Dominique DeGracia | Landscape Architecture Portfolio

(re)working waterfront the commodore step bite-powered south park flowing locally grown design implementation

coalescing the urban fabrics

Bellingham, WA | Bellingham Waterfront Scan|Design Foundation Studio | 2022

Our (Re)worked waterfront patchwork is an integrated marine working district that is walkable and offers education, employment, sustainable industry, play space for families, as well as passive and active recreation in nature. Through our proposed urban design and planning interventions, we aim to use the existing fabric of the Central Waterfront Site to create a (Re)working Waterfront district for Bellingham. A district that is climate-focused, accessible, functional, and sustainable for humans and the more than human world.

(Re)working Waterfront redefines how a modern waterfront operates. This strategy employs three focus areas to work towards the future of a climate focused district. (Re)working Waterfront changes the roles and relationships between these seemingly siloed focus areas, through phasing, to achieve a waterfront where these parts are inseparable from another. The resulting patchwork becomes a district where marine industry, research, living, commercial activity, and recreation are all possible while reducing environmental impacts.

This was a group project in which there were two landscape architecture student, an architecture student, and one urban planning student. The site design programing was conceptualized as a group. The site design and connections to the waterfront and adjacent waterfront were a joint urban design effort between Bri Weekes, and myself. I drafted the site plan in AutoCAD and rendered the site plan with Photoshop. I created our site’s grading model and calculations in Rhino and Revit. Floating structures were designed and rendered by Kat Golladay. All renders and sections shown were created by myself using Enscape, Rhino, and Photoshop.

Group Members: Kat Golladay, Bri Weekes and Alec Finewood

TEMPORALITY AND TRANSITION

This phase emphasizes regrading of the site to allow for remediation of the ASB pond and site contaminants. We’ll be dredging the ASB pond and remediating on site. During this time there we will be a transitioning of the maritime industry to an established core. The northern portion of this site will continue to house All American Marine and Bornstein Seafoods, and make room for new and evolving industries to phase in.

TRANSITIONING TO NEW

Tenants move into the maritime/marine core, already highly utilized and seen by the industry, making it a prime location for growth and adapting industries. The addition of mixed use buildings, and a pedestrian bridge connecting the two waterfront sites, brings public interest. The central area of the site continues remediation processes, which introduces opportunity for temporal activation of space. The addition of our Tech Hub brings students, researchers and industry workers to a unifying space that allows for incubation of ideas and growth in technologies.

NEW AND EVOLVING WATERFRONT

This phase envisions our site becoming a clean and desirable district, with housing and mixed use programming being added, as well as amenity spaces for residents and people of Bellingham. The addition of these spaces allows brings a neighborly and accessible environment to our district. This phase will introduce floating structures into the ASB pond that are adaptive and provide healthy habitat for the more than human world.

(RE)WORKED

Looking at the continued potential of this site, once remediation is completed and we see consistent positive impacts from our interventions, the ASB pond opens up. Just outside of the ASB pond is the areas largest eelgrass bed, critical habitat for salmon. Opening up the ASB pond will bring new life to the area and enhance research for those in the Tech Hub. With public docks, and direct connections to both residential and commercial areas we see our (Re)worked waterfront becoming a key Bellingham destination for industry workers, students, researcher, families, tourists and more.

PUMPTRACKALLAMERICAN MARINE

MARITIME/ MARINE CORE

MIXEDUSE MAKERSPACE

EVOLVING INDUSTRY

PUBLICDOCKS

RESIDENTIAL CORE

FLOATING STRUCTURES

FLOATING HOMES

HEALTHY HABITAT

CONNECTIONS

BIKE KITCHEN

PUBLIC AMENITIES

MIXEDUSE+ ROOFACTIVATION LIBRARY

CONTAINER MIXEDUSE

PEOPLE PLACES

WHATCOM CREEK ACTIVATION

PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION

EVOLVING INDUSTRY

A designated industry core and creation of a Marine Tech Hub. This adapted built environment framework provides opportunity for new connections between various users, creating an eco-industry district

PEOPLE PLACES

Creating people places with various forms of housing, including townhomes, live/work, and mixed use. Providing public and semi-private amenities: greenhouse, bike kitchen, etc.

HEALTHY HABITAT

Remediating toxins on site and paving the way for new research technologies to continue and monitor. Creating healthy habitats through floating wetlands, expanded green spaces, etc.

