connect / collect fragmented habitats
spike grass marsh aster sea lavender marsh orach black grass
snowy egret great blue heron tern glossy ibis bufflehead black duck plover
manipulating the ecotone
alewife ribbed mussel blueback herring soft-shell crab smelt razor crab bass
raccoon red fox muskrat meadow vole Core and critical habitats (depicted above) are separated by vast extends of urban development. This limits the capacity of these fragmented landscapes to support the diversity of species that they might if they were composed in a larger network. By manipulating the ecotone, or border regions, of these landscapes (core, critical, developed) it is possible to increase the interaction and migration of plant and animal species.
rumney marsh
ecotone 0
ecotone 1
ecotone 2
increased border exposure, greater species interaction
overlapping border exposure, habitat pockets allow species interaction
minimun border exposure, limited species interaction
habitat connectivity infrastructure Habitat (and its associated benefits to biodiversity, storm water management and recreational use) can be linked by large features such as river corridors, woodland and other substantial tracts of seminatural habitat. This planning is a large-scale view of landscape and urban infrastructure. These features should be connected to one another by preserving existing links or creating additional linkages in the landscape. Smaller features such as hedgerows, streams and treelines that are identified at the habitatscale can form additional linkages. In order to do this, landscape and ecological features should be taken into account within the regional framework of planning.
proposed site
Isolated cores can become linked networks. Infrastructure supported corridors can link isolated cores, support and wetland zones into large-scale systems for habitat, water management, and humanuse. These corridors can be designed to utilize existing natural and man-made features. Existing transportation infrastructure can link this network to the greater metro area in two key places OAK GROVE and WONDERLAND. These nodes can then become entry points for recreation and natural systems education.
T T
species supported exclusively by state core habitats & wetlands individual animal species individual plant species
distribution of fragmented e habitats
Massachusetts has 47 rare wetland-dependent species, such as the bald eagle, the Plymouth red-bellied turtle, and the piping plover. Of these rare species, 28 are animals and 19 are plants.
core habitat Habitat in the vicinity of urban development is characterized by fragmentation as opposed to connectivity. Core, support, and wetland habitats are confined to patches and corridors, frequently the remnants of the previous rural landscapes or new habitats that have been created or evolved within the urban matrix.
belle isle marsh
salt hay grass native reed glasswort cordgrass saltmeadow narrowleaf cattail
least tern plover snowy owl sandpiper goose
alewife ribbed mussel blueback herring soft-shell crab smelt razor crab bass
raccoon opssum field mouse coyote snake red-bellied turtle
ACECs
Coastal saltmarshes such as the Rumney Marshes (Revere, MA) and the Bell Isle Marsh (Winthrop, MA) support hundreds of flora and fauna species, dozens of which are endangered or protected. These isolated fragments of habitat are remnants of what at one time characterixes the entire Massachusetts Bay region. A new connecting infrastructure between these isolated landscapes could reestablish important links for the migration of plants, animals, and people.
boston logan
building stimulus: revere beach, ma
matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010
connect / collect site plan
site ecotones
site program|components
n
regional path
program
200´
path
50´ 100’
program
0’
program
scale 1” = 100’
1/2 mile of path connects site to regional pedestrian system/ path surface and subsurface acts as water collector
eastern county drainage 1/2 mile drainage connects eastern revere to rumney marsh wetlands/ the drainage collects run-off for +50 acres of urban landscape
I constructed wetlands
program mbta connects the site to the boston metro area/ hotel, retail, and new residential program collects users at system hub
I
pervious groundcover residential
landscape design connects habitats and increases ecotone overlap/ pervious groundcover and slope manipulated to collect water resources
office
streets & parking shared hardsurfaces connect traditional vehicle access with program and path/ were possible, these elements are integrated into water collection systems
II hotel & retail services
mbta
II
III
III
path as connector/collector
offices
community
hotel
mbta
residences off-site off-sit te
off-site
beach beach
building stimulus: revere beach, ma
matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010
connect / collect landscape and drainage
sections | slope and ground cover vs. hardscape run-off rates section
groundcover
slope (%)
10% 13%
0%
2%
run-off flow rate
11%
5
a-a
cfm
20
a
12% b
0%
2%
6%
3
b-b
a
16 c
6%
b
0%
1%
c-c
3
6%
12
d c
5%
0%
1%
5%
6%
6
d-d
e d
12 3%
7%
0%
2%
6%
4
e-e
e
12 woodland evergreen (.08n)
dense riparian (.03n)
constructed wetland (.02n)
woodland deciduous (.11n)
short native grasses (.025n)
sand dune (.02n)
paved surface (.01n)
To maintain a series of distict sections of slope and groundcover (which together manipulate run-off rates emptying into the site drainage) low, minimal retaining walls are situated in the landscape. These corten, weathered steel walls segment the landscape into drainage channels. The walls formally organize the landscape into a variety of zones and contribute to site stormwater management and collection.
