Natasha Harkison: Portfolio

NATASHA HARKISON

Portfolio *selected works 2009 | 2013

*deyoung exhibit 2013

NATASHA HARKISON 345 West Pebble Creek Lane, Orange, CA 92865 E harkison.nn@gmail.com / P 714.926.4333 I am diligent and self-motivated in staying true to my own certainties while using design as a tool to represent values of highest priority. Through my abilities to explore the limits of reality and think in a critical way, I am interested in the exploration of growth in all realms and a collaborative effort that will further help my growth as a designer.

EDUCATION California State Polytechnic University, Pomona Bachelor of Science: Landscape Architecture 2009-2013 Santa Chiara Study Center - Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy Study Abroad: Landscape Architecture, History, Graphics Fall 2012 California State Polytechnic University, Fullerton Focus: Music Performance and Composition, Basic Art 2007-2009

INVOLVEMENT OC Park Solar Decathlon Site Design Collaboration 2013 ASLA Student Award Competition 2012 ASLA Student Chapter President 2012-2013 ASLA National Student Member since 2009 Landscape Architecture Accreditation Gallery Installation 2013 Subsurface Magazine Contributor 2011

ACCOMPLISHMENTS ASLA Student Honor Award: Concrete Habitat Units [General Design Category] 2013 Howard O. Boltz Award for Outstanding Senior 2013 ASLA Southern California Chapter - Honor Award 2013 Cal Poly Pomona Landscape Architecture - Outstanding Junior Award 2012 CLASS Fund Scholarship 2012 Chapman Forestry Foundation Scholarship 2012 Galarza Scholarship 2012

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE Marmol Radziner + Associates - Los Angeles, CA Landscape Designer, July 2013-present Various private residential design and construction Responsibilities include preparation of concept packages, design research materials, planting palettes and design, construction documentation sets and submittals, client/ consultant communication Orange County Parks Design - Irvine, CA Design Assistant, June-August 2012 OC parklands, open space, regional and wilderness parks Park rehabilitation proposals, cost estimates, record database updates

SKILLS Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Lightroom Microsoft Office

AutoCAD Revit Architecture SketchUp Rhinoceros

Self-motivated, dependable, articulate, detail-oriented Verbal, Written + Visual Communication Experience with collaborative design work and ability to take leadership role Fluent Gujurati and English Basic Spanish and Italian

INTERESTS Travel Photography Hot yoga Hiking *References Available on Request

*golden gate cables 2013

CONTENTS

FLY 1 +180 +195

2

+150

+120

3

+225

HIBERNATE

Progression

CLIMATE

Hopes + Dreams Urban Design | Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles; winter 2013

+105

01

CHMU + Concrete Wilderness

+75

GOLD RUSH

1849 Discover means for a new life

02

FORTUNE

12

Urban Wild | Anywhere, Los Angeles; spring 2012

+135

CLIMATE

06

Urban Design | South Park, Los Angeles; spring 2013

+165

1800 Land availability & seasonality

South Park Collective

TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD

1869 Provides ability to move west

03

ABILITY

HOLLYWOOD LAND

1900 Economic boom

04

OPPORTUNITY

1950

05

LIFESTYLE

Land for the rich and famous

2000 +

LIFESTYLE

ROOST

18

THE SOUTH PARK COLLECTIVE The South Park Collective seeks to influence the growth of the existing creative industry in Los Angeles, reveal the making and manufacturing process through all forms of the built environment, and create continuity through the districts of downtown LA. The valued process of manufacturing is revealed through a high level or efficiency and quality. Between built forms of landscape and architectural structure, the South Park Collective is a unique system that supports smallness and individuality.

