Portfolio for Ng Ho Kwan 2019 - 2021
UUN: s2442348 Application for Master of Landscape Architecture nghokwanlayla@outlook.com
Personal Statement The role of landscape architects is critical in the building of healthy cities. Professionally
During my time as a junior architectural designer at BLEND Architecture Limited, we
speaking, it is the art of integrating natural humanities, and the preservation of the
focused more on humanism and user experience on the urban planning and design
ecosystem. For me, landscape architecture is about creating cities, streets, parks,
scale. I have participated in several projects, including feasibility study, landscape
and public spaces. It aims to protect the natural environment and provide healthy
design, and urban renewal, which give me a deeper understanding and knowledge
living and wellbeing for people. With four years of in-depth professional study and one
of urban construction. For example, the slow traffic and mobility system planning
year of work experience, I determined my goals for further study. I hope to strengthen
in the Songshan Lake provides mobility solutions to connect the research district.
my professional ability by being exposed to diverse approaches to a broad range of
It allows for the slow mobility system to be part of urban life. After this experience,
environmental and contextual challenges.
I think that not be limited to landscape design but to solving urban problems from a broader perspective.
Undergraduate study in landscape architecture at The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) gave me a preliminary understanding of
I realized that landscape architecture is a discipline that combines multiple design
landscape architecture and I gained a lot of basic knowledge of the discipline. Through
fields and disciplines. The most important thing to become a professional landscape
the systematical study, I gradually participated in different scales of landscape
architect is to continue the in-depth study and practice. Continuing my studies in this
design, from park design to landscapes in urban contexts, urban regeneration, and
field is actually a perfection of my undergraduate studies, which will help me to have
sustainable landscape design.
a better understanding of the industry. The solid basic skills and broader horizons are helpful for me to become a professional designer in the future. I am prepared to gain
I am most interested in topics related to landscape restoration and sustainable
more experience from practice and expand my theoretical and creative thinking to
landscape design. With the acceleration of urban development, there have a
explore the landscape space further, balance the city, human and nature, and return
lot of areas that only consider functional development, but ignore their original
the sustainability of urban self-development.
characteristics. This has led to the destruction of the local natural environment. In my final year project, I focused on discovering the characteristics of the Xichong beach in Shenzhen since all the commercial beaches are characterless. Therefore, I combined the characteristics of natural-based coastal protection methods and the needs of surfers and villagers, to make this area a unique sustainable surfing beach. In my future study, I should continue to explore a variety of fields in landscape architecture that I am interested in.
2
Ng Ho Kwan
Contents
Email: nghokwanlayla@outlook.com Education Background The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi)
2017-2021
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Landscape Architecture
01 The Surfing Bay of the Rising Sun
Proposing sustainable natural-based solutions for coastal protection Location: Xichong Beach, Shenzhen China Year of Completion: 2021 Type: Coastal Protection, Sustainable Design, Natural Disasters
Main Courses: Parks Design, Urban Regeneration, Sustainable Landscape Design, Graduation Project, Visualisation, Ecology & Plants, Materials & Construction, Site Engineering, Horticultural Practice in Construction, GIS & Land Analysis, Western Landscape Architecture, Eastern Landscape Architecture, Details & Design, Practice: Law & Management
River Restoration in Kam Tin
Work Experience BLEND Architecture Limited (Junior Architectural Designer)
06/2021-Present
Otherland Limited (Intern)
06/2019-07/2019
Suzhou Gold Mantis Construction Decoration Co.,Ltd (Summer Intern)
02 Live With Water Location: Kam Tin River, Hong Kong Year of Completion: 2020 Type: River Restoration, Revitalization, Sustainable Design
07/2018
03 Energizing Central Ground Space Under Central-mid-levels Escalator
Honors & Award 2020-2021 Dean’s List 2019-2020 Dean’s List
Location: Central, Hong Kong Year of Completion: 2019
2018-2019 Self-financing Post-secondary Scholarship Scheme
Type: Urban Regeneration, Landscape in Urban Contexts
- Talent Development Scholarship(Degree) 2017-2018 Entrance Scholarship - Tier 3
04 Other works
Extracurricular Activities Landscape Architecture Student Association, Chairperson
2019-2020
Skills
Year of Completion: 2019-2022 Type: Feasibility Study, Masterplanning, Campus Study, Landscape Design, 3D Model & Rendering, Physical Model
Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Rhino, Sketchup, Lumion, Enscape, AutoCAD, Revit, Twinmotion Adobe Dreamweaver, Microsoft Office 3
01
Pier Bus Interchange Station
The Surfing Bay of the Rising Sun
Travel Spot
Travel time( Public Transportation)： 3-5 hrs Need to transfer three times
Proposing sustainable natural-based solutions for coastal protection Subject Name: Landscape Architecture — Graduation Project Year of Completion: 2021 Supervisor: Claudia Juhre (claudia.juhre@gmail.com) Aim and objective: Xichong Beach is the only surfing spot in Shenzhen. Taking ecological restoration as the starting point, by balancing between humans and nature, the beach aims against the more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events with natural-based solutions.
