BRITTANY S W A Z A S BLA portfolio of sel ected works
table 4
of
contents
| THE PLANT AND THE PATIENT : A HEALING RELATIONSHIP
16 | URBAN FOREST : A SCULPTURE PARK FOR PORTLAND 24 | DIMENSION : A DYNAMIC EXPERIENCE OF THE DE STIJL 28 | HAND MEDIA : MARKERS 30 | HAND MEDIA : PENCIL 32 | CONSTRUCTION DETAILS 34 | INTERNSHIP WORK 38 | CURRENT WORK
THE PLANT AND THE PATIENT A HEALING RELATIONSHIP
Springfield, OR. | Winter 2014 | Professor Robert Melnick Springfield’s Sacred Heart Medical Center, a facility situated adjacent to the McKenzie River, functions as a prime location for healing, yet lacks certain elements that can stimulate the healing process. A large open space located between the hospital and the river provides great opportunity to be transformed into a healing garden not only for patients, but for their families as well as the medical staff. Sacred Heart would greatly benefit from a space where patients and staff can enjoy the restorative powers of the natural surroundings. The end result ideally creates a space that is universally accessible and accommodating to patients while simultaneously linking peace and the power of nature together to develop a garden that assists in the healing process. Color plays a prominent role throughout the design. We, as humans, have different responses to different colors, which allow a variety of experiences or emotions. With a heavily planted gathering space on the northern edge of the site, each season will provide an exciting transformation to the room. Spring brings pops of cheerful pink and purple hues, while summer is brimming with the powerful fragrance of lavender. As autumn approaches, shades of golden and crimson visibly transform the space with indication that winter is ahead. Lastly, the architecture of plants and their skeletons take the lead throughout winter. Through a variety of spatial rooms, users can occupy the garden according to their needs. A blend of gathering spaces and quiet and intimate areas offers flexibility for multiple needs. A patient may have family visiting, requiring a larger amount of space, and on the contrary, a surgeon may need a moment to decompress from a strenuous operation. With attention to detail, color and spatial relationships, this new garden will provide a dimension to the recovery process that medicine cannot. As stated by Nancy Gerlach-Spriggs, “Medical treatment is to take place in a hospital; healing often occurs elsewhere.”
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DE S I G NI NG FO R T H E S E N S E S During the initial design exploration, certain elements typically found in a garden, either constructed or components of nature, were categorized into the five senses. In this case, however, the fifth sense of taste was disregarded. Patterns rose to the surface when certain elements could accommodate for multiple senses. Plants, for example, can be seen for their color or texture, heard with the assistance of wind, felt with the variety of textures, and can be smelled from their aromatic qualities. Each of the four elements chosen have been integrated into the design to create a welcoming and vibrant space for all visitors
PLANTS
WIND
HARDSCAPE MATERIALS
WILDLIFE
WATER
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SIGHT plant colors | textures weathering steel river bees pollinating wind movement through plants
AUDITORY
TOUCH
SMELL
quaking aspen leaves trembling wheelchairs on boardwalk water features birds chirping chime art installations
fuzzy lamb’s ear rough stone walls water features insects living among plants cool breezes
sweet lavender fresh rain
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FAR LEFT Through a variety of iterations, spatial formations were tested using only color massings.
LEFT Chosen from the various sketches, two schemes were selected to implement within the garden design. The top sketch is a concept for the planting plan, a more “naturalistic� approach, such as from the works of Piet Oudolf or Gertrude Jeykell. The bottom conceptualizes the spatial formation and the rooms created throughout the site. The contrast of the two schemes creates a strong juxtaposition and keeps the user captivated.
RIGHT The site combines opportunity for various gathering spaces, both public and private. As the site is dissected by the main axis, a path that connects the hospital to the river, it is framed by the serpentine planting of trees. Not only are the occupants in the site considered, but as are the occupants remaining inside the hospital. Directly above where this path meets the infrastructure is the cafeteria, and with such a framed view, it provides a view out to the river that is currently otherwise obstructed by neglected riparian vegetation. Other than rooms for users to utilize is a serpentine boardwalk that encompasses the site, activating movement and choices rather than providing only a stationary experience.
