Portfolio
Landscape Architecture 2024
Hayley Costello
table of contents
contact 707.955.9038 costellohay@gmail.com
introduction My name is Hayley Costello and I am a fourth-year student in the landscape architecture department of Cal Poly. My focus is on creating built habitats that repair the relationships between humans and our surrounding ecosystems. Currently I am exploring the incorporation of regenerative practices and their effects on our food systems and climate, through design. My goal after school is to continue an education that further enforces landscape architecture's intersection of design and ecology.
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harboring harmony creating a biophilic park in urban isla vista, california
remnants restoring california grassland at santa ynez botanic garden
the presence of water & the passing of time transforming a risk into a resource
other artistic endeavors some of my other interests
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HARBORING HARMONY Design Theory | Professor Bret Betnar | Santa Barbara CA
Harboring Harmony is a space that focuses on providing children with their biophilic needs. It is a place that harbors refuge for native species and underprivileged community members while harmonizing the consistent whole of humans and their environment. Nature guides this design exploring the relationship between individuals and their habitat. Accessible planting areas allow children to meet their physical and psychological needs. Built forms complement the natural elements rather than replacing them with demonstration gardens that educate the public on the diversity and natural cycles of native California plant communities. The California coastal prairie is a biome that used to rule our landscapes. This design is a renaissance of that ecosystem.
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site study
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plant & materials strategy
I approached this design with the idea that it would replicate the native California environment. Three different yet connected ecosystems, riparian, grassland, and oak woodland, exist on-site to educate the public on California's ecosystems. The soft composition of grasses assuages the hardscape instead of accentuating the stark edge of the buildings. Native plantings such as Stipa pulchra, Danthonia californica, and Mulhlenbergia rigens, provide habitat for endemic fauna to flourish as they once did. Seasons bring a beautiful mosaic of white, orange, yellow, and purple from local Eschscholzia californica, Iris douglasiana, and Sisrynchium bellum blooms bringing joy to local pollinators and children alike.
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I chose materials based on their fabrication and their durability. Site conditions played a large part in the composition of materials. Strong winds and seasonal heat meant that the materials would have to be able to withstand extreme weather while maintaining their structural integrity. I chose permeable reclaimed concrete as the main surface due to its accessability. Reclaimed plastic with a wood facade makes up all play elements on site. Weathering steel used on-site mimics the changes seen with age in all organisms. A parallel between ourselves and the environment that supports us.
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community center
sea bird inspired shade structure
elevated quiet space
seasonal vernal pools
elevated 'tree ring' play structure
ADA complient ramp riparian corridor
shell inspired shade structure
driving force behind the design
Nature is the greatest architect, and I sincerely appreciate the inherent design and beauty in the natural world. This design acknowledges the intricate and functional aspects of nature's creations. I aim to mimic the organic silhouettes found in plants, animals, and geological formations and incorporate biophilic philosophies to create a space that fosters a strong bond between people and the natural environment.
The goal is not just aesthetic mimicry but also functional sustainability. This design prioritizes environmental stewardship, aiming to minimize negative impacts on the planet. Within the design, I use reclaimed materials, regenerative-energy-efficient systems, and a holistic approach to reduce the ecological footprint. This design reflects my commitment to designing spaces that benefit humans and all living organisms. It emphasizes the importance of considering the long-term impact of designs on the broader ecosystem, promoting harmony and balance.
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REMNANTS Cultural Environments | Professor Aaron Liggett | Buellton CA
Remnants is an ecologically driven design that revitalizes a fading ecosystem in California's biome. The exhibit displays the landscape's year-round beauty and the complexity of flora and fauna species. Visitors are invited onto an elevated walk that immerses the person without disturbing the life cycles beneath their feet. A series of vernal pools accompanied by native flora with deep, fibrous root systems captures storm water on site mitigating ecosystem disruption due to incredible amounts of precipitation. While providing a space for visitors to learn and appreciate California's natural beauty, native flora, and fauna may find refuge and habitat within a world where that is becoming scarce.
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bioswale reclaimed wood native grass & wildflower mix
fill
cut
vernal pools
'soda lake' elevated walk
existing trees
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These perspectives display the ongoing cycles of the prairie throughout landscapes and remind us that
Summer through Autumn
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the year. They exhibit the year-long spectacle of California's change is constant with time.
Winter through Spring
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Cultural Environments | Professor Aaron Liggett
Within the landscape, I have chosen a plant palette that mirrors the palette naturally occurring within the central and southern California prairies. This list includes but is not limited to the following: Hemizonia congesta (hayfield tarweed), Lupinus bicolor (miniature lupine), Dichelostemma capitatum (blue dicks), Plantago erecta (dotseed plantain), Calochortus catalinae (Catalina mariposa lily), Stipa pulchra (purple needle grass), Amsinckia tessellata (fiddleneck), Eschscholzia californica (California poppy), Trifolium variegatum (white-tipped clover), etc.
Proposed Fill Existing Topography Proposed Cut
Below is a display of the cut and fill within the topography to treat stormwater runoff. These modifications were made to shape the terrain in a way that optimally captures and directs the flow of stormwater. This design deliberately manipulates the topography to address the existing runoff issue, then slows, captures, and filters the stormwater. The fluid lines establish the relationship between the existing topography, which had little to no change in elevation, and the proposed, which offers more complex landforms. These modifications enhance the site's ability to manage stormwater by allowing for more diverse and effective drainage patterns.
