Landscape Architecture & Urban Design
ESTHER XIE PORTFOLIO 2019
CONTENTS ABOUT ME 2
A JOURNEY ALONG ERIE CANAL Montezuma Wetlands Restoration
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PLAY! PLAY! PLAY! San Francisco Aquatic Park
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BLUE COMMONS
Copenhagen Nordhavn Masterplan
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TRANSFORMATION UNDER TENSION Rome Torrevecchia Neighborhood Study
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OTHER WORKS
Professional Works for SWA XL Lab and Tongji
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ESTHER (XUEZHEN) XIE xx59@cornell.edu
EDUCATION CORNELL UNIVERSITY B.S. Landscape Architecture B.S. Urban and Regional Studies 2015-Present
CORNELL IN ROME Study Abroad Program Spring 2018
DIS IN COPENHAGEN Architecture and Design Program Fall 2017
AAVS IN SHANGHAI Architectural Association Visiting School Summer 2016
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE SWA GROUP
PHOTOGRAPHER, CORNELL IN ROME
Summer Student Program, 2018 San Francisco/ Sausalito Focused design on Aquatic Park on San Francisco North Bay. Explored the potential of the site with distinguished design professionals, public officials and local stakeholders. Presented individual design explorations to public.
Spring 2018 Rome, Italy Contributed images to the student blog, produced visual materials for program publicity.
SWA XL LAB
SKILLS
Intern, Summer and Fall 2018 Collaborated with SWA XL research lab. Conducted research about urban fabrics in mid-size cities in the United States. Produced numerous axonometric drawings of precedent projects with Rhino and Illustrator.
Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom), Rhino, AutoCAD, SketchUp, VRay, Grasshopper, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office. Knowledge of Python and Web Design. Graphic design, photography, physical modeling, hand-drawing, Technical planting plans, soil volume calculation. Site grading.
TONGJI URBAN PLANNING AND DESIGN INSTITUTE Urban Design Intern, Summer 2017 Shanghai, China Assisted with graphic design, site research, conceptual design, design rendering and communication with clients.
LANGUAGES
DESIGN CONNECT
Chinese (native), English (fluent), Italian (basic), Danish (basic)
Member, Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 Geneva, NY/ Elmira, NY Involved with participatory planning for local communities. 3
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A JOURNEY ALONG ERIE CANAL MONTEZUMA, NY Fall 2018 Cornell LA 3010 Studio One of the most significant mobility systems in US history, Erie Canal made great contribution to human mobility and economic progress nationally in 19th century. However, today the canal is fragmented and often neglected. The project focuses on Montezuma Wildlife Refuge, where various water bodies converge, and human activities and nature meet. An island prototype is introduced to the junction of canals, to create floodplain channel and various types of wetlands. Various programs, including a campsite, a floating pier in the center of the conjunction, and a recreational corridor etc. are introduced to the site to hopefully transform the site to a regional ecological recreational park for towns along Erie Canal.
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Wetlands, 1900s
Wetlands, present
In 1900s, Erie Canal functioned as the main connection between towns. The the straight and canalized water bodies also caused severe flooding issues at the site. construction of Barge Canal and Seneca-cayuga canal through Montezuma has caused The landscape context map on the next page illustrates the existing farmlands, canals, the loss and fragmentation of wetlands (shown in the second map). The confluence of wetlands, flood vulnerable areas and boundary of wildlife refuge.
Site condition, 1890s
Site condition, 1900s
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Site condition, flooding , 2007
Site condition, present
LANDSCAPE CONTEXT 1’’ = 3500’ SECTION
LANDSCAPE CONTEXT 7
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SITE PERCEPTION 1’’ = 3500’
Islands pattern
Floodplain channel
Activities
Wetland types
Perception mapping
This phase of the project aims to construct the perception of north Montezuma along highway 89 and New York State Thruway. Collages of Google street view were superimposed on the model to reproduce people’s perception of the site when driving on the highway, which is the main approach of experiencing the north part of Montezuma. The model also explores the contrast between open wetlands and enclosed woodlands with the use of pins and threads.
Based on previous analysis, the design deals with this interesting convergence of water and land forms. Numerous islands are introduced to this junction, to create floodplain channel and various types of wetlands. The old Erie Canal trace is transformed to a trail that connects the site with the village of Montezuma and lock 25. Various programs, including a campsite, a floating pier in the center of the conjunction, and a recreational corridor etc. are introduced to the site to hopefully transform the site to a regional ecological recreational park. 9
Final plan
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Section A-A’
Section B-B’
Section C-C’
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PLAY! PLAY! PLAY! SAN FRANCISCO Summer 2018 SWA Student Summer Program San Francisco’s Aquatic Park sits at the confluence of geography and history, the connection of local and federal lands, and the coming together of commercial and civic uses- and it is challenged by aging infrastructure and the myriad demands of a dynamic city. Studying in depth Aquatic Park’s past and the context of San Francisco’s Northern Waterfront, this project revisits the original purpose of Aquatic Park, and creates an urban playground for everyone to enjoy interaction with water.
