P O R T F O L I O / Hsuan-Fen Hsu
/ Resume Mia(Hsuan-Fen) Hsu (437) 533-6813
Education
Work / Intern Experience
/ University of Toronto (Sep 2020- present) Master of Landscape Architecture Specialization: Environmental Health
/ Taiwan Leisure Agriculture Association, Taipei (Aug 2019 – Aug 2020) Research Assistant The Occupational Competency Standard and Training Program for Agricultural Therapy Researching the related essays of agricultural therapy, as well as formulating the training program and contents of agricultural therapy
/ Fu Jen Catholic University (FJCU), Taipei (Sep 2015 – Jun 2019) Bachelor of Landscape Architecture
mia.hsu@mail.utoronto.ca
Skills / Language Mandarin Chinese (Native) English (Advanced) / Profession Microsoft Word. Excel, Powerpoint Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe Indesign Adobe Premier Adobe After Effect AutoCAD Rhino SketchUp Lumion Arcgis
/ Shan Tong Zi Construction Consulting Company, Taipei (Feb 2019 – Aug 2019) Landscape Design Intern Landscape Construction Plan for Sights on Hwy 11 (41-51km) Conducting site basic information, concluding inventory and mapping analysis Improvement Plan for Mausoleum of Cardinal Yu Pin Conducting site basic information, proposing design idea in graphic and words, modeling and rendering Planning and Design of Dabeikeng Environment, Taoyuan City Conducting basic data investigation, mapping analysis, and assisting summarized the design proposal / Earthasia Design Group (EADG), Shanghai (Jul 2018 – Aug 2018) Intern, Public Space and Residential Landscaping Department Nanjing Shimonoseki Business District Development Project Analyzing historical context, natural environment and nearby resources of the site, proposing design idea and framework Zhangzhou Country Park, Fujian Using SketchUp for modeling, Lumion for rendering, and Photoshop for most graphics Hangzhou Science and Technology District Photoshoping design plan, sections, elevations, perspectives, and drawing detail design and estimate for construction
/ Contents
Culture
01 The Vanishing Sunrise Ecology
02 Wildlifes Live Matters Landscape Planning & Design
03 The Healthy City
04 The Heart of Zhudong Public Art Installation
05 Memories Album Others
06 Fort George 07 Construction Details
01
/ The Vanishing Sunrise
The Wisdom of Indigenous People “One of the most powerful symbols for the life force is the Sun”(Canadian Heritage Information Network, 2003). Some mysterious topography or devices found to be used for observing the sun in some ancient indigenous sites . Some spiritual leaders have special knowledge of Sun and other celestial bodies. These indigenous astronomers used this knowledge for observational topography or devices to observe sunrise which can be used as a solar calendar to determine when to plant and harvest and gather for ceremonies. However, due to the density of buildings in the urban environment. People rarely have the opportunity to see sunrise and realize how important a role it had in terms of time marker in the past. Therefore, we want to use topography to point out the direction of sunrise on the summer solstice, spring and fall Equinoxes and winter solstices to evoke discussions about the vanishing sunrise and create a new sun calendar in U of T west campus. Our project was inspired by the knowledge that we have gained from indigenous sites. We hopes that people who see and understand these solar channels will recognize the advancement and importance of this understanding of the intricate workings of the solar system and the Sky World from indigenous people.
Collaborator: Siyun Xue Location: UofT West Campus, Toronto Professors: Liat Margolis, Terence Radford, Elise Shelley Project Annual / Level: 2021, MLA Studio Design
“One of the most powerful symbols for the life force is the Sun.” -Canadian Heritage Information Network, 2003
Sun Movement We calculated the orbit of the sun on West campus by using longitude and latitude and got the angle of sunrise at the equinoxes and solstices. However, due to the sunrise is blocked by buildings, we intended to commemorate the vanishing sunrise by highlighting the direction of the sunrise on these three special dates.
Calculation of Sun Movement
Bring the Sunrise back to West Campus
Design Development
The Angle of Surise Position
Block Segmentation
Block Segmentation with Circulation
Topography Change
Site Plan Based on the previous strategy, we placed these fragments into the site and changed the topography to fit with the existing building entrances and topography. The height of each fragment decreases gradually from nor th to south, due to the sun's southward movement route. Each of them is lower than the northern ones for preventing the shadow blocked into the channels.
