PORTFOLIO | 2018 SUNY ESF | JACK C. KENNEY
SKILLS
EDUCATION GRADUATED MAY 2014
C. W. BAKER HIGH SCHOOL
ADOBE PROGRAM
-REGENTS DIPLOMA
-PHOTOSH
-ILLUSTRAT ANTICIPATED GRADUATION DATE: MAY 2019
-INDESI
-BLA LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE -MINOR IN ENVIRONMENTAL WRITING
ABOUT ME
My name is Jack Kenney, as of writing I am a 4th Year in SUNY ESF’s five year BLA Landscape Architecture Program. My interests in the field include theme park and experience landscape design, sustainability, urban parks, environmental conservation and restoration. My general interests include wildlife and biodiversity conservation, history, paleontology, horticulture, along with pond and water garden design.
SUNY COLLEGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & FORESTRY
AUTO CA
SKETCH-U
RHIN
WORK SUMMER OF 2013 TO PRESENT
I have had a life-long love of art, constantly sketching, drawing and painting. As well I love to read and learn about new subjects and ideas. All of these interests have accumulated in my studies and work within my experiences JUNE 2017 TO PRESENT at college. This portfolio is essentially the story of what I have learned at my time at ESF, what skills I’ve gained and how I have grown as a designer since beginning this journey.
KENNEY GEOTECHNICAL SERVICES
-Primary responsibilities are geotechnical lab and field work -Also responsible for landscape maintenance, and any other odd jobs around the office that need to be done
HOME DEPOT
MICROSOFT OFFIC
PRESENTATION SKIL
DRAWIN
HAND SKETCHI
-Primary responsibilities are customer service; helping customers with finding products, cutting lumber and WATER-COLOR PAINTIN assisting with the movement of large and bulky items MODEL CONSTRUCTI -Also responsible for cleaning department and helping other employees
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Marsh Walk
Onondaga Creek Walk
Buffalo Creek Corridor
Veteran’s Memorial Park
Neus Hotel Pages 17-18
Koi Pond & Other Works Pages 19-22
Pages 1-2
Pages 11-16
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Artwork Pages 23-30
Pages 3-6
Pages 7-10
WALK IN THE MARSH The First Design Project in Studio
The first true design project I was assigned came in the form of the Marsh Walk. A phragmite infested marsh located in the nearby Berry Park, our goal was to make an interesting site intervention that let visitors walk through and appreciate their surroundings. The challenge was clear from the beginning; how do you create a great experience intervention in such an undesirable location? But for me that was the fun of the challenge, how could I make this site interesting or fun? My design is about the journey rather than the destination, with the boardwalk at first elevated above the phragmites, giving the visitor a nice sweeping view of the marsh before descending into it. From there the path is elevated only several feet above the saturated ground, allowing someone to be in the marsh without having to get their feet wet. With phragmites growing in the middle of the path in certain sections, the boardwalk is meant to feel like an extension of the marsh itself. Finally a rope-bridge at the end adds a unique and exciting element to the walkway, before the visitor exits the marsh.
Above: A section of the entire marsh transect. Left: Cross sections of the path through the marsh. Far Left: A section detail of the current conditions of the marsh, unfortunately no actual mammoth skulls were found. Page 1
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SKETCHBOOK PAGES Creek Walk Sketchbook
It was with the Onondaga Creek Walk project that we were first required to keep a sketchbook. I have been drawing and sketching for most of my life, so it was a fairly easy habit to pick up. But this was when I first learned how to sketch down ideas, record notes and thoughts in a way that is efficient and helpful. A sketchbook is where an artist or designer works out there ideas, which is exactly what I did when confronted with the many design problems that were presented in this project. As well I did a great deal of note taking, and some doodling. But overall the sketchbook itself ended up becoming a key component in the project, showcasing my thoughts and explaining my reasoning for the design choices that I created.
