Portfolio 2025 by Ivan Keath

PORTFOLIO

IVAN KEATH

01 LUGGING LUMBER

Reimagining Brownfield Sites

02 GREENING A METROPOLIS

Exploring Relationships between Plants & Urbanism

03 YUCCA CREST

Interpretive Design on Cahuilla Land

01 LUGGING LUMBER

Reimagining Brownfield Sites

Location: San Pedro, California

Date: Fall 2024

Catagory: Studio Project

Type: Urban Design, Urban Renewal

Collaboration: Miguel Auntre Olalia

The Defense Fuel Support Point (DFSP) - San Pedro facility was established in 1942 in response to the post-Pearl Harbor incident. As part of a network of ‘Tank Farms’ deployed by the U.S. Navy across Southern California, these facilities enabled rapid refueling operations. However, the surplus of fuel infrastructure has since resulted in neglected sites, contributing to significant environmental contamination. This project explores landscape interventions aimed at remediating the polluted site and restoring ecological balance.

URBAN CONTEXT: A WOODEN CITY

After World War II, a real estate boom led to the widespread use of Redwood as an allpurpose building material. The first half of the 20th century saw the heaviest logging of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). By 1978, San Pedro had become the primary gateway for lumber entering the Port of Los Angeles, supplying materials for structures across Southern California. While homes and buildings constructed before 1968 predominantly featured Redwood, the majority built afterward utilized alternative wood types.

SHIP

Safe and efficient way of transporting large amounts of lumber across oceans.

TRAIN

For transporting lumber over long distances is via Class 1 Freight Rail Lines.

Houses Constructed before 1960

Home Depot Distribution Center

Home Depot Retail Stores

Class 1 Freight Rail Line

TRUCK

Most common way to transport lumber domestically.

Truck Route to Distribution Center

Truck Route to Retail Stores

Ship Route (Redwood, Fir)

Ship Route (Pine)

SITE: SAN PEDRO

The (DFSP) - San Pedro tank farm facility was established here.

THE HOME DEPOT

The world’s largest home improvement retailer, with lumber being its top-selling product. They supply materials for projects ranging from small home improvements to large-scale contractor developments.

SITE

DEFENSE FUEL SUPPORT POINT - SAN PEDRO, CALIFORNIA

San Pedro

NEIGHBORING CITIES

SAN PEDRO

WILMINGTON

ISSUE

Extraction

LAND USE

INDUSTRIAL

RESIDENTIAL Leaking Fuel Contaminated Soil

The DFSP is now a brownfield site, remaining dormant and negatively impacting the surrounding residents and environment. However, this land holds significant potential for redevelopment that could benefit both the community and the ecosystem.

HARBOR CITY

RANCHO PALOS VERDES

STRATEGY: PHYTOREMEDIATION

PHYTOREMEDIATION PROCESS

PHASING PLAN (3O YEARS)

PHASE 1

Populus tomentosa Chinese White Poplar

Morus alba White Mulberry

Roots pulling up contaminants from the soil

As the trees grow, their roots absorb contaminants from the soil and store them. These trees have deep roots and grow quickly, making them perfect for cleaning up contaminated soil.

PHASE 2

Subsoiling compacted soil for optimal root growth.

Introduce Mulberry Silkworms and Mulberry Trees to aid in soil fertilization.

Allow time for soil fertilization and tree growth.

Introduce Poplar trees to accelerate the remediation process.

MULBERRY SILKWORM REMEDIATION PROCESS

The mulberry silkworm feeds on mulberry leaves, and its body breaks down contaminants during digestion. The excreted droppings act as a natural fertilizer, enriching the soil and creating a nutrient-rich environment for plants.

Assess tree health and conduct soil testing to monitor remediation progress.

Harvest mature trees to utilize their resources.

Process harvested logs into lumber. Utilize processed lumber in the construction of on-site structures.

PHASE 3 PHASE 4

Droppings

Mulberry Silkworm

Mulberry Leaf

YEAR 0

YEAR 15

YEAR 30

YEAR 5

YEAR 20

LEGEND:

Forest Development

YEAR 10

YEAR 25

The extraction sites, where underground fuel tanks are stored, are the most contaminated areas. This makes them the most optimal starting point for the phasing plan. Over time, the forest gradually expands from these points, eventually covering the entire area.