Driving time： 1-5 hrs depends on traffic flow
Pengcheng East Dongshan Dameisha
Project Location
Yangmeikeng Site
China
Shenzhen
Xichong Beach Moonbay
Natural dune dynamics Analysis Foredune
Dry beach at high tide
Erosion Escarpment
Steep Foredune to Normal Foredune Site
Storm water level High tide Low tide
Origin
al bea
Xichong Beach
ch lev
el
Offshore bar
Pre-storm profile
During a storm
After the storm
Current Condition
Sand is transported offshore to form bar
Longer term dune recovery Dune vegetation trapping sand to rebuild dune
Steep Sand Dune Sensitive Area
N Damaged Area
Overdevelopment Blocked Surfing Zone
Buildings damaged by Typhoon Mangkhut
4
Pollution
Framework
The non-permanent accommodations built in front of the windbreak forest
1 Reasons to took 2 years to reopen/rebuild/ restore
Pollution
Site Status
Total annual traffic flow 504000 cars/year
After Typhoon Mangkhut attacked in 2018
2 3
Time of Tourism/ Surfing May - Sep
Transforming Restore River Bank Change people mindset ( No hard structured facilities after 2025) No Car Park Provide Service Use moveable structure Faster recovery than Typhoon Mangkhut 2018 Provide Eco-toilet Change the target users Surfing Beach Natural Beach
Concept Diagram
Site Analysis Coastal windbreak system
Golden Week 35000 cars/day
Steep Sand Dune
To Restore Clean up damaged area + Planting + Dune-Forming Fence Defensive topography Reinforce the beach against external threats Combat the sites resilience challenges
Flooding Analysis
Movable facilities
Dune and Movable facilities
ge
Temporary Accommodation
la Vil To
Protect the Surfing Zone Sand dune & Windbreak forest
Extreme tidal level (6.79M)
Casuarina equisetifolia
Storm surge flooding area (0.5-2M)
Wetland/Aquaculture Pondd
Circulation
Storm surge flooding area (3M)
Damaged Area River P P
River
FOREST
ea
ToS
P
FOREST P
Main Road Secondary Road N
Walkway
Damaged structures Sandy Beach
Increase Walk Experience
Preserve the Existing Forest 5
Parking
Parking
Ri
ve r
Re st o
ra tio
n
2075
Tr ai
No car entry
lt
Tra il
2040
River Restoration
ot
he
be
ac
h
Vegetation Barrier to
th
eb
ea
ch
Vegetation Barrier
ove
Rem
Surfing School
es 2020 ctur stru all
Surf Break Area
Sustainable Strategy
Visitor Center
Building as barrier under storm Storm
1
Public Beach
Storm Damage Original building location
2 Sand Operation
Sand Capture Build with recycled materials
Transforming Process With Storm and for Storm
N 0
25
50
100M
More frequent storms
2020
2030
2040
2075
Typhoon Vongfong
Typhoon Bolaven
Typhoon Megi
Typhoon Dujuan
Remove Hard Structure Re-establish the coastal area Remoove Car Park
Habitat Wetland Growth Sand Machine River Restoration
Habitat Wetland Growth
No Car Entry Visitor Center Rising and migrating with sea level
3 Sediment
Accumulation
4 Rising and Migrating
with Sea Level Rising
Sea Level Rise
Transforming Landform Dune-forming Fences/ Protective fences
Dune-forming Fences
Protective fences
Materials: Porous material attached to plain wire strained between light wooden slats.
