Thread web
a network of fine threads
Threading an urban web into the existing rural fabric of Karaka Natasha Iyer
CONTENTS introduction
views
context
opportunites and consrtaints
our vision
thread | web
karaka west
building footprint
overview
transport corridor
vegetation
green network
hydrology
vegetation
topography
structure plan
Karaka
existing site elements
existing
existing
existing
existing
concept
proposed
proposed
proposed
proposed
INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT
our vision
KARAKA WEST
SITE ELEMENTS
vegetation
The major site elements currently within the chosen extent of West Karaka are: • • • • •
Vegetation Hydrology Views from stream area Views from the highest point Views from the sea looking towards the coastline of Karaka
hydrology
These elements show the most important ecological and built features that will be utilised within the final design.
views
SITE ELEMENT:
VEGETATION
Due to the coastal environment, it is predominantly herbaceous saline vegetation across the low-lying coastline (till up to 4m above sea level). Overall vegetation in this area is quite sparse with a near negligible amount of mangroves in the harbor side (towards the west). Moving away from the coast to higher land (13m above sea level), high producing exotic grasslands take up 80% of the total area. There is no significant native forests or existing cropland in this area.
SITE ELEMENT:
HYDROLOGY
Site has one stream to the south. Most of the land is pretty flat. The dark blue areas from the land to the sea show the water flows on site. This information was a guide in determining what areas could be planted/buffered to reduce run off and erosion. The site slopes from the east to west. Most natural water on site flows into the Manukau Harbour.
SITE ELEMENT:
TOPOGRAPHY Located on the coast of West Karaka, the topography of the site is quite dynamic with a stream on the south border of our chosen site. The highest point on the site is at 26m and the lowest is sea level. Overall, Karaka has gentle rolling slopes, and this chosen 88hectares of land represents both the unique rolling pasturelands and well as the abundant stream corridors of Karaka. The slopes are quite gentle, with none of them over 15%. The land rises gradually from the coast towards the east for about 100m, from here it rises up to about 13m-15m, provided a good opportunity for coastal development, safe from predicted sea-level rise and flooding, and maximizing on the beautiful expansive sunset view.
VIEWS
Stream
One of the main drivers for securing information on the available views was to maximize on the picturesque open rural quality of Karaka. Secondly, it helped in analyzing where 3-5 storied buildings could be placed without blocking some of these beautiful coastal or rural views. Area near the streams have been chosen as an important place to analyze views as one of our initial drivers was to develop medium density cluster housing communities along the streams and have an urban farming fabric around it as well. Analyzing the views from this point provided information on the placement of different density housing, e.g. single unit, apartment blocks, etc.
highest point views Analysis of what can be seen from the highest point on site. Analysis of what can be seen from the highest point on site. As Karaka has gentle rolling hills, not much can be seen even from the highest point. Although it is valuable information in allocating a good ratio of built form views and green open space views
view from the sea views
Analysis of what can be of the coast from the sea. This helped in deciding how the land near the coast could be developed to enhance the views of Karaka from off the coast. In true navigation style, we thought about what can be seen of Karaka from the water and other sides of the coast. The experiment was to look at Karaka from another’s perspective.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS The soil in the chosen section is silt loam. It provides for development opportunites. The constraints were the proposed coastal vegetation buffer: 50m along the coast, the recreational coastal forest on the north west corner of the site, the 50m stream buffer to the south. The proposed KAraka-Wymouth bridge and Karaka West to Karaka North connection forms the basis of the next stage of the project. Cluster housing is disperesed through some of the stream buffers to provide for ecologically rich neighbourhoods. Of the 88hectares, 29 hectares is retired land.
thread webconcept Based on the conservation subdivision model, I developed a one-hectare block model of cluster housing for each of the density zones. To lay the site out, I used a 1-hectare hexagon model (each side of the hexagon measures 100m). The complex web of nodes the shape created got me interested in exploring it as an alternative urban layout pattern, challenging the traditional grid approach. I denoted areas for potential development on the intersections of the hexagon. In the high density and mixed-use zoned areas, the spread of these nodes were close knit, occurring within a hectare of each other. As it approached the medium density zone, every alternate node was potentially assigned as a building footprint.