TRADITIONAL RETAIL

SOUTHPARK BUSINESS PROPOSAL

THE CREATIVE SMALL BUSINESS MODEL

dorothy chandler pavilion

+ CIVIC CENTER WD concert hall

grand park

bank of america plaza

+ BUNKER HILL

city hall

omni

th largest employment cluster of 66

+ HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

biltmore pershing square

Fig&7th

4

1/8

regional jobs in the creative field

LA theatre grammy museum

+ JEWELRY DISTRICT

4

la live

th largest employment clustercooper of 66 building orpheum theatre

SOUTH PARK CMC

convention center

4

+ ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

th largest employment cluster of 66 LA trade tech college

1/8

regional jobs in the creative field

+ TOY DISTRICT

1/8

regional jobs + CENTRAL in the creative CITY EAST field

+ FASHION DISTRICT

entertainment santee alley

7.1:1

communication arts

1:1.1

communication arts

1:1.1

spring&broadway

+ FINANCIAL DISTRICT

THE entertainment CREATIVE 7.1:1 ECONOMY

fashion

archway studio entertainment

fashion

7.1:1

14.3:1

communication arts

visual + performing arts

1:1.1

1:2

art galleries

toys

14.3:1

1.47:1

12.9:1

visual + performing arts

architecture + interior design

furniture + home furnishing

+ WAREHOUSE DISTRICT

1:2

LOS ANGELES CREATIVE INDUSTRY 6

2.89:1

20.1:1

EMPLOYEE: SELF art galleries EMPLOYED

1.47:1

architecture + interior design

2.89:1

110

101

5

110

BUNKER HILL

FINANCIAL DISTRICT

110

ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN JEWELRY DISTRICT

10 101

10

LITTLE TOKYO

5

ARTS DISTRICT

TOY DISTRICT

CENTRAL CITY EAST SEAFOOD DISTRICT

SOUTH PARK 10

CIVIC CENTER

FASHION DISTRICT

101

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT PRODUCE DISTRICT

10

CENTRAL INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT

10

110

5

LOS ANGELES DISTRICT CONTEXT

CONTINUITY

FINANCIAL

ENTERTAINMENT

FASHION

UNIVERSITY

ow er

d

Ho

pe

Fl

Fi g

ue

ro a

DISCONNECT

FIXED SYSTEM FRAMEWORK

Br oa

Hi ll

Staples Center

dw ay

Ol

iv e

Gr an

LA Live

9t

h

Ol ym

pic

LA Convention Center 11 t

h

12 t

h

Pi

co

7

California Market Center

01

05

09

13

17

21

02

06

10

14

18

22

03

07

11

15

19

23

04

08

12

16

20

24

5.7 FAR

5.2 FAR

7.1 FAR

3.2 FAR

5.2 FAR

3.6 FAR

9.7 FAR

19 FAR

5.3 FAR

11.6 FAR

5.0 FAR

7.2 FAR

6.1 FAR

5.3 FAR

5.6 FAR

4.5 FAR

3.2 FAR

3.3 FAR

7.3 FAR

6.1 FAR

6.6 FAR

3.4 FAR

4.7 FAR

4.4 FAR

TOTAL FAR: 6.2

ADAPTIVE REUSE

INFILL

existing property

TOPICAL GROWTH re e

tc

ar

SMALLNESS

proposed property

St

INCREMENTAL DEVELOPMENT LA LIVE

ar

Grand Hope Park

St

re e

tc

The importance of incremental development in the South Park Collective is important is the growth of a city. By using existing parking structures as so-called hubs for public use, the public realm, and as community resources, the height of the city will ensue itself over time. Assuming this incremental growth comes with the idea of underpinning, or preserving the existing buildings of South Park to ensure the rights of all current residents as well as the growth of other creative businesses. The idea of topical growth ensures density in areas of most interaction, with the fixed system framework as a backbone to the nature of the city of Los Angeles. The idea is to development the urban environment successfully over time - through small bounds of growth.

Staples Center

+

+

+ +

+

11th Street Streetcar Stop

Pico+Flower Metro Rail Stop + Broadway+11th Street Bus Stop

Blu

eL

ine

+

Br oa

dw ay Av e.

