LAURENBROWN
Lauren Brown brownlm6@hotmail.com (804) 536-2787
TABLE OF CONTENTS LANDSCAPE BARKITECTURE
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THE VILLAGE AT CARDINAL DOWNS
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THE MOM’S CHILDREN’S GARDEN
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TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
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ARTWORK
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LANDSCAPE BARKITECTURE In response to the growing dilemma surrounding urban companion animal management, municipalities are beginning to designate specific locations to offer dogs an opportunity to play, socialize, and exercise off-leash. Current dog park establishment practices utilized by municipalities typically give little consideration to the multiple needs of canines. The focus of this project is the introduction of new guidelines for designing urban dog parks to support the multiple needs of dogs and their owners.
implementing behaviorally, mentally, and physically responsive dog parks. This new approach to dog park design does not offer prescriptive answers, due to local conditions such as demographics, presence of special interest groups (agility clubs), the size of the park system, and the number of dog parks in the system. What this study does offer is a framework and the supporting background for the development of unique dog park design.
The review of canine needs and current practices for dog park development inform the creation of a new set of design guidelines. These guidelines serve as a model for
These guidelines are applied and tested with the design development of a new dog park in Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Design Development The project site was chosen for its connection to a larger park system, as well as for being surrounded by medium density housing. This offers park visitors an opportunity to expose their dogs to new experiences on and off leash. The linear formation of the site promotes travel along paths, in turn encouraging exercise. The southern portion of the site, which is adjacent to the Franciscan Hermitage, would need to be quieter, while the surrounding neighborhoods are already buffered from the northern portion. Some thick underbrush will need to be removed to create open areas and views unto the site. Existing parking along Fall Creek Parkway creates an opportunity for entrance gates. The understanding of constraints and opportunities from site inventory, and the development of a comprehensive program, helped in understanding
how a dog park could be situated within the surrounding context. This guided decisions for determining suitable locations for the passive and active dog zones, location of entry gates, and connections to the surrounding neighborhoods. By providing separate areas for active and passive dogs, active dog owners are able to allow their pets to run freely, while protecting less active dogs who may not be suited to the enthusiastic play of other breeds. There is a designate open lawn area for event space, which provides a source of revenue through hosting dog competitions (agility, obedience, flyball) and training classes. The event space is located adjacent to both the active dog zone and the passive dog zone, which allows the event space to be used if one of the other zones needs to be closed due to maintenance.
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Active Dog Zone 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Digging Area Playground Swimming Area Woodland Prairie Open Lawn Splash Pad
Flexible Zone 8 9 10 11 12 13
Event Space Coffee Shop/Dog Bakery Prairie Pond Playground Woodland
Quiet Zone 14 15 16 17 18
Woodland Prairie Wading Pond Playground Open Lawn
Master Plan 9 2 1
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9 10 11 13 15
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0
200’
400’
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Site Flexibility
Active Zone Active Zone
Event Space/Flexible Event Space/FlexibleZone Zone
Quiet Quiet Zone Zone
Regenerative RegenerativeZone Zone
Active Zone
Event Space/Flexible Zone
Quiet Zone
Regenerative Zone
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The design process previously illustrated on page seven was the basis for placement of the three zones within the dog park: the Active Zone, the Quiet Zone, and the Flexible zone. As shown in the site flexibility diagram, these zones are designed to link with one another so that areas could be blocked off for regenerative purposes. The patrons of the dog park would have access to all six environments during these times. By providing six environments in all three zones, the park users are ensured a variety of experiences within a five to ten minute walk from the entry gate. The following is a discussion of each zone. Please refer to the plan on page nine for the layout of each zone. The Active Zone The Active Zone provides an area for unrestricted play and occupies about seventy five percent of the park. All six environments are incorporated to promote a well rounded exercise experience. Altering the terrain near the two main entrances enables the dog’s muscles to warm up, helping prevent injury. These areas can also offer a safe zone or protection for dogs.