Recommended Location
Sand accreted by a fence or recycled from beach Increase accretion rate by vegetation recovery
The normal limit of wave run-up
Cheap Simple to install Easy to maintain
Plain wire
Use on beaches where will have wave damage
Wire mesh
Use on beaches where the risk of damage is negligible
Greater deterrence Strong
Use on beaches where there is minimal risk of wave damage. Around surf clubs and public amenities
Excellent appearance Strong Durable Low maintenance
Post & rail
Support posts buried at least 1m into the beach
Pros
Cons Lesser deterrence Easy to rust High maintenance cost Poor appearance Easy to rust Difficult to lift High initial costs
Ready-made units storm surge sediment Secondary Vegetation Zone
ay Lifted Walkw s ce
Du
en gF
in
m
r fo
ne
Beach
Sensitive area Although nature-based solutions(NBS) are far less effective than hard engineering techniques, it is more sustainable than it works with nature and at lower costs by saving raw materials. Compared to concrete-based solutions, NBS can be easily adapted as sea levels rise and grow that can combat the sites resilience challenges. 7
Natural-based Solution Dune-forming Process
Original building location Building as barrier under storm Sand Capture
Build with recycled materials 1. Storm Damage
3. Sediment Accumulation 8
2. Sand Operation
4. Rising and Migrating with Sea Level Rising
Sand Dune Stabilization Intervention: Re-establish the coastal area Planting
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL
Divide and transplant dune species within the same zone type every spring and fall. TRANSPLANT ZONING STABILIZED ZONE
SPRING GROWTH
DIVIDE AND TRANSPLANT
DIVIDE AND TRANSPLANT EMBRYONIC DUNE
STABILIZED ZONE/ SECONDARY VEGETATION ZONE
DIVIDE AND TRANSPLANT
SECONDARY VEGETATION ZONE PRIMARY VEGETATION ZONE EMBRYONIC DUNE Acacia confusa
STABILIZED ZONE
Tertiary Vegetation
Pinus massoniana
Lophostemon confertus
SECONDARY VEGETATION ZONE
Secondary Vegetation: The storm shutter
Machilus chekiangensis
Castanopsis fissa
PRIMARY VEGETATION ZONE (foredune)
Casuarina equisetifolia
Ipomoea pes-caprae
Vitex rotundifolia
Spinifex littoreus
EMBRYONIC DUNE
Dune wall provides lateral shelter WIND
Foredune
Macaranga tanarius
Hibiscus tiliaceus
Clerodendrum inerme
Pandanus tectorius Parkinson
Scaevola taccada
9
Provide Service/ Fast Recovery Ready-made units
Supporting Service Functions of Scenic Spot
Tourism service center & Management
1
Emergency Medical Station
Ready-made Unit
This type of under dune facilties create space for different types of programs. 10
Eco Toilet
2
Viewing Spot
Combination
It can be organized into different spaces as required.
Cafe
3
Surfboard Rental
Extreme Weather Events
If the dune is breached, it can easily be reassembled and the dune formation process begins again.
Surfer’s Village to Xichong Beach
Main Entrance
Ready-made units
Xichong Beach Under Storm 11
02
Live With Water
Ecological Distribution
River Restoration in Kam Tin (Hong Kong)
Forest and Natural stream
Subject Name: Theory: Research & Design Year of Completion: 2020 Instructor: Dr. Ann ZHANG, Bosco SO, Sylvia NG (sylvia_ng@thei.edu.hk) Aim and objective: Early conceptions in river management appeared to prioritize efficient work which disturbs the ecosystem since it was an anthropogenic transformation. In order to preserve the ecosystem and enhance the Kam Tin River sustainability, the design will focus on the restoration of the Kam Tin River in Hong Kong, includes the naturalistic river and water purification system. Location: Kam Tin River located in the northwest New Territories in Hong Kong is a river to the east of Yuen Long, near Kam Tin. The river basin spans around 44.3 km2. The length of the river is about 13 km.
