WEIYONG ZHANG
FRANKLIN PARK
PITTSBURGH PORTLAND
DOMINO PARK
Preface
We are living in an era in which we face severe diverse issues, such as climate change and gentrification. Climate change causes devastating consequences like rising temperatures and ever-expanding seas. Gentrification engenders a series of social inexorably.
My academic objective is to investigate flexible landscape design that is highly adaptive to many scenarios. Being able to study at Harvard GSD allows me to explore the advanced realm of Landscape Architecture. It also grants me the opportunity to move beyond simply presenting ideas to involving a variety of audiences. In the long run, concentrating on the landscape design of a space will help me make a positive difference in society by addressing climate change and gentrification.
After completing three semesters at the GSD, I have found that the Harvard’s pedagogy encourages me to think holistically and practically. My professors guided me to think about design projects in the context of a broader community or a broader system. A landscape project can continue to profoundly affect a community even in a century.
Learning from John Dixon Hunt’s essay, “Stourhead Revisited & the Pursuit of Meaning in Gardens,” a garden’s design contains various stimulating ideas for viewers, and the viewer in turn experiences his own emotional, experiential reaction and perception while observing it. I always pay attention to others’ feedback to find ways to better communicate my projects’ meanings.
01 AUTONOMOUS CHARLESTOWN BY 203X
RECIRCULATING THE INDUSTRIAL EDGE STU 1212: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE IV: FOURTH SEMESTER CORE STUDIO - THE NEAR FUTURE CITY
INSTRUCTOR: LORENA BELLO GÓMEZ
HARVARD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF DESIGN 2024 SPRING
While Charlestown is perceived as a well-known settlement blending culture and maritime economy, challenges emerged due to food insecurity and the risk of being submerged. In 2023, ⅓ of the Eastern Massachusetts residents encountered food insecurity. In 2070, 65% of Charlestown will be submerged.
Envisioning how to eliminate this vulnerability will give Charlestown the opportunity to make its edge productive in the near future. To achieve this goal, Autonomous City in 203X proposes four approaches: Infrastructural Recalibration, Strengthening the Coastal Protection, Upcycling with Inshore Cultivation, and Promoting Decarbonization.
Existing Conditions
At the beginning of the spring 2024 semester, the project initiation began with the characteristics of the coastal industrial edge. It performs productively in the shipping business, but it somehow brings fear to the community as people rarely walk by the gigantic concrete space. As the landscape edges extensively impact different disciplines geographically, culturally, and economically, Autonomous Charlestown by 203X attempts to find ways to make Charlestown’s Edge more integrated, catering to the industry and community.
The selected site reveals the interpretation multi-dimensionally. The traffic circle features a functional logistic system since many trucks come from DPA and enter either I-93 or the route to Everett. Medford Street features a segregation between the industrial and residential areas. These enormous parking spaces do not seem to be fully occupied by vehicles.
Prototype Models of Edge
The coastal edge analysis contains the edge variation via. historical reclamation in 1833 and 1899. Nowadays, Charlestown, Boston, Cambridge, and Chelsea are surrounded complexly by industrial concrete edges, Rocky and mixed edges, wood and mixed edges, and soft edges.
The urban development, especially the logistic system, relies heavily on the land use. The sections reveal the relationship between the dimension of the water channel and the capacity of the cargo ship vertically. They also demonstrate and examine how the cargo could flexibly be moved through the water body. The height constraints of the airport and Maurice J. Tobin Memorial Bridge impact the cargo operation.
The flow chart describes the functionality. Collect the stormwater and wastewater from the neighborhood and treat them respectively via these processes. It ultimately turned into reclaimed water. Adding other types of waste management to deal with food waste is possible because anaerobic digestion allows it to be generated as heat, fertilizer, soil, and power. These renewable sources could support agriculture and residential use in Charlestown.
The facility’s floor plans contain three levels. Each floor is about 3 acres. Basements 1 and 2 are the food waste department, which starts with sorting and moving along the conveyor belt to basement 2 to proceed with the anaerobic digestion. Basement 3 is the water treatment department.
