Bella Purdy Portfolio 2019
Skills Urban planning, urban design, architectural design and drawing, research, writing, graphic design, rendering, qualitative analysis, climate resiliency planning and adaptation, report making and copy editing, teaching Rhino 3D, Sketchup, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Arc GIS, R Studio, fabrication, painting
References Mary Anne Ocampo, Principal, Sasaki Associates Stephen Kieran, Principal, KieranTimberlake Associates Marie Law Adams, Principal, Landing Studio Justin Steil, Assistant Professor of Law and Planning, MIT
About Bella: I am a recent graduate of the MIT Masters in City Planning program with three years of architectural design experience. I am passionate about the ways in which design enlivens cities in order to create inclusive and vibrant public spaces that support both the civic and cultural engagement of communities as well as their resilience to climatic and economic shocks. I am motivated by driven and kind collaboration with fellow designers and policy makers. I believe that innovation happens when practitioners and communities co-create a more equitable vision for our cities.
Bella Purdy
540.416.3671 | bpurdy@mit.edu
Education 2019-2017
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Masters in City Planning Candidate 2019 | City Design and Development
Norman B. Leventhal Fellow, Priscilla King Grey Public Service Fellow, Department of Urban Studies and Planning Departmental Fellow, William Emerson Grant Recipient
2014-2010
University of Virginia Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Minor in Global Sustainability
Professional Experience 2018
City of Boston Department of Environment, Energy, and Open Space Climate and Environmental Planning Fellow -
2017-2014
Wrote amendment to historic preservation regulatory standards to include resiliency standards for Boston’s Bay Village District Created design guide for retrofitting historic buildings to address climate change Developed guidance document for developers of large projects to facilitate compliance with Zoning Article 37, Green Buildings and Climate Preparedness Presented my work to multiple agencies collaborating on climate adaptation
KieranTimberlake Associates Designer -
Designed and detailed facades for two university affordable housing projects Led Life Cycle Analysis of building materials to attain LEED certification Coordinated with consultants during construction documentation phase Presented design concepts to clients and partners of the firm
Research + Teaching Experience 2019-2018
Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism, MIT Media Lab Normal B. Leventhal Research Assistant -
Resume
2019-2018
MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning Graduate Teaching Assistant -
2018
Evaluated existing FEMA land acquisition and buyout policies Conducted case study analysis of communities that relocated due to climate change risks
MBTA Transit Fare Equity Study, MIT Communications Manager -
Technical Knowledge
Contributed to course syllabi and content for two client-based practica courses Led project management efforts and client communication Taught tutorials on technical programs including the Adobe Suite, GIS, and Rhino Made zoning, flood resiliency, and urban design recommendations through demonstrations
FEMA Post Disaster Housing Proposal, MIT Urban Risk Lab Research Assistant -
2018
Member of research team exploring Resilient Districting as a governance tool for managing future development and adapting cities to climate change risks Created urban design strategies, analytical maps, and regional site plans for Resilient Districts exhibition at MIT
Led communications with government stakeholders and collaborators Adobe Creative Suite, Sketchup, GIS, Microsoft Office, Revit, Rhino, R Studio, AutoCAD
urban design + planning engagement, teaching architectural design
Table of Contents 1. 2. 3.
Design and Scenario Planning for Equitable Managed Retreat Outcomes MIT Masters Thesis
4.
Design Guide for Resilient Retrofits Climate Ready Boston, MA
5.
Engagement: A Community Benefits Agreement Union United, Somerville
6.
Teaching Experience: Planning Practicum MIT Department of Urban Studies and Planning
7.
Built Work: Architectural Design KieranTimberlake, Philadelphia, PA
8.
A Place to Live and Work University of Virginia, School of Architecture
Boston Resilient Districts Framework MIT Leventhal Center for Advanced Urbanism Handbook for Complete Communities AIA Austin, TX
1% annual flood risk 0.4% annual flood risk
Planning and Design Scenarios for Equitable Managed Retreat Outcomes
Graham Beach and Ocean Breeze Parcel Flood Risk
MIT DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING MASTERS THESIS, 2019
Post-disaster buyout programs create a disturbance in the urban fabric. Neighborhoods that are designated eligible buyout areas undergo a transformative process in which the population shrinks and the built environment is permanently altered by home demolitions. Without a clear post-buyout planning process, the shocks of this type of adaptation can leave a neighborhood in disrepair. This thesis recommends a phased planning process for the post-buyout landscape to address the immediate needs of current residents as well as the projected need to transition the neighborhood back to nature over a multi-decade horizon due to sea level rise. The project emphasizes the need for spaces of community gathering in the near term through lot revitalization as well as land use changes over the long term.
