LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
18485932
Studio 2B Keeley McHale
2020
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN TASK: Swinford (Enhancing the presence of local rivers and a connection to the River Moy) Introduction
Green Infrastructure Development Concept
Greenway Perspective
Swinford is located in County Mayo in the west of Ireland, It is accessed primarily by the N5 and N26 road and has the major river Moy in close proximity. The town of swinford has over 60 different clubs within the local community. The population of swinford is of 1,430 as of 2011, showing a decline and that there are less young people and more elderly.
Swinford Location Map
My main conceptual idea is the transformation of the old railway line as its a main artery of transport through the town of swinford. By transforming the old railway line
Swinford
into a greenway not only provides recreational bene-
By creating green borders along all trails and the new po-
fits to the town but allows for biodiversity to be enhaced.
posed greenay it creates corridors to connect ecosystems
This can be achieved by planting many native plants
throughout swinford and increase the migration and inte-
along the edges of the greenway. The larger plan is to
gration of wildlife.
create a route throught the town that connect all different
By choosing to use the same planting species along all the
types of facilities and areas to eachother which can then
corridors, allows for the free movement of select species
benefit and greater amount of people, such as the com-
who need these types of planting to live.
petition site, historical areas (ringfort), graveyard etc.
Swinford, Mayo, West of Ireland. 2
Swinford Green Infrastructure Development Plan Greenway Access Point
Proposed Greenway over Existing Rail Line
New Walking/Cycle Routes 1.
Exsisting Walking Routes
Greenway Access Point
GraveYards:
2.
1. Kilconduff Cemetary 2. Paupers Graveyard 3. Protestant Graveyard
Playgrounds:
10.
4. Swinford Playground 5. Muga Playground
9. 3. 4.
Sports and Recreation: 6. Swinford Golf Club 7. Swinford GAA 8. Swinford Amenity Park 9. School Sport Facilities 10. Handball Court
Greenway Access Point
8.
Woodlands including Brabazon Woods 6. 5.
Waterways
7.
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Swinford (Reuse of the former railway line as a greenway) Planting
Greenway Section
Birch (Betula Pendula)
The town of swinford is home to a large woodland known as the brabazon woods. It also has
Oak (Quercus robur)
Daffodil (Narcissus) Daisy (Bellas perennis)
large areas of comercially forested land around the outskirts of the town which could be identified as patches of ecology and linking these patches through the se corridors can be done through the use of corridors. All the fields and land surrounding the town are bordered by hedgegrows which are areas of ecoligical benefit while being areas of biodiversity.
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PART 2: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE DETAILED DESIGN COMPETITION: Swinford Introduction
Clooonlara Shield
Inspiration from Swinford Stone Alignments Corlee
Precedent Studies
The Garden of Cosmic Speculation Charles Jencks and Maggie Portrack House, Dumfries, Scotland.
Procession of the Souls
Cells of Life by Charles Jencks at Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh,
Cells of Life by Charles Jencks at Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh,
Scotland.
Scotland
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Conceptual Sketches
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Green Infrastructure Surrounding the Site
Fossits
Existing hedgerows and Trees
Existing Corridors and points of vegetation to provide refuge for fauna
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A
Plan of Detailed Design
B A
B 8
Section A:A
Section B:B
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Planting and Vegetation Trees: 1. Silver Birch (Betula pendula): Narrow trunk and high canopy, grows to 30m, bears catkins from April-May, Striking white bark, light canopy provides growing conditions underneath, provides food and habitat for more than 300 insects, hole nesting birds often nest in its trunk. 2. Aspen (Populus tremula): High canopy and narrow trunk, grows to 25m, leaves transition in colour from copper-green-vibrant yellow over the seasons, leaves produce a sensual noise in the wind, attracts a wide variety of insects. 3. Scots Pine (Pinus Sylvestris): Grows 30-40m, thrives in poor quality soils, evergreen coniferous species, bears a brown cone, favoured by the red squirrel. Barrier Planting/ Hedgerows: 4. Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa): Large shrub, thorny unapproachable thicket giving valuable protection to species growing beneath it, blossom appears in March, provides refuge for small mammals and nesting birds. 5. Hawthorn (Crategus monogyna): Fast growing, can be grown as a shrub, its berries in winter provide food for wildlife, flowers in mid-May, produces a white scented flower, native to Ireland, its prickly dense thicket provides refuge for fauna. 6. Gorse (Ulex europaeus): Native shrub, thrives in acidic soils, yearlong yellow flowers but denser in spring, flowers are coconut scented, Gorse provides protection for birds
such as yellow hammers, and attracts pollinators.