Shadow Condition with Buildings
Shadow Condition without Buildings
Shadow Conditions
Shadow Conditions in Perspective
Summer Solstice
Summer Solstice
Observation Point
Spring & Autumn Space
02
/ Wildlifes Live Matters
Reducing Roadkill and Protecting the Right of Wildlifes Riverdale Park is divided into two pieces by the DVP(Don Valley Parkway), Bayview Avenue, and railway. These traffic infrastructures completely divide the natural area and ravine. And, wildlife usually lives on both sides of rivers and move along rivers. Traffic infrastructures block wildlife migration and movement routes, causing roadkill, especially in highways and express that are much wider than roads and faster speed for driving. The roadkill affects not only the life of wildlife but also the safety of drivers. A statistics report presented that there are 10% of vehicle accidents happened due to wildlife crossing, and 14 thousand wildlife collisions happened each year in Ontario. As a result, the project aims to reduce roadkill around Riverdale park and to ensure the safety of drivers.
Location: Riverdale Park, Toronto Professors: Peter North, Behnaz Assadi, Elnaz Sanati Project Annual / Level: 2020, MLA Studio Design
Site Issue Wildlife usually live and migrate in natural areas which are usually developed along rivers.However, the traffic infrastructures cut off the wildlife migration routes, especially highway and express. Then, go close to the watershed of Don, several spots in Don Watershed m ay ex p e r i e n c e ro a d k i l l m o r e frequently than others because abundant natural resources are in the both side of DVP. Our site is one of them. Disconnection of Wildlife Flow
Connectivity & Green Infrastructure
High Frequency of Roadkill
Wildlife Flow in Site
Accessibility Within The Site
Flood Plain
Flow of Wildlifes There are four typical types of wildlife corridors, respectively are upland culver t, overpass, viaduct, and riparian culvert. These corridors are distributed at different location based on the existing environment and limitation. These various corridors will build a complete wildlife crossing network base on existing conditions.
Upland Culvert
Overpass
Viaduct
Riparian Culvert Wildlife Crossing Network
Flow of Water
Flow of Humans
The river channel will be directed into the west site, which traces the historical route to provide various types of environment and as a corridor for wildlife. With the meandering river channel, the flooding plain will decrease and lead less damage.
To consider for different users, complete circulation system provides opportunities for various human flow, connecting both sides of Riverdale park and neighborhood.
Pedestrian Pathway
Accessible Path
Bike Path
Proposed Hydrological Plan
Circulation and Program
Site Circulation
Proposed Design
Planting Strategy
Section A
Detail Design
Section B
Perspective from Different Views
Humans' View on Overpass Wildlife Corridor
Coyote's View on Overpass Wildlife Corridor
Humans' View from Outlook around Viaduct
Great Blue Heron View around Viaduct
03
/ The Healthy City
How Will A Healthy Living Neighbourhood Look Like? Since 2019 pandemic has struck our lives and changed our living styles. An increasing number of research indicates that people who live with pre-existing chronic disease will tend to have severe illness and mortality to Covid. We are obviously not prepared to face this sudden epidemic, and many people even lost their lives as a result. So, what and how can we prepare to confront the next health crisis? Most chronic disease are related to two main reasons: exercise and healthy food access. Among those influential factors, food security is one of the major concerns in the Toronto region. And due to the effect of the pandemic, food access became a more serious situation for neighborhoods that were already having difficulty accessing food. According to news, Toronto is also facing issues for healthy food distribution. For example, neighborhoods in Scarborough are having limited access to food.
Collaborator: Kuan-Yi Chiang, Yiying Wu Location: Scarborough, Toronto Professors: Megan Esopenko, Fadi Masoud, Rob Wright Project Annual / Level: 2021, MLA Integrated Urbanism Studio Design
Focus Issue By examining overlaps between "Chronic disease condition" and "food vulnerable neighborhood", we determine which neighborhood in Toronto needs improvement the most. Henceforth, Scarborough East, which has existing challenges in food access and health concerns, is the selected design action zone for the health city. In comparison to the average health problem with the city of Toronto, each of the disease rates is higher than the city's average rates. Based on the research, two major diseases on site are diabetes and high blood pressure. Both of the diseases imply insufficient access to healthy food and exercises.
Site Inventory & Analysis Public Transportation System
Impermeable Surface
N
Food Acess
N Go train Subway (above ground) Subway (under ground) Abandoned railway LRT Bus routes Subway station (Kennedy Station, Warden Station)
Green Space Types
N
Parking lots Supermarket Fast food
5 min Walking Distance from Green Space
Lack of 5 min Walking Distance from Green Space
5 min Walking Distance from Activities Field
Lack of 5 min Walking Distance from Activities Field
N Types of Green Space Park (including riverine) School Green Space of Hydroline Green of Community Service Cemetery Playground Sportfield
Activities Field
Existing Condition of DAZ There are a lot of problems on the existing condition. The 141 ha of parking lots and junkyards are the most noticeable impermeable surfaces on site that not only cause high temperatures but also create divisions between neighbourhoods. On the other hand, barriers like the creek and the abandoned railway set the difficulties for people in the neighborhood to get access to resources like food, education, and public sports fields.
