Infiltration Landscapes - Natasha Lee - UoN 2022 Studio 7 by Natasha Lee

INFILTRATION LANDSCAPES:

an adaptive response to water resilience natasha lee / 2022

part i: time a brief history of catherine hill bay

Always was, always will be indigenous land. the land on which catherine hill by is situated today, belongs to the awabakal and darkinung people. the coastal area was used as a meeting place between the two language groups. any trace of indigenous culture in the bay was destroyed when white colonisers settled in the area.

colonisation catherine hill bay was colonised in the late 1860’s, followed by the beginning of a local coal mining industry in 1873 and the construction of the iconic catherine hill bay jetty. the township grew to over 100 dwellings, public spaces were built such as the pub, post office, church, school, bowling club and police station to service the town. the mine and associated jetty operated for 129 years, until it’s closure in 2002. today, the pub remains as the only public space for the community.

present day today, the township of catherine hill bay has grown to over 750 dwellings. with a complicated history of development, the town is split along it’s ridge, with the preserved mining town to the north, and modern suburbia ot the south. both areas are enveloped by protected, unspoiled bushland and connected to the pristine moonee and middle camp beaches.

part ii: duality initial exploration of site complexities

environmental duality the site contains a duality between extraction and conservation. the areas shown in green, are all the zones that are dedicated environmental protection areas area, including the wallarah national park in the north and munmorah state conservation area in the south. the mine continued to operate despite bordering these environmental protection zones.

physical duality catherine hill bay is situated within a protected biodiversity zone. human impacts on the biosphere can be severe, including noise , light and water pollution and soil erosion caused by run off . this proximity between the anthropocene and the biosphere raises the question; can the biosphere be protected so closely adjacent to human development and habitation?

cultural duality the site contains a duality between progress and preservation. main camp and middle camp (shown in black) are small, largely original mining cottages, and fall under the heritage conservation area. the new rose group development (shown pink), has increased the population of catherine hill bay by over 1000%. There is a distinct architectural drift between the two sides of the ridge line.

connection water is the key element that ties all three dualities together. water is the source of identity, spirituality, culture and wellbeing. water is the one necessary condition for all forms of life. in investigating the hydrology of catherine hill bay, can we use water and its qualities to repair the environmental, physical and cultural dualities of the site?

part iii: hydrology analyzing the hydrological condition

P R E C I P I TAT IO N

R E SE RVO I R , EVA P O R AT IO N D E P O SI T IO N , RU N - O F F

I N F I LT R AT IO N

P E R C O L AT IO N

R E SE RVO I R , AQU I F E R

G R O U N DWAT E R U P TA K E

part a : cyclical condition the water cycle through modeling, i began to explore the water cycle to better understand water movement at a global scale. the water cycle model became a method to uncover the natural processes of water deceleration, capture and renewal.

source: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/rise-el-nino-and-la-nina

1876

la nina / el nino cycle el niño and la niña are two opposing climate patterns in the pacific ocean that can both have global impacts on weather, wildfires, ecosystems, and economies. each cycle typically last nine to twelve months, but can sometimes last for years. el niño and la niña events occur every two to seven years, on average, but they don’t occur on a regular schedule.

2018

EL NINO / DISTRIBUTION

LA /NINA / DECELERATION

la nina / el nino cycle during la niña, periods of heavy rainfall , we must slow the flow of water, and treat and filter run off to protect our ecosystems. during el niño, we must prioritise rainwater harvesting and reuse, and rely on water capture methods used during la niña.

part b : surface condition modeling water flows an exploration of site specific water flows and site topography. the modeling process revealed catchment areas and highlighted potential issues of storm water run off from the new development that drains into these catchments.