13. Feather reed-grass (Calamagrostis × acutiflora “Karl
River/Wetland:
Foerster”): A clump-forming deciduous perennial grass with
7. Bulrush (Typha latifolia): Tall, upright reed like plant,
flat, arching leaves
grows long narrow green leaves, distinct fluffy flower which
to 90cm in length, Bronze flowering panicles that fade to
resembles a brown cylinder, filters toxins from water it grows
pale brown.
near.
14. Miscanthus sinensis: A deciduous or evergreen grasses
8. Common reed (Phragmites australis): Flowers Au-
with tufted or spreading habit, erect stems bearing arching,
gust-September, produces tall stems with green leaves, the
linear leaves and
tall stems remain in winter, perennial, native, produces a
terminal panicles of silky spikelets in late summer or autumn.
feathery flower head, purifies water, provides cover for
15. Elephant grass (Miscanthus Flamingo): Solid mass of
birds and other organisms.
grassy stems, topped with masses of large heads of flower,
Ferns:
has yearlong interest
9. Broad Buckler fern (Dryopteris dilatata): Native, semi-ev-
as it is particularly elegant in winter.
ergreen, triangular-shaped fronds, which are coppery-red
16. Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’: A tall elegant deciduous grass,
when young and
greyish-blue summer foliage gives way to many shades of
slowly mature to dark green, grows well in wet locations.
yellow and then
Grasses:
finally beige tones in winter.
10. Yorkshire Fog (Holcus lanatus): Flowering June-July,
17. Eupatorium cannabinum: works well combined with
perennial, native, dense feathery flower heads, densely
Panicum ‘Heavy Metal’, tall, hairy perennial, grows well
tufted stems.
near rivers and wetlands,
11. Marsh Foxtail (Alopecurus geniculatus): Flowering
robust red stems,broad flat heads with small pink flowers,
June-September, perennial, native, short purplish flower-
blossom from July-late September, native.
heads, grows well in wet or marshy grounds. 12. Red Fescue (Festuca rubra agg.): Flowering May-July, perennial, native, tufted grass, branched spreading flowerheads, fibrous at base of tufts, many flowered spikelet’s which can be red in colour. 10
Mounds with Vegetation and Trees
Central Standing Stone Surrounded by Birch
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Green Infrastructure Surrounding the Site
Circulation
Views
Model Photos
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Swinford Town Map
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PLANTING DESIGN TASK 1 : SITE ANALYSIS
EXISTING G.I AND CONCEPT/THEME DEVELOPENT
- The site is adjacent to a river which indicates that there are moist ground conditions.
The river at the edge of the site incorporates key ecological processes and functions as a living system. It acts as a natural filtration system for water from the grounds of the site which includes the carpark and the gardens and provides aquatic habitats for biodiversity such as fishes and frogs. Water run-off from within the Gardens is captured by the lake system and cleansed by aquatic plants before being discharged downstream, this process can also help the threat of pollution from the proximity of the car parks to the river. Naturally treated water from this system is also used in the built-in irrigation system for the Gardens. This system can raise awareness of the value that aquatic plants play in nature, and highlights the significance of clean water in sustaining biodiversity. For these reasons I am choosing this as my main theme and planting pallet for my podium roof as the area will be quite waterlogged due to the lack of drainage therefore creating a similar habitat to that of next to the river, which creates consistency throughout the site. DIAGRAM OF SYSTEM
- The comprises of two different areas a garden sloping down to a river and a roof podium over a concrete car park basement. - The area is next to a main office building therefore will require the area to be designed to accommodate for a lot of footfall at peak times throughout the day. - Due to the large amount of people resilient planting will need to be chosen to take on the conditions of the area. - There are roads adjacent to two sides of the roof podium this needs to be considered when choosing planting next to footpaths and roads. -There is already an existing palette of flora and fauna present along the river which can be treated as two different ecosystems within one: - River ecosystem of flora, fauna and aquatic living things. - Vegetation along the river banks creates an ecological corridor of vegetation which is an asset for all living things in the area providing two good G.I assets currently in place on the site.