- Upper reaches of the River - Country parks - Natural streams - Abundant ecosystem (eg.freshwater trout, amphibian, insect animals, and Riverine fauna) Cultivation HK Wetland Park
- Traditional farming/Organic farming/Recreational farming - Farmland has ecological value - Attract animals such as birds - May affect water quality (chemical fertilizer)
Nam Sang Wai
Channelization Meandering River
Channel
Floodplain
Concrete River bank
Kam Tin River Cultivation Mangroves
Before
After
- Natural state - Flooding issues in the past decade - Influence people’s life/ farmland
- Channelized - Solved the flooding problem. - Influence ecosystem
Existing Problems The lower course of Kam Tin River
- A foraging site of waterfowls is formed at low tide - The riverbanks are popular locations for viewing mangroves, mudflat fauna, and small animals on the mudflats Fishponds
70.5% Fish species decreased 27.9 Bird species decreased 44.3% Native species declined 42.6% Native species declined
Species Decreasing
Abandoned farmland
Lose connection
Bad water quailty E.coli
Wastewater
History of Drainage improvement works The old channel of Kam Tin River
N
Changes after channelization
Flooding in Kam Tin area Tai Lam Chung Catchwater
- Wildlife watching hotspots -There can find Dragonflies, birds, and fish. Egrets, seagulls, and Great Cormorants tend to be seen in different seasons, which shows a high ecological value
After Channelized Existing Kam Tin River
2000s 1970s
1960s REDUCE WATER FLOW 12
DRAINAGE DEVELOPMENT
The gov built Tai Lam Chung Catchwater to reduce water flow.
RIVER EXTENSION
1990s
2010s
MORE RIVER REVITALIZATION
COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION Water Pollution Control
Catchment Area Discharge more rainwater
Typology
Site A: Nam Sang Wai
Site B: The old Kam Tin River channel
Birdwatching hotspot
Site B
Meanders through the southern edge
Site A Site C: West Rail compensatory wetland
Site D: Kam Tin River downstream
Site C Site D
- Next to Kam Tin River - Collect Water
- Concrete river bed - Bad water quality
Site E Site F
Site E: Kam Tin River section at Wing Hing Wai
Site F: Kam Tin River Upper course
- Next to the residential area
Framework
1
River Revitalization Strategies
Drainage System
Filtration
Transit Facility
- Natural stream Selected area
Community Green Way
River Landscape Node
To Filtrate Natural River Bed + Wetland + Filtration - Water Filtration System - Floating Reed Bed- E.coli - Sluice to collect water
2 3
Reconnect Natural River Bed Water Filtration for irrigation Constructed Wetland
Drainage Channel
The detention main lawn
Constructed wetland
Filtration system
Filtration system
Set grading road system
Elevated bike lane
Enhance river bank accessibility
Enhance river bank accessibility
Enhance river bank accessibility
Type 1
Type 2
Education and Commercial aspect Public Space + Wetland Leisure + Water - Close to water - Level change - Flood Room
13
Space for communities Access to water Close to nature Chance to sport
River Restoration Water Level Change The concrete river channel will propose to restore, which has a natural river bed. In the dry season, people can be more close to the river to have some activities. On rainy days, as the water level rises, the river becomes dangerous to approach. According to the design strategy, Kam Tin River proposes to have some flood room, which has a different level with steps, it will become a new playing area for people. Also, there have a series of floating reed beds to purify the water to solve the existing problem of bad water quality with E.coli.