As one moves through this residential core, they could bike through and by the bike kitchen, townhomes, pump tracks, container village, greenhouse, and mixed use spaces before hitting our bridge, or continuing on to the variety of ASB and AS(HUB) connections.

The ASB Trail provides a visual boundary for the ASB Pond, that will work as an immersive research site for users of the AS(HUB). The AS(HUB) is a space for students, marine researchers and industry workers to innovate and grow within their field.

Potential to open the ASB Pond would allow for ecological growth. New bridge connections are made of light penetrating surfaces, providing ideal conditions for passing wildlife.

a maritime maker space, connecting residents to the waterfront

Seattle, WA | Commodore Way

Maritime Futures Studio | 2021

This site was once a waterfront oil refinery, that is currently in the process of remediation. With the intent to sell the entire site to a developer, our studio broke up the space into seven (7) sites that would be part of a main campus. Our site was the southern most, and would be separated front he rest of the campus by a main road. Keeping this in mind we designed a space that could stand alone, but also seamlessly connect the surrounding commercial and residential areas to our campus. Our project could be the first thing you see when you approach the campus, or it could be the last place you visit when you are at the waterfront.

With views of the Salmon Bay Bridge, Salmon Bay, and the Ballard Locks, this waterfront location is a time capsule of maritime history in Seattle. It serves as a space for maritime makers and innovators, and a stepping stone that connects industry and recreation to the waterfront.

With a maker space, testing areas, and residency program, The Commodore Step creates a foundation for temporal projects that highlight the ongoing potential of the maritime industry.

This was a group project in which there were two landscape architecture student and one architecture student. The site design and building programing were conceptualized as a group. The site design and connections to the architecture and rest of the campus were designed by Cyrus Deloye and myself. I drafted the site plan in AutoCAD and rendered our group’s site model, created by Cyrus, in Enscape. Bryant Callahan was the lead designer for our residences and maker space, collaborating with Cyrus and me on integrating the architecture into the landscape.

Group Members: Bryant Callahan and Cyrus Deloye

SE view: Searching the hillside for the perfect view

SW view: The daily commute

NE view: Strolling down the promenade

NW view: Shortcut to the waterfront

HARDSCAPE MATERIALS

LIT ARCHES

aluminum butler truss style arches, with lighting, at ramp entrances

PLANT MATERIALS

SEATWALL concrete seatwalls in ‘the wharf’ and ‘the promenade’

RAMP concrete ramps to ‘the wet lab’ and terraces

TREES

PLATFORM

wooden platform at ‘the wet lab’ and ramps to ‘the lookout’

HILLSIDE ZONES

PLAZA PLANTERS

ORNAMENTAL TERRACE

WETLAND TERRACE

STATEMENT

Hamamelis virginiana

Cotinus coggygria

PUNCTUATION

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Pinus monticola

Tsuga heterophylla

FILLER

Betula papyrifera

Populous tremuloides

Alnus rubra

MID STORY PLANTS

STATEMENT

Mahonia x media

Arc. columbiana

Pittosporum tenuifolium

Choisya ternata

Ceanothus thyrsiflorus

Tasmannia lanceolata

PUNCTUATION

Gillenia trifoliata

Fatsia japonica

Cornus sanguinea ‘midwinter fire’

FILLER

Pennisetum alopecuroides

Rudbeckia spp.

Echinacea spp.

Myrtus communis

GROUNDCOVER

STATEMENT

Blechnum spicant

Dryopteris filix-mas

Adiantum aleuticum

PUNCTUATION

Arc. x media

Arc. nevadensis

Impatiens glandulifera

Dryopteris expansa

Asplenium scolopendrium

FILLER

Astrantia spp.

Salvia patens

Verbena bonariensis

Cotoneaster horizontalis

Erysimum spp.

Achillea millefolium

SECTION D-D

SECTION A-A

West to East cut through the wharf, the docks, and the hillside. Showing connections to residences and layers of steps through out.

North to South cut through the shipyard, the promenade and the cabin. Steps allow for privacy to the residences and a break from a live/work space.

recognition + participation = expansion

Seattle, WA | South Park Waste Systems Studio | 2022

Bite-Powered South Park is exploring the various possibilities of creating food waste into food opportunity. We believe that through recognition and participation it can lead to expansion of this system, all while improving everyday journeys.

By implementing a series of strong and recognizable interventions throughout the South Park neighborhood that educates the community on what the biodigestor is, how to get involved, and how this is benefiting South Park as whole; our pilot program will not only divert food waste but give South Park the opportunity to become a waste to resource community. Through our various design interventions South Park becomes a connected neighborhood powered by their own food, or their “bites.”