Me

tro

+

8

11 t

Community Resource Park Open Space

h

local bus stop community resource / parking structure

St

re e

t

INCREMENTAL TRANSFORMATION

EXISTING CONDITION

eet

Pico Station

Pic

PROPOSED CONDITION

9

BROADWAY APPROACH The Broadway Alley condition remains the same as to allow for linear making conditions, conduction of materials, and the use of transportation for supplies. This portion of Broadway seeks to maintain a condition that will allow the growth of downtown Los Angeles and the Broadway commercial sector.

REVEALING OF THE ‘MAKE’ PROCESS The revelation of the make process is most shown through the landscape, architectural qualities, and function of the ‘alley’ condition in this excerpt. The transformation of the alley allows a fluctuating series of events to occur on a timely basis - year round. The ideas of growth over time are best shown through the constructive process of the landscape. Making occurs in all realms of the built environment where visibility and the public realm are treated equally.

10

MODELLING SMALLNESS + FLUCTUATION

11

N

CHMU + CONCRETE WILDERNESS - 3-5” TALL 11-16” WINGSPAN AVERAGE ADULT WEIGHT 1/2-3/4 OUNCES 18-20 YEAR LIFE SPAN 40 MPH FLYING SPEED BENEFICIAL MAMMAL AS PEST CONTROL

” 13 an gsp n i w

BIG BROWN BAT eptesicus fuscus finger

thumb

- 1/2 INCH CRACKS, GAPS, AND NICHES ARE SUITABLE TO THE SURVIVAL OF A BAT - NOCTURNAL CREATURES APPEAR AFTER SUNSET/BEFORE SUNRISE

forearm

foot

- ROOST = HOME OR PLACE OF HIBERNATION - PREFERENCE OF WARM ROOSTING HABITAT IN SUMMER/ COOL ROOST IN WINTER BUILDINGS, ROOFTOPS, GARAGES, CAVES, TREES, ATTICS, SEWERS, AND ANY URBAN CONDITION

calcar

foot

tail

- HIBERNA - COOL TE FAT STOR - SITES FR

MATIN

- HIBERNATION OCCURS DURING WINTER - COOL TEMPERATURED LOCATIONS ALLOW FOR FAT STORAGE DURING HIBERNATION - SITES FREE OF HUMAN DISTURBANCE BIRTH

- MATING OCCURS PROMPTLY BEFORE SEASONAL HIBERNATION - 60 DAY GESTATION PERIOD - MOTHER BATS GATHER IN COLONIES AT TIME OF BIRTH

12

STAGE 1

STAGE 2

STAGE 3

- MATING SEASON - 60 DAY G - MOTHER BIRTH

FLY

THE CONCRETE HABITAT MASONRY UNIT The Concrete Masonry Unit was redeveloped as a means to create opportunity within the existing local infrastructure. Vast amounts of CMU walls line southern California freeways, and this presents a Concrete Habitat Unit with the equity being placed on ecological opportunism.

HIBERNATE

3D models were digitally drafted as a visual representation of the new CHmU given the structural habitat requirements of the Big Brown Bat. Half-inch gaps and niches were the focus for this unit, and a series of opportunities have been established through host research and my personal values of equity within ecology and the landscape. While still functioning as a typical masonry unit, this series of Big Brown Bat units will foresee opportunities to fly, roost, and hibernate given seasonal change and phonologic characteristics.

Opportunity can present itself Anywhere.

13

ROOST

FLY

Structural properties specific to the Big Brown Bat were transformed into a manifested component within freeway infrastructure. Through this system, we are allowing interspecies equity among those that occupy the highway. Opportunities are located throughout and within the CHMU to allow bats to roost, fly, and hibernate.

