro242@cornell.edu

Inspired by the ecologically-sensitive urban development in my hometown of Singapore, my passion in this field is to connect people to the world around them. In the near future, I aim to co-create empathetic and meaningful public spaces that foster a true ecology, and not just to ‘utilize’ nature. I strongly believe in the narrative power of landscapes to teach us the value of the earth we walk on.

In my free time, I love making art, yoyoing, attending concerts and playing competitive fighting games.

Favourite plant: Leptospermum madidum Weeping Tea Tree

Skills Education

International Baccalaureate

2011-2016 // Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

Studied higher level Visual Arts, Mathematics, Geography. Attained a 38-point aggregate score.

Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture

2019-2024 // Cornell University

Graduated at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Adobe Suite Photoshop

Illustrator

Indesign

Premiere Pro

Modelling

Rhino

AutoCAD

Sketchup

Revit

Languages

English

Mandarin

Singlish

Experience

Internships

WATG

2022 // Clemenceau Ave, Singapore

Interned at WATG, a multidisciplinary design firm specializing in hospitality development. Assisted in projects in locations such as Siberia and the Philippines. Tasks included 3D modelling, rendering, illustration and preparing presentation materials.

Gardens By The Bay

2021 // Marina Bay, Singapore

Assisted in operations of the Flower Dome, the world’s largest indoor glass conservatory. The climate-regulated environment allows the breeding and display of temperate flora, normally unfeasible in the warm tropics of Singapore.

Project Teams

Wolf Conservation Center

2024 // South Salem, NY

Pro-bono Landscape Architect for wolf enclosure redesign.

Cornell University Sustainable Design 2023-2024 // Cornell University

Landscape Architect for sustainable school design in Nepal.

Design Connect

2022 // Cornell University

Landscape Architect for Waverly Waterfront Park design project.

LA1410 Teaching Assistant 2023 // Cornell University

Extra-Curricular

Cornell Concert Commission 2019-2024 // Cornell University

Organized and worked over 16 concerts held on campus. Held position of Administrative Director in 2022.

American Society of Landscape Architects 2022-2024 // Cornell University

Held the role of Events Coordinator from 2022-2024.

Studio Portfolio

TREE PLANTING DETAIL

Linear Leisure

// Clove Lakes Park, Staten Island, NY

Clove Lakes Park is a well used recreational area with rich history. This project focused on enhancing existing strengths of the park, with attention to maintenance and upkeep. The area targeted was a long linear stretch, connecting adjacent ends of the 198acre space. A linear nature-play area aims to diversify the water-edge experience for pedestrians, while minimally disrupting traffic flow. This project also capitalises on the calm rocky riverbed on the central area, offering seating and edge access.

I took a 15-minute walk across the park, recording the full audio along the way. This included joggers, groups of teenagers, ducks, rushing water, falling leaves, etc. I played these sounds alongside chronological timelapses that overlayed and interweaved.

Because of its linearity, I wanted to preserve traffic flow while adding complementary features. Many passersby were families with young kids, as well as school children walking after school. I decided to incorporate linear play structures, imagining a seamless fun activity while moving from one place to another.

5Minut

For the design iteration itself, I focused on a long, narrow stretch alongside the lakes. This is the central vein of the park, with the main trail connecting both ends, and branches leading to other points of interest.

5Minutes

The area between the two lakes was a modest stream where the topography edged towards the water. This was a place of rest, rather than movement. People would sit along the rocks to enjoy the shade and the sound of water. I expanded the unassuming edge into a formal lawn space, using existing vegetation for shade and form.

The tall grass meadow on the Southern side was neglected, and native vegetation was allowed to grow wildly. I felt it was a missed opportunity. I designed flagstone pathways and reinforced its identity as a native wildflower garden, with small private enclaves.

Indigenous Expression

// Cayuga Nation, Salamanca

The focus of this park is to provide spaces for cultural expression and activity. Currently, there are only a few small gathering spaces in the city. This entire plot is left derelict from the old railroad station, with rubble and polluted soils.

Polluted areas will have to be capped, with fresh topsoil to grow lawns and community farms and gardens. The wetland area on the southwest is integrated through a 2-mile trail, with adjusted topography to create a proper pond habitat.

I was inspired by the indigenous practice of trail trees, where trees were anchored down as saplings, growing with an angular kink. These would be carved or marked as a signpost for trails across the east. I wanted to encourage community engagement with their heritage by having trail trees created along the pathways. Wooden signage would also be styled in the same fashion.

In the same vein of community engagement,. I proposed a dedicated arts venue for local artisans and craftsmen. Graffiti walls and carving logs would be installed in a lawn, visible to main street and the adjacent highway. Earth mounds are also constructed as platforms for sculptures or seating.

Modelling the Unknown

// Seneca Meadows Landfill

The Seneca Meadows Landfill is the largest active landfill facility in New York State, located near Waterloo. It receives garbage from several East Coast states, and is continually growing in size and scale.

It was an eye-opening experience to visit the monolithic 300-foot pyramids of waste. We were taken by the daunting future of waste sustainability.

Inspired by precedents like Freshkils Park, my team began modelling the site with the intent of meeting stakeholder requirements, while turning the landfill into a destination.

