Menglin Ding_Landscape Architecture Portfolio

PORTFOLIO

Landscape Architecture

Menglin Ding

Menglin Ding

Detail Oriented/ Communication/ Creativity/ Team Player/ Excellent Time Management

Date of birth: 20th July 1997

Address: 8 Cady Street, Providence, RI 02903

Contact: mding9707@gmail.com (401) 408 5665

Education

Rhode Island School of Design

Master of Landscape Architecture

Dalian University of Technology Bachelor of Environmental Design

Languages

Providence/ United States

Sep 2020 - Jun 2023

Dalian/ China

Sep 2015 - Jun 2019

Mandarin (Native)/ English (Professional)

Software Skills

Photoshop/ InDesign/ Illustrator/ After Effects/ AutoCAD/ ArcGIS/ SketchUp/ Rhino/ Grasshopper/ Unity/ V-ray/ Lumion/ Enscape/ Microsoft Office

Landscape Architecture Skills

Concept Development/ Sustainable Design/ Urban Design/ Site Analysis/ Lateral and Spatial Thinking/ Hand Drafting/Model Making/ Product Sourcing/ Design

Documentation

Professional Experience

BSC Group

Landscape Architecture Intern

• Drafted and planned for YMCA Children Park in Cape Cod.

• Made Rhino model of the Massachusetts Amtrak railroad bridge.

Boston/ United States

Jul 2022 - Aug 2022

Dalian Freen Architectural Design Co., Ltd

Landscape Architect

• Assisted with landscape architecture design and plant layout design.

• Made 3D models of buildings and installations. Conducted inquiries into site context.

OTHERWORK

Dalian/ China

Aug 2019 - Jul 2020

Dalian Institute of Urban and Architecture Design Co., Ltd

Landscape Architecture Intern

• Reviewed plans and proposed changes to perfect the designs.

• Planned and designed for Guanfeng Yunding residential community.

Dalian/ China

Mar 2019 - Jun 2019

1 CLOSE TO NATURE

Academic Project

Individual Work

Landscape Design

Dalian University of Technology, Liaoning, China

The Lingshui River, a distinctive landscape element on campus, meanders through the entire area. In recent years, escalating pollution has adversely impacted the lives of nearby residents and constrained the campus’s ecological development. This project aims to mitigate pollution by strategically implementing urban wetlands that revitalize the river’s health and promote a symbiotic relationship between the waterway and the surrounding community, ultimately enriching the overall campus environment.

Xijiao National Park

Dahuajinxiu Huacheng Community

Dalian Neusoft University

Dalian Maritime University

Location Analysis

Dading Mountain RedlingRoad

The project site is situated on the north side of Dalian University of Technology in China. It faced numerous challenges due to its insufficient foresight and funding constraints in early planning. Concurrently, the rapid expansion and development of the campus led designers to overlook the ecological integrity of the university grounds. The Lingshui River, which meanders through the entire campus, has experienced pollution and soil erosion, significantly affecting the quality of life for nearby residents. This project aims to remediate these issues by implementing extensive green spaces, reducing impervious surfaces, and promoting climate resilience within the campus environment.

China Liaoning Dalian Gaoxin

Design Process

As a landscape architect, I merge fundamental campus design principles with urban ecological wetland concepts. This creates innovative green open spaces for the campus and surrounding areas, enhancing the living environment for riverside residents. With the Lingshui River’s purification, diverse recreational activities will flourish.

A double-layer pedestrian viaduct seamlessly connects the wetlands, creating a distinctive campus ecological landscape imbued with urban wetlands. This offers high recreational and environmental value for both the campus and outdoor public events. Dynamic activities like jogging, cycling, and other sports cater to individual preferences, while accommodating the diverse schedules of various user groups.

The design concept is inspired by simulating islands and integrating them into urban wetlands, utilizing their inherent cohesiveness and resilience to regulate water quality and surrounding soil. Constructing wetlands alters the river’s fixed water capacity, increasing the contact area between water and land. This reduces the risk of inundating campus buildings during rainy seasons or typhoons, and creates a relatively stable microclimate for coastal cities with unpredictable weather.

Widen the channel Divide the area Form the wetland

Form

Design Concept

On the eastern edge of the wetland, Tree array square is being transformed into a vibrant, human-centric landscape. The planting design incorporates a diverse range of flora, carefully selected to flourish throughout each of the four seasons. This approach ensures a visually captivating environment and addresses ecological requirements, providing a harmonious blend of aesthetic appeal and environmental sustainability.