Section B - B’ explores how material durability responds to significant environmental changes, such as sea level rise. This section shows that the coastal berm will be built 4 feet above the current coastal edge, given that future flooding is estimated to be 40 inches in 2070. The surface facing the river will be made of stone armor. Inspired by the oyster-tecture by SCAPE, this material allows the water to be slowed down and enables the ecosystem to be revitalized.
The berm also contains a walking path, which will be made of concrete pads. The surface facing the greenhouse will be made of lawn, connecting seamlessly with the adjacent greenhouses through the optimized topographical transition and slope establishment.
In the future, the night Charlestown will become an unexpected sexy scene, and people will intrigued by the charming purple LED lights from the greenhouses while walking through
People will not worry about the shortage of fresh food as they can easily order on the phone, and the food will be delivered in a few seconds.
Section 3-3” captures the Doherty playground, the community greenhouse, and the berm. Demonstrating a continuous landscape connecting the edge and adjacent. Unlike the hightech greenhouse, these human-scale oriented greenhouses radically demonstrate the new aesthetical landscape through the visual and physical connection from indoor planting to exterior planting through a transparent object.
Section A - A’ displays a community space that encompasses two promenades, biowales, and lawn space between the greenhouse. It illustrates a landscape transition and a manner of respecting Olmsted’s masterpiece by extending the greenspace to the ocean. It simultaneously resolves the disconnection, given that Medford Street spatially segregates the residential and industrial areas, leading to difficulty for the local residents in accessing the coastal edge. The 8-foot-wide promenade is covered by concrete pads, which accompany detailed elements of curbs. The curbs function as the transition to separate slow movement (resting on the lawn) and rapid movement (commuting).
02 METABOLIZING THE LANDSCAPE
REMODELING THE MARSH AS A MULTIFUNCTIONAL ORGANIC SITE STU 1211: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE III: THIRD SEMESTER CORE STUDIO
INSTRUCTOR: ALEX WALL
HARVARD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF DESIGN 2023 FALL
In response to social justice concerns expressed as From Waste to Energy, Metabolizing the Landscape is an experimental regional system that is proposed between Rumney Marsh and Ipswich. The metabolic pathway encompasses restoration, cultivation, generation, distribution, and reciprocation, particularly in material, information, and technology interchange.
03 WILDLIFE & WILD-DEATH
DESIGNING FOR ECOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE AT THE POTTERS’ FIELD
STU 1112: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE I: SECOND SEMESTER CORE STUDIO
INSTRUCTOR: SARA ZEWDE
HARVARD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF DESIGN 2023 SPRING
“A human journey will ultimately return to the wild.”
Population growth causes the increasing demand for burial land, particulately in the mega-cities. Nowadays, choosing the traditional burial as an expression of social remembrance has become debatable. Perhaps creating a landscape of remembrance, for instance, a cemetery as a program in an urban park, would be socially accepted.
Wildlife & Wild-Death intends to recontextualize the meaning of Potters’ Field. Instead of creating a space for just bury massively the group of unidentified body, in what ways of representation that Potters’ Field will be altered as an ideal and ritualizing engine to revitalize the current barren and uninviting site of Franklin Park?
Model: Wildlife & Wild-Death
Model: Wildlife & Wild-Death
Model: Wildlife & Wild-Death
Model: Wildlife & Wild-Death
Topography Section Via. (CNC) Computer Numerical Control
04 INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AT HERTER PARK
URBAN RIVERFRONT
STU 1111: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE I: FIRST SEMESTER CORE STUDIO
INSTRUCTOR: MATTHEW GIRARD
HARVARD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF DESIGN 2022 FALL
The project intends to integrate landscape park improvement with stormwater management. The new park design particularly attempts to draw on the benefits of collecting stormwater and purifying it through a constructed wetland. Clean water can not only feed endangered species and various plants but also be used for productive purposes, such as irrigating crops and serving the waterscape. As such, the possibility of creating stormwater management at Herter Park enables it to reinforce its ecology and biodiversity. It also connects hydrologic and human activities, allowing visitors to appreciate this valuable environment.