CMU ORIGIN

ROOST

8”

cavity

IN/OUT 1/2”

ROOST

FLY

water collection

FLY

IN/OUT

HIBERNATE

water collection

IN/OUT

top

1/2”

right

CMU ADAPTATION 14

HIBERNATE

CMU ORIGIN

8”

16”

ROOST

1/2”

insects _roost_colony_nocturnal_gaps_cracks_

1/2 inch

water collection

FLY

IN/OUT

HIBERNATE

water collection

1/2”

front

CHMU - FLY INTERIOR

CMU ADAPTATION

CHMU - BAT WALL 15

CONCRETE WILDERNESS : INFRASTRUCTURAL INTERVENTION

Shift in utilization of existing infrastructure

nC on tex t

Population Density Trend Fuel Cost 2012

rba n

Co nte xt

Do wn tow nL

AU

rba

Shift in utilization of existing infrastructure

Do

wn tow nL

AU

2015

2020

W 210’

W 210’

nV ehic

ula

r Tra

ffic

2025

BIOFUEL PASTURES

enc

eo

2030

Dep

end

BIOFUEL PASTURES

urc

es +

VALUE

Alte

rna tive

Res o

VALUE

2035

Ignoranc

te + ne

m

to B

iofu

el

e of was

leu

Ignoran

IFT:

Pet ro

ce of was

SH

2040

16

te + nee

d for alte

rnative

ed for al

ternativ

e resour ces

Channelized river cracks support a “weed feeds tr Elephant Grass incorporation proves the success o form of urban habitat.

resourc

Channelized river cracks support a “weed feeds transportation/mac Elephant Grass incorporation proves the success of invasive weeds form of urban habitat. es

ransportation/machinery” system. of invasive weeds as a prosperous

chinery” system. as a prosperous

brid

ge h

Mult

i-sp

ecie

s bri

dge

hab

itat

abit

at

Bridge Infrastructure

wild, although as humans we choose to ignore the other forms of success within the landscape. Our values have shifted this paradigm from ignorance to equity, whether it be bridges and gutters or trash and the combustion that we leave behind from Mult i-sp our cars. ecie s Bridge Infrastructure

The map of infrastructural intervention diagrams the values of ignorance and the urban setting – in our opinion, people are considered equal to animal species that live and thrive in our existing infrastructure. These structural types include bridges, gutters, cracks, curbsides, pillars, and more. We recognize that Los Angeles is continually

H 40’

H 40’

Aviary Habitat Opportunity Aviary Habitat Opportunity

Bat incorporation into bridge structure Bat incorporation into bridge structure

HAIR HABITAT

Utilizatio

HAIR HABITAT Utilizatio

n of nega tive spac Opp

e betwee n bridge to produc and river e dried ca rp

FISH FARMING

ity fo

r fish

harv

est re unde al estate r brid ges

xxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxx

ortun

FISH FARMING

NATASHA HARKISON NABYL MACIAS LA 303L SPRING 2012 PULLMAN/WILCOX FISHERY CRISIS |

INFRASTRUCTURAL INTERVENTION

Incorporation of carp fish into Los Angeles River; restored relationship of interspecies connection o f fish + Los Angeles River existing condition.

FISHERY CRISIS |

INFRASTRUCTURAL INTERVE

Incorporation of carp fish into Los Angeles River; restored relationship of interspecies connection o f fish + Los Angeles River existing condition.

17

+180 +165

HOPES + DREAMS :

+195

+150

+135

Dodger Stadium

+120

+105

+225

Los Angeles has been historically influenced by its geology, unique culture, and continuous growth fueled by its close proximity to the ocean, mountains, and outdoor lifestyle.

all people, collaboration of infrastructural systems, and opportunities for growth and success within the landscape.

Progression CLIMATE

1800 Land availability & seasonality

01

CLIMATE

+75

GOLD RUSH

1849 Discover means for a new life

02

FORTUNE

TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD

1869 Provides ability to move west

03

ABILITY

HOLLYWOOD LAND

1900 Economic boom

04

OPPORTUNITY

1950

05

LIFESTYLE

Land for the rich and famous

2000 +

LIFESTYLE

Drawing from inspiration from the displacement of the Chavez Ravine community, our design strives to increase social equity. A mix of market rate and affordable housing allows for opportunities to live, work, learn, and grow in an adaptable community.