section I | community access
typical land-use and run-off
scale 1/32” = 1’
evapotranspiration & infiltration run-off
swale/path system
street/landscape drainage
forests and wetlands
streets, rural areas
existing residential
drainage and path
planted slope
street
beach
commercial sites urban development
street/landscape drainage scale 1/2” = 1’ storm drain from street catchbasin concrete drain pad erosion prevention geotextile
landscape drains to path retention tank/swale
building stimulus: revere beach, ma
street drainage catchbasin drain to municpal infrastructure concrete sidewalk
street drains to landscape
Impervious surface cover (75%-100% in dense urban areas) is linked to regioal surface water-quality and aquafier replenishment as well as infrastructure waste water issues. Core habitat and wetlands help manage stormwater run-off but are also subjected to the negative effects of run-off from adjacent large, impervious surface cover.
As an infrastructure scale project, the site strategy focuses on integrating new landscape design and path services with existing infrastructure to improve performance and sustainability. The section (above right) across the site attempts to show that the landscape is actually a component of the site drainage and path system. In fact, careful consideration is given to the process of water run-off, drainage, and collection from the street (detail at left)down to the management system and finally out to the local wetlands.
matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010
connect / collect swale/path water management system scale 1/2” = 1’
swale drain to wetlands 24”x24” porous concrete pavers
catchbasin/maintenance
hardwood deck
overflow drains
steel frame
retaining wall with surface drain seating
6”-8” non- compacted soil mix 5 mm permeable geotextile
maintenace sump
surface flow collected from landscape
structural, cellular retention tank (9000 US Gal)
storm level normal level
12” dia. concrete pier to residential grey water distribution sump drain to grey water reuse
connect/collect
swale and path system
components
hardwood deck steel frame
The path itself is the main architectural feature of the regional strategy. Given such a prominent role, it is clear that there is an opportunity for the path to be something more than just a surface to travel on. The path plays a double role: 1) it connects people and places on-site and on a regional scale and 2) it collects a valuable resource, water, for a variety of functions. These functions range from run-off detention to on-site storage and treament. and vary based on program needs and site location. The detail and diagrams (top and right) show the functional relationship between the landscape, the path, and the wetlands swale which drains the entire site (and much of the north half of Revere).
local drainage to wetlands
native wetlands vegetation
6”-8” non-compacted gravel 5mm permeable geotextile
swale drains to wetlands
2’x2’ porous concrete pavers
porous basin on geotextile fabric allows plant growth
overflow drain to swale
retention tank supplies residential grey water
catch basin/ maintenence access
upslope vegetaion filters run-off water prior to collection
grey water distribution to residential
structural cellular water retention grid
6”-8” compacted gravel
12” concrete pier
One function for on-site water retention is grey water collection and re-distribution. For the proposed residential, the path and swale collect stormwater as a resource for use in the buildings’ grey water systems. Grey water can be used to save 5-36% of clean water consumption per household. The typical American family uses as much as 400 gallons of freshwater per day. Grey water can be used for lawn irrigation and toilets. Installing a grey water system for the entire residential project reduces the system installation cost per resident, making it an affordable and sustainable feature.
stormwater retention at proposed residential scale 1/2” = 1’ 24”x24” porous concrete pavers non-compacted soil mix 5mm permeable geotextile w/ planting grid retention cell 6”-8” compacted gravel
overflow drain to wetlands wetlands swale
overflow drain to wetlands drain footing plumbing to building greywater pump
building stimulus: revere beach, ma
plumbing from path retention cell
matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010
connect / collect section II | event plaza/garage scale 1/32” = 1’
residential swale
lower event/path
new residential/swale
path
event/garage
event plaza/garage
street
beach sufrace drains to path
lower event plaza scale 1/4” = 1’ 2’ steel drain cover The section at the event plaza and covered garage show the relationship between proposed residential spaces, the path, and site parking which is covered by a functional program element. The garage roof serves as a collector of rainwater and human activity. The intended program for the event plaza is outdoor concerts and and community activities. The plaza is another form of topography that invites exploration and serves as a large surface area for water collection. The path surface sits on a concrete/metal deck which acts to deliver rain water to the path collector below the lower event plaza deck.