Section A-A’

Plant Design

The project chose Dalian ornamental plants with strong wind resistance, cold resistance and excellent water purification abilities. There is a reasonable combination of trees, shrubs, and flowers including characteristic aquatic plants. Through the analysis of the time limit for leaf, flower and fruit appreciation, it can meet the needs of terrain and site functions. The landscape on the west side of the wetland is more natural and ecological than the human-inclined east. It contains a rich abundance of plant and animal species that reside at many different layers of habitation — from ground to treetop.

Plant Design Index

Plant

Fauna Bird Insect/ Mollusks

Mamma Reptile Amphibian

Deciduous Tree Shrub Herbaceous Plant

Fish/ Crustacean

Magnolia denudata Salix babylonica Albizia julibrissin Jasminum nudiflorum Berberis thunbergii Sorbaria sorbifolia Buxus sinica Ginkgo biloba

Aquatic

Phlox drummondii Tulipa gesneriana Dahlia pinnata Hemerocallis fulva Iris tectorum Pennisetum alopecuroides Iris pseudacorus Phragmites australis

Section B-B’ Central Square (Summer)

Deciduous tree Shrub Herbaceous Plant Aquatic Plant

Section C-C’ Urban Wetland (Spring)

URBAN CHAMELEON

Academic Project

Individual Work

Installation Design

Dalian, Liaoning, China

Drawing inspiration from the chameleon’s remarkable ability to adapt its color and form to blend seamlessly into its environment, this project seeks to develop a versatile module capable of adjusting its material, size, and assembly method based on the specific scale, layout, and climate of a given space. With a focus on minimizing alterations to the existing environment, the goal is to create installations that foster meaningful interactions with their surroundings, cater to the unique characteristics of each site, invigorate urban vitality, and ultimately contribute to an elevated sense of happiness within the city.

Site Analysis

The experimental sites are situated in Dalian, my hometown, a city that harmoniously blends history and modernity. The representative area of Xi’an Road encompasses a diverse mix of new and old residential structures dating back to the 1940s, alongside shopping malls, factories, and various other establishments.

The Wang Family’s Daily Schedule

The Wangs live in an old-fashioned house built in 1970, on the west side of Xi’an Road.

Space Quality Analysis

Experimental Site

Residential Educational Office Building Commercial Industrial Parking Lot Greenbelt Hospital

Existing Challenges

1.Workers in the area lack spaces tailored to their identity and interests for engaging in suitable activities;

2.The outdated and ill-maintained ancillary facilities of older residential areas fail to adequately protect residents’ well-being, with wild plants growing unchecked;

3.Open spaces within the new community are frequently misused for debris storage, negatively impacting the health and visual appeal of the surrounding environment;

4.Commercial and office buildings within the area suffer from a dearth of outdoor recreational spaces for employees and visitors to enjoy.

Quality Open Space

Neutral Open Space

Poorly Defined Open Space

Parking Space

Rotating Cube

The Rotating Cube creates a compelling spatial experience that encourages visitors to explore their own inner sanctuary. A diverse array of geometric forms and materials are integrated to accommodate various activities, such as contemporary mirrored promenades, interactive children’s play areas with Lego-inspired walls, and versatile planting beds with multi-faceted configurations.

Taking into account the preferences of retirees who enjoy gardening in compact, traditional residential settings, these innovative planting beds are thoughtfully situated within such neighborhoods. This approach maximizes the available horticultural space without compromising natural light penetration, effectively transforming underutilized areas into thriving green pockets park.

Project Test Area Connection

Surrounding Area Points of View

1.Take a generic cube

3.Ring the cubes in a circle

4.Scatter cubes to open space

2.Put cubes in a row

5.Accumulate Cubes

6.Rotate cubes in each layer to increase the area

Wood Block Material: Multiangle Planting Pool

Mirror Material: Fashion Block

Lego Material: Children Lego Wall

Project Test Area

Chameleon Umbrella

The chameleon’s eyes, with their remarkable ability to rotate 360 degrees, adapt seamlessly to their surroundings. Drawing inspiration from this unique feature, Chameleon Umbrella incorporates a dynamic, rotating disc mechanism. Utilizing transparent tensile membranes, like the chameleon’s adaptive coloration, the disc can be adjusted according to the direction and intensity of light. This innovative approach to landscape architecture generates a continuously evolving visual experience, creating enchanting, ever-changing effects within the environment.

