Landscape Architecture & Design Portfolio Compilation of Selected Works | 2017-2021
About I am an experienced architecture, landscape architecture and planning professional with a growing passion for urban landscapes, placemaking, equity, active living, health care, and sustainability in planning and design. Having worked a cumulative of three years with landscape architects, planners, urban designers and architects in India as well as the United States I have developed varied interpersonal skills like project management, leadership, effective team player, highly communicative and cooperative, active listener, fast learner, and innovator. I graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Mumbai in 2015. Since then I have developed my software skills in Autodesk AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Sketchup, Lumion, Vray and Microsoft office. I also have a good understanding of Land F/X and ArcGIS. I am expecting to graduate from Texas A&M University with a Master in Landscape Architecture degree and certification in sustainable urbanism and health care systems and design coming May 2020. Outside of school and work, I like to explore the city to enjoy and observe new places and cultures. I am also interested in art and craft, model making, graphic design, illustrations, hiking, and dance.
References: Chanam Lee, PhD, MLA Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University Coordinator, PhD Program in Urban and Regional Sciences, Texas A&M University Director, Design Research for Active Living Email: chanam@tamu.edu
Bruce Dvorak, ASLA, PLA Associate Professor & MLA Coordinator, Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University Journal of Living Architecture, Editorial Advisory Board Member Email: bdvorak@tamu.edu
2 | About
Table of Contents
01 Westchase Promenade 02 Houston Vision 2020 03 Bastrop Promenade Green Space 04 Healing in the City 05 Custom Living Wall 06 E(co)lite 07 Texas Avenue Streetscape
P R O F E S S I O N A L
Landscape Designer at Asakura Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 - 7
Landscape Design Intern at Asakura Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 - 13
(AIA Competition)
Landscape Design Intern at Asakura Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 - 19
Landscape Designer at Asakura Robinson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 - 23
A C A D E M I C
Final Project at Texas A&M College of Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 - 31
Collaboration Project at Texas A&M College of Architecture . . . . . . . . . . 32 - 39 : An Eco-sensitive human centric tourist district
Studio Project at Texas A&M College of Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 - 45
Table of Contents | 3
01
Texas Avenue Streetscape Landscape Designer at Asakura Robinson
Location: Bryan, Texas Client: City of Bryan Project Manager: Peter Caldwell Project Team: Keiji Asakura, Peter Caldwell, Ying Liang, Niti Tataria Year: 2020-Present Scale: 5.5 Miles long
Personal Involvement
Site Analysis
The existing conditions of Texas Avenue in Bryan demonstrate how the connection to driveways, lack of medians, bike lanes and wider sidewalks, missing buffer spaces, and fewer street trees affect people’s experience of the streetscape. The three main goals of the project are beautification of the street, creating a safe and comfortable environment for its users, and increasing accessibility. BEAUTIFICATION: • Improving street edge conditions for uniformity and screening • Using street amenities and public art to differentiate and create a cultural identity for the downtown section •Ensure streetscape design is sustainable and economical with long-term maintenance goals by using adaptive plantings SAFE AND COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT: • Provide pedestrian and bike-friendly movement with the help of the shared-use path and crossings • Increasing safety and visibility by adding pedestrian light fixtures • Proposing comfortable and shaded environments for pedestrians and bicyclists • Guiding the vehicular traffic by implementing wayfinding signage ACCESSIBILITY: • Making sidewalks and crossings inclusive and accessible to everyone • Increasing accessibility for bicyclists with the shared-used path • Encouraging the use of public transit by proposing amenities like bus stops
Design Development
Client Presentation
Graphic Creation
Tool Kit Level Sketching
AutoCAD
Photoshop
4 | Professional | Texas Avenue Streetscape
InDesign
Sketchup
Lumion
0
30%
60%
100%
Downtown Street View at Intersection
Typical Streetscape Design Concept
Texas Avenue Streetscape | Professional | 5
Site Context Map
LEGEND E 15th ST
Proposed Median Open intersection Recommendations for pedestrian hawk beacon/ traffic signals
BRYAN
SULP 0
1000’ 2000’ 4000’
6 | Professional | Texas Avenue Streetscape
COLLEGE STATION UNIVERSITY DR
N ROSEMARY DR
E NORTH AVE
MEADO W LN EAGL E PAS S ST
HUR SPRI NGS RD
E VILLA MARIA RD OAK ST
POST OFFICE ST
ELM AVE
LE AVE A AVOND S Colle ge Ave
CARSON ST
HWY 21
S COULTER DR
TEXAS AVE
TYPICAL SECTION
R
IL
W
Bus Stop/Bench
OO DM OA DR
Y W K P E AN h ST Y t BR 26 EL E ST O J th 9 M E 2 E 33rd LIA ST
M
W
T
dS
r 23
Bus Stop
BR
W
T LU T N I T JR S AR
KI
N OW NT N W TIO DO SEC
R HE
NG
Bus Shelter
Downtown Streetscape Concept MEDIAN The central turn lane would convert into a low shrub planting median. Flowering trees are proposed at intersections. These flowering trees will indicate that the intersection ahead is closed.