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CREEK WALK
Connecting a City Through Water Within the city of Syracuse, the Onondaga Creek runs right through the city before emptying into the nearby Onondaga Lake. However the city of Syracuse has not embraced the creek in anyway; in most areas the creek is built around, channelized or buried without a second thought. The goal of this project was to turn this way of thinking around, using design to illustrate how incorporating the creek as a part of the city could benefit the ecosystem and the city as a whole. With our given site, where the creek was ten feet below street level, we were tasked with creating a design that brought people to the creek and engaged with the surrounding landscape. Along the creek (just outside of the site) is the MOST or Museum of Science and Technology, which is an education center with historical and scientific exhibits, the target audience primarily being children and their families. In order to relate the project to the surrounding landscape and educate the public about the history of the creek, I wanted this creek-walk to be an outdoor exhibit for the MOST. One of the most popular exhibits at the MOST are their life-size dinosaurs, and so because of that I decided to do an exhibit based on the ice age fauna of Syracuse. Hence along the creek walk are life size replicates of the mastodon, Irish elk and giant ground sloth, all species that would have been found in the area that would become Syracuse during the last ice age. Besides having an elevated walkway, there are areas to launch kayaks to travel the creek itself. Finally, there is open park space, whose grade is brought down to the level of the creek. This allows people to interact with the creek, and have the creek interact with the city itself.
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Above: A view of the park area, which includes the Irish Elk exhibit and the kayak launch. Left Top: A view of the elevated walkway, with the Giant Ground Sloth exhibit. Left Bottom: Another view of the elevated walkway, with the Mastodon exhibit. Page 6
BUFFALO CREEK Revitalization Corridor Project Collaborators: Gracey Lauren Braden Mungeam Joshua Wilcox The Buffalo Creek Corridor Project has a lot in common with the Onondaga Creek Walk Project, except the Buffalo project was at a much larger scale. The Scajaquada Creek runs through the city, but it is almost entirely channelized underground with the sewer system. Working in a team of four, the project called for the daylighting of the creek, finding a way to make the creek’s ecosystem healthy again and finally using the creek area to revitalize the area economically, which has suffered a great deal since many of its factories shut down. For my section of the site (top right corner) I chose to remove all of the garbage and rundown building except for the steel beams and foundation that made the skeleton of the old Otis Elevator Factory. Using this form I created a public space and surrounding park, which include meadow plantings, flower beds and an urban forest, all using native plant varieties. Another structure on sight that I chose to preserve was an old water tower. In a parody to the infamous Warner Bros. Water Tower, I marked this water tower with a “RK” shield, in reference to River Keepers, the firm that we worked with during this project who have been working with this site for quite some time now.
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Below: The master plan for the creek corridor. Below Left: the River Keeper’s Water Tower.
Bee
Office Complex Otis Park
er Garden
Elev
ated
Wal kw
ay
Office Complex
Scajaquada Creek Corridor
Juvenile Detention Center
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BUFFALO CREEK Revitalization Corridor Project
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The other main product I was tasked with was d master plan. This included the park I designed, d the Scajaquada Creek (below), showing the new h and the economic sector, which includes office bu
detailing specific areas throughout the dubbed “Otis Park� (right), a section of habitat variants in and around the creek, uildings and a beer garden (left).
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MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Lazarus Park Project: Re-wilding & Restoration
The Veteran’s Memorial Park Project was a semester long assignment focused on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, near Cape Cod. Although the focus of this project was the park itself, the site extended beyond into what became known as the Mud Creek Corridor. This Corridor included the park, Lagoon Pond, the water body that connected them together as well as the surrounding area. The project was focused on three main systems in this area: Hydrology, Habitat and Circulation. To begin I listed the goals I wanted to achieve for the project in relation to these three systems. This was eventually made into the Venn diagram graphic seen at the right. But my basic goals for the project overall were to mitigate and direct the flooding that occurred throughout the park area, restore ecosystems throughout the corridor to improve the health of Mud Creek and increase biodiversity, and finally improve circulation throughout the site by creating a system of walking paths throughout the site corridor.