catchment areas 26

wetlands / littoral rainforest

mapping surface hydrologies lake

macquarie

catchment

estuary

middle

creek

freshwater

catchment

moonee

beach

freshwater

catchment

littoral rainforest / coastal management coastal wetland / coastal management

sea level rise 28

surface hydrologies

mapping surface hydrologies sea level rise map / 2100 high likelihood sea level rise map / 2150 high likelihood lake

macquarie

catchment

estuary

middle

creek

freshwater

catchment

moonee

beach

freshwater

catchment

littoral rainforest / coastal management coastal wetland / coastal management

groundwater aquifers 30

groundwater dependent ecosystems

part c : sub-surface condition mapping sub-surface hydrologies groundwater / lower freshwater aquifer groundwater low

potential

upper ground

freshwater water

aquifer

dependency

moderate potential groundwater dependency high

potential

groundwater

dependency

surface geology 32

permeable geologies

mapping sub-surface hydrologies sandstone

alluvium silt

conglomerate

quartz lithic sand

conglomerate a

coastal sand dunes coastal deposits

anthropogenic

sandstone and conglomerates are permeable geologies that are able to filter and hold water. they are most suitable at absorbing water during la niña.

soil typologies 34

infiltration soils

mapping sub-surface hydrologies podosols / type a soil / high infiltration rudosols / type b soil / moderate infiltration kurosols / type c soil / slow infiltration organosols / type d soil / very slow infiltration podosols are soils that are able to quickly filter water. this soil type is most suitable to absorb and filter water to recharge the aquifers below. rudosols are also suitable, however not as efficient. both soils contain approximately 10% clay content, this clay is able to absorb pollutants from the water.

SEA LEVEL RISE - 2100/2150

LITTORAL RAINFOREST

UPPER AQUIFER

point of intervention podosol soil type a hydrological soil high infiltration conglomerate geology above upper aquifer WETLAND ENVIRONMENT

resilient site the process of mapping hydrologies has pinpointed the site of intervention. the sites combination of surface and sub-surface hydrology, makes it a natural site of water resilience, where water can adapt to the la niña/el niño cycle. during la niña, the type a soil is able to quickly absorb water, decelerating flows and reducing risk of flooding. during periods of rain, the high permeability of the soil and geology allows water to enter and recharge the aquifers below, storing water for later use during the el niño cycle.

part iv: remediation making flows visible

In Australia we have battled with the direct impacts of climate change. We have navigated, and continue to do so, extreme drought, severe flooding, warmer temperatures and rising sea levels. As stated by Astrida Neimanis in “Bodies of Water“; “Clearly our planetary waters and water systems are wounded.” Although it may seem commonplace to distinguish between land and water, in Australian Indigenous cultures, land and water constitute a single cultural landscape. In traditional ways of managing the health of country, there is no strict separation of water, land, air, plants and animals, as all are perceived as single, interconnected organism where water flows like blood. Since colonization, the white man has managed water as a resource, as a commodity. Water was suddenly severed from the whole. Our colonial and post colonial management practices of water are destructive. Our hydrological environments are at risk, only made worse by climate change.

During the cycle of El Niño, there is not enough water, due to a combination of over extraction and severe drought. During the cycle of La Niña, our water systems are infected by pollution from human development, agriculture and land clearing. We must return to the custodian nature of water management and begin to re-frame our post-colonial understanding of water, we must accept and protect our planetary hydrological landscapes as one vital part of the systemic whole, the living planet. My design proposition aims to become an infiltration landscape, an adaptive response to climate change, a system that can adjust to the dramatic juxtapositions of the La Niña/El Niño cycle to better maintain and protect our hydrological systems, and all interconnected systems.

in Catherine Hill Bay, the site of intervention for the infiltration landscape is the hydrological system surrounding the new subdivision development, where the increase of impervious surfaces has led to pollution of nearby water systems. to combat this and increase water resilience, my proposition operates at three scales; A

catchment

scale

urban

scale

human

scale

CREEK CATCHMEN T UPPER AQUIFER

LITTORAL RAINFOREST

CATCHMEN T EST UARY

WETLAND ENVIRONMENT

site plan / prior to infiltration landscape

part a : catchment scale constructed wetland the infiltration landscape uses a constructed wetland, a series of treatment ponds, to create an aquifer storage and recovery system. The ponds treat run off and prevent polluted water entering our waterways and environments. the aquifers are recharged with the treated water, promoting the health of groundwater dependent ecosystems. The aquifer then transforms into a storage place for water, that can be redrawn in times of drought in the el niño cycle.

