Site Specific by Monica Hernandez

SITE SPECIFIC new york

Site Specific brings a multidisciplinary approach to environmental design. Inspired by social and community driven practices, we have put together a team with a high level of experience and innovation. We give practical solutions to the challenges of a world where the removal of pollutants, the balancing of nature in cities, energy efficiency, and food production is becoming more and more important to our everyday lives. The outcome of our design draws on the historical, artistic, and ecological context of individual sites, and strives to create enriching and environmentally responsible spaces that are at the same time spatially and visually compelling. Our aim is to reconnect people with nature, in their homes and in their neighborhoods to build a more sustainable future through landscape. Our services include: Landscape Design / Edible Landscapes Interiors Master planning Consultation on Sustainable Practice Landscape Photography

SITE SPECIFIC

MONICA HERNANDEZ PONTON MONICA HERNANDEZ PONTON

Mexican born Architect, Monica Hernandez is currently working with Balmori Associates: an award winning Landscape and Urban Design office in New York . She has experience in the field of green design with a certificate in Permaculture and has experience in the Mexican born Architect, Monica Hernandez currently working with Balmori Associates: fields of Architecture, Design, Hospitality andisMarketing. The focus of her work has an award winning Landscape and Urban Design office in New York . She has experience been in progressive thinking and design that creates change, emphasizing diversity, and in the field of green design with a certificate in Permaculture and has experience in the improvement of quality of Design, life. Hospitality and Marketing. The focus of her work has fields of Architecture,

SITE SPECIFIC

SITE SPECIFIC new york

new york

been in progressive thinking and design that creates change, emphasizing diversity, and improvement of quality of life.

Education

Master of Landscape Design, Columbia University, New York 2010 Degree in Architecture, Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, Mexico 2003 Education Master of Landscape Design, Columbia University, New York 2010 Certificate in Permaculture Design The Open Center / Tri-State Food Not Lawns, New York .07

Experience

Degree in Architecture, Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City, Mexico 2003 Certificate in Permaculture Design The Open Center / Tri-State Food Not Lawns, New York .07

Balmori Associates New York

Designer / Marketing Director

Experience Balmorifor Associates New York Architecture Humanity

Designer / Marketing Director

Architecture Humanity ‘Classroom OpenforArchitecture Challenge’ ‘Classroom Open Architecture Challenge’ Lifeform Building + Architecture New York

Competition Jury / Embassador for Mexico Competition Jury / Embassador for Mexico Landscape Design and Consultation Lifeform Building + Architecture New York Landscape Design and Consultation Designer / Marketing Director Designer / Marketing Director StudioStudio Gaia New York Designer / Marketing Director Gaia New York Designer / Marketing Director W Hotel Mexico City Concierge W Hotel Mexico City Concierge Cornerstone Management Chicago / Mexico Cornerstone Management Chicago / MexicoCity City Administration Administration Higuera + Sanchez Mexico Designer Higuera + Sanchez Mexico CityCity Designer Tonantzin Institute, Oaxaca, Mexico Designer / /Volunteer Tonantzin TlalliTlalli Institute, Oaxaca, Mexico Designer Volunteer Ludens ( Manoo ) Mexico City Designer Ludens TallerTaller ( Manoo ) Mexico City Designer Pascal Arquitectos Mexico City Designer Pascal Arquitectos Mexico City Designer

01.08- current 01.08- current

07.09

07.09 01.07- current 01.07- current 09.05 - 11.07 09.05 - 11.07 07.04 - 07.05 07.04 - 07.05 01.04 -01.04 07.04 - 07.04 06.03 –06.03 01.04 – 01.04 04.03 –04.03 06.03 – 06.03 09.02 –09.02 03.03 – 03.03 12.01 –12.01 06.02 – 06.02 07.00 – 06.01

07.00 – 06.01

‘Constantly Variable’ Exhibition with Thomas Navin Arquitect, The Common Room, NY - Design Team .09 Selected Exhibitions ‘Constantly Variable’ Exhibition Thomas Navin Arquitect, Common Selected Exhibitions ‘Making Public Places’ Twitterwith Forum with Diana Balmori, NY - The Organizer .09 Room, NY - Design Team .09 ‘Making Public Places’ Twitter Forum with Diana Balmori, NY -Interventions, Organizer .09 ‘Making Public Places THE HUB’ ConFlux City, festival of Urban NY - Exhibitor .09 ‘Youth in Architecture’ la Cuidad de Mexico, CityInterventions, - Exhibitor .99 NY - Exhibitor .09 ‘Making Public Places THEMuseo HUB’ de ConFlux City, festivalMexico of Urban Exhibition with Fritzde Haeg Dome Colonies X in the San Gabriels, X Initiative Dia Foundation, NY - Design Team.09 ‘Youth‘Nooks’ in Architecture’ Museo la Cuidad de Mexico, Mexico City - Exhibitor .99 ‘Postopolis’ series StoreFront Art and X Architecture, York - XSpeaker .07 Dia Foundation, NY - Design Team.09 Selected Lectures ‘Nooks’ ExhibitionLecture with Fritz Haeg Domefor Colonies in the San New Gabriels, Initiative ‘Gel Conference’, Good Experience, The Equitable Center, New York, - Speaker .05 ‘Postopolis’ Lecture series StoreFront for Art and Architecture, New York - Speaker .07 Selected Selected LecturesAwards Best Social Service Project Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City and Delegation Cuajimalpa - Finalist .02 ‘Gel Conference’, Good Experience, Equitable Center, New York, Speaker .05.98 Outstanding Architecture ProjectsThe Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico- City - Winner Selected Awards Best Social Service ProjectDrawing Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City and Delegation Outstanding Technical Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City - Winner .99 Cuajimalpa - Finalist .02 Outstanding Architecture Projects Universidad American Institute of Architects AIA New York -Iberoamericana, Associate MemberMexico - since City .05 - Winner .98 Publications ‘MAKING PUBLIC PLACES’ bookletPublication .09 Outstanding Technical Drawing Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City - Winner .99 ‘Tra fiume e città. Paesaggi, progetti, principi Balmori Diana’Publication American Institute of Architects AIA New York -diAssociate Member - since.09 .05 ‘Collection, Ideas -bookletLibrary 2.0’ Korea, Bob.09 Magazine - Publication .06 Publications ‘MAKING PUBLICNew PLACES’ Publication ‘ATK Monografias, Pascal Arquitectos’ - Publication .06

‘Tra fiume e città. Paesaggi, progetti, principi di Balmori Diana’- Publication .09 mpetitions / design team ‘Collection, New Ideas - Library 2.0’ Korea, Bob Magazine - Publication .06

tions / design team

‘ATK Monografias, Pascal Arquitectos’ - Publication .06 / In Design/ Quickbooks / Office Autocad / 3D Studio Max / Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator Tecnical

picnic area

Tecnical

Autocad / 3D Studio Max / Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator / In Design/ Quickbooks / Office

childrens area

Publication in BOB magazine

SITE SPECIFIC view from public plaza

form Ltd, Library 2.0 “ the Culture Yard” Competition

ger , Denmark, Design Team ractive library that feeds on the information of its users and gives options back to the community.