Fuel Extraction Point

Model demonstrating site growth over 30 years

Model was constructed with my partner Miguel

This sawmill aims to redefine the industrial typology in San Pedro, embracing a more sustainable and restorative approach This rendering envisions how new infrastructure could emerge following the 30-year phasing plan.

The 3D model was created with Miguel, I was responsible for the rendering.

HARVESTED LOGS

The logs harvested from phytoremediated trees are transported to the site for storage.

LOG STORAGE

Harvested logs are stored under solar panel shade structures and prepared for processing.

MANUFACTURING FACILITIES:

SAWMILL

The logs are processed, and the lumber is distributed to designated areas for further processing or shipment.

SHIPMENT

Lumber & lumber products are prepared for distribution to customers.

LANDSCAPE MECHANISMS:

HOMEWARE

Manufactures furniture, home goods, etc.

STATIONARY

Manufactures office supplies, utensils, etc.

CONVEYOR

Transports lumber & products throughout site.

SAWMILL

Process logs into lumber.

SALT SPRAY BUFFER

Coast live oaks, large and salt-tolerant, will buffer salt spray and protect wooden structures.

SOLAR PANEL STORAGE

Provides shade for the logs and generates power for the site.

02 GREENING A METROPOLIS

Exploring Relationships between Plants & Urbanism

Location: Chinatown, Singapore

Year: Summer 2024

Category: Dangermond Research Fellowship

Type: Research

Collaboration: Individual

This research was self-guided and funded by the Dangermond Research Fellowship. During my time in Singapore, I attended a lecture by Joshua Comaroff, where he explored various urban typologies in the city. His discussion on the heat-island effect in Chinatown piqued my interest and sparked the direction of my research. Through intensive mapping and site analysis, I was able to identify the root causes of the heat-island effect. These findings informed my understanding of potential mitigation methods.

The primary contributor to the heat-island effect in Chinatown proximity to the Central Business District. As future continues, the heat is likely to worsen due to infrastructure wind flow from the Singapore Strait and the reduction the area.

POPULATION (PAST 10 YEARS)

5,649,880

LEGEND:

Chinatown is its development infrastructure obstructing of green spaces in

CENTRAL BUSSINESS DISTRICT (CBD)

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

CHINATOWN

ISSUE: URBAN DEVELOPMENT

The dark terracotta roofs that reach high temperatures due to solar radiation.

The surrounding buildings reflect the heat onto Chinatown.

The abundance AC systems cause anthropogenic heat accumulation.

The metal and glass surfaces of buildings absorb the sun’s heat.

The cooling wind is blocked by high-rise buildings.

Cool coastal winds flow from the Singapore Strait into the to the CBD.

MITIGATION STRATEGY

The unfortunate conclusion of this research is that there is no drastic solution to completely halt the urban heat island effect unless urban development ceases. However, strategically implementing vegetation can help mitigate its impact by cooling the ambient temperature around bus stops and MRT stations. By altering the material that intakes sunlight, surface temperatures can be significantly lowered. The landscape systems belows are techniques that can be used to green Chinatown.

VERTICAL PLANTERS

MODULAR GREEN ROOF

Vegetation + Growing Medium

Filter Fabric + Drainage Panel

Water Storage

Interlocking System

03 YUCCA CREST

Interpretive Design on Cahuilla Land

Location: Mountain Center, California

Date: Spring 2024

Category: Studio Project

Type: Ecological Design, Planting Design

Collaboration: Individual

Camp Scherman, nestled in Mountain Center, California, has long been a landscape of memory, fostering deep connections across generations. For those who have lived, visited, or explored its terrain, the land holds a profound, almost familial significance. Originally home to the Cahuilla people, it sustained their livelihoods and cultural traditions for centuries. Their enduring bond with the landscape tells a story that deserves recognition and integration into contemporary design practices. Now serving the Girl Scouts of Orange County, this project seeks to honor the land’s sacred history while educating future generations on its cultural significance.

PLANT STUDY

LEFT

The Chaparral Yucca was chosen as the inspiration for a unique Girl Scouts program. This plant was essential to the Cahuilla people, offering numerous practical uses. Its leaves were processed and braided into strong, durable ropes, showcasing the resourcefulness and ingenuity of indigenous traditions.

BOTTOM

This bracelet and necklace were crafted using traditional methods, providing a hands-on program for the Girl Scouts. Through this activity, they can engage with the land while learning about the cultural heritage and craftsmanship of the Cahuilla people.