Once these nodes were assigned, I tired to find the multiple ways in which they could connect. This approach divided the land between these nodes. The areas between the nodes in the high and mixed-use zones were tighter, smaller and more compact than those derived in the medium density zone. I then used the topography; hydrology, views, vegetation and the land-use capability maps to finalize which of these nodes could be developed.
thread web
a network of fine threads
Placing my conceptual web on top of these layers did the trick. On analyzing the land use capability map, I learnt that most areas are well suited to be used as farmlands. Exactly what they could be used for (e.g. orchards, livestock, etc.) would be the next stage of investigation for me. Most of the land in the area could be used for different farming practices as Karaka boasts of good quality loam soil, in this area silt loam, which has a high rate of permeability. The water flows map made me reconsider a few residential nodes and change them to farming instead. I’ve planted around where the water flows are high, so the water can filter into the system. Planting could help determine the level of infiltration.
proposed
building footprint web network
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proposed
transport corridor web network
The transport corridor was placed to connect the nodes of cluster housing. Intricate circulation web for pedestrians and cyclists is spun in between the buildings. The roads in the residential areas are 6m wide and the main circulatory public transport roads are 15m. The proposed multi-modal Karaka-Weymouth Bridge that connects to North Karaka as well is 20m wide. Residential roads cater to pedestrian, cyclists, buses and horses. The Karaka-Weymouth multi-modal bridge additionally caters to a light rail network.
stages
proposed
green network
coastal buffer, stream buffer, urban farms
Numerous factors determined the urban farm network. Cherishing and intensifying the beautiful rural character of Karaka is one of the main drivers of this project and achieving a connectivity between the propsed ecological buffer. The land around the main roads have been retained as open green space to serve several purposes.: *To potentially treat the storm water run-off from the massive multimodal road. *Potential filtration systems before the water seeps into the residential and urban farm network. (Wetlands, swale, rain gardens) (Storm water detention or retention techniques) *Reduce the possibility of strip development to occur around the main roads and destroy the rural quality of Karaka as seen while driving through the township. The farms and open space fabric have been assigned to achieve a strong connectivity of green spaces throughout Karaka. Also, it ensures porous surfaces between impervious surfaces (building footprint, roading infrastructure), providing opportunities to be innovative with storm water management on site.
proposed
vegetation
coastal buffer & stream buffer
A 50m coastal buffer is proposed to prevent the coastline from degenerating. The North-West corner of the site shows a fraction of the larger portion of land retired for coastal recreation purposes. There is a 50m buffer on the streams and 10m-15m where the flows aren’t so heavy.
key species Coastal Native: Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) Melicytus ramiflorus (Mahoe) Coprosma robusta ( Karamu) Coprosma arborea(Mamangi) Hebe stricta (Koromiko) Kunzea ericoides (Kanuka) Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka) Alectryon excelsum (Titoki) Plagianthus divaricatus (Marsh Ribbonwood) Dacrydium dacrydioides (Kahikatea) Podocarpus totara (Totara) Vitex lucens (Puriri)
key species Streams Exotic: Acmena Floribunda Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Crataegus monogyna Cupressus arizonica (cypress) Cupressus erecta viridis (cypress) Fraxinus excelsior (ash) Fraxinus velutina (ash) Liquidambar styraciflua Magnolia campbellii Ulmus procera ‘Louis van Houtte’ Salix babylonica (willow) Quercus robur (oak) Populus nigra ‘Italica’ Platanus acerifolia (plane trees) Pinus radiata (pine)
Cortaderia fulvida (Toe Toe): stream edging, soil stabilisation Dicksonia squarosa (Wheki) Cyathea medullaris (Mamaku): to shade near stream and outfalls. Cordyline australis (Cabbage tree): stream and outfalls. Mahoe (for widespread use, extremely important for stabilization)
Key species for shading, edging, enhancing stream ecology, providing for bird habitat, fostering the ecology of Karaka
STRUCTURE PLAN
high density
medium density
Live, work, play...