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TIMELINE
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San Francisco’s northern waterfront, including Aquatic Park and Fort Mason, offers a rich and complex history that led to the dynamic and multifaceted character of the place as we experience it today. For the first part of the project, our team of two analyzed the historical timeline and the change of biodiversity of the area.
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The project started by looking at people’s experience along San Francisco north waterfront area. To the west side, the Presidio and Crissy Field represent strong natural influences; to the east lie more intensive urban districts, with industrial piers and destinations such as the Ferry building, Exploratorium and Fisherman’s Wharf. From south to north, the experience transitions from residential to recreational and from private to public. Aquatic Park represents a meeting point between these realms, where characters merge.
The project then revisited the original purpose of Aquatic Park. The idea for a public park at Black Point Cove originated in 1864. The Muni Pier was created to provide calm water for swimming, rowing and different kinds of recreational activities. Yet, based on our perception from the site visits, not many people swim here because conditions are windy and chilly. The large, open water cove without lifeguards seems dangerous to beginners, even though the water is calm.
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CONCEPT PLAN
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The concept of the design is to create a continuous experience along the curve defined by Muni Pier. I reorganized the program along the arc so that as people move from land to water, the experience changes from city to nature, and from social to solitary. Starting from the streetcar platform, I propose a big gathering space that allows different kinds of events. A public boathouse provides for small boat rental and other facilities such as a gym. An outdoor cafĂŠ connects with the Maritime Museum, which allows people to sit while enjoy the view. An Olympic size pool is provided with diving platform, with an amphitheater on the
PROGRAMS 18
other side. The water garden connects to a thermal bath via a floating walkway. Muni Pier receives four kinds of treatment. Starting from land to water, the first section retains the existing pier completely. For the second part, I removed the platform and proposed a smaller walkway, with floating wetlands on both sides to create a water garden. For the third part, I removed the platform and created a habitat that is inaccessible to people. The pilings remain for protection purposes. At the end, the pilings will also be taken away, leaving the isolated island as a place for solitary experience.
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BLUE COMMONS 20
BLUE COMMONS COPENHAGEN, DENMARK Fall 2017 DIS Urban Design Studio The city of Copenhagen has planned Nordhavn as a main place to accommodate its fast increasing population. Once a 270,000 m2 shipping harbour, Nordhavn will transform into a vibrant city district. This masterplan looks into the future of Nordhavn as an active addition embracing all kinds of residents. Various public spaces are created for entertaining residents onsite as well as people from other parts of the city. A 2.2km fitness loop, connecting all the attractions, serves as an exercise space for residents and visitors. Close to the ocean, Nordhavn will become a blue commons for the city Copenhagen.
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The current movement of vehicles and bikes to the site.
Create grids based on the current movement and the planned metro station.
Curved main roads and canals based on the grid.
Fitness loop around the site connecting various activities.
SITE LOCATION Nordhavn is connected to the city center by train, bus and super cycle lane. The closest train station is 30-minute walk away.
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Green area & water
Public area & fitness loop
Infrastructure
Lights
ACTIVITIES (Orange for students, pink for single families and green for elderly.)
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ISOMETRIC PLAN
The water garden allows local community to grow their own food.
The Nordhavn will become an exciting place for the residents, and also a regional attraction. The metro station and the cultural center are the center of the community. The park extends to the seaside, connecting to the beach and waterfront park. Various housing types are provided to make the neighborhood diverse and individualized.
The waterfront park functions as an urban playground and skatepark. A lookout point allows people to overlook the ocean.
The wooden circle connects the beach with the fitness loop extended into the ocean, which enables people to walk on the water.
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MAIN STREET 25
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TRANSFORMATION UNDER TENSION ROME, ITALY Spring 2018 Cornell Rome Planning Workshop For the Rome Workshop, our team of five students analysed historical and existing conditions of the Roman neighborhood of Torrevecchia, and explored possible future trajectories of this dynamic area. With its vibrant mix of market activity, varied subsectors of food systems and immigrant communities each actively redefining Torrevecchia’s sense of place, this modest area has changed from a satellite residential district into a developing and self-sustaining neighborhood with an identity all its own. A comprehensive report with analysis of context, neighborhood statistics, and physical characteristics, in addition to three posters of summary were produced through collabration over the semester.
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The full report is available online at: https://issuu.com/exie_portfolio_17/docs/final_report
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Shanghai East Beijing Road Urban Regeneration Masterplan rendering for Tongji Urban Design and Planning Institute. By SketchUp, VRay, and Photoshop.
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OTHER WORKS
Axonometric drawings of precedent transformation of urban infrastructure, such as port, river, trail and road. Research project for SWA XL Lab. By Rhino and Illustrator. 31
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Shanghai East Beijing Road Urban Regeneration Masterplan, before and after collage for Tongji Urban Design and Planning Institute. By Photoshop.
80CM * 60CM* 60CM physical model for sunlight study. Academic. Using laser cut.
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Green Affordable Housing Project Site Grading, academic. By AutoCAD. 35