This was a group project in an advanced landscape architecture studio. The site design, design interventions, and programming were conceptualized as a group. I focused on determining and programming the sites, and creating the vignettes of our proposed “Hubs.” Rhys Coffee focused on research and development of the biodigestor program. Matt Olszewski focused on developing our toolkit and concept diagram.

Group Members: Rhys Coffee and Matt Olszewski

APPROACH

Being a participant can be shown on a community level and individual level; as a community the current contributors will be highlighted, as an individual you can be apart of the Bite Box program and interact with the tools found around town.

COMMUNITY INPUT

PARTICIPATION RECOGNITION EXPANSION

Recognizable elements, displayed throughout South Park, help grassroots community programs build recognition through an identifiable toolkit to spark curiosity and lead to further participation in the neighborhood.

As we continue to receive food waste and gain recognition, participation will increase and expansion would be necessary. More biodigestor sites, collection hubs, and contributors will be implemented into the process. These future connections will be key identifiers in creating a community brand for all of South Seattle.

Collage imagery from our community charrette with youth of South Park and Georgetown.

DESIGNATED HUBS

SOUTH PARK PLAZA

Food Celebration + Gathering Hub

With similar programing already happening in this space, like El Mercadito, South Park Plaza becomes the main gathering space for the Pilot Program

DUWAMISH RIVER COMMUNITY HUB

Community Planning + Participation Hub

Already a prominent component for community groups in South Park, the Duwamish River Community Hub is for contributors and participants to plan for the present and future of the program

FOOD LIFELINE

Demonstrational + Educational Hub

The site of the biodigestor, Food Lifeline will bring in various groups to learn about the program from South Park contributor maps to an educational walk

CONNECTORS

Interventions include recognition tools, in which pedestrians can find as they move through South Park. They promote our program while also speaking a universal language to passersby.

Our design interventions include participation tools. South Park residents are able to learn about and contribute to the program.

creating fluidity of people and place through activating trail space

Santa Clarita, CA | Santa Clara River

Senior Capstone | 2019

S anta Clarita if the third largest city in Los Angeles County and is home to the Santa Clara River; which is the last natural river in Southern California, at least in the lower watershed in Ventura County. Although it is dry most of the year, the river “flows” right through the middle of the city. Do not be mistaken by the name and blue line shown on maps, this is not an actual body of water; do not come to Santa Clarita expecting to kayak down the river and through the city.

The Santa Clara River Trail runs along multiple parts of the river, certain parts of the trail are more developed than others, and the whole trail system in Santa Clarita lacks proper connections. The river is prone to flash flooding, which affects the trail and the people who currently use this space.

The design decisions made were based on research for the are of Canyon Country, within Santa Clarita. This part of town is lacking the most in connections to the river and the rest of Santa Clarita. These proposed designs tackle different spaces that would positively affect the people around them, focusing on educational, residential, and commercial areas.

Flowing proposes a series of design interventions that reinvent the idea and flow of the Santa Clara River. Interventions that allow visitors to utilize the space in any condition, rain or shine.

With three different, carefully selected river-side sites, “ flowing” looks at the river and its connections, or lack thereof, to the city of Santa Clarita. It addresses these issues, that can be found in the existing city trails, as well as the minimal amount of knowledge and attention the Santa Clara River receives.

Flowing creates connections and programs in areas that are in need of them. Looking at existing educational, residential, and commercial areas, “flowing” introduces site-specific connections and programs to activate connection between user and landscape.

Rio Vista has what its name implies, a river view. This elementary school sits alongside the river but has no access or connection to it. It is fenced off, and has a concrete buffer, protecting the school in the event of a flood. The river is used by a variety of animals as a wildlife corridor, and while there is a mountain view, the existing path is inaccessible to the public.

DISCOVERY PARK

Discovery Park is and underutilized park at the eastern portion of the Santa Clara River Trail. Although it is right along the Santa Clara River, there is not an accessible view of it. This blank canvas in the middle of a residential area could be used for the local community members to discover Santa Clarita by extending the trail to connect back to the western portion of the trail.

CANYON CENTER SHOPPING PLAZA

Canyon Center is the largest shopping center on the eastern side of Santa Clarita. The shopping center is divided by Soledad Canyon Road and is a trail head for the Santa Clara River Trail and the Commuter Trail. This river-side trail is underutilized and has the potential for programing and extensions.

