Gwen macheka by Gwen Macheka

Landscape Architecture Portfolio by Gwen Macheka

Contents 1. Executive Summary.

2. Concept development.

3. Design development.

4. Contact sheet.

1. Executive Summary. This is a Landscape Architecture portfolio, compiled from a series of works done by Gwen Macheka. She is a student at the University of Greenwich in her final year. The contents of the portfolio are based on a project in South Thamesmead which she undertook for her final year. About the project The project begun with choosing a site between Greenwich Pleasaunce and South Thamesmead of which Gwen Macheka opted for Thamesmead. Thereafter a survey was completed in order to begin work. Gwen’s Design ambition for the project was to create a dynamic space, which improves the site as well as involves the nearby community, not forgetting to add an aesthetic appeal to it. It was also important for her to keep it as simple and as low maintenance as possible, since this part of the city works on a tight budget. The slogan of the design ambition became ‘Celebrating Grasses’ after brainstorming, which started with the word Celebratory. Fireworks were the first to come up through brainstorming ‘Celebratory’. It appeared that fireworks and grasses have a striking resemblance hence the slogan ‘Celebrating Grasses’. Grasses fit well to the design ambition as they are low maintenance, provide an aesthetic appeal to the site as well as movement and sound. Designs were put together in order to satisfy this ambition. The following pages will take you through a series of stages from the start to completion of the project.

2. Concept development. Site Survey and Analysis.

Pedestrian and Cycle Circulation.

Vegetation.

Hydrology.

The site lays on a slopy land. The highest contour being +6.00. During the time of the survey the site appeared to be bare, windy and cold. A few drainage issues were noted. The site character seems to be very gloomy and there are hardly any visitors during both weekends and week days. Generally the site lacks activity due to the minimality of interacting features. However it is full of potential for development.

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3. Design development. Celebrating Grasses

4m Pedestian pathway as main pathway. Place outward so as to avoid congestion in the main area of the park which is in the center. It also connects to the existing green chain walk. Floating Pavillion to provide a place for refreshments as well as good views of the park.

Ornamental grass border with tall lush grasses adding a lash appearance to the park.

The main entrance to the park from the footbridge. It has planting partly acting as a curtain such that one does not have a full view of the park on at the beggining, rather as they walk further in to the park. This is done to add curiosity to the visitors and draw the in.

Silverbirch alley with ornamental grass underplanting. Nursery for growing grasses for the site.

Ornamental grasses across the park to revive it. These will add aesthetic value to the space as well as providing a sense of movement.

Small Cosy cafe. Arts and crafts crnter for adults to engage in. Information Center. +1.00

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The winding path across the park ensures that the visitors experinces the park to the maximum. It takes away the monoton from the previous set-up.

The mound provides a platform at which the visitros can enjoy good views of the park as well as a place to sit and regenerate.

Silver Birch Alley to provide a dramatic and aesthetical appearance to the park.

A Silver Birch avenue in York stone. It reflects a natural quarried flagstones look. Its irregular pattern and chiselled edges create a truly random and unprocessed appearance.

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Celebrating Grasses

Lagoon providing swimming facilities. Its surrounded by large shrubs and bushes which act as a wind and privacy screen.

Sections. Masterplanning.

Floating pavillion. To provide a palce to sit and enjoy the view of teh park from the lake.

Ornamental grasses and shrubrs. To provide movement and sound at the park. This will enhance the experince of the visitors.

6.m mound to provide the visitors with a raised platform to enable them to have an over-view of the whole park. This is also suitable for picnics.

The grass mound besides the birch avenue provides a dramatic appearance to the park.

Main Entrance connected by a brige. The existing one has been replaced by a m

The yorkstone paved path is suitable for light vehicle as well as for pedestrians. This reduces the car circulation hence creating a calm traffic zone. Where chilredn are safe to run around.

Ornamental grasses under the Silver birch alley provide an authentic look to the place.

3m. lagoon providing swimming facilities for the visitors.

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Celebrating Grasses

Walking along the path, the visitor has an unforgetable experience of grasses. The sound, movement and the soft touuch of furthery grasses or tingly scratch from the rough ones.

The pavillion is a great place to sit and have some refreshments. It provides good views of the lake and the park.

Walking through the bridge the leaves from the birch canopy will brush against the skin. one has good view provided by the bridge

The lagoon in summer will cool down the visitors. It will be a great place to spend the day for all ages. In winter visitors can take walks there enjoying the fresh air.

The grass boarders provide a marvelous backdrop.

The birch avenue is a great place to walk through with the contrast between the silver birch and the ornamental grasses.