Since the Dodgers relocated from Brooklyn, a unique baseball culture has developed throughout Los Angeles. The foundation of Dodger culture stemmed from a redevelopment of the Chavez Ravine, the land that the stadium was constructed on. Although the stadium was established with much controversy, the topographic conditions provide for perceptual qualities which include 360 degree views of Los Angeles with angles wide enough to view downtown LA, the ocean and mountains. These qualities associated with the site are of exceptional value to Dodger culture, as it is the only stadium of its kind, resulting in high land values. A majority of the site is contained by parking lots.

Our concept is based on the California dream and the journey through Los Angeles to the Dodger Stadium site. The dream is a progression of five programs which succeed one another: climate, fortune, ability, opportunity, and lifestyle. The progression of a Dream sets the base foundation for the urban typology. The five programs that overlap throughout the site emphasize the development of interaction, which results in the adaptive resilience of the community.

The hopes and dreams of this project are derived from the experience associated with the California dream.

The idea that there was a sense of aspiration and a value of equity in the people that first moved to the southern California region can be proven, as hopes and dreams continue today with people moving to Los Angeles in hopes of fame and fortune.

The project is a 21st century representation of hopes and dreams. Hopes are connected through the built environment and its tangibility to the public realm.

Dreams are connected with the subliminal qualities associated with the location of Dodger Stadium. The framework encourages a juxtaposition of systems that seeks to create a new model for transportation, ecology, human scale and physical boundaries. A new urban typology will evolve over time, creating a selfsustaining, aspirational community that facilitates the journey and experience, equity and integration of

Through the integration of all five systems, a variety of site programming opportunities will allow for an innovative urban typology to emerge. Our plan seeks to emphasize a variety of programs and land use while providing access and equity to everyone. The mixture and density of typologies will allow people to live, work, and exponentially grow through their Hopes and Dreams. A transportation network will be implemented through the site which will enable equal access for all. A specific gondola system will extend the stadium and its community into the city of Los Angeles.

It is our hope that the next generation of dreamers to move to Los Angeles will have the opportunity to be exposed to this unique hopes and dreams framework.

18

DODGER HISTORY BETWEEN EQUITY AND DREAMS

19 lifestyle

downtown los angeles

equity

climate

dodgers: first to achieve equity within sports

lifestyle

2013

climate fortune ability

1962

opportunity

1947

pop 315

reintroduction of community to chavez ravine

the california dream opportunity

1956

1957

1950

lifestyle

opportunity

1930

1800

chavez ravine community

dodger culture > equity-based community pop 3.9 million

2013

SUBLIME LOS ANGELES + IDEAS OF PERCEPTION

go ld

ru sh

m ov em en t

ea st to

we st

1870

tra ns co do ntin dg ent a co ers l ra ac ilr m qu oa m d un i ity re ja ability ck di do sp i lac e ro dg bi em er sta en nso n di t um ho co pe m sa pl ch et nd av ed ez dr e ra am vin s e fra pr m op ew br er or oo ty k ex kly pl n o do re d dg fo er rd sm ev ov elo e pm to lo en sa t ng ele s

fortune

la loma, palo verde, bishop

1900

ec on om opportunity ic bo ch om av ez 1800 lan ra vin d av e climate es ail ta ab bl ilit ish y m en t equity + elevation