RIO VISTA ELEMENTARY

activated by observation areas and a learning lab

santa clara river | flood zone | corridor goldenmountainsvalley santa clara river works as a wild life corridor for endangered animals coming from the angeles national forest

trail trail flood buffer

ca condor ca red-legged frog ringtail cat

concrete buffer

DISCOVERY PARK

activated by history and river accessibility

trail trail santa clara river | flood zone spanish settlers came to santa clarita because of the once wild, but small, river.

CANYON CENTER SHOPPING PLAZA

activated by flex spaces and trail extensions

rio vista elementary school

trail trail

santa clara river | flood zone | debris collection portions of the new river trail will have protruding filtration devices. design based on sediment patterns left behind after a flood.

historical | native planting flood buffer

discovery park

tataviam play structure trail inspired by the homes of tataviam native americans: people of the slopes

the first noted discovery of gold found in oak understory by francisco lopez

concrete buffer multi-functional space

canyon center shopping plaza

transitions for students to observe transitioning areas of their landscape

observations for students to watch and experience the native flora and fauna

discovering slopes tribute to 1st settlers, the tataviam tribe: people of the slopes

discovering gold allows the community to learn about native plants and geology

filtration protrusions collect flood debris, showing affects of pollution

extensions allows for leisure and lingering in this commercial area

reviving a neighborhood’s once flourishing rose nursery

Portola, San Francisco | University Mound

Natural Environments Focus Studio | 2017

University Mound is a small, fenced off area in Portola, San Francisco. It is known to locals as the Rose Factory, as this spot was once a thriving rose nursery. Now abandoned by the family who once owned it, passers by often admire and think of what once was, and what could be.

It is an area with potential to create a space for the community to be proud of, and has potential for positive environmental impacts on the watershed it sits upon. University Mound is a sought after site, with ideas of breweries and housing coming from developers. Locals worry about loss of history and character to their neighborhood. Locally Grown seeks to revive the site while maintaining its unique and vibrant roots, with a new community green space and opportunities for local economic growth.

With revived nurseries, community gardens and opportunities for local vendors to take part, the concept of having things locally grown comes to life. The local watershed is utilized for collection throughout the site; with detention ponds addressing flooding.

detention ponds

community gardens

retail area

greenhouses

terraced steps

Planting + Design | Seattle, WA

Advanced Planting Design | 2022

Utilizing AutoCAD and LandFX, projects for residential and urban spaces were the focus of this course. I gained a greater awareness of tools and resources for assessing plant availability, increased knowledge of contemporary issues in urban horticulture, and a greater understanding of different planting styles and typologies.

Modeling + Design | Seattle, WA Foundamentals of BIM | 2023

Course allowed students to learn the fundamentals of working in Revit by developing a project, using both 3D parametric modeling and the 2D documentation skills essential to communicating ideas effectively in professional practice. The main project in this course was the design and documentation of a fire station.

4" CLEAR

6" MIN

3" SLAB ON GRADE

3" ON GRADE

1" NOSING REBAR

24" O.C. AT SLAB ON GRADE

PLANT SCHEDULE

Native Streetscape | Seattle, WA

This streetscape focuses on Pacific Northwest natives. All aspects of the design, the biorentention planters, the sidewalk planting, and street facing planting will consist of natives. Facing residential and being in a mostly shaded area, natives that are shade tolerant are being considered. Also considering area and the creatures that we should anticipate also using the space I have included a gravel buffer for the street facing and what I have seen to be urine resistant plants on the sidewalk strip. Being from, and studying in Southern California, I wanted to explore more planting options that I am not so accustomed to.

PROCESS CONCEPT AND PALETTE

BLOCK House | Burien, Seattle, WA

Creating a feeling of privacy and ownership.

The design cuts through some of the existing Prunus laurocerasus to create a private entrance that is colorful and wild, leading in to a patio space with loungers and container plants.

The south end of the residence includes a variety of shade tolerant northwest natives.

The deck wraps around the north side of the residence to give space for enjoying the morning sun. The deck looks out onto seeded meadow mix, giving seasonal variety and interest year-round.

Raised planters sit along the east side of the residence, where there is a small space to relax, screened by tall grasses and colorful perennials.

PLANT SCHEDULE

Fire Station | Seattle, WA

This fire station was a collaboration between two architecture and two landscape architecture students. Concept and programming was done as a group. Design was distributed by programmatic spaces, my main focus was the App Bay. I also managed document revisions and set organization.