Couples, families and friends can enjoy a day out at the park as they sit behind lovely fluffy grasses.

On the mound one has a feeling a s if they are in a grass paradise, with different types of lovely ornamental grasses.

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: Gwen Macheka : Masterplanning : Sketches : 11/05/2015 : Not to scale

Celebrating Grasses

Materiality

A design by Kathryn Gustafson of the Shell Petroleum Headquarters in France. The alternating concrete retaining walls along with the natural stone steps provide a dramatic feel to the space.

Seasonal Interest

The contrast provided by the white bark of the birch and the red dogwood livens up the park even on a gloomy day in witner. The image below from the Marks Hall Gardens best suits my scheme as it goes well with grasses.

Celebrating Grasses

The Marks Hall Garden, design by Brita von Schoenaich. Ornamental grasses frosted in winter. The picture resembles my design abition for my scheme. The aim is to have plants that are estheatically pleasing for all seasons, especially in winter when other plants have died down.

The contrast of structural ornamental grasses with that of the clean cut lawn works well aesthetiaclly. It also provides the space with a diversity in form. This correlates with my design ambition.

A resin bound gravel path. It provides a smooth textured, aesthetically pleasing, hardwearing surface. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s low maintenance and resistant to cracking.

Form and Texture

This is a design by Piet Oudolf at Pensthorpe. Inter-planting of ornamnetal grasses with perenials provides a contrast in both colour and form. The natural stone steps at Ingress Abbey in Greenhithe. They work well for ease of access on mounds as well as adding exciting structure to a design

Again the design by Adrian Bloom in Autom. Its guaranteed to still look good in winter and srping as well yet it has minimal species.

A design by Adrian Bloom which provides a scene that works well all year round.

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: Gwen Macheka : Design Development : Precedence : 11/05/2015 : Not to scale

Celebrating Grasses

Lighting Concept Overlay

1m raised brick planting bed with ornamental grasses and bulbs. Grasses include Deschampsia-Cespitosa. It works as a sitting area as well as providing shade on hot sunny days.

4m Pedestian pathway as main pathway. Place outward so as to avoid congestion in the main area of the park which is in the center. It also connects to the existing green chain walk.

2m Bicycle path to provide the visitors to have a free cyling experience acroos the park. A seperate path form the pedestrians also ensures safe and un- disturbed circulation for both cyclers and pedestrians. 3m Resin bound gravel pedestrian pathway. Yorkstone Stairway. Hakonechloa macra as ground-cover.

Oakwood Ramp to connect the pavillion and the park. It also provides disables access.

Yorkstone avenue.

Grey granite paving. Floating pavillion. 2m yorkstone bike path allong the pedestrian pathway.

+5.00 Floating Pavillion to provide a place for refreshments as well as good views of the park.

1m Contours. Ornamental grasses. Ornamental grasses.

Oak wood deck terrace for visitors to sit out as well as for providing good views of the park.

Amenity grass. +1.00

Acer Campestre.

Silver Birch. Grey granite paving on Farmers market place.

Chinese Red Birch.

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Silver Birch Alley to provide a A Silver Birch avenue in York stone. It reflects a natural quarried dramatic and aesthetical flagstones look. Its irregular pattern and appearance to the park. chiselled edges create a truly random and unprocessed appearance.

Ornamental Grass island. Showcasing grasses such as Miscanthus and Pampas. This is in order to create movement and sound in the park. The loveley shapes and structure serve aesthetic purposes.

Hakonechloa macra as groundcover. It provides a contrast with the Silver Birch bark. It also is a good companion for birchtrees and is shade tolerant. This will be inter-planted with seasonal perenials and bulbs.

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Celebrating Grasses

Sections. Design development.

1m. deep planting bed, planted with Silver birch and ornamental grasses and perenials. These act as a shield against wind and sun in the summer.

Ornamental grasses and shrubrs. To provide movement and sound at the park. This will enhance the experince of the visitors.

Yorkstone steps to enable easy access of the mound. With pampas grass planted besides it as the visitors clinb up the mound.

6.m mound to provide the visitors with a raised platform to enable them to have an over-view of the whole park. This is also suitable for picnics.

Acer Campestre in raised brick panting beds. To provide shade and sitting area for the visitors. Floating Pavillion. For the visitors to have a relaxing experience and good views of the park from the lake.

Pavillion timber deck, with timber railing for safety purposes. The deck provides the visitors with sitting areas in the fresh air with good views of the lake and park.

Deck structural supprorting steel beems.

Ramp with steel railingconnecting the floating pavillion to the ground.