SITE SPECIFIC view from public plaza

Publication in BOB magazine

MONICA HERNANDEZ PONTON Mexican born Architect, Monica Hernandez is currently working with Balmori Associates: an award winning Landscape and Urban Design office in New York . She has experience in the field of green design with a certificate in Permaculture and has experience in the fields of Born Architecture, Hospitality and Theand focus her States. work has in Vietnam,Design, Ngoc Minh Ngo has lived in Marketing. the France, Japan, the of United Her unique perspective been in progressive thinking and design that creates change, emphasizing diversity, and on both Eastern and Western cultures brings a global outlook to Site Specific. Her work as a photographer has improvement of quality of life.

NGOC MINH NGO

SITE SPECIFIC new york

led to a deep appreciation of the relevance of excellent design. Her social and ecological committment inspires her to pursue landscape design as a way to contribute to the building of a more environmentally sustainable future.

Education

Master of Landscape Design, Columbia University, New York 2010

Degree in Architecture, Iberoamericana, Mexico City, Mexico 2003 Education Bachelor of Science,Universidad Univeristy of California, Berkeley, 1984

Certificate in Permaculture Design The Open Center / Tri-State Food Not Lawns, New York .07 Master of Landscape Design, Columbia University, 2010

Experience

Balmori Associates New York Designer / Marketing Director Architecture for Humanity Photography Ngoc Minh photographic work has been published internationally, ‘Classroom OpenNgo's Architecture Challenge’ Competition Juryincluding: / Embassador for Mexico Stewart Living LifeformMartha Building + Architecture New York Landscape Design and Consultation Real Simple Designer / Marketing Director Elle Decoration Studio Gaia New YorkUK Designer / Marketing Director FranceCity W Hotel AD Mexico Concierge Elle Decoration Italy Chicago / Mexico City Administration Cornerstone Management TaiwanMexico City Higuera +Vogue Sanchez Designer ElleTlalli Deco Institute, Japan Tonantzin Oaxaca, Mexico Designer / Volunteer Elle Interior Sweden Ludens Taller ( Manoo ) Mexico City Designer Rum Interior Denmark Pascal Arquitectos Mexico City Designer Vogue Brazil

01.08- current 07.09 01.07- current 09.05 - 11.07 07.04 - 07.05 01.04 - 07.04 06.03 – 01.04 04.03 – 06.03 09.02 – 03.03 12.01 – 06.02 07.00 – 06.01

‘Constantly Variable’ Exhibition with Thomas Navin Arquitect, The Common Room, NY - Design Team .09 Elle Decor USA ‘Making Public Places’ Twitter Forum with Diana Balmori, NY - Organizer .09 ‘Making Public Places THE HUB’ ConFlux City, festival of Urban Interventions, NY - Exhibitor .09 ‘Youth in"Indigo Architecture’ Museo de la Cuidad de Mexico, Mexico City - Exhibitor .99 Selected Writings Summer," Elle Decoration, UK ‘Nooks’ Exhibition with Fritz Haeg "Wild Rose," Elle Decoration, UK Dome Colonies X in the San Gabriels, X Initiative Dia Foundation, NY - Design Team.09 ‘Postopolis’ seriesRum StoreFront for Art and Architecture, New York - Speaker .07 Selected Lectures "GodLecture Smag Pa Loftet," Interior Design, Denmark ‘Gel Conference’, Good Experience, The Equitable Center, New York, - Speaker .05 "New York Zen," Marie Claire, Sweden Selected Awards Best Social Service ProjectHouse Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City and Delegation Cuajimalpa - Finalist .02 "Bright and Beautiful," and Leisure, South Africa Outstanding Architecture Projects Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City - Winner .98 "Une Vie en Rose," Maison Française, France Outstanding Technical Drawing Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City - Winner .99 American Institute of Architects AIA New York - Associate Member - since .05 Publications ‘MAKING PUBLIC PLACES’ booklet- Publication .09 ‘Tra fiume e città. Paesaggi, progetti, principi di Balmori Diana’- Publication .09 ‘Collection, New Ideas - Library 2.0’ Korea, Bob Magazine - Publication .06 ‘ATK Monografias, Pascal Arquitectos’ - Publication .06

Selected Exhibitions

tions / design team Tecnical

Autocad / 3D Studio Max / Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator / In Design/ Quickbooks / Office

childrens area

Publication in BOB magazine

SITE SPECIFIC view from public plaza

MONICA HERNANDEZ PONTON volunteer PORTFOLIO

work MONICA HERNANDEZ PONTON volunteer PORTFOLIO

work

VOLUNTEER WORK

The Site The Site

Earth Earth movement for waterfor systems movement water systems

groundwork

Dry tropical landscape of Oaxaca

Aereal view of site

Instituto Tonantzin Tlalli, Permaculture Center

Mater Plan for site

Oaxaca, Mexico , Architect / Designer 09.02 – 03.03 Instituto Tonantzin Tlalli,/ Volunteer Permaculture Center

Aided in the design and creation of the first/Permaculture Oaxaca, Mexico , Architect / Designer Volunteer center 09.02in–Mexico 03.03in the rural outskirts of Oaxaca. The master planning included design systems to create sustainable, abundant and efficient human habitats by integrating insights from ecology, organic gardening, indigenous farming, architecture, agro forestry and economics. Was part of a 11 person team, under Aided in the design and creation of the first Permaculture center in Mexico in the rural outskirts of Oaxaca. The master planning included design systems the instructions of Permaculturist Goeff Lawton with whom we designed various projects for water systems, and sustainable constructions. During my stay I constructed on site a tool shed Plangardening, for site to create sustainable, abundant and efficient human habitats by integrating insights from ecology,Mater organic indigenous farming, architecture, using alternative construction methods and transporter pellets from a nearby junkyard. www.grupedsac.org agro forestry and economics. Was part of a 11 person team, under the instructions of Permaculturist Goeff Lawton with whom we designed various Oaxaca, Mexico , Architect / Designer / Volunteer 09.02 –constructions. 03.03 projects for water systems, and sustainable During my stay I constructed on site a tool shed using alternative construction methods and Instituto Tonantzin Tlalli, Permaculture Center Aided in the design and creation ofa the first/Permaculture center transporter pellets from nearby junkyard. Oaxaca, Mexico , Architect / Designer Volunteerwww.grupedsac.org 09.02in–Mexico 03.03in the rural outskirts of Oaxaca. The master planning included design systems to create sustainable, abundant and efficient human habitats by integrating insights from ecology, organic gardening, indigenous farming, architecture, agro forestry and economics. Was part of a 11 person team, under Aided in the design and creation of the first Permaculture center in Mexico in the rural outskirts of Oaxaca. The master planning included design systems the instructions of Permaculturist Goeff Lawton with whom we designed various projects for water systems, and sustainable constructions. During my stay I constructed on site a tool shed to create sustainable, abundant and efficient human habitats by integrating insights from ecology, organic gardening, indigenous farming, architecture, using alternative construction methods and transporter pellets from a nearby junkyard. www.grupedsac.org