SECTION - AQUIFER RECHARGE

SCALE: 1:2000

aquifer recharge

SECTION - AQUIFER RECHARGE

SCALE: 1:2000

aquifer withdrawal

site section

constructed wetland the constructed wetlands are located in important catchment zones around the existing development. the first zone catches the run off from the northern side of the ridge line, treating water before entering the dispersal zone for aquifer recharge. the second zone catches run off from the southern side of the ridge, and similarly treats run off before it enters the wetland and riparian zone below. both zones use a three step treatment system.

UPPER AQUIFER

DISPERSAL ZONE / AQUIFER RECHARGE BALANCE POND

MACROPHYTE POND SEDIMEN TATION POND

SEDIMEN TATION POND MACROPHYTE POND BALANCE POND

WETLAND ENVIRONMENT

catchment scale / constructed wetland

Sedimentation pond Macrophyte pond

balance pond

lepironia articulata phragmites australis juncus usitatus

phragmites australis bolboschenus ﬂuviatilis lepironia articultata

section / treatment ponds 48

bolboschenus ﬂuviatilis crassula helmsi phragmites australis

Sedimentation pond Macrophyte pond lepironia articulata phragmites australis juncus usitatus

bolboschenus ﬂuviatilis crassula helmsi phragmites australis

sedimentation pond first the water enters a sedimentation pond to filter out larger particles and contaminants. water enters the sediment pond, slowing down to less than 0.5m/s. gravity pulls the coarse and medium sediment to the bottom. the cleaner water stays at the top of the pond and flows through the outlet structure. 49

Sedimentati Macrophyte pond lepironia articulata phragmites australis juncus usitatus

ance pond

agmites australis boschenus ﬂuviatilis ronia articultata

macrophyte pond the second step is the macrophyte pond, a shallow pond densely planted with aquatic plants, which removes fine particles and dissolved pollutants. the macrophyte vegetation removes pollutants via sorption to the biofilms of the plant stems. 50

bolboschenus crassula helm phragmites au

australian macrophytes

lepirona articulata

phragmites australis

juncus usitatus

“grey sedge”

“common reed”

“common rush”

balance pond phragmites australis bolboschenus ﬂuviatilis lepironia articultata

balance pond the third stage is the balance pond, which also uses macrophytes for further filtration. The balance pond is used to store water for short periods to mediate the flow of water to the dispersal zone or wetland.

dispersal zone

SECTION - AQUIFER RECHARGE

SCALE: 1:2000

the location of the dispersal zone for aquifer recharge was determined by the analysis of the site hydrology. the dispersal zone further treats the water by absorbing any residual pollutants in the clay content of the soil and geology.

part b : urban scale infill development at the urban scale, water sensitive design elements can be applied to infill development across the site.

infill development footprint 112m2

water sensitive principals include; reduced dwelling footprints and site coverage green spaces to promote water infiltration bioswlaes

treat

permeable

paving

stormwater

and

driveway

run

off

surfaces

removal of fences for natural surface flow existing development footprint 325m2

EXISTING DWELLINGS / HIGH SITE COVERAGE

INFILL DWELLINGS / LOW SITE COVERAGE BIOSWALES PERMEABLE SURFACES

VISIBLE FLOWS / WATERWAY PROTECTION RAIN GARDENS

urban scale / infill development

3 56

1. reduced footprint reduced dwelling footprints increase area for trees, gardens and water infiltration.