The development of Herter Park plays a significant role in the neighborhood of North Allston. I have reviewed “the Proposed Land Use in the North Allston Strategic Framework in 2004” and “Part Two Site Analysis and General Recommendation in 2022”. While the former proposal aims to re-evaluate the vision of the “North Allston - Brighton Community-Wide Plan”, the latter conjectures new pedestrian-friendly neighborhood connections to Herter Park.
The first diagram indicates that according to Herter Park Master Plan Public Meetings in 2021, the future vision of the vicinity will contribute to safe and comfortable access and mobility by all ages community. The parkway reinforces its functionality and continuity in the local walking and bicycling network (Page 32, DCR Parkways Master Plan 2020).
In the future, constructing a larger and more systematic urban stream is necessary as it enables enduring high volumes of stormwater runoff which typically mingles with high stormwater pollutant loads. Most of the vicinity is located in an impervious area.
In week 3, the lecture on stormwater and redesigning the neighborhood of Watertown and North Allston motivated me to study more urban water management. In the second diagram, I highlight the area of the new residential projects, the existing pipe connection, and the existing wetland, which enables me to improve the landscape design with stormwater management. In terms of connecting the neighborhood seamlessly with Herter Park, the future Soldiers Field Road would be reduced to one lane in each direction so that the parkland can extend more toward the neighborhood.
Looking at the proposed land use diagram, Heter Park is a sinuous major green space located between the Charles river and Soldiers Field Road. The vicinity will be constituted of three mixed-use zones. The Mixed-use east area is located at the junction of North Harvard st and Western Avenue. There are some buildings for which the purpose of Institutional, R&D (R&D Use means a general office, laboratory, research and development, warehousing, sales and marketing, and related purposes, all consistent with a first-class office/R&D building.) Residential, Light manufacturing and Open-space systems are accessible to the public.
Image 1 shows a fishing deck installed along the asphalt paving on the riverside. The various planting species with different colors behind the biking path create a distinctive spatial experience. Even though people could enjoy the touching water moment on the fishing deck, a risk is obviously indicated that the visitors might be hit by a biker on the bike path. Accidents will inevitably happen in the future if we keep the existing condition.
Image 2 captures a great blue heron relaxing on the riverside. The heron flew immediately when the students moved closer to it. As we know the great blue heron is one of the endangered bird species, and we could rarely witness herons flying in Herter Park. It would be great to consider building several bird hides so that people could observe Heron without disturbing them.
The image shows a group of ducks swimming in the natural wetland. I find it significant to preserve the wetland by improving the water quality so that the wild animals can be fed with cleaner water.
Image 4 shows the space offered for visitors to picnic and drink beer, but the surface was muddy, and the lawn seems to have been damaged. The drainage system probably is under poor condition as the water has nowhere to go except the surface. Image 5 presents a vast lawn space beside the walking path. The existing deciduous trees remain in healthy condition. I believe that the trees are not necessary to be removed. A few potential programs could be considered, such as the community space and event lawn area.
The function diagram illustrating how the stormwater is purified at the constructed wetland, then pumped up to the reservoir to serve the various amenities in the park.
The bird review displays both the surface and underground connection between Herter park and the neighborhood. I propose the pipe connection as it analyzes the stormwater is collected and purified in the park.
A few possible amenities in
As I capitalize on water in the design, the plan displays as blue, as I only stroke the color on the water space. In the property, these water spots are the amenities. These amenities are developed from water management, such as here is a sort of upland marsh belonging to the whole system of wetlands along the river edges. Here is a waterscape, a typical play area over the water. Before present the next slide, here are four transect plans that will focus on to define how stormwater management is dedicated to these amenities throughout the whole park.