Dry Season Water Level 0.3m
Distribution of Activities
Dry Season Water Level 0.6m
Important Nodes
Flooding Season Water Level 1.3m
Drainage System
Filtration system Type 1
Connection
The detention lawn
Flooding Season Water Level 2.1m
Inland wetland Enlarged Plan Filtration system
Water Play Zone Water Play
Type 1
Filtration system Type 1
Filtration system Type 2
Filtration system
N 0
40M
Elevated bike lane
Sightseeing Trail
Drainage Channel
Distribution of Activities
Access to water
Filtration System Water Play
B
Treatment Wetland
River Landscape Node
Space for community Space for communities
B
Open Theatre
Community Green Way
Leisure Walkway
Access to water
Natural Steps
Close to nature
Reedbed System
Connection
Riverwalk
Lawn
Chance to sport Distribution of plant species
N
Cynodon dactylon
Paspalum thunbergii
Farmland
Hydrocotyle verticillata
0
Cyperus involucratus
Planting on the waterfront and treatment wetland is mainly for purification and view. Plants have strong purification ability and ornamental value. Considering different water conditions in the dry season and rainy season, rainwater plants should be both wet and dry tolerant. Strong roots, stems, and leaves are required to grow in flood.
10M
Myriophyllum verticillatum
myriophyllum Hymenocallis speciosa
Chrysopogon zizanioides
Acorus gramineus
Iris pseudacorus
Lythrum salicaria
Buffer
Canna indica Thalia dealbata
Miscanthus sinensis
Open Space Deepwater zone Shallow water zone
Terracing River Bed Semishallow water zone
River in Dry Season Section B-B 15
Water Filtration Method Treatment Wetland
Filtration
Treatment Wetland Section Filtration Process Surface Water Flow
A
Pipe
Surface Water Flow
A
Day 1
Gravel
Type 2
Pipe
Inlet
Pipe
Day 2
Day 3
To Farmland Water Flow Coarse Gravel
To River
Horizontal + Vertical Subsurface Flow
5
m
Water Flow
1
r ve Ri
40M
3 n Ti
30
Vertical Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland
2. The campsite sewage pumped into the first settling pond, slowly flows to the second settling pond through the rocky water inlet 3. The water slowly passes through a serpentine pond
m Ka
Coarse Gravel Sand Coarse Gravel
Outlet Pipe 20
d
2
Type 1
10
lan
4
Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland
0
1. To collect water
Fa r
Outlet Pipe
Inlet Pipe
Day 4
Type 1 - Wetland Constructed wetland
Free-water Surface Constructed Wetland
Inlet Pipe
Outlet
4. Ponds that are covered in tall wetland plants which can filter nutrients from the water 5. Detention Pond, and discharged into the River/ farmland
Type 2 - Free-water surface flow method Natural River Bank + Detention Area The concrete wall has blocked the linkage from nature, which will affect the water quality, biodiversity, and be limited to the low-flow channel. Therefore, river restoration is important for the area to attract wildlife such as birds and fishes to enhance biodiversity.
Before
From River
Clay liner Root protection
Hard-edge 16
A-A River Filtration
After
Terracing
Plants with strong purification ability
Community Green Way
Riverfront Plaza
River Leisure Walk
River Landscape Node
River under rain season
Natural Steps
17
03
Energizing Central Ground Space
Site Analysis
Commercial Uses
Residential uses
Bus Station
Hot Spot
Fewer users use
Central Market
Residents/ Visitors Workers
Active user Leisure user
CE
Subject Name: Studio: Urban Regeneration Year of Completion: 2019 Instructor: TSAI Ya Tung (yatung.tsai@thei.edu. hk) Background: Central (also Central District) is the central business district of Hong Kong.
Site Observation
NT R ES ALCA MI L A DTO LE RS VE LS
Under Central-mid-levels Escalator (Hong Kong)
N
Tai Kwun
The Central-Mid-Levels escalator and walkway system provides an improved link between the Central and Mid-Levels on Hong Kong Island. Apart from serving as a mode of transportation, the system is also a tourist attraction and is lined with restaurants, bars, and shops.
Site Location
However, the ground space under the escalator is rarely used. This project aims to improve the walkability of the space and provide different activity zone for users.