Instituto Tonantzin Tlalli, Permaculture Center

agro forestry and economics. Was part of a 11 person team, under the instructions of Permaculturist Goeff Lawton with whom we designed various SITE SPECIFIC projects for water systems, and sustainable constructions. During my stay I constructed on site a tool shed using alternative construction methods and transporter pellets from a nearby junkyard. www.grupedsac.org

SITE SPECIFIC

VOLUNTEER WORK

Constructions on site included tecnics of rammed earth and strawbale

water catchment constructions foundation work final project constructed by Coop Himemblau

cross ventilation studies

study model of material : plastic pallets found in near junkyard

Lead Designer for the Construction of a tool shed made with alternative buidling methods and recycled plastic pallets

SITE SPECIFIC

WORK EXPERIENCE / COMPETITIONS

CORN IS THE COLOR OF MY CAB

prepared by

Monica Hernandez, Jeremy Wyatt Linzee, Emilie Lucie Baltz, Maura Rockcastle and Ivan Hernandez Quintela

for

The reNEWable Times Square RFP

Various images from “Manahatta ,A Natural History of New York City” by Eric Sanderson that exemplifies New York 400 years ago including Lenape Indian mounded plantings of corn-beans and squash known as “ three sisters” .

ReNEWable Times Square Competition CORN IS THE COLOR OF MY CAB New York

Design Team, Collaboration with Maura Rockcastle, Jeremy Wyatt Linzee, Ivan Hernandez Quintela, and Emilie Lucie Baltz The premise of our design recognizes that the vision for the pedestrian areas is inextricably woven with art and the design of public space- each needs the other to succeed and in turn something new is created through strengthening the connection between these parts. “Corn Is the Color of My Cab” is ultimately a story of corn that set the course and form of the Broadway Corridor we know now- from trail to farm to street to city. It begins with the Lenape Indians, the first inhabitants of Times Square, whose main crop was corn, and goes forward to the delirious intensity of crowds, images, lights and traffic of today. This visual connection is intended to create consciousness about how corn makes up the majority of the signage in Times Square and the crisis of our native crops. Through the iconic yellow color of the New York cab - the most easily seen from afar, we allow the corn kernels to create a pixilated grid on the ground that is seen as topography from above. If we were to allow the yellow paint to make something that we see everyday suddenly disappear, taxis would be the neutral condition, in the same way that corn has faded into the background of our everyday objects.

SITE SPECIFIC

BUILDING AN URBAN LIVING ROOM : REDESIGNING THE MEATPACKING NEW YORK, NY WORK EXPERIENCE / LANDSCAPE DESIGN

BUILDING AN AN URBAN URBAN LIVING LIVING ROOM ROOM :: REDESIGNING REDESIGNING THE THE MEATPACKING MEATPACKING BUILDING NEW YORK, YORK, NY NY NEW

The proposal for a temporary solution for the public space of Gansevoort Plaza in the Meatpacking DisThe proposal for a temporary solution for the public space of Gansevoort Plaza in the Meatpacking District (MPD) used the city’s streets for pedestrian use in a way that is flexible, inexpensive and contextually trict (MPD) used the city’s streets for pedestrian use in a way that is flexible, inexpensive and contextually appropriate. Under the request of the Meatpacking District Initiative, Balmori Associates was given the appropriate. Under the request of the Meatpacking District Initiative, Balmori Associates was given the task to re-imagine the public spaces created by the new traffic alignments and design a language of street task to re-imagine the public spaces created by the new traffic alignments and design a language of street furniture and planting that helped define the space . Before beginning to develop our design principles, furniture and planting that helped define the space . Before beginning to develop our design principles, we first had to ask, what should a public place be? We wanted to engage a wide audience in answering we first had to ask, what should a public place be? We wanted to engage a wide audience in answering this question. We set up an online forum through live video and twitter and invited landscape architect this question. We set up an online forum through live video and twitter and invited landscape architect Erik de Jong and planner Arnold van der Valk, with their 40 Dutch students to discuss urban public Erik de Jong and planner Arnold van der Valk, with their 40 Dutch students to discuss urban public space in the American context. We extended the conversation to the neighborhood by participating in a space in the American context. We extended the conversation to the neighborhood by participating in a street festival “ Conflux City”, and we also made a video that could be shown in various online blogs. The street festival “ Conflux City”, and we also made a video that could be shown in various online blogs. The discussion touched on topics that including ecology, funding, furniture and materials, program, public/ discussion touched on topics that including ecology, funding, furniture and materials, program, public/ private, public amenities, scale, and circulation/traffic. private, public amenities, scale, and circulation/traffic. As a result we collected ideas on sharable space, urban decorum, contextual appropriateness. With them As a result we collected ideas on sharable space, urban decorum, contextual appropriateness. With them we developed our design principles that are: Re-use materials-design to avoid waste create rough, induswe developed our design principles that are: Re-use materials-design to avoid waste create rough, industrial aesthetics, Keep it simple-low tech and inexpensive construction and maintenance, and Anticipate trial aesthetics, Keep it simple-low tech and inexpensive construction and maintenance, and Anticipate changing requirements-plan for easy reconfiguration. changing requirements-plan for easy reconfiguration. We turned this community engagement exercise into a preliminary design scheme where one simple and We turned this community engagement exercise into a preliminary design scheme where one simple and inexpensive piece of furniture with interchangeable components – a pole and hollow pole base, canopy inexpensive piece of furniture with interchangeable components – a pole and hollow pole base, canopy and rubber mats – can perform the functions of planter, shading, space partition, seating, lighting…even and rubber mats – can perform the functions of planter, shading, space partition, seating, lighting…even a birdhouse. The flexibility of this solution allows for a variety of layout options, from grouped seating at a birdhouse. The flexibility of this solution allows for a variety of layout options, from grouped seating at right angles or in triangles, to a weekend market activities or event space. right angles or in triangles, to a weekend market activities or event space.