SECTION, SCALE: 1’=1/8”
This enlargement section shows two driving lanes with two walking paths. The design of the boardwalk follows ADA regulations for ramps.
Starting from the left, imagine visitors walking on the boardwalk from the edge of Charles river to the bird hide, and they see the constructed wetland on the way to the Soldiers field road.
SECTION, SCALE: 1’=1/8”
SECTION, SCALE: 1’=1/8”
The first transect section describes the entrance coming from the soldiers field road. The visitor walks through the aggregation of planting and approaches the boardwalk, then they can amble along the edge of Charles river. The enlargement section points out the boardwalk is built 2 to 3 feet above the elevation, and it engages with the biodiversity.
This enlargement section presents that on rainy days, stormwater is collected from the roof of the building, and it flows to the bio-swale. Later the water passes underground to the constructed wetland.
ENLARGEMENT ENLARGEMENT
As I addressed in the site image analysis, found it important to create the bird hide so that visitors could observe the bird activities without disturbing them. The perspective describes a bird hide located across from the cluster of trees. The visitor can move upstairs and explore the birds behaving from two different angles.
The second perspective is zoomed out from the first one, it captures the visitor kayaking on the wetland. You can also see there are two long and narrow windows. The herons wouldn’t know people are looking at them!
This section captures the boardwalk over the wetland, the event lawn space, and the irrigation reservoir. I highlighted the existing grading in the dashed line, and proposed to diminish the hill to soften the landscape. The enlargement section indicates the boardwalk is built in the same height as the elevation of the walking path, which enhances the social connection in the park.
ENLARGEMENT SECTION, SCALE: 1’=1/8”
ENLARGEMENT SECTION, SCALE: 1’=1/8”
This section expresses how the purified water reaches the pumping equipment at the Heter Center, and the water is pumped to the higher elevation, which is the reservoir. The water will ultimately slope down across the agricultural field.
This perspective describes the
of the
scenario visitors wandering on the path, observing fishman working on the fish ponds, and the farmer taking care of the tomato on the farmland.
last section captures the
Inspired by Brooklyn Bridge Park in NYC, Michael Van Valkenburgh associate, designed an erected sound berm with the function of reducing the noise from 82 decibels to 68 decibels. I find it interesting to build two sledding hills at Herter park not only because the park caters to the specific character of visitors who enjoy the tranquil moments in the park but also because I want to create various topographical experiences at the park. When there is snow, people can sled down the hill.
MODEL (Scale: 1”=50’)
05 REDEFINE THE CITY HALL PLAZA
URBAN PLAZA
STU 1111: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE I: FIRST SEMESTER CORE STUDIO
INSTRUCTOR: MATTHEW GIRARD
HARVARD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF DESIGN 2022 FALL
The New City Hall is centered around embracing; it defines not only a welcoming space that makes visitors stop and stay, but also allows them to cherish Boston’s urban environment. The plaza supports the government in hearing the voice of the people when protestors occupy the site to speak out and share political statements.
The plaza includes four planting zones. These zones are planted with about 70 feet high spruce trees. While conceiving the change of the landscape in half-decade, the pins of the physical model show about 100 feet in height. The spruce trees might be possibly growing 30 feet from 2022 to 2072. The tree spacing is 15 feet long, so it gives people the opportunity to amble through these planting zones.
City Hall Plaza Promenade
The entrance space from Cambridge street shows two rows of trees leading the visitor to experience the nature of the monumental design. It is also a densely populated area as the people can fill this gathering space with big events, such as the fun fair or political celebrations, or protests. The entrance also includes some cooling-down areas so the kids can play with the water gushing and sprinkling.
Inspired by Luis Callejas’s airport amphitheater, the perspective also depicts a water pool with a semi-circle stepping-down activated seating. The pool is designed to connect to the existing storm water runoff system.
Ambling Moments
Moving to the inner part of the plaza, the visitor can walk along the ambling part to the top observing platform - the same elevation as the mayor’s office -. It enables visitors not only to discover the view of Boston but also to interact closely with the government.