STREET LIGHT WITH BANNER
0
20’
40’
VARIES
SHARED-USED PATH On the east side of the street, a shared-use path is proposed to accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists.
STREET TREES AT REGULAR INTERVALS Trees proposed at regular intervals along the sidewalk and shared-use path provide a shaded passage for pedestrians.
SIDEWALK Wider paved sidewalks (around 12’) will distinguish downtown from other zones.
80’
8’
5’
LANDSCAPE SIDEWALK LANDSCAPE BUFFER BUFFER
BENCH
27.5’
10’
TRAFFIC LANES
MEDIAN
CROSSWALK Crosswalks with continental striping at open intersections are needed for pedestrian safety.
BIKE CROSSING Green bike crossing with its standard sign is proposed at crossings and intersections near the shared-used path.
BUFFER STREET EDGE PLANTING
BUS STOP
ADA RAMP
Buffer planting between the sidewalk and adjacent property conditions like parking lots provide uniform edge conditions and help in screening.
27.5’
5’
TRAFFIC LANES
10’
VARIES
LANDSCAPE SHARED- LANDSCAPE BUFFER BUFFER USE PATH
Texas Avenue Streetscape | Professional | 7
02
Westchase Promenade
Landscape Design Intern at Asakura Robinson
Location: Westchase District, Houston, Texas Client: Westchase District Project Team: Niti Tataria, Peter Caldwell, Keiji Asakura Year: 2019 Scale: 110 acres The Westchase Promenade connects and convenes the future Westchase district. This linear public space is a catalyst for economic growth and development. It stimulates value creation and livability by creating a truly mixed-use, walkable neighborhood where residents can live, work, and play without having to drive long distances. The environment it creates is unique for its area of Houston and makes Westchase a destination along the regionally connected Westheimer corridor. Along the Promenade, office workers can comfortably and conveniently walk to lunch destinations, residents can walk home, neighbors can stop by for shopping and leisure, and visitors can shop while staying at a nearby hotel. The Promenade is an open space that also serves as a shared-use street or “woonerf.” This flexible space allows the District to further events, programming, and gatherings in the space while still allowing pedestrians, bicycles, and cars to move through the area much of the time. Westchase represents the kind of area where this concept has worked best: dense neighborhoods that already have plenty of residents and workers, but need more open spaces that bring people together and stimulate street-level activity. Proximity to Westheimer strengthens the vitality of mixed-use development, while promoting the Promenade corridor as a “park-once-and-walk” destination in Westchase. The mix of land uses and linear public space seeks to encourage “18-hour” activity in the area, leading to a safer and more vibrant urban environment. The linear streetscape investment will increase demand for development and allow property owners to create smaller parcels—breaking up large block sizes and encouraging more walkable, mixed use development.
Personal Involvement Design
Graphic Creation
Site Study
Client Presentation
Final booklet
Team meetings
Tool Kit Level Sketching
AutoCAD
8 | Professional | Westchase Promenade
Photoshop
InDesign
0
30%
60%
100%
Active promenade during events
35’ pedestrian active space Existing condition
Existing condition
Rivercrest Drive with colorful road markings and woonerf
Promenade during weekdays
24’ shared pedestrian & vehicular way Existing condition
11’ pedestrian refuge
Rivercrest Drive with colorful road markings and woonerf
Existing condition Westchase Promenade | Professional | 9
The Idea PUBLIC PARKING GARAGES:
Moving parking structure to the edges of this development will allow visitors to leave their car at the exterior and explore the interior on foot.
GREEN COURTYARDS:
A series of courtyards and greenspaces will encourage pedestrian movement and while being open to vehicular traffic during the workday, pedestrian traffic will be dominate.
ANCHOR LANDSCAPED PARK:
MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT:
The signature park included in this development serves several purposes. It preserves an existing stand of live oaks creating an instant sense of space. It also can utilize underground parking and detention needs for the development. All these features are in addition to the role this large open space will have serving the overall community as the western anchor for the Promenade.
We see that at the west end, between Beltway 8 and Briarpark Dr. a large mixed-use development has grown. This development will offer a wide selection of residential opportunities from hotel style living for executives to work-live buildings for emerging professionals.
BRIARPARK DR
W SAM HOUSTON PKWY S
WESTHEIMER RD
MEADOWGLEN
D
RR
GLE
SEA
Looking 20 years into the future, we expect that the success of the Promenade has helped attract new business and new residents to the area. This success will have spread from the early Phases on Rivercrest Drive to the east and west as new developments emerge that embrace the Promenade concept from an early stage of their design. 10 | Professional | Westchase Promenade
This will lead to strong anchors that encourage a diversity of users to shop and dine along the promenade as well as use it as part of their transportation and recreation paths. This development will offer a wide variety of lifestyle businesses from various restaurants and shopping options to gyms and wellness.
TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT:
REMODEL PARKING FOR KROGER:
This highly active space will serve both the residents of the eastern end of the Promenade and the many active users coming to and through the neighborhood. Creating an energetic, highly programmed open space here will serve as the counterballance to the more passive park at the western end.
E DR
ANCHOR RECREATIONAL SPACE:
As the popularity of the Promenade grows it will be important to address increased vehicular traffic with parking structures like this one. This allows visitors a place to leave their vehicles so they can explore and will also serve the increased population coming to the area to work without inhibiting the pedestrain nature of the Promenade.
ELMSID
LN
ADDITION OF PARKING GARAGE:
S GESSNER RD
This will be a development of apartments over retail space that’s aimed at users that rely on the regional transportation network. The future development of rapid transit along Westheimer and Gessner makes this area ideal for such a development. Few residents of this area will own a personal vehicle and instead rely on mass transit and the easy pedestrian access to amenities that this end of the Promenade provides.
The success of the Promenade has led to the renovation of the Kroger into a more urban model with parking and store occupying the same footprint. This will free up the parking lot for additional businesses and residences.
0
Crossing Briarpark from the west, we’ll enter the area that has been developed first. Now we find a linear pedestrian park space. Vehicles are infrequent and most evenings and weekends the street is pedestrian only.
100’
200’
400’
There will be a variety of activities in this area on a regular basis from morning yoga classes on a daily basis to the annual watermelon festival that brings thousands of visitors. The central core of the Promenade will be known around the region as a destination that has great activities, unique shopping, and active living.
Westchase Promenade | Professional | 11
Phase Two West Pocket Park
BRIARPARK DR
WESTHEIMER RD
Existing Condition
Proposed Parklet
Key Plan
0
12 | Professional | Westchase Promenade
50’
100’
200’
East Pocket Park
Proposed Parklet
ELMSIDE DR
Existing Condition
Westchase Promenade | Professional | 13
03
Houston Vision 2020 (AIA Competition) Landscape Design Intern at Asakura Robinson
Location: Houston, Texas Competition: Houston Vision 2020 Project Team: Niti Tataria, Wei Xiao Year: 2019 Scale: 190 acres
Personal Involvement
Design
Empowering the Community With an increasing risk of large storms and sea-level rise affecting residents across the HoustonGalveston area, there is strong precedent for progressive urban planning and design implementation that considers the health and wellbeing of people, environmentally sustainable development practices and economic resilience and growth. To date development patterns in the area have largely prioritized economic growth over other factors that contribute to an empowered, resilient and healthy community. This plan identifies a pilot site, primed for the development of a complete community that illustrates innovative development trends from across the globe. The plan serves as an example of an area plan that focuses on community health and well-being through essential services and recreational amenities that are integrated with natural systems. The plan harnesses ecological resources for mutual human and environmental benefit and creates space for economic development via small business incubation. While this design cannot serve as a template for development because the context of any other site would boast different challenges and opportunities, this plan does serve as an example of how to successfully apply urban planning and design processes in the Houston Galveston region to empower our communities through integrated stormwater management, waste reduction, energy efficiency, community health and economic resilience.
Graphic Creation
Site Study
Team Discussion
Final Submission
Tool Kit Level Sketching
AutoCAD
14 | Professional | Houston Vision 2020
Photoshop
InDesign
Sketchup
0
30%
60%
100%
Community Clinic Community Library Provides educational resources and access to the technology
Provides healthcare in immediate distance and respond emergencies in quicker way
Processes all the wastes produced by the community and recycle and reuse for community itself
Provides daily food supply and create sense of community
Food Garden Sport Facility
Waste Factory
Farmers’ Market
Promotes healthy living and strengthen connections between community members
Improves nutrition though better access to fresh local products and generate environmental and economic benefits
Mixed-use Development Having retail and office facing primary outer road is able to generate revenue and activate the periphery
Houston Vision 2020 | Professional | 15
Concept
LANDFILL RECLAIMATION
Basin creation:
Stormwater treatment and catchment:
1. Water quality 2. Water quantity
1. Cistern
3. Green roof
2. Pervious cover 4. Rain Garden