CLIENT CLIENT Meat Packing District Meat Packing District Initiative Initiative 833 Washington Street #12 833 Washington Street #12 New York, NY 10014 New York, NY 10014

BALMORI ASSOCIATES ASSOCIATES BALMORI LANDSCAPE & URBAN DESIGN

LANDSCAPE & URBAN DESIGN 833 WASHINGTON STREET 2FL 833 WASHINGTON STREET 2FL NEW YORK , NY 10014 NEW YORK , NY 10014 212 431 9191 212 431 9191 WWW.BALMORI.COM WWW.BALMORI.COM

STATUS STATUS under design under design

The proposal proposal for for aa temporary temporary solution solution for for the the public public space space of of Gansevoort Gansevoort Plaza Plaza in in the the Meatpacking Meatpacking DisDisCLIENT The BALMORI CLIENT BALMORI ASSOCIATES ASSOCIATES trict (MPD) (MPD) used used the the city’s city’s streets streets for for pedestrian pedestrian use use in in aa way way that that is is flexible, flexible, inexpensive inexpensive and and contextually contextually LANDSCAPE & & URBAN URBAN DESIGN DESIGN Meat Packing Packing District District trict LANDSCAPE Meat 833 appropriate. Under Under the the request request of of the the Meatpacking Meatpacking District District Initiative, Initiative, Balmori Balmori Associates Associates was was given given the the 833 WASHINGTON WASHINGTON STREET STREET 2FL 2FL Initiative appropriate. Initiative NEW YORK YORK ,, NY NY 10014 10014 NEW task to re-imagine the public spaces created by the new traffic alignments and design a language of street 833 Washington Washington Street Street #12 #12 task to re-imagine the public spaces created by the new traffic alignments and design a language of street 833 212 212 431 431 9191 9191 furniture and planting that helped define the space . Before beginning to develop our design principles, New York, York, NY NY 10014 10014 furniture and planting that helped define the space . Before beginning to develop our design principles, WWW.BALMORI.COM New WWW.BALMORI.COM we we first first had had to to ask, ask, what what should should aa public public place place be? be? We We wanted wanted to to engage engage aa wide wide audience audience in in answering answering this question. We set up an online forum through live video and twitter and invited landscape architect this question. We set up an online forum through live video and twitter and invited landscape architect Erik de de Jong Jong and and planner planner Arnold Arnold van van der der Valk, Valk, with with their their 40 40 Dutch Dutch students students to to discuss discuss urban urban public public Erik space in in the the American American context. context. We We extended extended the the conversation conversation to to the the neighborhood neighborhood by by participating participating in in aa space street festival festival ““ Conflux Conflux City”, City”, and and we we also also made made aa video video that that could could be be shown shown in in various various online online blogs. blogs. The The street discussion touched touched on on topics topics that that including including ecology, ecology, funding, funding, furniture furniture and and materials, materials, program, program, public/ public/ discussion STATUS STATUS private, public public amenities, amenities, scale, scale, and and circulation/traffic. circulation/traffic. private, under design design under As aa result result we we collected collected ideas ideas on on sharable sharable space, space, urban urban decorum, decorum, contextual contextual appropriateness. appropriateness. With With them them As we developed developed our our design design principles principles that that are: are: Re-use Re-use materials-design materials-design to to avoid avoid waste waste create create rough, rough, indusinduswe trial trial aesthetics, aesthetics, Keep Keep it it simple-low simple-low tech tech and and inexpensive inexpensive construction construction and and maintenance, maintenance, and and Anticipate Anticipate Building an Urbanfor Living Room, Redesigning the Meatpacking Meat changing easy Meat Packing Packing District, District, Manhattan Manhattan NY NY changing requirements-plan requirements-plan for easy reconfiguration. reconfiguration. We turned this community engagement exercise into a preliminary design scheme where one Designer, Organizer, Collaboration with Balmori Associates We turned this community engagement exercise a preliminary design scheme where one simple simple and and Designer, Organizer, Collaboration with into Balmori Associates inexpensive piece of furniture with interchangeable components – a pole and hollow pole base, canopy inexpensive piecefor of a with interchangeable components – a poleof and hollow pole base, canopy The proposal for afurniture temporary solution for for the the public space space of Gansevoort Plaza in the the Meatpacking Meatpacking District District [MPD) [MPD) used used the the city’s city’s streets streets for for pedestrian pedestrian The proposal temporary solution public Gansevoort Plaza in and rubber rubber matsthat can perform theinexpensive functions of of planter, planter, shading, space spaceappropriate. partition, seating, seating, lighting…even and mats –– can the functions shading, partition, lighting…even use in a a way way isperform flexible, and contextually contextually Under the request request of of the the Meatpacking Meatpacking District District Initiative, Initiative, Balmori Balmori Associates Associates was was use in that is flexible, inexpensive and appropriate. Under the a birdhouse. birdhouse. The The flexibility flexibility of of this this solution solution allows allows for for aa variety variety of of layout layout options, options, from from grouped grouped seating seating at at a given the the task to to re-imagine re-imagine the the public spaces spaces created created by by the the new new traffic traffic alignments alignments and and design design a a language language of of street street furniture furniture and and planting planting that that helped helped given right angles angles task or in in triangles, triangles, to aa weekend weekendpublic market activities activities or or event event space. space. right or to market

define the the space space .. Before Before beginning beginning to to develop develop our our design design principles, principles, we we had had to to ask, ask, what what should should a a public public place place be? be? We We set set up up an an online online forum forum through through define live video video and and twitter twitter to to discuss discuss urban urban public public space space in in the the American American context. context. We We extended extended the the conversation conversation to to the the neighborhood neighborhood by by participating participating in in a a live street street festival festival ““ Conflux Conflux City”, City”, and and we we also also made made a a video video that that could could be be shown shown in in various various online online blogs. blogs. The The discussion discussion touched touched on on topics topics that that including including ecology, ecology, funding, funding, furniture furniture and and materials, materials, program, program, public/private, public/private, public public amenities, amenities, scale, scale, and and circulation/traffic. circulation/traffic. SITE SPECIFIC SPECIFIC SITE

SITE SPECIFIC

BEDFORD HOUSE WORK EXPERIENCE BEDFORD CORNERS, NY / LANDSCAPE DESIGN

BEDFORD HOUSE BEDFORD CORNERS, NY

For this renovation of a 1950’s house in the town of Bedford, we collaborated with Balmori Associates to create a scheme that weaves interior and exterior as well as Main House and Pool House together by juxtaposing materials, surface, and planting. Inside the house’s cedar-clad darker perimeter shell is a refined folded surface made of custom concrete, exterior pavers, and drywall. This internal surface links the multi-leveled interior space and extends the inside out to the Pool House in the back, where it exposes itself fully as a dramatic folded concrete structure. Linking architecture to landscape is a stacked bluestone wall that brackets the Pool House in the lush surrounding landscape. The wall disappears into the hill on one end while slowly folding itself into the pool on the other end. Different types of vegetation create a pattern that continues from front to back of the

Inside the house’s cedar-clad darker perimeter shell is a refined folded surface made of custom concrete, exterior pavers, and drywall. This internal surface links the multi-leveled interior space and extends the inside out to the Pool House in the back, where it exposes itself fully as a dramatic folded concrete structure. Linking architecture to landscape is a stacked bluestone wall that brackets the Pool House in the lush surrounding landscape. The wall disappears into the hill on one end while slowly folding itself into the pool on the other end. Different types of vegetation create a pattern that continues from front to back of the

STATUS Scheduled Completion November 2009

LANDSCAPE & URBAN DESIGN 833 WASHINGTON STREET 2FL NEW YORK , NY 10014 212 431 9191 WWW.BALMORI.COM

COST $3.3 Million

BALMORI ASSOCIATES LANDSCAPE & URBAN DESIGN 833 WASHINGTON STREET 2FL NEW YORK , NY 10014 212 431 9191 WWW.BALMORI.COM

REFRIGERATOR

For this renovation of a 1950’s house in the town of Bedford, we collaborated with Balmori Associates house, also takingand part inPool the dynamic landscape of the house.by to create a scheme that weaves interior and exterior as well as Main House House together juxtaposing materials, surface, and planting.