Weakness 1. The site is dominated by hard pavement and lacks greenary 2. Lack of walkability under the footbridge 3. The corners are piled up with clutter
Traffic Analysis
SWOT Analysis Strength 1. The escalator separate the use of fast mode and slow mode 2. The site connects to various of restaurant/ bar/ cafe
8:00~11:00 Having breakfast, go to work and jogging
Flow Heat Analysis
Opportunities 1. It can be used as a temporary event planning area with the surrounding mature business 2.It can provide open space for people eg. seating out area Threats 1. Poor lighting, surrounded by high-rise buildings
Dr Sun Yat-sen Museum
11:00~14:00 Eating, socializing and taking a break
14:00~18:00 Sitting, going shoping and playing
18:00~22:00 Getting off work, eating and shopping
PMQ Central Market 18
CENTRAL-MID-LEVELS ESCALATORS
22:00~3:00 Drinking and having party
Design Strategy & Elements
Provide Wider Space
Sitting-out area
Open Theatre
Steps
There has a lot of clutter on the existing Cochrane Street, half of the space is unusable, which results in a loss of walkability. It proposes to extend the existing road in the car-free zone. Also, the bottom of the footbridge needs to upgrade by using a distorting mirror, etc.
On the existing road, there have parts of stairs for seating. However, since the existing environment is not attractive, only a few people use that space. Therefore, it should be combined with other upgrades to energize this space.
As the whole site is under the Central-Mid-Levels Escalator, there are four places to connect to it. There have opportunities to provide spaces with lighting design for the community.
It connects to the stairs which go to the escalator. As residents and travelers are only using the escalator, not many people use the area under the footbridge. It provides one more exit for people who get down from the footbridge to use the space.
Top view from the bridge. It provided stairs in different directions to increase walkability
The existing area is surrounded by restaurants and bars and connects to Tai Kwun. It has opportunities to provide space that combine with stairs for people to enjoy their food or hang out.
Stage This is from the Escalator exit to Cochrane Street. The opposite view to the Steps.
It can be used as a temporary event planning area with the surrounding mature business. It can also attract people to get down from escalators to energize the space.
19
Enlarged Plan Provide more platform for people to increase walkability
Space Under Stairs
Ramp to increase walkability
Temporary event space
Selected planting species for shade area
+ 18.4 + 16.7 + 22.4 + 21.4
Enlarged plan area + 23.4
From the Escalator N
0
1.5
3
4.5
6M
Perspective
Shops
As the place is surrounded by commercial buildings, it aims to provide more space for workers to rest. It keeps the modern paving and adds a lot of pocket space for different activities. Cochrane Street is part of the project, mainly changed the walking flow, added planting, and have temporary performance space. The overall street under the Central-Mid-Level Elevators will also apply the design strategies and elements that are shown in the panels. 20
Temporary event space
Open Theatre Keep the existing Sitting-out area
04
OTHER WORKS 2019-2022
Slow Traffic and Mobility System Planning Feasibility Study | 2021
Footbridge Lighting Study Rhino + Lumion | 2022
3.10 Օܴۅঌऋ 3.10 Sustainable Strategy F+B shop front
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இ⢨הङࡴԈԚ Mini Park for community activity in shade
ਘࣀଷ哢 Natural Shade Cover for climate control
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वԧҋਘࣀڋଳङଷஆՃج૨ৈߣं֛ݶ ߋߕڏଭ The Loop shade structure made of recycled ZRRG IRU ZD\¿QGLQJ
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Use of native vegetation cover to absorb heat and water help biodiversity
ଥࡊۅவ
ଥࡊۅவ
Permeable Pavement for stormwater management
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ࡊਰⴃ Raingarden
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Permeable Pavement for stormwater management
ࣿہ䀒֪ (OUY]GRK ࡊਰⴃ Raingarden
Dogness Headquarters Campus Landscape Design Concept Design, Schematic Design | 2021
Permeable Pavement for stormwater management
ࡊਰⴃ Raingarden BLEND | URBAN STANDARDS107
Physical Models Design Studio: Urban Regeneration | 2019
Campus Design Concept Design | 2021
21