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Entrance Area
Downtown Area
Lazarus Park
Salt Marsh Basin Sports Green
Mu
dC
ree
Lagoon Pond kC
orr
ido
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Residential Neighborhood
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MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Lazarus Park Project: Re-wilding & Restoration One of the main problems with the site is that it has issues drawing in visitors. This is due to the park being almost completely surrounded by buildings and lacking any kind of official entrance. Since none of the buildings could be moved, I decided to create an area that could act as the official gateway to the park. Utilizing a vacant lot on between the park and street, I gently brought the grade down to the level of the park (about six feet) and created an arching green-roof to act as the welcome arch to the park (see below). As mentioned previously native planting was a large part of this project, this was in fact the first studio project that required a planting list. My plant list included several different habitat gradients that were mixed together. A sample of this planting plan is seen below right. Baptisia tinctoria Vaccinium angustifolium
Solidago speciosa
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Quercus stellata Quercus ilicifolia
Eupatorium perfoliatum
Iris versicolor
Comptonia peregrina
Echinacea purpurea
Panicum virgatum
Schoenoplectus robustus
Typha angustifolia
Zizia aureus
Aster ericoides Carex pensylvanica
Schizachyrium scoparium Elymus virginicus
Lobelia cardinalis
Juncus gerardii
Morella pensylvanica
Hibiscus moscheutos Rudbeckia hirta
Danthonia spicata
Spartina alterniflora
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Iris fulva
Hamamelis Prunus maritima virginiana Gaylussacia baccata Cornus racemosa Spartina patens
Limonium carolinianum
PLANTING PLAN FOR PARK
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MARTHA’S VINEYARD
Lazarus Park Project: Re-wilding & Restoration
1. Genetic Engineering Page 15
2. Exhibit
3. Re-wilding
Native Grasses
Pathway
Before Heath Hens
Heath Hen Aviary
Sandstone Terracing
Native Grasses
Pathway
After Heath Hens
Wildlife Observation Area Sandstone Terracing
One of the boldest moves of the project is the incorporation of the Heath Hen De-extinction project. The heath hen was a distinct sub-species of prairie chicken that lived on Martha’s Vineyard before going extinct in 1932. However the non-profit organization Revive & Restore, which aims to save species through genetic rescue, currently has a project in the works to bring the Heath Hens back to life by using preserved DNA and using domestic chickens as surrogate parents. The ultimate goal would be to reestablish a small self-sustaining population on Martha’s Vineyard. The heath hen was an indicator species for the sandplain grassland habitat; meaning it played a vital role in the health of the ecosystem that cannot be filled by any other known organism. So by reintroducing the heath hen to the island, you are actually revitalizing an entire ecosystem filled with unique species. The heath hen project could be incorporated into the park as an exhibition that could help call attention to the many threats faced by the islands ecosystems. When re-wilding an animal, they must first be housed in a holding pen to accumulate to their surroundings before being released to fend for themselves. This holding pen could be built within the park, where more people could visit the birds without disturbing them in the wild. After the exhibition is over, the space where the heath hen aviary once stood could be reused for a number of purposes. For example it could be a wildlife observation area, ideally located since it is completely surrounded by meadow habitat on all sides. It may seem far fetched, but the Heath Hen De-extinction project could be vital tool in resorting habitat and better familiarizing the public with the natural world around them. Page 16
NEUS HOTEL
Exercise in Construction Documentation
Collaborators: Remington Lynch Joanne Pereira-Melo Jacqueline Olivia Pinner
During the Spring Semester of my senior year, the studio work was entirely dedicated to re-learning and perfecting our skills in Auto-CAD and attaining all the necessary knowledge concerning construction documents. Although neither of these subjects are on my “favorites” list, they were both areas I had been struggling with in general. So I saw this semester as the chance to improve my skills and knowledge. It turns out I did in fact learn a lot, and the Neus Hotel project gave me the chance to showcase all of the information and abilities I had attained. The final assignment for the semester, this group project involved putting together a complete construction documents booklet with all the required drawings, notes and information. The project work was divided up between the four of us, I ended up with all the work and drawings relating to the planting plan and soils plan. As well I assisted with researching building materials as needed. I also came up with the name for the “firm” we worked under during this project, “Gaia Design”, and even created a logo for us! The sample pages and drawings seen here are taken right from the final booklet, and include the final planting plan for the project as well as the three zoom in sections of that planting plan. Overall I am very satisfied with the end product; it took a lot of work, but it shows that I am very capable when it comes to Auto-CAD.