SIZE 3200 SF09

BALMORI ASSOCIATES

SIZE 3200 SF09

COST $3.3 Million

house, also taking part in the dynamic landscape of the house.

Bedford House Bedford Corners, NY Construction Drawings and Administration, Collaboration with Balmori Associates For this renovation of a 1950’s house in the town of Bedford, we created a scheme that weaves interior and exterior as well as Main House and Pool House together by juxtaposing materials, surface, and planting. Inside the house’s cedar-clad darker perimeter shell is a refined folded surface made of custom concrete, exterior pavers, and drywall. This internal surface links the multi-leveled interior space and extends the inside out to the Pool House in the back, where it exposes itself fully as a dramatic folded concrete structure. Linking architecture to landscape is a stacked bluestone wall that brackets the Pool House in the lush surrounding landscape.

SITE SPECIFIC

COURTYARD FOR PLASTIC SURGERY GROUP NY , TREES

SHRUBS

Amelanchier arborea Betula populifolia Downy serviceberry ( whitespire ) Gray birch

Cornus florida Flowering dogwood

GRASSES

FERNS

Quercus berberidifolia Gaylussacia baccata Myrica pensylvanica Scrub oak Black Huckleberry Northern Bayberry

Dryopteris intermedia Pteridium aquilinum Intermediate Wood Braken fern Fern

Dennstaedtia puncti- Cheilanthes lanosa lobula Hairy Lip Fern Hay Scented fern

Carex pensylvanica Elymus glaucus Pensilvania Sedge Blue wildrye

Eragrostis spectabilis Purple lovegrass

HERBS / PERENIALS

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

Aster laevis Bluebird Smooth Aster

Anemone x Hybrida Asclepias incarnata Japanese Anemone Swamp milkweed

Echinacea purpurea Nepeta x faassenii Purple Coneflower Six Hill’s Giant’ catmint

Leucanthemum x Gaultheria procumbens Maianthemum superbum Wintergreen / teaberry canadenseCanada Shasta daisy Mayflowers

KEY

PLANTING LIST

SCALE 1/4” +1’

KEY

Common Name

Bota

Aa Bp Cf

TREES Downy serviceberry Gray birch Flowering dogwood

Amela Betula Cornu

Qb Gb Mp

SHRUBS Scrub oak Black Huckleberry Northern Bayberry

Querc Gaylus Myrica

Cp Mc Gp Es Eg Ls Nf Ep Ai Ah Al

GRASSES/ PERENIALS , BULBS Pensilvania Sedge Canada Mayflowers Wintergreen / teaberry Purple lovegrass Blue wildrye Shasta daisy Six Hill's Giant' catmint Purple Coneflower Swamp milkweed Japanese Anemone Bluebird Smooth Aster

Carex Maian Gaulth Eragro Elymu Leuca Nepet Echina Asclep Anemo Aster l

Pa Dp Di Cl

FERNS Braken fern Hay Scented fern Intermediate Wood Fern Hairy Lip Fern

Pteridi Denns Dryop Cheila

PLANTING DESIGN

COURTYARD FOR PLASTIC SURGERY GROUP NY , TREES

Amelanchier arborea Betula populifolia Downy serviceberry ( whitespire ) Gray birch

SHRUBS

Cornus florida Flowering dogwood

GRASSES

FERNS

Quercus berberidifolia Gaylussacia baccata Myrica pensylvanica Scrub oak Black Huckleberry Northern Bayberry

Dryopteris intermedia Pteridium aquilinum Intermediate Wood Braken fern Fern

Dennstaedtia puncti- Cheilanthes lanosa lobula Hairy Lip Fern Hay Scented fern

Carex pensylvanica Elymus glaucus Pensilvania Sedge Blue wildrye

Eragrostis spectabilis Purple lovegrass

HERBS / PERENIALS

Aster laevis Bluebird Smooth Aster

Anemone x Hybrida Asclepias incarnata Japanese Anemone Swamp milkweed

Echinacea purpurea Nepeta x faassenii Purple Coneflower Six Hill’s Giant’ catmint

Leucanthemum x Gaultheria procumbens Maianthemum superbum Wintergreen / teaberry canadenseCanada Shasta daisy Mayflowers

KEY

Courtyard for Plastic Surgery Group NY Brooklyn, NY Concept Design Bands of color wave through a symetrical courtyard playing wwith the role of a “manicured landscape” within wilder plantings.

SITE SPECIFIC

PLANTING LIST

SITE SPECIFIC

KEY

Common Name

Aa Bp Cf

TREES Downy serviceberry Gray birch Flowering dogwood

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

BARNINTHEFOREST BLENDING A MODERN AGRICULTURAL MODEL INTO THE FOREST CONTOURS MONICA MONICA HERNANDEZ HERNANDEZ // COLUMBIA COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY // LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE DESIGN DESIGN STUDIO STUDIO

BARNINTHEFOREST BLENDING A MODERN AGRICULTURAL MODEL INTO THE FOREST CROP CUTS AND PLANTING MONICA MONICA HERNANDEZ HERNANDEZ // COLUMBIA COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY // LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE DESIGN DESIGN STUDIO STUDIO

BARNINTHEFOREST BLENDING A MODERN AGRICULTURAL MODEL INTO THE FOREST GENERAL PLAN

SCALE 1: 20

MONICA HERNANDEZ / COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY / LANDSCAPE DESIGN STUDIO

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

BARNINTHEFOREST BLENDING A MODERN AGRICULTURAL MODEL INTO THE FOREST CONTOURS MONICA HERNANDEZ / COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY / LANDSCAPE DESIGN STUDIO

BARNINTHEFOREST BLENDING A MODERN AGRICULTURAL MODEL INTO THE FOREST CROP CUTS AND PLANTING MONICA HERNANDEZ / COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY / LANDSCAPE DESIGN STUDIO

BARNINTHEFOREST BLENDING A MODERN AGRICULTURAL MODEL INTO THE FOREST GENERAL PLAN

SCALE 1: 20

MONICA HERNANDEZ / COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY / LANDSCAPE DESIGN STUDIO

Barn in the Forest

Upstate New York Design This modern house designed by Angela Patterson is one of four barn-like structures that have been adapted to become modern homes. The project proposes that if the house is readapted farm structure then other aspects of the agricultural language could also be readapted and transformed into a contemporary language. By blending an agricultural model into the forest the landscape is tranformed. Fences, water, fences and trails and the idea of cycles are turned into a pool, stonewalls, and a mobile gallery that follows the sun. The crop squares are reinterpreted into incisions on the land that have been planted as native grass fields, meadows, and fern terraces. Edibles are also introduced into them to enhance this idea. One of the most emblematic elements of the house is that is split in two by a thin ramp that cuts into the forest. This ramp is elongated in each direction creating a spine which organizes the entire program. It creates access into the house and give the owner an opportunity to walk the entire property. SITE SPECIFIC

SITE SPECIFIC

competitions / design team WORKpicnicEXPERIENCE / COMPETITIONS area

competitions / design team

childrens area picnic area

childrens area

Publication in BOB magazine view from public plaza

Lifeform Ltd, Library 2.0 “ the Culture Yard” Competition Helsinger , Denmark, Design Team An interactive library that feeds on the information of its users and gives options back to the community.