Critical facility: 1. Shelter at safe place (indoor sport building, market) 2. Hospital/Clinic
Mitigate Flood/storm Effect Develop Resilient Economy
Recover Resources and Reduce Waste
Recycle Support
Diverse business:
Solid waste:
1. Labor based to technology/ knowledge based
1. Compose 2. Recycle 3. Reuse
Flexible space: Waste water: 1. Grey water treatment 2. Black water treatment
Plastima Incineration
EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY
Gas
Plastic Commodity
Metal Slag
1. Retail space (Traditional, backyard space, workshop) 2. Office space (Start-up, small business, enterprise)
Reinforce Sense of Community
LANDFILL CAPPING
Planting Soil Landfill Gas Well Header Pipe
Barrier Protection Material Drainage Layer Gas Vent Layer
Improve Energy Efficiency
Diverse housing options: 1.Townhouse, Single Family, Muliti-family(senior, affordable)
Active energy generator: 1. Geothermal
1. Design travel mode for All races, ages, occupations
Multi-modal transit:
16 | Professional | Houston Vision 2020
Impermeable Plastic Liner
1. Parking reduction 2. Open space preservation
1. Black-water treatment 2. Solar panel
1. Shared-vehicle 2. Sponsored community transit 3. Complete bike station
Waste
Compact development:
Passive energy generator:
Electric car charging station:
Soil Barrier Layer
Universal design:
Promote Community Health and Cultural Vibrancy
Community Food Garden
Farmer’s Cultural celebration Market space: 1. Event lawn 2. Culture hub (community center, computer lab, library)
1. Car (autonomous, green-gas, shared) 2. Bus 3. Bike (bike rack, shelter, repair, rental) 4. Trail
Glass
FUTURE CONSTRUCTION
Site Plan Residential Development 2
ns
a eeg
1 2
u ayo
B
Townhouse Multi-family Housing
K
Economic Development
2 2
1 2 1
2
3
Mixed-use (Retail + Office) Mixed-use (Retail + Residential) Hotel
Cultural Node
2 2
1 2
2
2
1 4
2
3 4 5
3
3
Wellness Program
2
1
Community Center Library + Media Center Event Lawn Community Park Farmer’s Market
4
1
1 2 3
2
4 1
5
1
Environmental Design
2 1
5
5
Boardwalk/ Trail Food Garden Outdoor Sport Facility Indoor Sport Facility Community Clinic
2
3
1 1
1 2 2
3
2
m
Sa
1
ou
H
4
sto
1
Basin Waste Recycling Station Community Food Packinghouse Green Roof
n
2
ay
llw
To
4 2
3 2
ve
tA
2
or ellf
st B
We 2
0
100’
200’
400’
Houston Vision 2020 | Professional | 17
Design Analysis
Basin
Greywater Treatment
Basin takes away Part of the greywater can sedimentation and be converted into electricity absorb rainwater through plant to supply back to help with water to building. The rest can be quality and rainwater cleaned by cleansing pool quantity. and discharged to the basin area.
Trail
Cleansing Pond
Natural Ventilation
Green Roof
Green Energy
Bio-swale
Water Management
The building orientation and design brings prevailing wind from southeast into central site area during the summer.
The vegetation covered roof provides insulation, absorbing rainwater, and increasing benevolence.
Relying on natural resources, Photo-voltaic modules absorb sunlight to produce energy, in turn reducing electricity consumption.
Bio-swale is designed to temporarily hold and soak in rain water runoff that flows from roofs, driveways, patios or lawns.
The cistern storages the water filtered through green infrastructure and reuse them for unit supply.
Community Plant Space
Courtyard
On-street Parking Bike Lane
Overflow Detention Pond
Overflow
Cistern
CIRCULATION
BUILDING USE
Civic Industrial Mixed Use Healthcare
Cistern
Multi-family Single-family Commercial
18 | Professional | Houston Vision 2020
Primary Access Secondary Access Bike Lane Proposed Bike Lane
GREEN SPACE
Existing Trail Trail Electric Car Station
Food Garden Park Green Island
WATER MANAGEMENT
Green Roof Buffer Courtyard
Water flow Sheet flow Detention pond water flow Pipe connection
Green Roof Infiltrates rainwater and provides green space
Green Island Increases community interaction and support wildlife habitat
Basin Collects water and improves water quality
Low-Impact Design Trail System Improves community health and connects neighborhood Graphic Credit: Asakura Robinson
Increase permeable cover and slows down the water flow Houston Vision 2020
| Professional | 19
04
Bastrop Promenade Green Space Landscape Designer at Asakura Robinson
Location: Houston, Texas Client: City of Houston Project Manager: Hugo Colón Project Team: Jessica Krug, Hugo Colón, Niti Tataria, Norman Palacious Year: 2020-Present Scale: 28,500 Sq. Ft.
Personal Involvement
Design
The Bastrop Promenade Green Space is a new recreational area for kids near an existing Dog Park in the Eastern Downtown District of Houston. This project intends to preserve the existing trees and build a colorful accessible play area with fun play equipment that encourages kids to use the space as they like. There are comfortable outdoor spaces with interesting shade structures and benches around these play spaces. The new shade structure and other site amenities are inspired by the existing dog park features and keep the overall design intent. The existing open lawn area will be improved to serve as a flexible useable space and contribute to the city’s detention needs.