parking garage roof & event plaza
upper event plaza/ garage
lighting concrete on metal deck
scale 1/4” = 1’
steel frame street drains to surface landscape
non-compacted gravel overflow drain to wetlands landscaped slope beyond surface drain from street concrete retaining wall 12” dia. concrete pier
concrete retaining wall
storm level normal level
to proposed residential grey water distribution
kiosk and water storage section
lighting
scale 1/8” = 1’ The kiosks hold program and serve as large water collectors. The sloped entry ramp (each kiosk is depressed 18” below path grade) is ideal for channelling water into two retention cells each having a 10,000 gallon capacity. The kiosks’ proximity to the hotel and MBTA allow water storage for treatment and subsequent use in the larger site facilities. Ideally, the hotel and MBTA complex would be capable to treat large quantities on grey water on-site for use in mechanical and plumbing systems.
maintenance sump
catchbasin
hotel storage/treatment tanks
hardwood deck
concrete/metal deck on steel frame
deck mounted on concrete tank
entry 18’ below path grade
storm level normal level storm level to hotel/mbta storage and treatment
2 x 10,000 u.s. gallon water retention cells
normal level
section at garage/hotel/service kiosks scale 1/32” = 1’
retail/mbta parking
street
building stimulus: revere beach, ma
hotel/mbta
kiosks/services
street
kiosks
street
matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010
kiosk elevations
connect / collect
scale 1/8�= 1’ Besides the path itself, the service kiosk is the architectural element that will be repeated at each proposed hub in the new network. The kiosk will be the recognizable symbol to users that they have encountered an important node along the path. Each hub can offer services tailored for the site program. Here, the kiosks offer a variety of beach services as well as services oriented to exploring the path and its destinations.
path information kayak and gear rental retail electric bicycle rental
traversable roof finished floor 18� below path surface allows seating
roof appears to peal away from path surface
cafe retail public showers/lockers glazed facade on tracks for natural ventilation
open plan for program flexibility
program kiosk | beach services
kiosk as path and shelter
path
Top right: A key element of the path program (which fosters greater access to the Revere site via the path network) is the electric bicycle rental program. A kiosk at each hub will rent electric bicycles which can be returned to any kiosk along the route. This allows oneway rather than round-trip journies on the path. The electric bicycle will allow users to travel greater distances along the path network, turning it into a legitimate alternative mobility network.
shelter
lift
Middle right: The kiosk courtyard is the main collection point for the entire strategy. Right: The kiosk courtyard is the one portion of the path that refuses linearity. Like the embedded ecotones, the kiosks interrupt the linear flow of traffic and generate unprescribed circulation patterns and interactions.
regional strategy phase 1 | 2010
hubs
Ideal hubs offer three specific criteria: ADJACENCY TO CORE/SUPPORT HABITATS, ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT and SPECIFIC PROGRAM NEEDS. The four proposed hubs (below) meet all of these criteria. The distinct habitats of each of these hubs can be linked by the proposed path
system which includes biodiversity lanes. For human use, the connection of these hubs via path offers an alternative pedestrian link between neighborhoods that currently does not exist. Phase 1 sets the site program and connects the site to adjacencies via the path-habitat system.
phase 2 | 2015
paths
Phase 2 includes the extension of the paths into adjacent core and support habitats maintaining a light ecological footprint. The goal in this phase is to create access to habitat and green space for the purposes of awareness, education, and recreation.
phase 3 | 2020
connect
The overall goal of this regional strategy is to connect fragmented habitats to provide lanes for species migration and human use. Phase 3 connects the identified hubs to complete an alternative and reparative network. Where possible, brownfields adjacent to the hubs are regenerated.
phase 4 | 2030
collect
Once the regional hubs are connected by the path and its associated landscape interventions, the path iself can begin to branch out into the urban fabric and core/support habitats alike. The path becomes a collector of human users, fauna, flora, and previously disintegrated habitats.
fells reservation hikers
forest habitat
oak grove
wildlife
rumney marsh residential
development
students
public transit
commuters
wetlands habitat
mystic river reservation
wonderland
residential
public transit
run-off management
wellington
athletes river habitat
brownfield site
belle isle
suffolk downs
public transit public transit water contaminants
building stimulus: revere beach, ma
estuary habitat
matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010