Publication in BOB magazine view from public plaza

Library 2.0 “ the Culture Yard” Competition Helsinger , Denmark

Lifeform Ltd, Library 2.0 “Ltd the Culture Yard” Competition Design Team, Collaboration with Lifeform

Helsinger , Denmark, Design Team on the information of its users and gives options back to the community. An interactive library that feeds An interactive library that feeds on the information of its users and gives options back to the community.

view from ocean

Tsunami Memorial Competition Norway

section of memorial

Design Team, Collaboration with Lifeform Ltd A memorial to remember the hundreds that died in the tsunami uses water vapor to create memory and space

Lifeform Ltd, Tsunami Memorial Competition

section of memorial

Norway, Design Team A memorial to remember the hundreds that died in the tsunami uses water vapor to create memory and space SITE SPECIFIC Lifeform Ltd, Tsunami Memorial Competition

Norway, Design Team A memorial to remember the hundreds that died in the tsunami uses water vapor to create memory and space

SITE SPECIFIC

view from ocean

project development / visualization project development / visualization WORK EXPERIENCE / PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

Lifeform Ltd, Pataya Bay Condominiums Patay Bay, Thailand, Project Visualization Pataya Bayalong Condominiums Patay Bay, Thailand Lifeform Condominiums This development spreads Ltd, aPataya narrow lot in Bay the Pataya Bay of Thailand and includes luxury amenities. Project Visualization, and Development. Collaboration with Lifeform Ltd

Lifeform Ltd, Pataya Bay Condominiums

Patay Bay, Thailand, Project Visualization Thisdevelopment development spreads a narrow in the Pataya Bay of and includes This spreads alongalong a narrow lot in thelot Pataya Bay of Thailand andThailand includes luxury amenities.aseries of outdoor pools, courts and luxury amenities.

Patay Bay, Thailand, Project Visualization This development spreads along a narrow lot in the Pataya Bay of Thailand and includes luxury amenities.

living area kitchen

areal view areal view

bathroom

lobby lobby

kitchen

N7 “The Modern Williamsburg” Apartments Brooklyn, NY Project Visualization, and Development. Collaboration with Lifeform Ltd A nine Loft apartment building in the trendy Williamsburg area.

building building

areal view

Lifeform Ltd, N7 “The Modern Williamsburg” Apartments Lifeform Ltd, N7 “The Modern Williamsburg” Apartments Brooklyn, NY, ProjectNY, Visualization Brooklyn, Project Visualization A nine Loft Aapartment building inbuilding the trendy Williamsburg area. area. nine Loft apartment in the trendy Williamsburg

bathroom SITE SPECIFIC

SITE SPECIFIC

building

Mexico City , Internship A competition to remodel the interiors of an old Girl’s School into modern apartments.

WORK EXPERIENCE / INTERIOR DESIGN

management marketing / office management

marketing / office manage

marketing / office management

Sheraton Centro Historico Historical Center, Mexico City Design Team, Collaboration with Pascal Architectos Design Development drawings and Construction Details for the interiors of Sheraton Hotel of downtown Mexico City.

Pascal Arquitectos

Mexico City, Drafter Pascal Arquitectos is an internationally recognized firm with luxury residential projects. As a drafter in the firm I worked on Design Development drawings and C tion Details for the interiors of Sheraton Hotel of downtown Mexico City. This project was the first project done in 40 years in Mexico Ciy’s Historical downtown, drawings have been featured in several publications. www.pascalarquitectos.com

Marketing New York, NY StudioMarketing Gaia director, Collaboration with Balmori Associates, Lifeform LTD, and Studio Gaia

New York, Designer / Marketing Director 07.04 - 07.05 As a marketing director in various firms I created press releases, graphic, media and marketing material. I helped organize exhibitions such as “New Studio GaiaYork is one of the most influential hospitality design firms. As a marketing director I created digital presentations, attended media requests, created press reNow Exhibition” for the AIA in the Center for Architecture, events and conferences such as the “Gel Conference” in which I was required to lead a leases, press kits, of graphic and marketing material. some public relation work, suchfor asWrepresenting the firm atWexhibitions, “New York Now Exhibition” New York, Designer /Disney Marketing group entrepreneurs to our projectsMy injob therequired city. I created graphic presentations Hotel in Miami, the Hotel Costa Rica, Tokyo,Director and defor the AIA insigned the Center for Architecture, eventsofand as the “Gelcafeteria Conference” 2005 inCapital which Ibuilding was required to lead a group of entrepreneurs to our the signage and branding 24,conferences 000 square such foot corporate the in Alliance on 55th street. During my the followStudio Gaia is one of theI submitted most influential hospitality design firms. projects in the As a awards: designer,James I created graphic presentations for W Hotel Design in Miami,forthe“Solea”; W Hotel2005, CostaBest Rica,Hotel Disney Tokyo,Worldwide and designed the signage and for branding ingcity. winning Beard Award for Best Restaurant Design ‘Golden Key award excellence in leases, press kits, graphic and marketing material. My job required Hospitality Design’ by Interior Magazine and HOTELS for the Hotel Mexico City” 2004 andawards: “W Hotel Seoul” 2005. of 24, 000 square foot corporate cafeteria theDesign Alliance Capital building on 55thmagazine street. During my “W I submitted the following winning James Beard Award for Best AIADesign in the Magazine Center forand Architecture, Restaurant Design for “Solea”; 2005, Best Hotel Design Worldwide ‘Golden Key award for excellence in Hospitality Design’for bythe Interior HOTELS events and conferences s York,“WDesigner / Marketing Director - 07.05 I created graphic presentations f projects in the city. As 07.04 a designer, magazineNew for the Hotel Mexico City” 2004 and “W Hotel Seoul” 2005. www.studiogaia.com

Studio Gaia

Studio is one of the most influential hospitality design firms. As a marketing director I created digital presentations, requests, created press reSITEGaia SPECIFIC of attended 24, 000 media square foot corporate cafeteria the Alliance Capital build leases, press kits, graphic and marketing material. My job required some public relation work, such as representing the firm at exhibitions, “New York Now Exhibition” Restaurant Design for “Solea”; 2005, for the AIA in the Center for Architecture, events and conferences such as the “Gel Conference” in 2005 in which I was required to lead a group of entrepreneurs to ourBest Hotel Design Worldwide magazine for the the “W signage Hotel Mexico City” 2004 and “W Hotel Seoul” projects in the city. As a designer, I created graphic presentations for W Hotel in Miami, the W Hotel Costa Rica, Disney Tokyo, and designed and branding of 24, 000 square foot corporate cafeteria the Alliance Capital building on 55th street. During my I submitted the following winning awards: James Beard Award for Best Restaurant Design for “Solea”; 2005, Best Hotel Design Worldwide ‘Golden Key award for excellence in Hospitality Design’ by Interior Design Magazine and HOTELS magazine for the “W Hotel Mexico City” 2004 and “W Hotel Seoul” 2005. www.studiogaia.com SITE SPECIFIC

07.04 - 07.05

WORK EXPERIENCE / COMPETITIONS

Higuera + Sanchez

Mexico City , Internship A competition to remodel the interiors of an old Girl’s School into modern apartments.