Left: The zoomed in sections for the Planting Plan. The total area was quite large, and certain areas (namely the plaza space and the front of the hotel) required detail beyond what could be seen in the main plan.
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Above: The entire planting plan for the Neus Hotel Project.
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BUILDING A KOI POND A Project from before SUNY ESF
In the summer of 2013, before I even began my freshmen year at SUNY ESF, I fulfilled one of my life long dreams. I built my very own koi pond in my backyard This project is very important because it is the project that made me want to become a landscape architect. As I said I had so much fun building it, for me it captured the perfect blend of art and science. Of course in retrospect there are many things I would change. For example, I definitely would have made the pond deeper so the fish could stay outside during the winter. Right now I have to bring them inside and keep them in holding tanks for the winter months (bottom far right). At least that way I can get good pictures of them! But I don’t regret doing any of it for a second, the whole project was (and still is) a learning experience. It taught me something invaluable; the beauty of the landscape around us and the ability we have to change it for the better.
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OTHER WORKS
Children’s Book about Dinosaurs
These sample pages are part of a project I have been working on and off on since my junior year of college. Essentially I am working on writing, illustrating and eventually publishing a children’s book about dinosaurs. I have been fascinated with dinosaurs since I was a kid, and I hope I can help spread that passion to the next generation.
Dilophosaurus Wetherilli
Pronunciation: dil-Lowf-oh-sore-us Meaning: Two Crest lizard
Diet: Carnivore | Length: 23 ft. (7m) | Weight: 900 lb. (400 kg) Lived: Early Jurassic, 195 mya | Fossil Location: Arizona, USA
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(Left) Dilophosaurus compared to a 6 foot tall adult and a 3.5 foot tall child.
(Left) Stegosaurus compared to a 6 foot tall adult and a 3.5 foot tall child.
Stegosaurus Armatus
Pronunciation: Steg-oh-sore-us Meaning: Roof lizard
Diet: Herbivore | Length: 30 ft. (9m) | Weight: 2.2 tons (2,300 kg) Lived: Late Jurassic, 150 mya Fossil Location: USA & Portugal
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ARTWORK
Done in Class and Out The following pages consist of some of the art work that I have done. As I have already stated I love to draw and paint, it is something I am always doing no matter where I am. The works seen on the following pages were made before and during my time at SUNY ESF. It is a talent that I use both for both professional and personal work, and it is a hobby I hope I can utilize for the rest of my life. I hope you enjoy viewing these works, I certainly had a lot of fun making them! The two notable works on the immediate right are pieces I won awards for. The top piece is a clay and wood statue title “Killer Klowns� which I won a silver key for in the Scholastic Art Competition. On the bottom is an acrylic painting of tropical fish called cichlids. It placed 2nd in the New York State Fairs Art Competition the Nature category. Both were made when I was in high school.
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“This world now belongs to the CRIME SYNDICATE!” -Ultraman
Justice League: Trinity War
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“The environment is everything that isn’t me.” -Albert Einstein
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THANK YOU FOR READING IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT:
EMAIL: jckenney@syr.edu PHONE: 315-720-4807