The eco-friendly design of Chameleon Umbrella allows for efficient rainwater harvesting from its upper surface. Collected rainwater is channeled through a system of pipelines and directed to a water storage unit. This stored water is then used to supply the lower planting discs, promoting sustainable irrigation practices and fostering lush, healthy vegetation

Connection

Nylon rope Material: Residential Area Mirror Material: Commercial Area

The installation not only offers shade and recreational amenities but also establishes a stylish and captivating urban space. The adaptive canopy system, an innovative feature, provides protection during inclement weather by extending a covered walkway that seamlessly guides visitors into the heart of the shopping complex. By merging functionality with aesthetic appeal, this landscape solution enhances the overall user experience and elevates the surrounding environment.

3

FUTURE.AGO ICE WORLD

Academic Project

Individual Work

Landscape Design

Harbin, Heilongjiang, China

Amidst the wave of technological advancements shaping the contemporary era, cutting-edge design concepts and novel human-computer interactions are transforming the way we approach park design. These innovative elements play a crucial role in elevating the aesthetics of surrounding urban landscapes and enhancing the overall quality of life for the public. The Harbin Ice and Snow Garden embraces this progressive approach as one of its primary design objectives, seamlessly integrating new technology and ecological principles into a captivating landscape architecture experience.

User Group

The essence of Harbin’s Ice and Snow World lies in its ability to reinterpret and reshape traditional snow and ice sculptures artistically. In contrast to the information technology-driven modern society, the intrinsic value of Harbin Ice and Snow World is rooted in the celebration and preservation of time-honored traditions. By showcasing the rich heritage of snow and ice artistry, this landscape serves as a unique counterpoint to contemporary advancements, highlighting the enduring appeal of these cultural treasures.

While it is important to celebrate the historical and cultural aspects of the ice and snow landscape, focusing solely on these elements may result in a static and repetitive experience for visitors. In fact, the current ice and snow cultural landscape is often perceived as lacking a cohesive theme and a central, unifying spirit. Enriching the traditional ice and snow culture with fresh, innovative interpretations is an essential undertaking to maintain its relevance.

By incorporating these diverse historical elements into the ice and snow garden’s narrative, it is possible to create a more dynamic and engaging cultural landscape that resonates with both locals and visitors alike.

The form of ICE & SNOW based on the Tradition

According to the demand of the park, throughout the park according to the topographic features and cultural characteristics is divided into 5 regions, respectively, to form their own theme content, respectively is: Ice-Sport Zone, Entrance-Landscape-Node Corridor, Green-Energy-Experience Zone, Snow-Landscape Sightseeing Area, VR Zone. Each of the 5 regions, but also indirectly linked to each other, is mutually independent from the culture and theme.

The central water area serves a dual purpose: as an ice house during winter and a connecting point between land and ice surfaces. At the park’s main entrance, numerous VR scene simulation rooms are established, immersing visitors in a technologically enhanced experience. Large solar panel arrays provide power for the entire park’s lighting, snow features, and other elements at night, promoting sustainability and energy efficiency.

A secondary entrance complements the main entrance, featuring an abundance of circular landscape nodes that enrich the overall circulation and visitor experience throughout the park, seamlessly blending landscape architecture elements with innovative design solutions.

4 LIVE, ART, ECOLOGY

Academic Project Group Work

Landscape Design

East Providence, Rhode Island, United States

The design concept focuses on revitalizing the polluted post-industrial site by transforming it into a vibrant “Live, Art, and Ecology” waterfront wetland art park. This innovative approach employs phytoremediation techniques through constructed wetlands to remediate contaminated soil and mitigate urban runoff and industrial wastewater pollution. By integrating the existing East Providence art scene, the park establishes itself as a hub for artistic and cultural recreation within the surrounding community.

Envisioned as a flexible space for future cultural and artistic endeavors, this dynamic landscape features a series of captivating nodes, each designed to engage visitors and encourage participation. This interactive approach fosters site activation and contributes to the overall revitalization of the area, promoting a sustainable and thriving future for the community.

Location Analysis

The site is located on the banks of the Ten Mile River and Omega Pond, East Providence, RI. Ten Mile River and Omega Pond are urbanized and highly impounded watershed located in southeastern Massachusetts and northeastern Rhode Island. Due to the early industrial development of the site, a large amount of pollution remained in the river and silt sediment.

Framework

User Profile

Existing Problems

Site Plan

Live+Art+Ecology=East Providence Landmark

From a macro planning perspective, the design strategically connects the surrounding abandoned buildings with the site, repurposing them to accommodate artistic and residential functions. This adaptive reuse approach caters to the needs of local artists and fosters a sustainable, regenerative cycle within the community. The site’s boundary is seamlessly integrated with the surrounding wetlands, enhancing ecological connectivity and promoting environmental benefits.