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THE PRESENCE OF WATER & THE PASSING OF TIME Cultural Environments | Professor Aaron Liggett | Los Angeles CA
The aim of redesigning this school yard is to create a sanctuary that meets the biophilic needs of students and administration. The design will prioritize connectivity and accessibility while effectively managing stormwater and introducing green spaces in areas dominated by concrete. By eliminating the barrier between the school and the naturalized river, the design will create an educational space to learn about the local hydraulic systems. Furthermore, naturalizing and infiltrating the river into Cudahy Park will eliminate toxins left behind by the historically unregulated landfill on the site. The meandering river will foster biodiversity and breathe new life into Los Angeles.
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From Risk To Resource Park Avenue Elementary School opened in 1968, coinciding with the emergence of a sticky black substance seeping from the asphalt. Over the years, both students and staff experienced severe health problems, some of which were fatal. Consequently, the school and the adjacent Cudahy Park were declared contaminated. Between 1920 and 1960, the school had been an unregulated dumping ground for more than three decades. Although the Department of Toxic Substances Control conducted a thorough cleanup of the schoolyard in 1998, no remediation efforts were made for the neighboring park. As a result, the harmful effects of the contaminants continue to impact students and staff to this day. Phytoremediation by deep rooted native plantings with the aid of rhizophere microbial communities will remediate the contaminated soil while creating native wildlife habitat. The process also controls soil erosion, reduces noise, and improves surrounding air quality.
Phytoremediation
Stormwater Management
The site will capture, filter, then release a volume of 146,650,327 cuft of water during peak high-intensity storm conditions. Revitalizing the historic flood plain in the existing Cudahy Park will restore the land's water table and the fertility of the soil.
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The existing conditions of the site emits 3,207,997 metric tonnes of embodied carbon, heavily contributing to the heat island effect and the adverse effects of global warming. The new design is forcasted to sequester 12,877 tonnes more carbon than it emits in its estimated lifespan.
Carbon Sequestration
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Alkali Meadow
Student Garden
The meadow acts as a filter for sediments in the vast watershed, ensuring that clean water is returned to the river. Additionally, it provides food and habitat for small mammals and serves as a breeding ground for small invertebrates, a key food source for many birds, amphibians, and reptiles. This ecological wonder offers children the chance to learn and grow alongside it.
School gardens provide hands-on learning opportunities for children, allowing them to experience every stage of plant growth. In urban areas, these gardens reconnect students with nature and develop their environmental appreciation.They also gain knowledge in sustainable practices such as composting, water conservation, and organic gardening, promoting environmental stewardship. Emphasis is placed on biodiversity, pesticide impact, and pollinator benefits, fostering an understanding of ecological balance and the importance of environmental protection.
"1 in 7 Americans live in a food-insecure household." Establishing a garden can serve as a solution to tackle this issue by supplying fresh and nutritious food. The designated area will enable each child to obtain 12.5% of their annual food requirement. By integrating the harvested produce into school meal programs, this initiative can supplement the existing meals offered to students. Consequently, children will gain access to a wider range of healthier food choices, thereby decreasing their dependence on processed or packaged foods.
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5-year Storm Volume
Elevation
Average Flow Rate: 52,049.91" of Water
25-year Storm Volume Average Flow Rate: 78,253.12" of Water
100-year Storm Volume Average Flow Rate: 100,000" of Water
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Station of Ground
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Outdoor auditoriums provide a unique and dynamic setting for classes. Lessons conducted in an open-air environment can be more engaging and foster creativity. Spending time outdoors has been linked to improved well-being and cognitive function. An outdoor auditorium allows students and teachers to connect with nature, potentially enhancing focus and reducing stress levels. It can strengthen the sense of community within the school and provide students with opportunities for self-expression. The auditorium can serve as a focal point for environmental education. Teachers can conduct lessons on ecology, gardening, or sustainability, utilizing the outdoor space to connect academic concepts with real-world experiences. A classroom along a naturalized river at an elementary school creates a unique and dynamic educational environment. The proximity to the river allows students to study aquatic ecosystems firsthand, fostering a deeper connection with nature and promoting environmental awareness. Teachers can organize field studies for experiential learning, and the riverbank extends the classroom, offering diverse outdoor learning spaces. The setting also encourages community involvement through projects like river clean-ups and tree planting, instilling a sense of responsibility and community pride among students and teachers. Allowing elementary students to freely explore a meadow provides handson learning experiences, fostering understanding of ecosystems and nature. This promotes environmental awareness and responsibility. The meadow serves as a canvas for creative expression, supporting art projects and nature-themed writing. It also offers a space for physical activities, enhancing well-being and focus. Teachers use the meadow as an outdoor classroom for practical science lessons, fostering the application of theoretical knowledge. Collaborative projects nurture social skills and teamwork, while facing natural challenges instills resilience and independence. The calming environment contributes to stress reduction, creating a holistic learning space where students connect with nature and develop essential life skills.
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Other artistic endeavors Film Photography
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Hand Sketch
Buellton Community Garden Concept
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'Folding Laundry'
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Hand Collage
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707.955.9038 costellohay@gmail.com