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PROJECT TITLE C
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ISSUE scale
human intimate gathering current scale
OPPORTUNITY spatial hierarchy LEFT Visitors take a decompressing stroll just outside of the emergency room. Angled planters reach height as they become closer to the building to create a barrier between the hospital, thus fading away the stress and anxiety that comes with an ER visit. Seeing as the ambulance drop off is just on the other side of these planters, it would significantly distract and take away from the users’ experience in the garden, however hedges, trees and shrubs create a buffer from the noise and unpleasant visuals.
human intimate gathering current scale
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PLANTING PLAN Because plants accommodate for each sense, they play crucial role in the garden, offering a vibrant experience for the user. Specifically and thoughtfully chosen are plants that will provide year-long color, emit sweet and bright scents and connect people with the power of nature through a tactile experience.
spring heuchera ‘sugar berry’ berberis thunbergii ‘atropurpurea’ chaenomeles magnolia soulangeana erica carnea euphorbia ‘griffithii’ papaver orientale fothergilla gardenii forsythia x intermedia prunus laurocerasus galium odoratum hebe buxifolia thymus x citriodorus polystichum munitum
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prunus laurocerasus ‘mt. vernon’ stachys byzantina pachysandra terminalis pittosporum tobira ‘variegata’ hosta ‘blue angel’ myostis sylvatica helictotrichon sempervirens liriope muscari salvia officinalis iris tenax syringa vulgaris nepeta x faassenii osmanthus delavayi iberis sempervirens viburnum plicatum tomentosum anemone x hybrida
summer heuchera ‘sugar berry’ berberis thunbergii ‘atropurpurea’ cotinus coggygria echinacea purpurea euphorbia ‘griffithii’ papaver orientale rudbeckia hirta prunus laurocerasus galium odoratum hebe buxifolia thymus x citriodorus prunus laurocerasus ‘mt. vernon’ stachys byzantina pachysandra terminalis polystichum munitum
pittosporum tobira ‘variegata’ hosta ‘blue angel’ myosotis sylvatica helictotrichon sempervirens rosmarinus officanalis liriope muscari salvia officinalis iris tenax nepeta x faassenii syringa vulgaris lavandula angustifolia ‘hidcote’ lavandula x intermedia ‘grosso’ leucanthemum superbum anemone x hybrida
autumn berberis thunbergii ‘atropurpurea’ hydrangea quercifolia cornus stolonifera ‘kelseyi’ euonymus alatus echinacea purpurea populus tremuloides acer palmatum ‘bonfire’ fothergilla gardenii prunus laurocerasus
galium odoratum hebe buxifolia thymus x citriodorus prunus laurocerasus ‘mt. vernon’ pachysandra terminalis polystichum munitum pittosporum tobira ‘variegata’ helictotrichon sempervirens liriope muscari salvia officinalis
winter cornus stolonifera ‘kelseyi’ erica carnea daphne odora ‘aureomarginata’ hamamelis x intermedia corylopsis sinensis forsythia x intermedia prunus laurocerasus galium odoratum
hebe buxifolia thymus x citriodorus prunus laurocerasus ‘mt. vernon’ polystichum munitum pachysandra terminalis pittosporum tobira ‘variegata’ helictotrichon sempervirens sarcococca confusa
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URBAN FOREST
A SCULPTURE PARK FOR PORTLAND
Portland, OR. | Spring 2013 | Professor Robert Melnick Portland is looking for a new addition to the park system, and this is it. Located at 9th and Glisan, and adjacent to the old post office, this site will attract many users as it is just north of the current park blocks. With current plans to transform the historically recognized building into the Pacific Northwest College of Arts (PNCA), the possibilities to create a new site identity remain endless. Oregon and the forest go hand-in-hand. However, when one enters a larger city such as Portland, the forest disappears. But why not blend the two together and let the forest make an appearance within the city grid? The proposal for this park attempts to harmoniously blend public and private space through differentiated vegetation types found within Oregon landscape. Not only will this park emulate a forest, but it will also act as an outdoor museum space, displaying various sculptures made by Pacific Northwestbased artists, with a proposed rotating agenda every few months. As school systems are decreasing arts programs throughout the state, this provides an opportunity for children to explore and appreciate art through a visual and tactile experience. Through the new proposal of the PNCA, an implementation of vegetative types, and locally-based artists, the Pacific Northwest lights up this currently gloomy site.