Oakwood Beach Parcel Flood Risk
Context map: East Shore, Staten Island NY State Buyout Areas Post-Hurricane Sandy
1. Short-term Illustrations depict multi-decade phased planning in which bought out parcels are transitioned into programmed and functional open space
3. Long-term
2. Near-term
Illustrative perspective of neighborhood parcel transformation. Vacant parcels are made into resilient open space, infrastructure, and gathering spaces.
Near term conversion of open space to festival and park space
Rendering of long-term open space conversion to wetland
Boston Resilient Districts Framework MIT LEVENTHAL CENTER FOR ADVANCED URBANISM Research Assistant: 2018-2019 Team: Jonah Susskind, Ali Al-Sammarraie
The Resilience Districts Boston exhibition introduces a new zoning tool called Resilience Districts for adapting the Greater Boston Area to climate change. Resilience Districts serve as a governance structure for mitigating and pooling systemic risks, capturing agglomeration benefits, and providing a potential framework for metropolitan resettlement. Through maps, diagrams, and drawings, a working method is outlined and nine Resilience Districts are identified within the Greater Boston Area. Each Resilience District is analyzed to inform a series of district-wide urban design strategies that reflect regional flood exposure, local land use designations, and neighborhood development opportunities.
PLAN OF METROPOLITAN BOSTON REGION ILLUSTRATING NEW RESILIENT DISTRICT BOUNDARIES + CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
HOW TO READ THE DISTRICT TIERS
ZONING AND URBAN DESIGN PROPOSAL FOR CAMBRIDGE/SOMERVILLE DISTRICT
ZONING AND URBAN DESIGN PROPOSAL FOR DORCHESTER DISTRICT
Handbook for Complete Communities, Austin, TX [ Client AIA Austin ]
MIT DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING Student, Practicum Course, 2018 Instructor: Mary Anne Ocampo Partner: Nayeli Rodriguez Austin has a diverse range of open spaces and parks which characterize the City. Residents cherish green spaces like Lady Bird Lake and Barton Creek which offer a natural retreat in close proximity to Austin’s downtown. However, open spaces are not well connected throughout the city making them less ecologically and socially valuable to the residents of Austin. Because many spaces lack recreational programming and are inaccessible they are underutilized. How can the City of Austin implement new performance guidelines which focus on enhancing the ecological and social functions of its open spaces? This project focuses on strategies for creating a connected green infrastructural network using an incentive based tool kit that encourages a diverse cross-section of stakeholders to support this connective vision. These recommendations were presented to the City of Austin and to the Austin AIA.
Stakeholders + Benefits
Home + Small Business Owners
Civic & Educational Institutions
Neighborhood Associations
Proposals
Planning Tools • Public Access Easements in exchange for flood protection • Transfer of Development Rights
• Public Access Easements for recreational use • Mobility Linkage Fees • Community Event Coordination • Property Maintenance Fees
• Real Estate Transfer Fees • Green Infrastructure Community Trust for new parks • Programming for existing parks • Streetscaping • Property Maintenance Fees
Commercial Developers
• Include Contiguity in existing 15% SF pervious surfaces requirements • Performance Standards for new open spaces specify how much runoff they must mitigate • Business Improvement Districts
City of Austin
• Consolidation of municipal facilities, alternative transportation routes, educational programming, and flood barriers into single public amenity • District-scale planning • Allotments for Urban Agriculture
Public Access Easements
Peer City Case Studies “Owners grant to Holder an easement in perpetuity to establish and make available for public use a trail, [specified] feet in clear tread width, in the location within the Property shown on the easement plan... If there is no easement plan attached to this grant, Holder may determine the location in its reasonable discretion. The easement includes the right to install footbridges, retaining walls, and other structures as necessary to prevent erosion and facilitate passage through wet areas; and install markers and other signs related to the trail.� 1 | Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, 2018
Home + Small Business Owners Local parks and greenway access cater to healthy-living activities including sports and opportunities for learning through connecting with nature and employment in green space management. These spaces also improve property values and reduce flood risk through natural drainage and catchment systems. Civic & Educational Institutions Easements providing access to spaces for relaxation and healthy living encourages social interaction and neighborhood events, building community cohesion and making settlements comfortable and livable.