Proposed Condition of DAZ The Scarborough health city is dedicated to prompt a healthy living style through increasing pedestrian safe environments and this encourages walking and cycling on daily movement. The network of the LRT stations, Kennedy station, and Warden Station creates an active and mobile mixed use district with three main themes. The three main themes along the road are the Food carnival district, food production zone, and urban agriculture trail.
Phase I \ Green Space System
Phase III \ Food Production
Phase II \ Community Use
Detail Design \ Food Carnival The Scarborough health city is d e d i c a te d to p ro mp t a h e a l t hy l i v i n g s t y l e t h ro u g h i n c r e a s i n g pedestrian safe environments and this encourages walking and cycling on daily movement. The three main themes along Warden Avenue are the Food carnival district, food production zone, and urban agriculture trail.
Day-time of Outdoor Farmer Market
Detail Design of Food Production & Urban Agriculture are designed by Kaun-Yi Chiang and Yiying Wu.
Eglinton Fresh Market
Food Production Zone
Urban Agriculture under Hydro Corridor
Night-time of Outdoor Farmer Market & Movie Theater
04
/ The Heart of Zhudong
Reviving the Importance of the Zhongxing River The Zhongxing River, originally named the ‘Laundry Space’, in the heart of Zhudong runs through a prosperous area of the town from south to north. This drives the development of surrounding towns and carries the pulse of Zhudong’s history and culture. With the acceleration of the urbanisation process, the lifestyle of local people has changed. The life of the old town, which was naturally comfortable, has ceased to exist. Instead, the existing conditions of reinforced concrete, lack of historical context and backward infrastructure are have developed. The problem of the river is also growing and residents of Zhudong are increasingly forgetting its existence. The unique characteristics of the town are no longer there. To counter this, we conducted a comprehensive review and repair of the waterfront and surrounding space by the Zhongxing River. We want to maintain the waterfront environment, connect resources in the area and make walking system and sightseeing route for Zhudong. The intention is to provide a complete leisure network by recreating the ‘laundry space’ and waterfront, forming a new version of the old living style in Zhudong.
Collaborator: Xin-ruo Zheng Location: Zhudong, Taiwan Supervisor: Xiu-juan Wang Project Annual / Level: 2019, BLA Graduation Design
THE PRESENT
Due to the expansion of the city and development of technology, the problems of the watercourse as the mother river of Zhudong increased. The existing historical culture of Zhudong began to decline as the waterfront space was occupied and the river was polluted. In addition, Hakka culture along the river gradually faded away. The river was gradually forgotten by people and the connection between human activities and water environment ended.
THE PAST
Today's Challenges in Zhudong
Site Analysis
Laundry Pit Location
Open Space
Sewer System
Integrated Analysis
Riverbank Status
1
4
1
2
3
2
5
3 5
4 5
5
6
6
6
7 8 7
7
8
Problems and Strategies Space
Complete Pedestrian and Vehicle Use
Ecology
Waterfront Activity
Humanities
Diversity Green Space
Restore Ecology
Visual Openness
Planning Vision Through the re-integration of past industrial developments and local cultural landmarks, it will be transformed into a leisure and recreation development in an innovative way and restore the memory of Hakka culture.
Water education space
Recreational traffic base
The heart of ZhudongComposite shared community space
Neighborhood leisure space Neighborhood leisure space
Hakka Historical Memory
Substantive Plans
Cultural Revival
Urban Planning Division Change
Parking Space Adjustment
Traffic Adjustment
Drainage & Water Retention Plan
Historical Building Texture
Two-way Road One-way Road Pavement change
Functional Distribution
Historical Texture Transformation
Local market Hakka cuisine Child care institution Community clinic Public facility Arts center Old institution Service corridor Green connecting corridor
8 71
14
Design Progress
6
11
5
12
1 10 3
2
4
C
B
A
2
【Legend】
15
1 Leisure pavilion
8 Hakka Community Garden
15 Planting experience area
2 Waterfront platform
9 Hakka Waterfront Restaurant 16 Viewing platform
3 Leisure grass step
10 Lawn
17 Washing space
4 Pedestrian bridge
11 Catholic church
18 Children's play area
5 Fountain Square
12 Catholic Church Lawn Square 19 Old Bridge Pier Landscape Cafe
6 Outdoor dining area
13 Youth Creative Workshop
20 Grass slope
7 Service channel
14 Healing garden
21 Recreational trail
13
21
16
20 17
18
9
Site Plan
N
D
19
The original Hakka Opera Park was reorganised and the road between the central market and waterfront was adjusted to allow only pedestrians to pass. The distance from the waterfront was also brought closer. Adjusting the slope of the grass slope made it slowly descend, creating numerous spaces for rest.