The ambling path is wrapped by the fieldstone wall as this perspective shows the pedestrian looking at the ambling walking path from Faneuil Hall Congress Street.
Citizens Interacting with Mayor at Promenade Looking from the Quincy Market
Another perspective shows the entrance of Congress Street. It captures the view of people walking through the amphitheater and reaching the entrance of Cambridge Street.
Entrance at Congress Street
The scenario of celebrating the championship of Celtics at City Hall Plaza in the future
PROMENADE
MBTA RAIL WATER POOL
06 WATER REFLECTIVITY
MATERIAL LOGIC
INSTRUCTOR: MATTHEW GIRARD
Brainstorming section
In the realm of landscape architecture, water plays a vital role not only in contributing functionality but also aesthetics. Water reflectivity usually refers to the typical physical phenomenon. Refraction is defined as the light hitting the water and reflecting off it. You see this reflection directly when you look at the water. the light reflecting off water can also cause a reflection on a surface. When you look at the surface, the light is reflecting onto.
Precedent study 1 - Burnett Park
Precedent study 2 - Diana Memorial Fountain - Hype Park - The Royal Park
Precedent study 3 - Pool of the rifles
In Burnett Park, I learned how the symmetrical walkways engage both water and the surrounding environment. In the Diana Foundation, the loop pool engages the multiple ways of how the water flows through and how the reflection changes. In particular, the water reflection on the staircase section makes the audience less directly perceived. In the Pool of the Rifles, Park Kim designed a pool that enables the light shed on the peering off the metal panel on the water. It symbolizes the vigor of the athletes.
Alternative A: Section A-A’ Plan
In alternative A, designed the symmetrical walking way which gradually goes up from the entrance to the 3 feet high position. The waterfall in the center not only plays a role in making the floating base of the existing wall but also softens the boundary between the wall and the elevation. Overall, alternative A aims to express the visitor’s curiosity because the audience sees the reflected light on the wall rather than the water pool when they walk out the doors. Creating a higher walking path can avoid visitors from seeing the water reflection until they walk to the top.
Alternative B: Section B-B’ Plan
In alternative B, I enlarged the pool and made the walking path more sinuous and less rigid. It features the element of extrinsic as the water reflectivity enhances the audience’s experience but is not as central to the audience’s experience. Unlike the Alt. A, the reflected light is more subtle in Alt B.
Final Schematic Design: Plan
In the final scheme, I made the whole courtyard water by eliminating the surrounding solid area in the first two alternative designs. I also simplify the intricate, sinuous walkways into an intersecting double-loop walking path. The idea strengthens both the functionality of water reflectivity and the visitor’s experience.
While looking at the perspective, the visitors come out from these three entrances and get into the loop walkway. The intersecting recreation zone is built on the shallow pool area so that it enables the audience to enjoy the moment of touching the water in all seasons.
The section shows how the loop walking path is built over the stratum. In order to make the visitor focus on the water, decided to use the glass panels upon the concrete pier which is wrapped by aluminum so that the visitor can see the water reflection on the base of the walkway. The section also shows the sediment of the pool and the rocky hills which are sand, cobblestone, and granite. These three distinctive materials play a role in not only distinguishing the walkable and not walkable area but also the various patterns of water reflectivity because it could be affected by depth when the visitors look into shallow water they will see the sand. If it’s deep with a dark bottom they will see the reflection more. The section also shows how the waterfall engages the efficient rainwater collection system. The waterfall can also play a role in altering the water pattern on the pool from ripple to smoothness.
The final design features intimacy as the sound of the waterfall can cover the visitors’ private conversation. The daylight condition also presents intimacy. Standing in the south could prevent exposure to sunlight. Likewise, wandering in the north could satisfy the demand for those who enjoy less intimacy. In the winter, walking on the frozen surface enables people to observe their reflections of themselves. Also, the north side is warmer than the south in the winter as the sunlight could capture the north courtyard.
SELECTED WORKS 2022 - 2024
WEIYONG ZHANG