2. green sapces increase of green spaces , canopy trees and deep root planting increases soil infiltration, and reduces the urban heat effect.

3. bioswales

2 2

impermeable surfaces are directed to bioswales across the site. this water is then directed to the macrophyte pond for further treatment.

3 57

1 5

4 3

6 4

urban scale / infill development

4. permeable surfaces permeable surfaces and driveways are used to further encourage infiltration and reduce impervious surfaces, therefore reducing percentage of run off.

5. barrier removal removing fences and barriers between properties allows for natural surface water flows and increases area for greening. this became a key driver in the architecture, forming courtyards and communal spaces between dwellings

6. sedimentation pond

eucalyptus haemastoma “scribbly gum”

corymbici gummifera “red bloodwood”

7. macrophyte pond

part c : human scale making flows visible at the human scale, dwelling footprints are reduced, and dwellings are grouped, to generate opportunities to locally harvest, store and manage water. by grouping dwellings around water storage, much larger tanks can be employed and shared. the stored water can then be used, recycled and reticulated via third pipes, forming closed loop systems. the architecture is driven by a balance between water storage and water infiltration. the design of the faux butterfly roof directs the eye to the stored water. no longer are rainwater tanks hidden away, out of sight. water use and management is instead brought to the fore.

grey water recycling 60

Rainwater Capture 36,000L

human scale / infill development 61

infiltration landscapes 62

conclusion

This proposition, Infiltration Landscapes, aims to create a system of water management that is adaptive to climate change, and the la Niña/el Niño cycle. The system encourages water sensitive design and aims to bring attention to our hydrological systems by making flows visible. By doing so, we can begin to protect and re-mediate our hydrological and ecological environment.

storage

In Catherine Hill Bay, with its sandy soils and aquifers, the balance between water storage and water infiltration is crucial to caring for our hydrology and ecosystems.

infiltration

balance

part v: aspiration reflection for future research

INFILL / WATER SENSI TIVE DEVELOPMEN T

EX ISTING / BUSINESS AS USUAL

DEMOLISHED DWELLINGS / RETAIN FLOW PATHWAYS

NAT URAL FLOW PATHS / WATERCOURSE

urban scale / infill development

housing availability Continued research into Infiltration Landscapes would be ideal to further develop the project. An investigation into new housing typologies and the potential for these water sensitive designs to also address the national housing crisis could be explored. The dwellings developed in this project all involve a reduced footprint. By building on this ethos through further design research and iteration, the project could also combat housing availability and affordability, alongside water resilience. In this snapshot plan of the Catherine Hill Bay development, water sensitive infill development covers 24 lots. Under the ‘business as usual’ approach, this would equate to 24 dwellings. By comparison, the water sensitive design provides 45 dwellings. If water sensitive developments were to be applied to the entire development area, 550 lots, this would equate to approximately 1030 dwellings, compared to 550 over the same area, a 87.5% increase.

human scale / infill development

housing affordability Similarly to housing availability, the water sensitive infill development has the potential to also provide affordable housing. The reduced footprint equates to reduced construction costs. The simple linear structure and potential modularity of the design could reduce costs further. The dwellings include flexible sleeping/living spaces, to accommodate varying family sizes and co-living arrangements. In future, varying typologies, such as duplex, multi dwelling units and apartments, can be designed to accommodate water sensitive ideology and housing affordability. These principals can then be overlaid onto multiple sites across NSW and Australia, where we can begin to imagine a national-scale Infiltration Landscape.

acknowledgments This project would not have been possible without the guidance, care and enthusiasm of my tutor Irene Perez Lopez, who pushed me every week to delve further and explore endless possibilities. Special thank you to Ruby Saunders, my mentor, partner in crime and wonderful friend, who spent hundreds of hours in the studio with me over the semester, giving me wonderful ideas and input. Thank you to my wonderful tutorial group, who always inspired me and taught me so mny new and exciting things in the realm of design and future thinking.

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