25-year flood level 10-year flood level 2-year flood level
2m sidewalk
10m ecological slope
7m riverside trail
3m slope
6m
30m
river
10m
slope leisure area
Leisure pavilion
square Section A
Pedestrianising the road between the central market and waterfront reduces the distance from the waterfront. The facade of the reconstructed community public space is refurbished and provides a variety of convenient services.
25-year flood level 10-year flood level 2-year flood level
20m ecological slope
10m riverbank
8m waterfront platform
32m leisure grass step
28m fountain square Section B
River space originally occupied by houses will be restored to improve the openness of the waterfront. From the waterfront, you can see Zhudong Catholic Church again. After the dismantling houses to the south of the Church, it was converted into a youth creative workshop to attract young people an promote the development of Zhudong and its industry and economy.
25-year flood level 10-year flood level 2-year flood level
2m lane
10m
sidewalk ecological slope
6m
50m
river
sun lawn
12m street corner
12m lane
30m Catholic activity lawn Section C
Change the original car park to a leisure park and set up a wooden platform on the pavement as a visual guide to walk down the water bank. Retain and the original laundry-pit space and direct some water into an area where children play.
25-year flood level 10-year flood level 2-year flood level
3m sidewalk
10m ecological slope
10m river
15m laundry space & children's play
10m ecological slope Section D
Waterfront Platform
Pedestrian Bridge Viewing Church
Water Leisure Pavilion
Youth Creativity Workshop
Central Activies Square
Laundry Space & Children's Play
Model Making
05
/ Memories Album
A Passing Song in A Country Village Very few tourists come to the quiet little village of Linjiao and the younger generation is seriously diminished. In the process of visiting the village, we found that the ageing rate greatly exceeded our expectations. Once a village lacks a young population, it will lose a certain vitality. During our visit, however, we found that there were many beautiful secrets there. The village leader sang a song and the lyrics talked of ten attractive spots and stories, which brought a lot of emotion. More people need to experience the beauty of the village. The scenery here can become a memory that makes the elders proud and the village can regain its vitality and continue to develop a charming culture.
Collaborator: Xin-ruo Zheng Location: Lingjiao, Taiwan Supervisor: Qi-ting Lou Project Annual / Level: 2017, BLA Design Competition Work
Construction Work
" A song / Ten pictures / Ten stories / A memory "
Concept With continuously ageing society, more elderly people living alone has become a social problem that cannot be ignored. We plan to create a novel art installation with tradition relating to a lonely old man who cares for Lingjiao, to make the elderly feel warm and arouse the nostalgia of young people at the same time. Through ten different photo frames, with the well-known songs of Lingjiao, ten dif ferent expressions of ten memories are presented in the frames.
Section
[ Coal Mine ]
[ Smiling Platform ]
[ Ancient Clock ]
[ Waterfall ]
[ Village ]
[ Brilliant Lily ]
[ Herb Dyeing ]
[ Foreign Building ]
[ Sky Lantern ]
[ Railway ]
[ Message Board ]
思
F ro m a b o ve , t h e te n s e t s of photo frames are arranged in Chinese characters, which means missing and each photo frame is the memory of old people. This evokes the old man's thoughts on the glory period of ancient Linjiao, but also evokes homesickness in the younger generation who inherit their love for Linjiao.
Site Plan
Predicted Action Side Section
06
/
Fort George Location: Niagara-on-the-lake, Ontario, Canada Professors: Fadi Masoud Project Annual / Level: 2021, MLA Visual Communication Fort Georage was a popular tourist attraction where visitors can experience Niagara's early military h i s to r y. B u t a t t h e t i m e o f t h e Covid-19, few tourists come to visit, leaving the castle with no income to hire soldiers, staff, or administrative staff.To get through this difficult time, they plan to turn outdoor space into a kitchen garden to support themselves and their daily expenses.
Axometric
Garden at Dawn
Farm at Dusk
Axometric Zoom In
Greenhouse in Winter
/
Note:
Construction Details
Note:
15 40
Harris, Charles, and Nicholas Dines. Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture. Washington, DC: McGraw Hill Professional, 1997.