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RIGHT redwood sorrel redtwig dogwood
Switchback trails meander through the northern edge of the site, allowing a hide and reveal for artwork around each corner. Plants act as a soft backdrop to enhance the sculptures implemented throughout.
douglas fir solomon’s seal
snowberry
vine maple
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3 4 western sword fern
camas
2 red flowering currant
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oregon white oak
maidenhair fern
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prairie grasses
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1. Lee Kelly sculpture 2. food carts 3. switchback trails 4. bike racks 5. public open space
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Ariel NANCY CLOUGH Bronze 7’ Portland
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Contact No. 1 ALISA A. LOONEY Recycl ed Steel Portland
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Staff of Life DENISE SIRCHIE Mosaic Portland
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Memory 99 LEE KELLY Corten Steel 132” x 276” x 75”
Quantum Man JUlIAN VOSS-ANDREAE 126” x 55” x 25” Portland
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SeaHorse BEN DYE Old Oil Tanks 12’ x 44” x 44” Oregon City, OR
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Kerfed Plank 6 PAUL VEXLE R Mahogony, Marbl e 84” x 6” x 1” Snohomish, WA
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Cyclis t ROBE RT GIGLIOTTI Bronze
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Familia FRANCISCO SALGADO Painted Steel 10’ x 15’ x15’ Portland
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Tree Trunk Tangl e ALISA F. ROE Corten | Stainl ess Steel
As a project requirement, the sculpture “Memory 99,� produced by artist Lee Kelly, was to remain on site. From there sprang the concept of creating an outdoor art museum. Since the proposed plan for the historic building adjacent would transform into the new PNCA, art would play an already prominent role on site. I conducted research on local artists in the states of Oregon and Washington whose works could possibly be implemented throughout the site, and strategically placed each where optimal viewing could occur. As part of a program, artists would have a rotating agenda, allowing the opportunity for new work to be displayed throughout the year.
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deciduous
mixed conifer
douglas fir
Evidently, Oregon is covered with various forest types. Selected from GIS data provided by Oregon Forest Resources Institute, Douglas Fir and Mixed Conifer forests have been chosen to be replicated in the park. Because the park is divided into three segments, a gradient of forest types occurs as one moves through the site. Starting from the southern edge, a deciduous forest of Oregon White Oaks blends into a mixed conifer forest which eventually bleeds into the Douglas Fir zone.
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RIGHT Visitors of every kind will fill this park; students of PNCA, families with children eager to explore and play, or even just pedestrians strolling through the city. 23
DIMENSION
A DYNAMIC EXPERIENCE OF THE DE STIJL
Springfield, OR. | Fall 2012 | Professor Irene Curulli collaboration with Eric Bechler and Moses Drygalov
What was once a productive lumber mill in the early 1900s now is notoriously known to the city of Springfield as Booth Kelly, a run down and derelict site that possesses great potential to bring wealth and a sense community back into the town. As it currently stands, there lie two structures which would be stripped down to their frames for use as the new Academy of Arts and Academics and a native plant nursery. The exclusive use of primary colors was a hallmark of Mondrian compositions. With that, I chose to display color as a seasonal feature. As the seasons change, so does the color of the vegetation witnessed by the occupants of the site. During summer, the reds and yellow hues are almost entirely absent, However, as autumn approaches and the leaves begin to change, a flame of color will erupt among the site. The double allee of Himalayan Birches lining the quad of the new Academy of Arts and Academics will glow golden in the setting sun while a simultaneous burst of red from the Red Maples in the adjacent parking lot ignites the space. The heady mixture of such a medley of color will bring the chromatic experience of the DeStijl style to its highest. As autumn finds its way to an end with winter following closely behind, the bark of the Himalayan Birch trees will glow white in the weak winter sun. As spring draws near, the experience of the De Stijl will begin to diminish and will continue to do so through summer until the next autumn arrives and the cycle begins anew.