USERS OF THE SPACE SUNLIGHT STUDY
ENTRANCES AND EXITS N
CIRCULATION STUDY N
SET
Vehicular Entrance
Main Building Entrance
RISE Vehicular Entrance 14
Roads through carparks 2 way Main road through site 2 way Road adjacent to site 2 way
N
PLANTING PLAN OF SITE
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GENERAL PLANT TYPES AND PERFORMANCE CRITERIA • The site is adjacent to a river which indicates that there are moist ground conditions. • Some of the plants required must be resilient and able to cope with the quantity of people that pass through the area as they will possible rub up on or step on these plants. • Along one edge of the site there will be medium sized trees that obscure the view of the carpark to create more of a naturalistic feel while leaving the other side of the site open for views down towards the river which allows there to be a link in the planting between both areas. The trees used will be native to the site to provide cohesion. • There will be areas of Plug plants on the roof as these are great for both podium roofs and Biodiversity . • Not all areas will be incredibly most as to allow more variety and also to cater for most of the water traveling down the slope towards the more aquatic variety in planting, there will be an area of plug plants and a wildflower blanket as these both don’t require huge mediums of soil to grow, and the increase the biodiversity of the area creating a habitat for bees, butterflies and reptiles.
PLUG PLANTS
NATIVE TREES
WILFLOWER BLANKET
RIVER FLORA
SECTION THROUGH SITE
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PLANTING DESIGN TASK 2 : PLANTING PLAN ZONING Planting Zone 1 and 2 • The planting necessary for this area must be able to cope with moist soils. • Some of the plants required must be resilient and be able to cope with the quantity of people that pass through the area, as they will possibly rub up on or step on these plants. • These plants will be close to walls so they are required to be suitable to shady areas. • These plants must also be able to reach high in these areas.
1
3
Planting Zone 3, 4, 5 and 6 • The planting necessary for this area must be able to cope with dry. • Along one edge of the site there aremedium sized trees that obscure the view of the carpark to create more of a naturalistic feel while leaving the other side of the site open for views down towards the river which allows there to be a link in the planting between both areas. The trees used are be native to the site to provide cohesion.
4 6
2 5
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PLANTING ZONE 1 AND 2 Grasses
Perennials and Bulbs
Convallaria majalis Cimicifuga racemose
Moisture loving plant, Preferring partial shade and moist soil. Grows to 25cm in height. In spring it produces bell-shaped flowers followed by red berries.
This plant has an affinity for moist, partially shaded growing areas. It has sharply serrated leaves. It commonly grows to approximately 4 to 6 feet tall.
Galium odoratum
Hemerocallis
Mimulus aurantiacus
This plant is commonly used as a ground cover in shady areas. They like moist but well draining soil. Plants typically grow 8-12� tall and feature fragrant, lanceshaped, dark green leaves.
They are characteristically tough and tenacious plants. They prefer slightly acid soil but are adaptable.
It is a bushy evergreen shrub with narrow leaves. They bloom profusely over a long season from spring through summer. It grows to approximately 3 to 4 feet tall.
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Chasmanthium latifolium
Northern sea oats is a decorative grass. It gows to approximately 4 feet tall. Its a shade tolerant plant that is very hardy.
Sorghastrum nutans
Is a warm-season clump forming type of grass. This plant matures to a height of up to 6 feet. Tolerant of a wide range of soils. Foliage turns orange in autumn and retains hints of color into the winter.
Schizachyrium scoparium
Spartina alterniflora
This plant has very reddish-brown flowers, that appear in late summer. The whole plant turns orange-brown in autumn. It grows to a height of approximatly 3 to 5 feet.
Smooth cord grass is a grass with stems that are stiffly erect, and it grows to approximateky 3-5 feet tall.