Graphic Creation
Site Analysis
Construction Documentation
The project is now under permitting with the City of Houston and soon will start its construction. Project Coordination
Tool Kit Level Sketching
AutoCAD
Photoshop
20| Professional | Bastrop Promenade Green Space
InDesign
Sketchup
Lumion
0
30%
60%
100%
Initial Play Area Ideas
2’ X 2’ Steel Tube, Powder Coated
2’ X 2’ Welded Steel Mesh
Steel Plate Sign
Ornamental Grasses
Front Elevation of Fence and Signage Bastrop Promenade Green Space | Professional | 21
Construction Documents : Planting Plan, Schedule & Details
22 | Professional | Bastrop Promenade Green Space
Bastrop Promenade Green Space | Professional | 23
05
Healing in the City
Personal Involvement
Final Project at Texas A&M University Site Analysis
Location: Houston, Texas Professor Incharge: Dr. Chanam Lee Project Team : Niti Tataria Project Year: 2019- 2020 Project Size: 24,120 Sq. Ft. Awards: Outstanding Non-traditional Thesis/Project Award by Conference of Southern Graduate School; Texas ASLA Honor Award, General Design Category “Healing in the City” is an amalgamation of innovative ideas and evidence-based design strategies to nurture healing and restoration in rooftop gardens located in the heart of Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston, Texas. Heat island effect is one of the biggest challenges being faced by TMC due to its overgrowing building density. The garden adds precious pieces of healthy natural elements into this concrete jungle. These healing gardens are designed to encourage their users to be outdoors and engage in healing experiences. The location of Intensive Care Units (ICUs) facing the garden presented a major programming challenge, requiring privacy by blocking views to/from the garden. In these gardens, the patients, visitors, caregivers, and healthcare providers will experience a healing environment that is welcoming and flexible; promotes a healthy lifestyle and emotional resilience; and provides opportunities for positive distractions and stress reduction. These evidencebased design strategies with innovative design elements like isolation pods, embracing dome, hope canopy, and interactive art sculptures will allow faster recovery of patients, stress relief, and increase visitor and staff satisfaction.
Design Concept
Planting Design
Rooftop Garden Details
Literature Review
Graphic Production
Publication: Full Project Ebook Tool Kit Level Sketching
AutoCAD
24 | Academic | Healing in the City
Photoshop
InDesign
Sketchup
Lumion
0
30%
60%
100%
Evidence from literature
Embracing Dome
Benefits of Seating:
• It provides a resting place at intervals. • It can also work as a dining space for staff.
Benefits of Enclosed Spaces:
• It provides a private space for contemplation, where people can release sadness.
Picture Credits: The Eagle
Healing in the City | Academic | 25
Building Analysis (Section A-A)
Site Surroundings
These rooftop gardens will not only give healing benefits to people accessing this space but will also be viewed by people from the floors above.
Centennial Tower Floor 28th
Universal Universal Universal
den
Universal
A
Universal
Gar
Houston Methodist Walter Tower
View
Paula and Joseph C. (Rusty) Walter III Tower
Ga
Mechanical Floor Universal
rd
Acute Care
Universal
en
Acute Care
Vi
Universal
ew
Acute Care Acute Care
Universal
Acute Care
Universal
Healing rooftop garden
Universal ICU
Floor 23rd Floor 22nd Floor 21st Floor 20th Floor 19th
Floor 16th
Floor 14th Floor 13th Floor 12th
ICU
Houston Methodist Centennial Tower
Floor 24th
Floor 15th
ICU
Acute Care
Floor 25th
Floor 17th
ICU
A
Floor 26th
Floor 18th
Mechanical Floor
Mechanical Floor
Floor 27th
Floor 11th
ICU
Floor 10th
Non accesible rooftop garden
Mechanical Floor
Floor 7th Floor 5th
Mechanical Floor
Floor 3rd Lobby
Legend
26 | Academic | Healing in the City
Health Care Facilities
Metro Bus Routes
Garage
College
Metro Rail Routes
Proposed Houston Methodist Building
Design Goals
Design Goal Design Goal
Evidence from literature
Inspired from case studies
Site analysis implication
3
Healthy lifestyle promotion and education:
2
Flexibility and sense of control:
• Spaces with flexible furniture and interactive elements • Multipurpose area to hold various activities and events • Flexible spaces with opportunities to socialize and get privacy
• • • • •
Green therapy: Encouraging physical therapy outdoors Educate about healthy lifestyle habits Horticulture therapy with urban agriculture space Positive distraction along walking pathways Reduce urban heat island effect and surface temperature
Design Goal
Active and useful
4
24X7:
• Interactive light elements and fixtures • Native plantation for sustainability and ecological habitat • Comfortable microclimate • Robust calendar with weekly activities
Mission Statement:
To propose a series of comfortable spaces always accessible in Houston Methodist Walter and Centennial Towers rooftop gardens by using evidence-based design strategies and innovative design ideas for faster recovery and wellbeing of patients, relief from stress, visitor and staff satisfaction, and promote a healthy lifestyle in a natural environment.