1m deep Planting beds, planted with silver birch and ornamental grasses and perenials. The trees act as a shield against wind and sun in summer.

Acer Campestre in raised planting beds. To provide shade and sitting areas.

Southmeere Lake regenerated for recreational purposes. 6m deep.

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Section Line Location Map.

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Celebrating Grasses

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Celebrating Grasses

This is a view from the lake overlooking the park. It shows the lighting effect of the park at night. The ramp connecting the lane to the ground, has light in along it for both functionality and aesthaetical purprose.

This is a view of the whole park at night time.

Birch avenue with dense hakanechloa underplanting acting partly as a screen.

Grass islands for aesthetic purposes as well as providing movement to the park and a backdrop for peace and quiet.

In front of the lake overlooking the floating pavillion. There are Acer trees in planting beds wich provide sitting areas.

A view looking towards the mound from the foot and cycle path. In front are ornamental grasses such as miscanthus and some perenials and tulips. At the back the view plays with height from the mound as well as strong shapes and structure from the grasses.

A view looking through the birch alley from the lake. To provide a dramatic effect produced by the contrast between the silver birch, brown gravel path and tall grass mound.

A view overlooking the floating pavillion and the mound. The pavillion provides a place to eat, drink and socialise. It has a deck where people can sit outsite and enjoy good views of the park in fresh air.

A view from the floating pavillion by daylight. It shows how the park can be used, be it jogging, taking walks through the grasses or just sitting and enjoying good views.

Drawn by Course Name Drawing Name Date Scale

: Gwen Macheka : Design Development : Sketches : 11/05/2015 : Not to scale

Celebrating Grasses

Silver Birch Alley. leading to the main area of the park.

Staged Yorstone retaining wall to support the stairs.

Festuca gautieri island in mass planting together miscanthus to provide.

Yorkstone stairs to allow easy accesss across the mound.

3m Resin bound gravel pedestrian pathway. Hakonechloa macra as ground-cover. Grey granite paving. 1m Contours. Ornamental grasses. Focussing on shape and structure. Ornamental grasses. Focussing on colour and movement.

Resin bound gravel path. To enable the visitor easy access in the park.

Amenity grass.

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Acer Campestre.

Silver Birch.

Acer Campestre Trees for shade.

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Sitting area under Acer Campestre

Amenity grass open space for recreational purposes such as picnics.

Drawn by Course Name Drawing Name Date Scale Farmers market stalls for local farmers to sell their produce. The stalls are made of glass to allow views in and out.

Sitting area on a timber deck. The sitting are is place near the grass islands to provide a close interaction with the grasses.

: Gwen Macheka : Technical Landscapes : Masterplan : 11/05/2015 : 1: 50

North

Celebrating Grasses

Sections. Technical Landscapes.

Acer Campestre in raised planting beds. To provide shade and sitting areas. Wooden benches. proving the visitors with sitting under the acers.

Glass market stalls, to allow in and out views.

York stone stairs with a yorkstone retaining wall for easy access across the mound.

Yorkstone Stairs for easy access across the mound.

Acer Campestre in raised planting beds. To provide shade and sitting areas.

Brick planting bed also working as sitting area.

Glass market stalls, to allow in and out views.

Large ornamental grasses at the botton of the steps. This provides a grand entrance to the mound.

Grass mound to provide an elevated view of the park as well as recreational purposes.

Silver birch alley as a back drop behind the acers.

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Drawn by Course Name Drawing Name Date Scale

: Gwen Macheka : Technical Landscapes : Section A : 11/05/2015 : 1: 50

Celebrating Grasses

Drawn by Course Name Drawing Name Date Scale

: Gwen Macheka : Technical Landscapes : Section B : 11/05/2015 : 1: 50

Celebrating Grasses

A view of the whole park at night . It is designed to be used both by night and day.

A view over the farmers market. It highlights the areas which will be lit up at night,

Glass market stalls to allow views in and out.

This view shows the grasss boarders befor the mound.

Granite paving on the farmers market.

A night time view showing the areas which will be lit up.

Calamagrostis interplanted with tulips. Red dogwood at the back providing an interesting colour contrast with the silver birch.

Aview of the yorkstone steps surported by a dry yorkstone retaining wall.

The two ornamental grass beds focus on shape form and color. Behind is a backdrop of birch and dogwood.

Drawn by Course Name Drawing Name Date Scale

: Gwen Macheka : Tech.v Landscapes : Sketches : 11/05/2015 : Not to scale

Celebrating Grasses

Contact Sheet. E-mail: machekag@yahoo.co.uk Website: http://mg1033.wix.com/gwen-macheka