Group Members: Seyyada Burney, Kayla Richmond and Bella Septianti

LEVEL 1 FLOOR PLAN

CURVED WOOD BENCH WITH ARMREST PLAN

CURVED WOOD BENCH PLAN

CURVED WOOD BENCH WITH ARMREST ELEVATIONS

FAMILY - CURVED WOOD BENCH WITH ARMREST

CURVED WOOD BENCH ELEVATIONS

CURVED WOOD BENCH FAMILY

BENCH FAMILY - CURVED WOOD BENCH WITH ARMREST

R3 ROOF PER A-111.3 ASSEMBLY

BACKER ROD AND SEALANT

TONGUE AND GROVE WOOD DECKING

PLYWOOD SHEATHING

APP BAY ROOF 84' - 0"

WOOD SHIM

ALUMINUM STOREFRONT GLAZING SYSTEM MULLION BEYOND GLULAM BEAM

BOARD FORMED CONCRETE WALL BEYOND

CURTAIN WALL HEADING

CURTAIN WALL HEADING

BOARD FORMED

CONCRETE WALL BEYOND

MULLION BEYOND

ALUMINUM STOREFRONT GLAZING SYSTEM

WOOD SHIM

BACKER ROD AND SEALANT

CONCRETE SLAB ON GRADE

LEVEL 1 68' - 0"

CURTAIN WALL SILL

CURTAIN WALL SILL

CURTAIN WALL SILL

SELECTED WORKS

design internships

public art competition

sustainability initiatives

design guidance

media exploration

design internships

Port of Seattle | Seattle, WA

Architectural Design Internship | 2022

Summer and Fall of 2022 with the Architecture Team at SEA-TAC. The team acquired a variety of projects that required landscape consultants. I worked closely with our consultants to update the Port’s Landscape Standards. I also worked with the Port’s Environmental Team to review and update the existing Plant List.

Design work included conceptual floor and material plans for a meeter-greeter space remodel, and planting of a pet relief area.

LANDSCAPE STANDARDS THEMATIC CONCEPT + MOUNTAIN TO SOUND TRANSECT

BrightView Design Group | Irvine, CA Design Internship | 2017

Summer of 2017 was spent working on a large variety of projects in Southern California. The teams I worked with had focus areas of housing development and large scale public space. I helped with conceptual design phases and assisted their planting design specialist on a large housing community project, Skyline in Santa Clarita. I also contributed drawings and details for a golf course, and the design for a dog park and the conceptual phases for a portion of the Orange County Great Park.

public art competition

Moonwalk | Bellingham, WA

Paper Whale Waterfront Proposal | 2022

Within the (Re)working Waterfront site, this public art submission was inspired by our Scandinavian travels and experiences. Moonwalk is an interactive play structure and public art piece, focusing on the relationship between the tides and the moon. Its sculptural design provides both visual interest while bringing movement and enjoyment to the waterfront. The design plays into a whimsical connection to natural systems, reminding us of the interconnected nature of local systems to planetary systems.

Moonwalk is Paper Whale selected finalist, and has been submitted to the Port of Bellingham for consideration.

SECTION A  ‘TIDES’

SECTION B  ‘MOONS’

sustainability initiatives

Zero Waste Kit | San Luis Obispo, CA

Environmental Design | 2019

Designed for a sustainable principles class, the intent of the project was to promote sustainable ideas and practices into our local community. My idea was to create a zero waste kit that could be personalized and very inexpensive. My group presented our ideas to a panel of stakeholders to potentially get this kit in the hands of Cal Poly students.

We proposed to sell a jar with a 3D printed utensil, reusable straw, and a “how to” guide for making the following items:

- reusable and packable tote

- reusable produce bag

- reusable napkins

design guidance

Environmental Design | San Luis Obispos, CA Instructional Student Assistant | 2018 - 2019

As an instructional student assistant I lead the activity section for an Introduction to Environmental Design class. The following projects are some of the activities I instructed my students in.

Digital Design | Seattle, WA Teaching Assistant | 2023

As a teaching assistant I led lectures and lab sessions, through demos of various digital design programs: Adobe Creative Suite and SketchUp. The following are examples of demo projects I instructed my students in.

media exploration

Santa Chiara Study Center

Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy | 2017

Exploring the textural possibilities of watercolor, shown through moments captured in Italy.

Scan|Design Foundation Tour Copenhagen, Denmark | 2022

Sketches and watercolors look at spaces of intrigue and investigation in Sweden and Denmark.