Design Goal
1
Welcoming and sense of arrival: • • • •
Aesthetical entry to the rooftop garden Wayfinding with interactive signage Inclusive and accessible facilities for all users Natural local materials
HEALING IN THE CITY
Design Goal
5
Emotional resilience and stress reduction for all users: • • • • •
Mental refuge spaces Positive distraction Sensory awakening Provide recreational spaces for all users Holding monthly, seasonal and yearly events Healing in the City | Academic | 27
Rooftop Garden Plan
Legend
View of garden from ICU room
Water feature and hope canopy
Lighting design for the blue polycarbonate structure
Welcoming and sense of arrival: 1 Welcome signage 2 Ramp 3 Steps
Flexibility and sense of control: 25
24
4 Movable furniture 5 Temporary food & beverage
+2.00 ft
kiosk 6 Social plaza with movable furniture
18
Walter Tower
ICU Units
8 18 26
8
26
+4.00 ft
15
10 17
23
6
14
oom
22
Color therapy with interactive dichroic art
1
2
11
Ent
14
13
3
ily R
11 12 13 14
12
+2.00 ft
17
Fam
Active and useful 24X7:
21 9
and education:
7 Horticulture therpy 8 Raised planter 9 Outdoor space to hold events 10 Canopied pathway (200 ft)
7
19
Healthy lifestyle promotion
+0.00 ft
4
ry
Tensile shade structure Blue polycarbonate structure Lighting fixtures Native plantation
Emotional resilience and stress reduction:
5
15 Water feature with green
16 20
Centennial Tower
wall
16 View garden 17 Isolation pods 18 Embracing dome
19 Berm with living walls
20 Wind sculpture 21 Color therpay with
interactive dichroic art
Entrance signage and canopy
26
22 Multifunctional event lawn 23 Hope canopy
Utilities: N 28 | Academic | Healing in the City
0
15’
30’
60’
24 Secondary staircase 25 Maintenance storage 26 Maintenance area
Horticulture Therapy
Evidence from literature Benefits of Horticulture Therapy:
• Reduce the risk factors for dementia. • It improves brain activity such as memory and cognition. • It reduces depression and promotes emotional growth.
Benefits of Sensory Garden:
• It stimulates the patient’s sense of texture. • It relieves stress and pain through pleasant natural aromas. • Reduces eye fatigue and gives motivation.
Benefits of Elevated Planter:
• It allows people to stretch their arms. • It gives a good opportunity for privacy.
Healing in the City | Academic | 29
Isolation Pods Wheelchair accessible isolation pod
Technological features
Music connection
Connection to soothing music by using available earphones or connecting your own
Charging point Charging point available for people wanting to use a laptop or any other electronic device
Evidence from literature Flexibility to turn Flexibility to turn the pod gives a sense of control and select the amount of privacy 30 | Academic | Healing in the City
Benefits of Music/ Natural Sound:
• Soft music and natural sound make bad-sleepers entertained. • It gives a positive distraction. • Keeps people calm.
Benefits of Enclosed Spaces:
• It provides a private space for contemplation, where people can release sadness.
ana d en sis
u Rh
ora secundifl h o op
ra
S
Planting Design
c rcis e C
s lanceolata Full sun Part Shade
Section A-A
High maintenance Medium maintenance Low maintenance Attracts biodiversity Sensory awakening
Key Plan
Seasonal color change
Jan
Dec
Rhus lanceolata, Flameleaf Sumac
A A
Magnolia grandiflora, Southern Magnolia Cercis canadensis, Eastern Redbud Laurus nobilis, Sweet Bay Callicarpa americana, American Beautyberry
Turf
Sophora secundiflora, Texas Mountain Laurel Hymenocallis liriosme, Texas Spiderlily Hydrangea quercifolia, Oakleaf Hydrangea Russelia equisetiformis, Firecracker Plant Conoclinium coelestinum, Blue Mistflower
N
Nolina texana, Texas Beargrass Muhlenbergia capillaris, Muhly Grass Leucophyllum frutescens, Texas Sage Phyla nodiflora, Texas Frogfruit Hedeoma drummondii, Drummond’s False Pennyroyal Vinca minor, Common Periwinkle Cooperia drummondii, Evening Rain Lily Turf
Healing in the City | Academic | 31
06
Custom Living Wall
Personal Involvement
Collaboration at Texas A&M University Design
Location: College Station, Texas Professors Incharge: Dr. Ahmed Ali, Professor Bruce Dvorak Project Team : Niti Tataria, Karishma Joshi, Panwang Huo Project Year: 2017- 2019 Project Size: 250 Sq. Ft. surface area Awards: National ASLA Honor Award, Student Collaboration; Texas ASLA Merit Award, General Design Category Students in landscape architecture and architecture programs collaborated on this multi-year interdisciplinary project to design, build and evaluate the performance of a custom living wall system. Our aim was to design a living wall system that achieves an optimal microclimate for plants. Built from sheet metal by-products, the wall exemplifies how green infrastructure can support a circular economy, and accommodate native vegetation. Important challenges of this project include its requirement to be a low maintenance system, and adapt to a hot south-facing microclimate. We studied the effects of colors on automobile metal surfaces exposed to sunlight, and the results helped us to design and build modules that reduce heat gain. A steel structural support and hanger system was designed to secure the detachable modules. The diagonal arrangement of modules gave an appropriate vertical space for upright plants to grow. This design (patent pending) has proved successful as it has established 18 species of native and climate-adapted plants, cooled the microclimate, created an aesthetic appeal, is easy to maintain, and fosters habitat for native wildlife. Publication: Youtube; The Eagle Tool Kit
Drawing Documentation
Planting Design
Performance mapping
Fabrication
Graphic Production
Research
Level Sketching
Model making
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AutoCAD
Photoshop
Sketchup
Research tools
0
30%
60%
100%
Picture Credits: The Eagle
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System Design Concept
Rooflite Extensive Growing Media Insulating Fabric Felt
Rooflite Drain 600 Drainage Layer
Structural Frame Support
Irrigation Tube and Inlets
Flexible Module Assembly
Heat Gain Analysis to Determine Module Color On a summer day with the daytime temperature being 78°F, we measured the surface temperature of cars with different colors using an infrared thermometer to map the heat gain and choose the color shade to be applied on plant modules with minimum heat gain.