Resiliency Design Guidelines
[ Climate Ready Boston ] BOSTON ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT Climate and Environmental Planning Fellow, 2019
I created two resilient design guidelines for Boston’s historic buildings and new large-scale developments. The historic guidelines, created for the Boston Landmarks Commission, showcased to the right, preserve the buildings historic character and aesthetic in accordance with the preservation laws of each district, while also providing innovate ways to adapt to climate change. Full report: https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/imceuploads/2018-10/resilient_historic_design_guide_updated.pdf
BOSTON RESILIENT, HISTORIC BUILDINGS DESIGN GUIDE A comprehensive guide to retrofitting Boston’s historic buildings to address climate change
report cover of ‘resilient historic buildings design guide for retrofits’
1
Please Note: Alternate Adaptation
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If elevation of the interior first floor is not possible, the property owner may consider moving programmed spaces from the first level to the second level above the Design Flood Elevation (DFE). With permission from the commission, a penthouse addition can be added to make up for lost space.
Green roof contributes to cooling and storm water management. Co-benefit: public space for occupants
Mechanical system elevated to interior upper level or roof
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MITIGATION
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RESILIENCE
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ADAPTATION
Hardware must be reviewed by your Commission
2
Temporary barriers can block water from entering entrances and below grade spaces with openings at grade.
Elevate First floor and front entry to DFE.
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Community Benefits for Union Square [ Union United Campaign ]
SOMERVILLE COMMUNITY CORPORATION Instructor: Justin Steil Team: Collyn Chan, Morgan Augillard, Alex Acuna
As a part of my Housing, Community, and Economic Development course, I worked with three other students, Collyn Chan, Alex Acuna, and Morgan Augillard, on a set of educational posters for Somerville Community Corporation’s campaign for a community benefits agreement. The community benefits agreement, if passed, would ensure that the developer of the Union Square Green Line expansion would pay back the community for each square foot of development. Union United now uses these posters at City Hall meetings, community workshops, and campaigning events to describe the mission of the campaign.
posters detail different community benefits and how they function
Teaching Experience [ MIT Practicum ]
MIT DEPARTMENT OF URBAN STUDIES AND PLANNING Teaching Assistant: 2018 - 2019 Instructors: Mary Anne Ocampo, Viktorija Abolina, Justin Steil I am passionate about teaching others planning and design strategies to address pressing issues in cities today such as climate change, affordable housing, and the creation of vibrant public space. At MIT, I have had the honor of being a member of the teaching team for two graduate level client-based courses. One course, sited in the City of Lynn, developed zoning recommendations to enhance affordability and resiliency goals. Supported by several community engagement sessions, the recommendations were delivered to the Mayor of Lynn last fall. The course I am currently assisting addresses urban design and community development around a large-scale flood infrastructure project in Venice Italy. Final recommendations will be presented to the Venetian Water Authority. For each of these courses I helped to develop the course syllabi, gave desk critiques, led tutorials on the Adobe Suite and Rhino3D, in addition to assisting students in developing zoning and urban design recommendations.
STUDENTS VISIT VENETIAN FLOOD GATES
STUDENTS MEET WITH MAYOR OF LYNN,
STUDENT LED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION
Built Work:
University of Washington North Campus Housing KIERANTIMBERLAKE ASSOCIATES, 2018 Partner: Steve Kieran Landscape design: OLIN Junior Architect: 2014 - 2017
Photographs show completed facade. I documented the facades of three buildings on the North Campus of UW. I constructed a full scale prototype of the cladding system, chose accent batten colors, and designed decorative panels. I coordinated storm-water management system, including roof pitch layout and downspout location. In addition, I contributed to the facade design and documentation of the student lounges.
A Place to Live and Work UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE 2014 This modest home, studio, and garage is both machine and sculpture. ‘A Place to Live and Work’ is designed for a silver smithing jeweler and a motorcycle machinist. The concrete super structure of this house allows for a composition of voids while providing privacy from a busy downtown intersection. The L shaped plan allows for a protected inner courtyard that is utilized as a work space and gallery.
Axons illustrate rhythm of solid material and aperture associated with the interior program