Pascal Arquitectos

Sanchez

Mexico City, Drafter Pascal Arquitectos is an internationally recognized firm with luxury residential projects. As a drafter in the firm I worked on Design Development drawings and Construction Details for the interiors of Sheraton Hotel of downtown Mexico City. This project was the first project done in 40 years in Mexico Ciy’s Historical downtown, and my drawings have been featured in several publications. www.pascalarquitectos.com

hip odel the interiors of an old Girl’s School into modern apartments.

Sanchez

Casa Covadonga Competition Historical Center, Mexico City

nship model the interiors of an old Girl’s School into modern apartments. Design Team, Collaboration with Higuera + Sanchez A project to turn an old girl’s school into 40 apartments adn 6 commercial lts by rehabilitating the building.

SITE SPECIFIC

“NOOKS” FOR DOME COLONY X IN THE SAN GABRIELS “NOOKS” FOR DOME COLONY X IN THE SAN GABRIELS WORK EXPERIENCE / ART / LANDSCAPE DESIGN NEW YORK, NY NEW YORK, NY

“NOOKS” FOR DOME COLONY X IN THE SAN GABRIELS NEW YORK, NY

Two critical parts of public space use need a fresh look: the places and ways of sitting in it, and the places CLIENT BALMORI ASSOCIATES and ways of walking it. space use need a fresh look: the places and ways of sitting in it, and the places Two critical parts of on public LANDSCAPE & URBAN DESIGN Fritz Heag CLIENT BALMORI ASSOCIATES 833 WASHINGTON STREET 2FL We ways have of become very in playing with these elements and the piece that we produced for the and walking oninterested it. DomeHeag Colny X LANDSCAPE & URBAN DESIGN Fritz NEW YORK , NY 10014 833 WASHINGTON STREET 2FL “Dome in very the Gabriel’s“, forneed Fritz Haeg’s monthand long theproduced X Initiative Art We haveColony become interested in playing with these elements theexhibition piece the at San Gabriels Dome Colny X atBALMORI ASSOCIATES Two critical partsSan of public space use a fresh look:two the places and ways of sittingthat in at it,we and the places for CLIENT 212 431 9191 , NY 10014 NEW YORK and waysin of walking it. seatingfor DESIGN Space was a way ofthe playing with and planting. dynamic spaceatand piece; Fritzin Heag at “Dome Colony SanonGabriel’s“, Fritz Haeg’sEnvisioned two monthaslong exhibition the furniture X Initiative Art X San INITIATIVE, Gabriels atLANDSCAPE & URBAN WWW.BALMORI.COM 212 431 2FL 9191 833 WASHINGTON STREET have of become verywith interested in playing theseonly elements andas thefor piece that space wetoproduced for the Dome XINITIATIVE, form, itwas isWe aa garden that engages the Colony. Itwith is not designed visitors move play with, it in is ColnyX Space way playing seating and planting. Envisioned dynamic and and furniture piece; 548 West 22nd Street, WWW.BALMORI.COM NEW YORK , NY 10014 “Dome Colony in the San Gabriel’s“, for Fritz Haeg’s two month long exhibition at the X Initiative Art at San Gabriels at 212 431 9191 a socialit community space that invites them toItlinger, and just be. for visitors to move and play with, it is form, isSpace a garden that engages the Colony. is not only designed New York, NY 548 West 22nd Street, was a way of playing with seating and planting. Envisioned as dynamic space and furniture piece; in X INITIATIVE, WWW.BALMORI.COM youcommunity workitwith some units for seating which themselves (varying theitheight closeaCan social spacethat that invites to Itlinger, andcan justassemble be. for visitors (former DiaNY building) New York, form, is a garden engages thethem Colony. ispeople not only designed to move and play with, is 548 West 22nd Street, ness you to others )?some Using thisthat as invites aseating premise thelinger, units allow you to make nooks where onethe person can beYork, NY Can with units for which people can assemble themselves (varying height closeawork socialetc. community space them to and just be. (former Dia building) New Can you work seating which people can assemble (varying the close(former alone, some can forsome two orasaafor large group. named the “nooks” forheight thisperson reason.can ness toor others etc. )?bewith Using thisunits premise theWe units allow youexperiment to themselves make nooks where one be Dia building) to others etc.for )? Using this a premise theWe unitsnamed allow you make nooks one person canreason. be they are The secondary ideabe grafted onor this was ifgroup. plants could be incorporated intowhere the system. time alone, orness some can two a as large thetoexperiment “nooks” forThis this STATUS alone, or some can be for two or a large group. We named the experiment “nooks” for this reason. shown conceptually providing paper that people can plantinto ininto thesystem. space. The This Garden narratesare a The secondary idea by grafted on this waswas ifflowers plants could beincorporated incorporated the system. STATUS The secondary idea grafted on this if plantsX could be the This time theytime are they “NOOKS” For Dome Colony in the Saint Gabriels Manhattan NY on exhibit STATUS story ofconceptually landscape taking over and expanding over the Public Space, therefore changing the way that the shown by providing paper flowers that people can plant in the space. The Garden narrates a shown conceptually by providing paper flowers that people can plant in the space. The Garden narrates a October exhibit2009 Designer, Organizer, Collaboration with Balmori Associates on exhibit on story of landscape taking over and expandingover over the the Public Space, therefore changing the way the that way the that the story of landscape taking over and expanding Public Space, therefore changing spacepiece is perceived andproduced read by the for user.the The users that “plant”inflowers in it,Gabriel’s“, transform it with time. Haeg’s October 2009 October 2009 The that we “Dome Colony the San for Fritz two month long exhibition at the X Initiative Art Space was a space is perceived and read by the user. The users that “plant” flowers in it, transform it with time. spaceofis playing perceivedwith and read by theand user.planting. The users Envisioned that “plant” flowers in it, transform with furniture time. way seating as dynamic spaceitand piece; in form, it is a garden that engages the Colony. It is not only

designed for visitors to move and play with, it is a social community space that invites them to linger, and just be. Using this as a premise the units allow you to make nooks where one person can be alone, or some can be for two or a large group. We named the experiment “nooks” for this reason. The secondary idea grafted on this was if plants could be incorporated into the system. This time they are shown conceptually by providing paper flowers that people can plant in the space. The Garden narrates a story of landscape taking over and expanding over the Public Space, therefore changing the way that the space is perceived and read by the user. The users that “plant” flowers in it, transform it with time. SITE SPECIFIC