Paths to accomodate desire along dogwood succession

Encourage dogwood succession maintenance

Winds knock down hedgerows Landslide occurs

Phragmites cleared to prevent dominant growth

Leave disturbed land for natural succession

Incorporate fallen trees for interest

Iteration

Bees populate site near north staircase

Encourage pollination by seeding ground flowers limits actions

Goldenrod emerges on site, distributed by strong winds

Accept goldenrod communities in meadows

Accept wetland development and maple forest growth

Central pathways interrutped, bridges built in response

grow on site

native species invasives

Park is highly utilized

Reroute traffic with additional entrance

Iteration #2

Encourage nesting with tall perches

Community contribution alleviates cost

Trees fall due to land settling

Cut logs into benches

Iteration

Portions of landfill settle

Reroute paths with vegetation mosquito breeding with pest management suggests natural methods

Topography changes on pathways

Community Revitalization

// Waverly Waterfront

Intended to connect the community to natural resources, the goal of the Waverly Waterfront Access and Trail Plan is to link a proposed waterfront access point with existing landside recreational assets in the Village of Waverly, New York. Bordered by the Chemung River, the proposed site along the existing Old River Road Hiking/Biking Trail is in close proximity to New York State Route 17 Exit 60, Two Rivers State Park, Waverly Glen Park, and the Waverly business district. This project will encourage paddling, boating, fishing, hiking, and passive recreation in Waverly. Additionally, the project presents the opportunity to connect canoe and kayak users to the New York State Southern Tier Paddle Trail, a larger, extensive paddle network currently being supported by the National Park Service.

In addition to preserving natural, historic, and cultural resources along the Chemung River, the proposed project will attract additional tourists, resulting in increased economic development in Waverly. Increased river traffic is expected to spur entrepreneurial growth, including businesses such as outdoor outfitters, restaurants, and even related light industry. Expanding educational opportunities, promoting stewardship, and connecting our communities to Tioga County’s natural resources will build upon the mission of the Carantouan Greenway to the benefit of all.

Chemung St Cayuta Ave

Emile Bensedrine

Penny Crispin

Mark Timothee Aladar Bell

Xinyue (Rosie) Liu

Hanrui (Freya) Fu

Julián Jaramillo

Andrew Stone

Ishan Ethridge

Cheryl Zeng

Eliza Blood

Ryan Ong

Ecological Study

// Norrie Point, Hudson River, NY

Our site was the unique freshwater/brackish tidal marshes along the hudson river. We visited Norrie Point, near Poughkeepsie, canoeing through the wetlands and taking in the gorgeous novel ecology. Our first moves were to map some of this ecology and communicate the interplay with tidal levels.

The boundaries of high marsh, low marsh, and tidal flats were crucial distinctions, as sea level rise has begun to threaten these habitats. At this marsh in particular, the topography is too steep to allow marsh migration, alongside urban boundaries that prevent high marsh development.

We were tasked to deep-dive into a particular species to better grasp the local wildlife. Other classmates chose species of birds or insects, and I decided to research on one of my favourite fish: Eels! I created poster diagrams illustrating their fascinating life cycles and populations in the Hudson.

Vanishing Waterfront

// Waryas Park, Poughkeepsie

Waryas Park, a historic waterfront, is threatened by regular flooding. While riverfronts are usually not affected by sea-level rise, the unique tidal conditions of the Hudson River create an environmental issue for Poughkeepsie. This project explored and addressed the future possibilities for this site, in an attempt to reconcile the future of climate change.

When it comes to water rising, do we keep building walls higher? When do we give in?

2080

Comparative History Project

I was always intrigued by the caricatured streetscapes of Chinatowns across the world. From run-down immigrant enclaves, to glamorous tourist attractions, what changed, or caused it to change? I pursued this historical research as an essay alternative.

The result was “Ornamental Oriental: An Aesthetic Reaction to Exclusion in San Francisco’s Chinatown”.

Hand Rendering

A brief classroom exercise to practice illustration. This was my first studio returning from online classes due to the pandemic. It took a while to get back into the swing of things, but this simple exercise reminded me of my love for hand-drawing. At this point, I still had a lot to learn and skills to hone.

There’s truly something valuable to hand-drawing that was missing during my computer-centric internships. For each tree, shrub, and blade of grass that you sketch, it feels like my hand reaches out and understands its nature. I believe that too much time without handdrawing left me detached from real, living, breathing landscapes.

Hand Rendering

// Mann Library Roof Courtyard

Because of its location on a roof, a bed of soil would be too heavy. I incorporated geofoam to create topographical interest and conceal planter pots.

Japanese Maple Acer palmatum

LA 2010 // Site 1 // Prof. Valerie Aymer

The initial condition struck me as peaceful, serene. A cosy corner, but the vegetation wasn’t doing well. Sparse sedum lined the floor and trees were stuck in undersized pots.

Moss could tolerate building-shaded conditions, while being suitable for a roof courtyard.

The goal was to transform a space into something familiar but unrecognizable.

To balance subtlety and legibility; how do we ‘renew’ a space without alienating its users?

Artworks

“I think with any art making, there’s a sense of urgency that you have for people to understand you.”

Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast), 2021