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.

Activated By Observation Areas And A Learning Lab

Rio Vista Elementary Discovery Park

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 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 concrete buffer 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 trail under-utilized parking turns into open space that can be used for events. ex: farmer’s market 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 detention ponds community gardens retail area greenhouses terraced steps

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.