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3/4” PVC Pipes for water supply Nozzzles to supply water at 0.9 gal/ week
Living Wall Systems Comparison ELT Easy Green modular living wall system
Soil Space: 0.33 ft
Soil depth
Module size: 0.5 ft wide, 0.33 ft tall by 0.33 ft deep Soil Volume: 0.03 ft3 of media Inference: Soil depth is less which limits plant selection
FloraFelt® 12-pocket Vertical Garden Planter system
0.33 ft Soil depth
Plant growth space:
Diagonal plant growth
Water Delivery:
Irrigation emitter
Plants grew diagonally in these modules which made many plants drupe downwards. Inference: Plant growth direction is against their natural behavior.
Each tray had 2 emitters of 3 l/h at 30 psi to top row of cells. Each row of cells had a drain and spilled to the cell below. Inference: Lower cells of a tray would receive more water.
Upward restricted plant growth
Irrigation emitter
Module size: 0.65 ft wide, 0.4 ft tall, 0.13 ft deep Soil Volume: 0.03 ft3 of media Inference: Felt gives a flexibility to hold soil but can hold a limited soil weight.
Plants grow upwards and naturally merge with neighboring species. Inference: Each felt row is of 0.4 ft height with no space in between. Hence, plant growth is restricted. Each tray had 3 emitters to top row of cells. Each row would have water dripping down the felt material. Inference: Lower cells of a tray would receive more water.
Proposed Custom Living Wall system
Module size: 1 ft wide, 0.75 ft tall, 0.9 ft deep 0.75 ft Soil Volume: 0.1 ft3 of media Inference: Soil depth is more Soil depth as compared to other living walls.
Upward plant growth
Irrigation emitter
Plants grow upwards with sufficient space for heightened species. Inference: Diagonal arrangement of modules gives vertical plant growth space required by a few native plants.
Each module had one emitter giving sufficient water supply. Inference: Equal water supply to all modules with excess drainage flowing behind module design.
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Planting Palette
Dichondria argentea
Common name- Silver Ponyfoot Type- perennial Height - 0-1’ Bloom time - may - August Sun - Sun and part shade Water - Dry to Medium Maintenance - Requires trimming
Agave lophantha
Common name - Quadricolor Type - succulent, evergreen Height - 1-2 ’ Bloom time - infrequent Sun - full sun part shade Water - Dry Maintenance - Low
Hesperaloe parviflora
Common name- Texas red Yucca Type- evergreen Height- 5’ Bloom time- Summer Sun: Full sun (Morning sun and afternoon shade) Water-Dry to Medium Maintenance - Low
Yucca flaccida
Common name - Beargrass Type - perennial Height - 1-2 ’ Bloom time - March to May Sun - full sun part shade Water - Medium Maintenance - Low
Hechtia texensis
Common name - Texas False Agave Type - succulent, cactus Height - 5’ Bloom time - February to May Sun - Full sun Water - Dry Maintenance - Low 36 | Academic | Custom Living Wall
Implementation Process
1. Material Delivered for Use
5. Painting the modules
2. Sheets cut with water jet Machine
6. Fixing structural support
3. Folding metal sheets
7. Adding Irrigation System
4. Riveting two parts
8. Adding insulation felt to hold soil and reduce heat gain
9. Final planting and placement
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Performance Mapping Dichondria argentea
0 - Dead
1 - Very Poor
2 - Poor Health
Agave lophantha
3 - Loss of Health
4 - Healthy Plant
Hesperaloe parviflora
D - Dormant
Yucca flaccida
Hechtia texensis
* Though 17 species of Dichondria are dormant the rating considered is 4 as the plants are healthy
D 4 3 2 1 0
Average rating
3.32
Average rating
3.96
Average rating
3.64
Average rating
2.15
Average rating
3.36
93 %
71 %
24 %
83 %
plants are in good condition (4 rating)
plants are in good condition (4 rating)
plants are in good condition (4 rating)
plants are in good condition (4 rating)
plants are in good condition (4 rating)
Number of weeds
80 %
1.30
Average weeds / module
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3.40
Average weeds / module
2.30
Average weeds / module
1.80
Average weeds / module
3.00
Average weeds / module
Key Benefits
Circular Economy This project explored the repurposing of sheet metal, a by-products from automobile production.