The playground area is equipped with a variety of obstacles. These obstacles are grouped according to the type of exercise they promote. Although aerobic exercise and anaerobic exercise fulfill some of the same purposes, such as toning muscles and strengthening major muscle groups, they ultimately have separate functions. Jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and towers help develop flexibility and endurance; where as pulling and climbing structures contribute to strength training. The playground area satisfies certain innate behaviors of the Herding, Working, Non-Sporting, and Toy dog groups. The play equipment has been designed for easy removal or relocated for maintenance or other purposes. The digging area is positioned within the playground because it fulfills similar needs as the play equipment. Certain terriers and hounds are bred for the purpose of digging vermin out of holes. This is a specialized behavior that is not always desirable. By having a low seat wall, which lines the perimeter, and one access gate, dog owners can decide whether their dogs enter this area or not. The wall also constrains the dogs to one location for digging. Fallen logs are placed in the center of the sand ring, which imitates the environments where rabbits and other vermin live. It is important to place
these logs far enough away from the walls, prohibiting dogs from jumping out of the area. The Active Zone contains two types of water activities. There is a constructed stream that varies in depths. The area near the dock is approximately four feet deep providing a safe space for the dogs that enjoy jumping into water such as the Retrievers. The stream becomes more shallow as it reaches the social gathering area. The shallow water offers an opportunity for the dog to cool off during hot days. Walking in shallow water is excellent exercise for dogs which have arthritis or other joint problems. The splash pad is located at the southern end of the Active Zone. This location provides a focal feature for visitors entering through the main gate. It also ensures access to water if the northern portion of this zone is closed for maintenance. The movement of the water in the splash pad appeals to herding breeds and sighthounds. By surrounding it with trees and seating, the splash pad becomes a social gathering area centralized within the dog park.
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The open lawn adjacent to the splash pad provides space for uninterrupted games of fetch. During regeneration or other special uses of the park, there is sufficient room for the playground obstacles to be relocated to this area. There are warm up hills located near the entrance which also act as a visual barrier to the event space. There are seats positioned along the main pathway, allowing visitors to observe the games occurring within the open lawn.
this area,accessed by a service entrance. The coffee shop and dog bakery are located at the main entrance, facing the greenway to encourage business from not only the dog park patrons, but also from the surrounding community. This area serves as the main social node within the park. There is a deck off the southeast edge of the building, where visitors can sit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while observing the event space, splash pad, or pond.
There are two pavilions located within the Active Zone. The one positioned among the prairie offers a more secluded environment for owners who choose not to socialize. The other pavilion near the shallow end of the stream acts as a gathering shelter.
The Quiet Zone The Quiet Zone is for smaller or older dogs which require a lower level of physical activity. Five environments are incorporated to promote a well-rounded exercise experience, but digging is not included because of its high-energy nature. Since the energy level of the dogs in the Quiet zone is lower than in the Active zone, each environment is allocated a smaller amount of space. The entire zone occupies approximately ten percent of the dog park.
The Flexible Zone The Flexible Zone acts as a transitional area within the dog park. The open lawn provides room to host agility competitions, training courses, and pet owner education courses. There is amphitheater seating on the west side of the lawn, protecting viewers from harsh afternoon sun. Trees line the outside of the seating area to provide shade during the hot summer days. Storage of agility and maintenance equipment is adjacent to
The water activity in the Quiet Zone is a wading pool. The deepest point in the pool is approximately one foot. This will accommodate smaller dogs, as well as allow larger dogs to lie down in the water. Walking in shallow water is excellent exercise for dogs which have arthritis
or other joint problems. Dogs within this zone do not need a large lawn for running. The lawns in the Quiet Zone are designed for lounging in the sun and socializing with people. In the lawn there are warm up hills for the dogs to climb. These hills introduce a sense of elevation before the smaller dogs go on to play. The playground in the Quiet Zone is designated for climbing and perching. This allows the dogs to sit on an elevated surface and overlook their surroundings. here is also a secluded private area. Being enclosed by trees and a wall, this acts as a refuge from the rest of the park. This area is for owners who like to sit alone reading or engaging in other solitary behavior. The pavilion provided fosters group activities and allows owners to sit or stand while watching their dogs play.
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Design Layers
Existing Trees Proposed Trees Proposed Trees (outside of park) Grass Lawn Prairie Plantings Prairie Plantings (outside of park)
Vegetation
Pavilions Pavilions (outside of park) Buildings Playground Structures Digging Area Water Activities
Main path Secondary path Foot path Entry gate Service gate
Circulation
Built Structures
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1 “Private Room”
2 “Playground”
3 “Swimming Pond”
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4 “Event Space”
THE VILLAGE AT CARDINAL DOWNS Ball State University is considering options for the development of a remnant farm property which has become surrounded by the residential and commercial development north of the main campus and athletic complex. A yield plan developed by consultants indicates a potential to develop the site with approximately 350 dwelling units. However the housing market
is satureated for large lot single family homes, and the University is considering other options, including the development of an innovative, low impact or conservation oriented community. Mardet studies indicate highter demand for townhouse and loft apartments, small house/small lot (single family and 2 family) residential.