1848

1805

lifestyle

EDGE

+225

S/DT

S/DT

M

ED

GE

THE PROGRESSION OF A DREAM

O

ED

GE

M

EDGE

Progression

ED

GE

ED

GE

DT O/US

DT

CLIMATE

+75

GOLD RUSH

1849 Discover means for a new life

1800 Land availability & seasonality

02

DT

TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD

1869 Provides ability to move west

FORTUNE

03

HOLLYWOOD LAND

ABILITY

US

Land for the rich and famous

1950

OPPORTUNITY

04

LIFESTYLE DT

1900 Economic boom

EDGE

CLIMATE

01

M

O

2000 +

LIFESTYLE

05

S/DT

S/DT

EDGE

GE

M

ED

O

M

S/DT

ED

GE

EDGE

M

S/DT

O

S/DT

EDGE

EDGE S/DT

ED

GE

ED

GE

DT

S/DT O/US

GE

DT

ED

S/DT

M

DT

ED US GE

M

M

ED

GE

EDGE O

O

ED

GE

EDGE

M

S/DT

VIEWS

M

ED

• Edge • Topography • Perception

EDGE

DT

O/US

DT

ED DT

ED

GE

GE

DTDT

DT

GE ED

US

O

ED

GE

ED

GE

DT DT

O/US

DT DT

EDGE

GE

DT DT

GE

• Occupy • Freedom • Variety

US

GE

ED

O/US

DT DT

ED

ED

O

GE

M M

M M

ED

O

EDGE

US O/US

DT

DT

M

M

GE

ED

GE

O

LIFESTYLE

GE

O

S/DT

ED

O

M

DT

US

CONTEXTUAL INFLUENCE

• Porosity • Open Field • Global/local

• Diversity • Prosperity • Connection

FORTUNE

ABILITY

• Movement • Height • Power

• Knowledge • Growth • Aspiration

S/DT

S/DT

GE

M

ED

O

M

ED

GE

M

O

EDGE

In developing this new urban community, the progression of a Dream framework is translated into typologies that will realistically enable our vision.

OPPORTUNITY

EDGE

Climate is based on the unique qualities of the Los Angeles climate culture.

Fortune is based on transportation networks that connect to Los Angeles.

Ability was derived from the value of opportunity within our personal hopes and dreams.

Opportunity is based on the downtown Los Angeles business and financial sector.

Lifestyle is based on Dodger culture and the dream of a Los Angeles lifestyle.

CLIMATE

ED

GE

ED

GE

DT DT

O/US

DT

Climate equals open space.

Fortune equals retail and commercial.

Ability equals institutional and industrial.

Opportunity equals business.

Lifestyle equals residential.

DT

US

SYSTEM OVERLAP 20

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL - RETAIL

mixed use commercial/retail institutional residential

OPEN SPACE

LAND USE / ZONING

INSTITUTIONAL

COMMERCIAL - BUSINESS

FIGURE GROUND

circulation

retail / restaurants high end residential small retail shops

MIXED USE PROGRAMMING

HOPES + DREAMS SITE PLAN SCALE: nts

21

TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS

LA River

Elysian Park

LA River

Elysian Park

Solano Canyon

Solano Canyon

DODGER STADIUM

Sunset Boulevard

The strategy used for the model of transportation was based from existing routes and conditions. A focus was placed on the existing condition and how it is dealt with in the urban setting.

A series of transportation studies were performed to locate the locations with highest potential to serve as future gondola lift stations. These stations will serve as local commercial/retail and residential developments as a means to improve connectivity in the city. The Hopes and Dreams of transportation are achieved through this simple, efficient system.

Cornfields

Cornfields

Cornfields

Industrial District

Industrial District

Chinatown

Chinatown

Piggyback Yards

BIKE

DODGER STADIUM

Sunset Boulevard

Industrial District

Union Station

Piggyback Yards

Union Station

BUS BIKE

Grand Park

RAIL

Solano Canyon

DODGER STADIUM

Sunset Boulevard

Chinatown

BUS

LA River

Elysian Park

point of intersection

Grand Park

RAIL

Piggyback Yards

Union Station

BUS potential transit hub

BIKE

point of intersection

RAIL

Grand Park

LA River

Elysian Park

Solano Canyon

DODGER STADIUM

Sunset Boulevard

Cornfields

Industrial District

Chinatown

park gondola train bus trail/bike development

Piggyback Yards

GONDOLA Union Station

BUS

potential transit hub

BIKE

point of intersection

RAIL

Grand Park

THE EXPANDED OUTFIELD 22

DODGER STADIUM INTERACTION

23

Thank You Natasha N. Harkison harkison.nn@gmail.com 714.926.4333