SITE SPECIFIC

NGOC MINH NGO PORTFOLIO

LANDSCAPE DESIGN FAMILY GARDEN CROWN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK

The project is the family residence in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. The clients wanted a welcoming entry that fits the context of the surrounding neighborhood and a child-friendly garden where they can entertain family and friends in pleasant weather. The program elements include en entry garden; a family garden that will provide a safe and inviting play area for the children, a sense of privacy, space for entertaining, as well as a vegetable/ herb garden and some ornamental horticulture for color and fragrance. The design of the garden is based on the metaphorical meaning of the circle, a symbol of the hearth. Just as the hearth is the center of the home, the center of the garden is a large sunken circular area that is the gathering place for the entire family. All other activities or programs, namely the vegetable garden and the children’s play area, radiate from this central focus. Given the small space, this simple arrangement gives the garden a graphic underlying structure that will stand on its own aesthetically in the winter months when the vegetation is dormant. A medium sized ornamental tree, Cornus florida, placed directly behind the main circle, will provide the focal point for the garden as well as shade for the dining table. Trellises for climbing vines along the fence and on the back wall will extend the visual interest vertically. The circle is also a symbol of renewal, and in the spirit of sustainability, the majority of the materials used will be salvaged sources, from places such as Olde GARDEN - CROWN HEIGHTS, NEW GoodFAMILY Things and Build It Green New York. In addition, theYORK removed trees will be used to build the children’s teepee and path. The plantings will be primarily Theinproject is the residence in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. The clients wanted a welcoming entry that fits the context of the surnative the effort tofamily maintain an ecological stewardship of the environment. rounding neighborhood and a child-friendly garden where they can entertain family and friends in pleasant weather. The program elements include en entry garden; a family garden that will provide a safe and inviting play area for the children, a sense of privacy, space for entertaining, as well as a vegetable/

Another symbolic meaning of the circle is that of magic, created here with the teepee, reserved strictly for the children as their own domain within the herb garden and some ornamental horticulture for color and fragrance. garden. A meandering path leads from their bedroom and cuts through various parts of the garden to the teepee, which is ensconced among the shrubs in the back garden. The design of the garden is based on the metaphorical meaning of the circle, a symbol of the hearth. Just as the hearth is the center of the home, the center

of the garden is a large sunken circular area that is the gathering place for the entire family. All other activities or programs, namely the vegetable garden and the children’s play area, radiate from this central focus. Given the small space, this simple arrangement gives the garden a graphic underlying structure that will stand on its own aesthetically in the winter months when the vegetation is dormant. A medium sized ornamental tree, Cornus florida, placed directly behind the main circle, will provide the focal point for the garden as well as shade for the dining table. Trellises for climbing vines along the fence and on the back wall will extend the visual interest vertically. The circle is also a symbol of renewal, and in the spirit of sustainability, the majority of the materials used will be salvaged sources, from places such as Olde Good Things and Build It Green New York. In addition, the removed trees will be used to build the children’s teepee and path. The plantings will be primarily native in the effort to maintain an ecological stewardship of the environment. Another symbolic meaning of the circle is that of magic, created here with the teepee, reserved strictly for the children as their own domain within the garden. A meandering path leads from their bedroom and cuts through various parts of the garden to the teepee, which is ensconced among the shrubs in the back garden.

SITE SPECIFIC

Vertical Green Wall

Children's Path

Teepee

Perennial Bed

Compost Flowering Dogwood

Vegetable Garden

Herb Containers

Barbeque Window Box

Master Bedroom

Children's Room

Living Room

SITE SPECIFIC

LANDSCAPE DESIGN

UNDULATING LANDFORM, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK Taking inspiration from a black and white photocopy of an abstract painting, the intrinsic concept of Undulating Landform is a simple weaving of vertical and horizontal elements. Strips of moss supported by steel emanate from a plaza in front of the building and go on to rise and fall gracefully in a rhythmic pattern and ending in different points. Intersecting with the strips of moss are rills embedded with river pebbles. Envisioned as a living sculpture, the landform is as dynamic as the ever changing conditions of light, weather, and the seasons. The path of the sun in the course of a day will change the shapes of the shadows cast by the landform, emphasizing its sculptural aspect. With the morning watering of the moss, backlit by the rising sun from the east, the landform becomes a radiant fountain. LED lights attached to the underside of the steel support will give the landform a beautiful glow at night. In winter, the snow-capped landform will be transformed into an ice sculpture.

SITE SPECIFIC

Design Process

LEWISOHN

Shadow Study Afternoon Sun

SITE SPECIFIC

PHOTOGRAHY

PRIVATE COMMISSION ESPESSIAC is a former monastery in the Southwest of France that had been left in a state of ruin. Over a period of 13 years, the owner slowly restored the building and made a new garden with a large lavender field that blends seamlessly into the surrounding farm fields. The photographs were commissioned to document both the interior and exterior of the property.

SITE SPECIFIC

ICONIC HOUSE #5

The Glass House, Connecticut, 1949 Built by Philip Johnson in 1949, the Glass House is an icon of mid-20th century Modernism. Its simple structure, precise proportions and use of transparency has inspired a slew of contemporary architects ¸ WORDS TRISH LORENZ PICTURES NGOC MINH NGO

172 ELLE DECORATION DECEMBER 2008

ICONIC HOUSE #1

Sheats-Goldstein house Beverly Hills, California, 1963 Some houses affect the way we think about architecture and even the way we live. In the first of our exclusive series on iconic homes, we look at American architect John Lautner’s cliff-side mansion... PRODUCTION AMANDA TALBOT PICTURES NGOC MINH NGO WORDS TRISH LORENZ

170 ELLE DECORATION JUNE 2008

SITE SPECIFIC

PHOTOGRAHY & WRITING

BOOK PROJECT FLOWER EVERYDAY: BRINGING NATURE HOME is a book about having flowers in your home throughout the year as a way of charting the seasons and reconnecting with nature. The aim is to extend the range of flowers and foliage commonly used in floral arrangement, incorporating plants from the vegetable garden, herbs, and twigs that can be salvaged from the roadsides. The book would offer ideas on simple and original arrangements and ways to incorporate flowers into everyday life.

SITE SPECIFIC

VOLUNTEER WORK

BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN Horticulture assistance The Cranford Rose Garden is one of the most diverse rose collection in the US, containing more than 5,000 rosebushes of nearly 1,200 different species and varieties. I am part of a group of volunteers who help the rosarian maintain the garden, making it a special place for the thousands of visitors annually.

SITE SPECIFIC