As a result, a comprehensive “Live, Art, Ecology” system is established, which not only revitalizes the area but also supports the community’s artistic endeavors and fosters a thriving, ecologically-balanced environment.

Art Farm is a unique urban ladder farm concept designed to engage the surrounding community. As fruits and vegetables ripen, they create a vibrant and colorful experience, in which community members become both spectators and active participants. The harvested produce will be transformed into organic pigments, providing a sustainable and environmentally-friendly resource for artists in the nearby creative spaces.

Art Farm

Slag FIeld Art Farm

Art Pergola

Art Garden

Soil Restoration

Mussel Farm

The vision for the Phillipsdale historical district is to transform it into an East Providence landmark by integrating living spaces, artistic applications, and ecological restoration. The Art Park’s design, characterized by circular forms and organic curves, symbolizes the inclusive nature of art, making it more accessible and inviting to all.

Attracting design studios and artists across diverse disciplines, the park also encourages public participation in the creative process. Wooden walkways are thoughtfully incorporated into the design, offering stunning views of the river landscape while minimizing human interference and potential damage to the wetland’s purification system. This careful approach ensures a suitable habitat for various wetland organisms and promotes a thriving, ecologically-balanced environment.

Water Level Change on Wetland

Low Tide Saltmarsh

High Tide Saltmarsh

The soil on the original site is barren because of oil pollution and heavy metals. At low tide, an entire area of ecological wetland is exposed. At high tide, the water level submerges parts of the wetland and form islands.

Existing Waterfront

5 Sealtopia

Academic Project

Individual Work

Landscape Design

Bohai, Liaoning, China

Climate change-induced early melting and fragmentation of winter ice floes have resulted in premature independent living for seal pups in Bohai, China. Concurrently, human industrial activities and overfishing are causing the depletion of fishery resources, negatively impacting the livelihood of fishermen. Both seals and fishermen, who rely heavily on the ocean, face increasingly dire circumstances.

The installation design proposes creating artificial ice floes as a utopian solution for both seals and fishermen. This ecological intervention features a seal habitat for breeding on the surface, while an oyster farm is situated below. The individual installation units are interconnected to form an ecological network that enhances the biodiversity of the surrounding area. By addressing the needs of both seals and fishermen, this innovative design strives to foster environmental resilience and sustainable coexistence between humans and marine life.

Existing Problems

Bohai, situated in the northeastern part of China, is a heavily industrialized area. The rapid industrialization in recent years has led to significant environmental pollution in the region.

Marine Pollution

Nearby factories frequently discharge their wastewater into the ocean, introducing nitrogen, phosphorus compounds, and various chemical components into the water, resulting in severe seawater contamination. During winter, centralized heating systems burn coal, generating large amounts of dust particles that contribute to haze. These particles are subsequently carried by the wind and deposited into the ocean. Furthermore, numerous oil fields are situated around Bohai Bay, and crude oil spills occur during production and transportation processes. These toxic substances can enter the seals’ bodies through their food and the surrounding environment, compromising their immune systems and reducing their lifespans.

The pollution also has a detrimental impact on fishery stocks, which have declined significantly. In an attempt to maintain profits, fishermen resort to using nets with increasingly smaller gaps, impeding the recovery of fish stocks and further depleting the seals’ food sources. This creates a vicious cycle that exacerbates the ecological crisis in the region.

The concept stems from the realization that seals and fishermen face similar challenges, despite their competitive relationship. The floating installation is designed as a utopian haven where both seals and fishermen can benefit and thrive together.

This ecological floating island installation will operate year-round, but staggers the time between sealcommunity and human use of the installation.

Fishery Stocks

Routes Conflict between Seal Communities and Human Activities

Design Cocnept Timeline Circle

Academic Project Group Work: Menglin Ding&Siqiao Zhao Material Experiment

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Mycelium materials hold immense potential for enhancing outdoor spaces, and we believe that they can play a crucial role in creating a healthy, interconnected tree pit system, transforming isolated street trees into an integrated natural network. To achieve this, we applied our expertise in landscape techniques and materials to a comprehensive set of technical drawings.

This drawing set guides us through the various stages of design, including concept development, schematic design, design development, and construction documentation. As we progress through these phases, we gain a deeper understanding of how details and materials evolve and adapt during the pre-construction process.

Construction Drawings

Experimentation

OTHERWORK

Sketch Drawing, Model, Interior Designer, Herbarium