Aesthetics Modules where strategically designed for their form, layout, color and plant palette, making the design visually appealing.
Easy Management Removable modules help in maintenance easily. Texas native plants also need less irrigation.
Improved Microclimate The custom living wall has been measured to reduce the microclimate up to 4.6 ˚ C compared to a concrete wall.
Natural Habitat Texas and nearby native plants provide wildlife habitat, such as for this fiery skipper butterfly.
Overcoming Challenges
August 2017
The design successfully caters to challenges like south facing exposure, metal as primary material and high visibility.
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07
E(co)lite: An Eco-sensitive human centric tourist district
Personal Involvement
Studio Project at Texas A&M University Site Analysis
Location: Tongguling, Hainan Island, China Professor Incharge: Dr. Changshan Huang Project Team : Niti Tataria, Karishma Joshi, Jiali Liu, Yuqing Wang Project Year: 2018 Project Size: 2930 acres
Design Concept
Mission Statement: To propose a master planned community encompassing a mixed-use development to attract domestic and international tourists, to boost the economy and create employment opportunities and to foster a healthy and livable society in harmony with natural ecosystems and ecosystem services Goals & Objectives: The main goals of this project are to propose infrastructural development in harmony with local ecosystem and natural resources like coral reefs, mangroves, wildlife, evergreen, and tropical forests, to preserve and promote wetlands and mangroves in the region, to utilize bird migration corridors for wildlife observation, to identify different types of landforms to showcase diversity, limiting carbon emissions by developing vehicle free eco corridors around habitats of endangered and endemic species and educate people about natural habitat with the help of natural trails. Few other economic goals are to develop a tourist district to attract local as well as international tourists, to create a unique icon to increase local economy, tourism and investment throughout the year and to increase employment opportunities, propose commercial zones for industries.
Master planning
Individual district design
Planting design
Grading design
Target Users: Primary-Tourists; Secondary-Local Residents; Tertiary-Developer Graphic production
Tool Kit
Level Sketching
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AutoCAD
Photoshop
Sketchup
Lumion
PowerPoint
0
30%
60%
100%
Wellness Center: Meditation Pods Trail
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Eco - region & Natural Habitat
Vegetation Resources at Tongguling
Vegetation Typologies
Tropical Evergreen Monsoon Forest
Tropical Shrubland
Mangroves
Mangrove Forest
Bird Migration Corridor
Animal Resources at Tongguling
8
Endangered Species
16
Terrestrial Animals
Marine Abrasion Landform Stone Park
Moon Bay
20 Birds
100
Coral Reefs 42 | Academic | E(co)lite
Master Plan 1.
Eco - Hub & Wellness District Wellness Center Meditation zones Healing Garden Viewing Decks Camping sites Eco Trails Biosphere Preserve
2.
Agro - Tourism District Agro-Tourism Resort Flower Fields Farmlands Retail and Shopping Markets Multi-Family Housing Townhouses Commercial Office Spaces
3.
Green Living District Mixed-use residential High Density Housing Inter-generational Community Living Senior citizen’s Housing Public Infrastructure and Services Welcome Center and Museum Educational Facility Single Family Residences
4.
Business Entertainment and Recreational District Mixed-Use Commercial, Shopping District Convention Center Adventure Resort and Water Park Cultural Center and Food arenas Science Park and Space needle Tropical theme resort Multi-family Residential Housing
0
200’
400’
800’
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Eco-hub District
0
Legend
200’
400’
800’
Key Plan
Electric Golf Car Trail - 12.9 Km long Cable Car Line - 0.7 Km long Landform Trail - 3.1 Km long Beach Trail - 0.5 Km long & 0.8 Km long City view trail - 1.1 Km long Adventure Trail - 3.4 Km long & 3.3 Km long Zipline - 0.3 Km long Board Walk Trail - 3.2 Km long View Points View angles
High elevations, rich natural resource and an existing nature reserve on the highest point of this site form the existing Eco-hub condition. Hence, it would be an area where motorized vehicles would be restricted to reduce pollution and carbon sequestration. Wellness care and meditation region have been strategically placed between Eco-hub and adjacent local and retiree housing. This benefits local, older generations and tourists trying to heal themselves using nature surrounding this space. 44 | Academic | E(co)lite
Meditation Pods Trail
Meditation Pods Trail Sections
Meditation Pods Trail Plan
3. Wood Meditation Pod
4. Fire Meditation Pod
1. Existing Buddha Idol 2. Meditation Trail Entrance 3. Pathway from Wellness centers connecting to existing Buddha Idol area
Section B-B
0
5’
10’
6. Metal Meditation Pod
7. Water Meditation Pod
20’
5. Earth Meditation Pod
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Thank You!
Niti Mohanlal Tataria Email : niti.tataria@gmail.com Phone : +1 (979)-739-7199