600
100
150300
Flagstone Pavers Sand Swept Joints Concrete with Re-bars
100
Aggregate Base
Legend:
Location: Smythe Park, Toronto Professors: Alissa North, Todd Douglas, Rui Felix Project Annual / Level: 2022, MLA Comprehensive Landscape Studio
Swimming Pool Edge Paving Details_Flagstone
25
S= 1/10
60
Brick Pavers (600, 300, 150mm) with Sand Swept Sand Setting Base
170
600
300150
02 L01-2
Aggregate Base
10
Project Name:
Project Name:
Subgrade
Bring Back Lost Landscape
01 L01-2 See Section in L01-2
See Paving Mock Up Pattern S= 1/100
The two sets of construction drawing are swimming pool paving and the the boardwalk wetland area. The construction details reflect to the design concept. The paving transition in swimming pool area presents the change of river bank in black creek area. The weathered wood used in our site reveal the historic atmosphere.
Legend:
Subgrade
01 L01-2
Swimming Pool Paving Plan
Harris, Charles, and Nicho Standards for Landscape A Washington, DC: McGraw
10 mm Metal Expansion Joint
Design By:
Yu Yan (Sophie) Hsuan-Fen Hsu (Mia) Date
Revision
Yu Yan (Sophie Hsuan-Fen Hsu
Description
Revision
4
02/17
Final Revision
3
02/14
100 % Details
2
02/10
75 % Details
1
02/07
Prelimanary Details
Swimming Pool Paving Details
02 L01-2
S= 1/10
01 L01-2
1
02/10
7
1
02/07
P
Pool Area with P
Sheet Number:
Sheet Number:
Swimming Pool Paving Section
L01-1
Lines of Pavers Transitions
F
02/14
Drawing Name:
Pool Area with Paving Pattern
* The paving color should be blending from dark to light. On-site condition dependent. Consult with landscape architect, 4 x 2.5m mock up required for approval.
02/17
2
See Brick Paver Details
Drawing Name:
S= 1/30
Date
4 3
02 L01-2
See Flagstone Details
Swimming Pool Paving Mock Up
Bring Back Los
Design By:
L01-2
S= 1/30
Transition Pavement Construction Drawing Note:
Note:
Stainless Flathead Screw
Harris, Charles, and Nicholas Dines. Time-Saver Standards for Landscape Architecture. Washington, DC: McGraw Hill Professional, 1997.
Harris, Charles, and Nicho Standards for Landscape Washington, DC: McGraw
10mm Metal Strip Spacer 38 x 89 mm (2 x 4) Weathered Pine Wood with Chamfered Edge 38 x 89 mm (2 x 4) Weathered Pine Wood Legend:
Top Soil
361
Legend:
612
6mm Reinforce Bars 150 Concrete Footing
483 300
Aggregate Backfill
391
Project Name:
Recycled, Weathered Wood Board; Cut to Size
Wooden Bench Details
Yu Yan (Sophie) Hsuan-Fen Hsu (Mia) Date
Description
02/17
Final Revision
3
02/14
100 % Details
2 1
140
4
388
144
Flathead Screw 38 x 89 mm (2 x 4) Cedar Lumber Joist
450
38 x 89 mm (2 x4) Cedar Lumber Joist 89 x 89 mm (4 x4) Cedar Lumber
Metal Joist Hanger
75 % Details
02/07
Prelimanary Details
Design By:
Yu Yan (Sophie Hsuan-Fen Hsu Revision
Galvanized Bolted U-Bracket
02/10
Bring Back Los
S= 1/10
Design By:
Revision
02 L03-3
01 L03-3
110
01 L03-2
S= 1/50
See Wooden Pathway Base Structure in details
20
Wooden Bench & Pathway Plan
89
See Wooden Bench & Pathway Section
Project Name:
783
Bring Back Lost Landscape
Reinforced Concrete Footing
100
07
Date
4
02/17
3
02/14
2
02/10
1
02/07
50 Dowels and A Key Unite the Footing 350
01 L03-3
Drawing Name:
Wooden Path Area
Aggregate Backfill
250
Drawing Name:
Subgrade
350
Wooden Bench & Pathway Section S= 1/50
L03-1
Wooden Pa Sheet Number:
Sheet Number: 02 L03-3
Wooden Pathway Details S= 1/10
Wooden Boardwalk Construction Drawing
L03-3
/ mia.hsu@mail.utoronto.ca (437) 533-6813