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FAR LEFT Plan of the new Booth Kelly. The millrace dissects the site with a newly enhanced riparian buffer providing a wildlife habitat. LEFT Initial sketches for implementing a Mondrian parti. BOTTOM Site section displaying fall color RIGHT As part of my group contribution, I was asked to create a well-designed parking zone complete with efficient storm water strategies.
plan n.t.s
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high speed planting rail buffer
parking
Academy of Arts and Academics
Mondrian plaza
25’
18’
two-way access
parking space
10’ pedestrian crossing
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25’
18’
parking space
two-way access
parking space 0
millrace riparian corridor
Springfield community garden
native plant nursery
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access road
8’ pedestrian crossing 10
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10’ path 25
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HAND MEDIA MARKERS
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HAND MEDIA PENCIL
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CONSTRUCTION DETAILS EUGENE FARMERS’ MARKET
Eugene, OR. | Winter 2013 | Professor Ron Lovinger and Brad Stangeland collaboration with Eric Bechler
Tech studio is a term of understanding and preparing a full set of construction documents. We were given a design which we could manipulate to our liking and from there, create a set of drawings used in construction. Working in teams of two, an eighteen page set was completed. Shown to the immediate right are three details from the set, and on the opposite page is as a completed planting plan. Not only did this studio come with a new skill set, but with it came an understanding that this is a profession in which I will be learning something new everyday. Good designers are constantly learning and will continue to do so throughout his or her career.
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INTERNSHIP WORK GO WITH THE FLOW
Eugene, OR. | Summer 2013 | Stangeland & Associates The Prefontaine is an apartment complex located just south of the University of Oregon’s campus on 18 and University. The project’s goal was to collect rainwater at the roof and direct it to the surrounding planters at ground level to filter before entering storm water drains. My role as an intern was to create digital graphics for the project including a plan, an exploded axon and diagramming water flow. These were used to submit to ASLA awards and will be used to show future clientele.
plan n.t.s
project photos 34
RIGHT Diagram of building’s water flow. Beginning from the roof garden, it is directed to the ground, flowing through a series of planters as the elevation changes, and filtering as it circulates to the end of the course and into storm water drains.
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INTERNSHIP WORK PRIVATE RESIDENCE
Eugene, OR. | Summer 2013 Stangeland & A ssociates What was once a house on a barren lot, is now a breathtaking alpine garden, located in Eugene, Oregon. The transformation inspires curiosity of passersby with its bold colors, and lush vegetation. As an intern, I produced a presentation slideshow on this already completed project, created an ASLA award board submittal and designed a new plan through digital tools. Adobe Photoshop and InDesign were the primary programs used to generate the plan seen on the opposite page. Since the project is greatly detail oriented, the plan should evoke those same qualities.
LEFT Before and After of project RIGHT Original schematic plan drawn by office staff which I then transformed into a digital rendering.
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CURRENT WORK ORCHID HEALTH
Orchid Health is a startup health care clinic in Oakridge, Oregon, created by two entrepreneurial business ma jors from the University of Oregon. I met with them to discuss options to spruce up the current conditions. Currently, the building stands as a run-down, neglected facility that has been vacant for months. However, the space has potential for a fresh look, with various schemes I created, seen below, ending with the final decision a welcoming and calm green, clean trim and some basic landscaping to soften the edges.
CURRENT CONDITIONS
REGISTER GUARD | MAY 18, 2014
scheme 1 38
scheme 2
END PRODUCT Ultimately, we wanted the building to avoid resembling a standard health care facility, which lead to a final decision of a deep green with crisp trim. Rather than a health care facitily, it will now look friendly and inviting.
scheme 3
scheme 4
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