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Design Development Site drainage concerns, an interest in maintaining some of the site’s current productivity, and the need for neighborhood and community green space warrant approaching the master plan for the site with greater flexibility than traditional zoning ordinances might allow. I looked at the relationship between different programmatic elements and analysed the way they work together. With this information, I came up with three perfect situations/concepts. Concept B was best fit for the solution. Then, I altered the concept to fit within the boundaries of the site.
Site Analysis
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Programmatic Relationship Diagram
Perfect Diagrams
Residential Units Organic Grocery Fitness Center Urban Farms
Daycare Offices
Coffee Shop
a
b
c
Master Plan 22
Community Garden
Recreation Field
Green Way
Garden Playground Day Care Center Commercial Zone Community Pool
N. Everette Dr.
Fitness Center
a1
a
b
Commercial Zone b1 Bus Stop
Farmers Market Organic Market Community Garden
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Greenway Continues to Community Garden on the other side of Schiedler Apts.
Community Garden
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The Village at Cardinal Downs is an innovative, low impact, conservation orientated community. The goal of this project is to gain LEED-ND credits. By utilizing greenways and woonerfs, a pedestrian and bicycle focused community is created. This neighborhood promotes interaction between Scheidler Apartments and the community to the North East by offering
commercial shops and extensive public green space. The thrieving commercial area serves the proposed community, as well as people from the entire city. This neighborhood provides a demonstration on community gardens and stormwater management. By offering community gardens and shared green space between housing units, this community is socially responsive to neighbor interaction.
Design Layers Green Space
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Land Use
Green Space Commercial Mixed Use
N. Everette Rd.
Rain Garden
Service Road
Row House
Row Houses Single Family
Bicycle Circulation
Bicycle Lanes Greenways
Mixed Use Building
Public Walkway
Design Sections Section of the Residental Area (a-a1)
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Duplex
Green Way
Street
Section of the Commercial Area (b-b1)
Commercial Building
Public Walkway
Rainwater Capturing Sculpture
Commercial Building
Public Walkway
Street
THE MOM’S CHILDREN’S GARDEN Motivate Our Minds is an after school and summer program for students in the Whitely neighborhood of Muncie, Indiana. One of the important educational tools utilized by the program is their children’s garden. Teachers at MOMs use the garden to educate students about healthy eating, the economic benefits of growing one’s own food, as well as the gratification a little hard work can bring. MOMs acquired a small pavilion to
construct in their garden and came to Ball State with a vision of expanding their small garden by turning it into a space that could be used for other outdoor learning opportunities. The site is located on the corner of North Burns Street and East Lowell Street, just a few blocks south of the Motivate Our Minds building. The site was being used for their children’s garden, but was in need of a redesign.
Photo by: Michael Gibson
Design Process 28 Photo by: Michael Gibson
Existing Conditions An interdisciplinary group of Landscape Architecture and Architecture students were brought together to create a new design for the existing garden. In order to assess the needs and desires for the new garden design, the class held a short design charette with the students from MOMs. The needs expressed during the charette included shaded study areas, resting places in the garden, outdoor classroom space, sustainable watering systems, and more planting areas. Another challenge faced by the group of students was designing flexible structues which could be moved at a future date. The students excavated a rain garden and the area for the foundation of the pavilion. Gabions were used as a foundation for the trellis system, seating,
Design Charrette and the foundation of the pavilion. The gabions were constructed on site and filled with recycled CMU rubble. All elements on the site needed to be removable in case the garden should ever relocate. The gabions were the alternative to using traditional concrete foundations. Once the foundations were in place, construction on the pavilion began. Seats and tables were constructed between several of the trellis elements to provide space for students to do class work outdoors. The cable system overhead will provide shade once vining plants are established. A cistern was installed to capture rain from the pavillion’s butterfly roof.
