ALEXANDER ESPINOSA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO | 2015 1
ALEXANDER ESPINOSA
818 Powell Avenue, Healdsburg, CA, 95448 alexcespinosa@gmail.com | 707.570.5367
CONTENTS ACADEMIC Port of West Sacramento
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McCormack Williamson Tract
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Industrial Brown Field Revitalization
Cultural oriented design and plan for the California Delta
Hill Wine Co.
Low water use and stream restoration design and plan, Napa County
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Nova Park
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Hand Sketches
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Construction Documents
PROFESSIONAL Santa Rosa Residence
Draft of plan + landscape installation
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UPCYCLE HABITAT DESIGN MATT WON G
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A L E X E S P I N O SA
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REDEVE LO PM EN T O F T H E P O R T The Port of West Sacramento has been economically stressed for over a decade. The lack of funds has resulted in the abandonment and discontinued used of a variety of industrial materials, vessels, and unmaintained land. This remnant of an industrial facility is occupying valuable habitat sites that could be used for local native species. Former shipping vessles, hulls, and pipes are contaminating the soil and the deep water channel. Our concept design for the Port addresses these issues through a three phase process. Our plan begins by “upcycling� the industrial materials found on and near our target site. The initial phase uses concrete road dividers to form a skeleton for dredge from the deep water channel to be deposited into. The skeleton forms a series of containment basins to securely store the second portion of the phase, the dredge deposit, preventing it from eroding away with daily tides and currents. The third phase involves the seeding of native plant species to form habitat pockets throughout the site. Eventually the vegetated pockets will assist in the removal of toxic sediments contained in the dredge and industrial components.
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Human Perspective looking toward canoe and kayak dock. The board walk ramps allow ADA access throughout the site.
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Kayakers perspective looking toward one of several navigational checkpoints that lead visitors on a tour of the reclaimed areas.
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Fish perspective exhibiting habitat development and sediment accumulation.
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T H E D E LTA TRIPTYC H This proposal examines the historical context of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Landscape to formulate a comprehensive cultural-oriented recreational plan for the McCormack Williamson Tract. My investigation into
the Delta’s cultural history directed me toward the Chinese population who’s demanding labor shaped the Delta into the forms we observe today. The delta landscape we experience today was greatly impacted by Chinese
efforts yet there is little acknowledgment of their historical significance. This proposal aims to commemorate
the Delta’s Chinese history through historical narratives and abstract projections of Chinese ideology onto the landscape. These projections will be represented by forms which compliment the geology, ecology, and culture of the Delta’s past while promoting the interests of current and future generations.
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CONTEXT ANALYSI S
The lowest part of the tract near the cross-cut channel separating the MWT from Dead Horse Island shows a low shallow basin grading up slowly to the north. The highest part of the tract depicts the extent and elevation of the natural riparian levees of the Mokelumne. These features splay out like a crevasse, suggesting points where flood flows were relieved from the Mokelumne River. In the northeast corner of the tract, Boyd mapped a low point, which still persists today as a wetland or lake feature. Many of these features are still visible on the landscape, though with muted topographic distinction (Conservancy, 2014).
The Port of West Sacramento has been economically stressed for over a decade. The lack of funds has resulted in the abandonment and discontinued used of a variety of industrial materials, vessels, and unmaintained land. This remnant of an industrial facility is occupying valuable habitat sites that could be used for local native species. Former shipping vessles, hulls, and pipes are contaminating the soil and the deep water channel. Our concept design for the Port addresses these issues through a three phase process. Our plan begins by “upcycling� the industrial materials found on and near our target site. The initial phase uses concrete road dividers to form a skeleton for dredge from the deep water channel to be deposited into. The skeleton forms a series of containment basins to securely store the second portion of the phase, the dredge deposit, preventing it from eroding away with daily tides and currents. The third phase involves the seeding of native plant species to form habitat pockets throughout the site. Eventually the vegetated pockets will assist in the removal of toxic sediments contained in the dredge and industrial components.
State Scale Context
The existing channels are not capable of maintaining flood water capacity. This incapability damages nearby communities, farmland, habitat, and an obstacle for developing infrastructure. Adjusting the channels would allow more tourism and demand for recreational activities. These pastimes would contribute to the attraction and economic value of the adjusting central valley. Considering the larger state, national, and global scale is the best way to begin accommodating coordinated needs to meet local goals. Creating a holistic plan for the relatively small (on a state scale) tract will magnify the benefits of multiple ecologies.
Regional Context
DEGRADED EASTERN LEVEE PLANS
SECTION ABCD
DEGRADED SOUTHWEST LEVEE PLANS
MOKELUMNE RIVER BREACH PLANS
SECTION AA
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C A M PG R O U N D S E C T I O N The structures themselves occupy a sensitive habitat zone where a
conventional concrete foundation would pose problems. By using
Raised viewing tower
a fiberglass box filled with sand, the structures on the site can be
structurally sound with greatly reduced ecological damage that would have been caused by conventional excavation and pouring.
Exhibition and event centers are solar powered and use skylights to take advantage of natural daylighting.
Sand encassed in fiber glass provides support with minimal environmental impact.
Rain gardens help filter runoff
DOCK
The docks will zig-zag as they climb the face of the levee while maintaining ADA accessibility. Visitors can walk their way down the opposing courtesy dock to fish, bird watch, or continue boating toward the campground facilities.
E VENT SPACE
The campground design was influenced by the iconic junk boats of the Pearl River Delta. The structures are built to be very open to enhance daylighting and views of the Delta landscape.
CAMPSITES
The frame and overhang were influenced by the fishing nets used in the Pearl River Delta. Each site could be illuminated by traditional lanterns at dusk, which would add an interesting visual element to the impressive reflections.
Campground is accesible by canoe.
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CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
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SHED HOMEFARM (LIPTON RESIDENCE)
LIPTON BEE MEADOW WATER NEEDS REGULAR MODERATE-REGULAR MODERATE LOW-MODERATE LOW
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