PLANTING ZONE 1 AND 2 Ground Cover
Ajuga reptans
Its good for smothering out weeds while adding exceptional foliage color and blooms. It’s also good for erosion control. It is a perennial that grows 15cm in height, forming a wide mat of dark green.
Perennials for standing Water
Gelsemium sempervirens
It has stems that can exceed 20 feet. The glossy leaves stay green all year, providing dense coverage for the supporting structure.
Galium odoratum
Bacopa monnieri
This is a low-growing plant and therefore a great groundcover, with whorls of narrow, pointy leaves on square stems. It grows to a height of 3 to 5 inches.
This is a perennial, creeping herb plant native to the wetlands. It can grow in slightly brackish conditions. It grows to a height of approximately 1 foot and likes damp conditions.
Typha angustifolia
This reed-like plant is commonly seen in rivers, canals, ditches and marshes throughout the countryside. This plant grows to a height of 150cm.
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Canna
This a a long-lived perennial herbaceous plant, that grows to a height of 90-180 cm. It is usually found at swamp and wetland edges, streambanks and other moist areas.
Helianthus angustifolius
Hibiscus
It is a large perennial that can grow up to 8 feet tall with showy yellow daisy-like flowers from mid to late summer into autumn. Daisy-like flowerheads are 3 inches across with 15 to 20 yellow ray florets.
The leaves are alternate, ovate to lanceolate, often with a toothed or lobed margin. The flowers are large, trumpet-shaped, with five or more petals, red, and from 4–18 cm broad.
Pontederia cordata
It is a vigorous, deciduous, emergent marginal aquatic perennial that typically grows 2-4’ tall. It is native to quiet waters at stream and pond margins. KEELEY MC HALE LARC 20160
PLANTING ZONE 3, 4, 5 AND 6 Perennials
Astragalus canadensis
This plant is stout, erect-stemmed, often branched herbaceous perennial. It grows to a height of approximately 1 to 4 feet .
Trees
Asclepias involucrata
It prefers dry or moist soil. It is a low-growing species, inhabiting dry, often sandy places. Leaves are quite distinctive, being grey-green in color, the upper surfaces are essentially hairless.
Schizachyrium scoparium
Symphyotrichum laeve
Festuca ovina
Viola adunca
Anaphalis margaritacea
This is a durable warm season bunch grass. Plants are upright or densely mounded with many vertical culms that grow from short rhizomes. Spring leaves and stems often display an blue colour.
Stems are usually unbranched with variable, mostly toothed, smooth, bluish green foliage. Small flowers with violet blue to purple rays and yellow center disks appear in open, loose, panicle-like clusters in autumn.
Branched flowerheads with many-flowered, small green or purplish spikelets. Short, narrow, inrolled leaves with short, blunt ligules. Sheaths split more than halfway to base. or rhizines. Height 8-30cms.
The compact arrangement of 5–40 mm round-ovate blunt-tipped leaves, edges generally crenulate, on 5–70 mm stalks, and pale to deep violet flowers are characteristic of the species.
An upright, clump-forming plant that features attractive, narrow, woolly, silver-gray foliage and tiny flowers with yellow center stamens arranged in flattish clusters. Late-summer bloom.
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Betula Pendula
Populus tremula
Undemanding trees, which after about 50 years have reached their final height of about 25 meters Silver birch is found in sparse deciduous, coniferous and mixed forests.
It is a medium sized deciduous tree that grows tall. Oval to nearly round leaves are coarsely toothed. Leaves emerge with copper-brown hues, but mature to graygreen.
PLANTING DESIGN TASK 3 : Convallaria majalis
PLANTING PLAN
Cimicifuga racemose Galium odoratum
Astragalus canadensis
Mimulus aurantiacus
Chasmanthium latifolium
Asclepias involucrata
Sorghastrum nutans Schizachyrium scoparium
Spartina alterniflora Hemerocallis
Symphyotrichum laeve
Schizachyrium scoparium Ajuga reptans
Festuca ovina
Gelsemium sempervirens
Viola adunca
Galium odoratum Bacopa monnieri
Anaphalis margaritacea
Typha angustifolia
Betula pendula
Canna Helianthus angustifolius
Populus tremula
Hibiscus Scale 1:200 21
Pontederia cordata
KEELEY MC HALE LARC 20160