Pavilion Installation
Drawing by: Craig Graybeal
29 Photo by: Ned Brockmeyer
Trellis Installation
Trellis Details
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Photo by: Katie Chase
Completion A lighting system was added to the inside the pavillion. The photovoltaic panels located on the roof of the pavillion provide power for the lighting system. The lighting allows the space to be used in the evening and also provides some additional securrity for the garden. Photo by: Katie Chase
Picnic Circle
Lighting System
Pavilion Seating
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TECHNICAL DRAWINGS
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Through my education at Ball State was the on-site management of all University, I have become proficient in the surface runoff utilizing appropriate 95.94 use of Autocad, Google SketchUp, and LID strategies. The Anderson, Indiana 95.51 ArcGis. The following images illustrate Local Flood Protection Project required my capability to construct grading plans, a redesign and layout of an existing 95 91 planting plans, and planting details. parking lot. The parking lot was located 92 Both projects shown in this section deal within a floodplain which caused a need with parking lot layout and drainage. Planting forArea plants which could withstand long 94 93 93.78 The Muncie periods of inondation. The specified 94.00 2% Community Center project 94.14 94 required a grading and drainage solution 94.14 plants not only possess this capablity, 94 Planting Paved 94 but also offer an aesthetically pleasing Area 93.69 for the given design and layout. One Parking Lot 93.55 (typ.) 93.78 of the challenges faced by this 93.85 project environment year around. 93
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2.5 %
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HP 96.20
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Bollard (typ.)
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Upper Level FFE Lower Level FFE
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COMMUNITY CENTER
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Integral 6" Concrete Curb/Walk (typ.)
TW 96.00 BW 93.00 93.43 93 93.43
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Glass Stair Tower
Rain Barrel
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Entry Drop-Off/
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The Muncie Community Center
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Planting Area
Anderson, Indiana Local Flood Protection Project Canoe Launch/Parking Lot
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1) TAX-D
28) EQU-H 33) CAR-G 33) IRI-S 37) EQU-H
0 SCALE: 1”=50’
50’
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Planting Plan and Details Shrub Detail
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Remove Burlap from top 1/3 of ball Berm
20) EQU-H 36) IRI-S 1) TAX-D 19) CAR-M 20) EQU-H
Mulch
Tilled soil Min 12” deep
6” Min
Tree Detail
2) COR-SC
Root Crown at 1-2” above grade 2” Settled Layer of Mulch
1/3 Tree Height
1) QUE-B
Wide Nylon Webbing
2”x2” Wood Stake below grade
20) EQU-H 19) CAR-M 1) TAX-D 20) EQU-H 36) IRI-S
Tilled soil Min 12” deep
2x Width of Rootball
ARTWORK Through my art, I am passionate about documenting relationships between nature and the urban setting. As one who has lived in both rural and city environments, I know the important and unique aspects of both situations intimately. I find it important to document these settings through my drawings and weavings. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in textiles from Virginia
Commonwealth University. Through this, I received training in varied techniques in the fibers department. I have always been drawn to elements of nature, whether they are natural or manmade. This dedication led me to a career in landscape architecture. This background has flowed into a collection of compelling, autobiographical artwork. This interdisciplinary approach to art allows me to investigate my concepts and ideas in great depth.
Weavings 38
My current inspiration for my work draws from the massive consumption and discarding that is prevalent in today’s American society. Perhaps my Native American ancestry urges me to examine the materials, which are normally cast off as trash, to reveal their beauty and usefulness as art. I am currently drawn to tea bags for the unpredictable, selfadministered surface design. In addition, I am using dried orange peels to create a dimensional environment that would otherwise
be flat. This work is a reflection of my thoughts both socially and autobiographically. In terms of process, my work examines the marriage between surface and structure. Using my woven fabric as a blank canvas allows me to overcome the technical limitations of weaving. Utilizing both organic material and scrap fabric, I put an emphasis on texture and form. The flexibility of woven materials has always captivated me, along with the variety of fibers.
“Ritual Sash”
“Nest”
“Entanglement”
“Breakfast”
Travel Sketches
Haus der Kulturen der Welt Berlin, Germany
The Fred & Ginger Building Prague, Czech Republic
A collection of five to fifteen minute sketches was created during a three week trip through the north eastern part of Europe. These sketches were used as partial fulfillment of an independent study through the Department of Landscape Architecture at Ball State University. Through this experience, I learned how sketching can serve as a pertinent means of documenting life experiences. I have continued to sketch, capturing moments which have contributed to the person I am.
The Dom - Cologne, Germany
Building seen from the train
The Charles Bridge - Prague, Czech Republic
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