living works michael voelkel
[tangible]
[contact]
[conceptual]
[representational]
works
living
tangible [public]
[commercial]
[residentail]
[entry vignette] [planting study]
During the excavation of the original soil, we found that the cleanout for the original retaining wall construction lay six inches below the grade. Two inches of solid concrete covered the front yard. In order to mitigate the issue, we created raised planting beds with stone boulders found onsite. This allowed for the proper soil depth needed for the large shrubs called for in the planting design.
[fireplace study]
[work done by self at pedersen associates] [work done by self at pedersen associates] [work done by self at pedersen associates]
A once magnificent entrance, the entryway had become a desolate waste land, lending itself to a much needed facelift. The client charged us with designing a ‘Mediterranean’ inspired estate. We envisioned a water feature, new plantings, and travertine paved path with curved features to compliment the arched entry gate.
In an effort to maximize the exposure of the San Francisco Bay views, the client chose upon a flue-less gas fireplace. To compliment the existing residence’s arch ornamentation, I developed a beautiful limestone hearth and mantle design.
[layout plan]
[work drafted by self at pedersen associates]
[drafted in vectorworks]
[back terrace]
[garden entry]
residential tiburon.ca
[work done by self at pedersen associates]
[nodes path study]
[work done by self at pedersen associates]
[flow/plant study]
To help with the run-off filtration from the lawn and the roof tops, we placed bioswales throughout the site. This filtration technique has helped clean the toxic water before it leaches into the brownfield below the site.
[layout plan]
To increase the infiltration of rainfall onsite, we implemented the use of pervious pavers in conjunction with concrete walks. The pavers were sourced from a local fabricator.
[work drafted by self at pedersen associates]
Understanding the circulation of the user was critical on this project. By placing an emphasis on the most traveled routes, with an eye on potentially less traveled routes, we were able to discover nodes within the site. These areas of convergence are highlighted with a different paving material.
[layout plan, LEED gold]
[work drafted by self at pedersen associates]
[drafted in vectorworks]
[bioswale]
[vector paths]
commercial san rafael.ca
[vector paving study] [plant/framing study]
To help soften the harshness of the strong geometric lines, we designed a visual boundary element. This element is based off the original geometric vectors. To frame the boundary element, we bookend the boundary element with three Washingtonia robusta’s and two Phoenix dactylifera’s on one side, and one Phoenix canariensis on the opposite.
[irrigation plan]
[work done by self at pedersen associates] [work done by self at pedersen associates] [work drafted by self at pedersen associates]
We established a visible central location for the water feature. This location landed on the main site circulation axis. By bisecting this main artery, we came about a radial pattern complete of geometric vectors. All of these vectors originate from the the water feature.
Placing high water-use plants, such as Equisetum hyemale, near drought tolerant plants, such as the Phoenix dactylifera, required a sophisticated irrigation plan. Each planting area required their own controller to help regulate the amount of water used.
[drafted in vectorworks]
[boundary]
public [array]
san francisco.ca
[planting/layout plan]
[work drafted by self at pedersen associates]
representational [collegiate]
[competition]
[group work; autoCAD base & sketchup bldgs done by self; autoCad, sketchup, illustrator, photoshop]
For the annual Gerald D. Hines ULI competition, I led an interdisciplinary team of Cornell designers, planners & real estate students charged with developing a sustainable and economically feasible design for Houston, TX. The site is a US Postal distribution center that is located at the edge of downtown Houston. We decided to embrace the vehicular culture of Houston & create a transit-oriented development. We took advantage that the site is located on the main entry to downtown by capturing cars with on-ramps and rerouted roads to improve the circulation. The bus system was rerouted through our site. We incorporated a green space that doubled as flood mitigation and restored the native riparian habitat. Car parks were hidden from view by incorporating them into buildings that housed restaurants and dwellings.
[sketchup, illustrator & photoshop done by self for group]
[sketchup, illustrator & photoshop done by self for group]
[site plan rendering]
competition
[auto perspective]
[park perspective]
[24”x36”; autoCAD/sketchup/photoshop]
[master plan]
[36”x42”; autoCAD w/ photoshop/illustrator]
shale plaza perspective
The Beebee power plant in Rochester, NY ended operations in the early 2000s, leaving in its wake a brownfield condition at the base of the beautiful High Falls. Upon further analysis, my team put together an intervention that maximized the ecological value by balancing the social needs of the neighborhood. The area at the doorstep of the plant lent itself for a plaza that could maximize this relationship. Pulling inspiration from the existing gorge geological horizons, the plaza is broken into six sections. Through differential weathering, each section reveals different conditions for both social value and ecological value. Each section provides different soil conditions based on its horizon- limestone, shale, sandstone; which results in different plant communities. The rate of weathering leaves different social environments that the community can utilize.
collegiate [shale plaza perspective]
conceptual [harness]
[transparency]
In a globally connected world, there still is lack of transparency between academia & the professional realm. I have teamed up with the chair of the department to lead a group of programmers, behavioral scientists & graphic designers to tackle this issue of increasing this transparency, and in effect enhance the student experience at Cornell. I have proposed to the department a truly revolutionary idea that has not been done at any of the other top landscape architecture programs in the country. I proposed that each student in the program be offered a voluntary profile page on the program’s website that they can upload work and contact information. This will in effect create a “living” website for the program instead of the static site that currently exists. Employers can access these profiles to search the student database. Students can link their profile page to resumes & cover letters to showcase more work to a potential employer. Prospective students can observe what student work is being completed at Cornell. Finally, as students graduate, an alumni database will develop for current students to contact. We’re hoping to have the website public by fall 2012.
transparency
In 2011, the Cornell University Sustainability Design (CUSD) student group took on the daunting challenge of designing the most sustainable university building in the country. Seizing this amazing opportunity, I volunteered to join an interdisciplinary team of designers and engineers to design the decentralized stormwater/wastewater treatment system for the building. To accomplish this feat, we proposed a system that is decentralized from the municipal water system. We begin by harnessing the rainwater that falls onto our proposed rooftop. The roof has been designed to be 8,000 sq. ft., giving us the potential to capture 150,000 gallons annually. Once the rainwater is in the cistern, the water gets sent to the building’s sinks and showers. The water is then sent through our chlorine treatment system, restoring the water to a potable quality. After the chlorine system, the water is sent to a living wall that both purifies the water and acts as a visual teaching component for the public. Once through the living wall, the water is sent to low-flow composting toilets. The resulting compost is at a pure enough grade that can be used onsite for ecological uses. Only a few examples of this innovative closed loop system exist in the country.
harness
[michael voelkel] [graduate] master of landscape architecture Cornell University [undergraduate] bachelor of environmental design University of Colorado [reside] 101 Brook Lane Ithaca, NY 14850 [mobile] 303.917.2576 [email] michael.t.voelkel@gmail.com [website] michaelvoelkel.com [employment] pedersen associates landscape architects [related skills]
AutoCAD 2012; Vectorworks 2011; SketchupPro8; Photoshop CS5; Illustrator CS5; InDesign CS5; iWeb; iMovie; iDVD; Cyberduck; FilemakerPro9v.3; Landmark 2009
[awards received]
LEED AP; Bay-Friendly Qualified Landscape Design Professional; Eagle Scout; Paul Harris Fellow; member of Heritage YP, INFORUM, Symphonix, Las Aguilas de Diablo, CUSD-SRF & CU Design Competition
contact