landscape + architecture _selected works
p i l a r
z u l u a g a
Reconciling Indigenous Claims at a Land Grant University Reshaping the Informal Progressive Architecture by Modules Dynamic Terrain Design Research GRA:Reading the American Landscape GRA: Dredging by USACE Districsts Planning the future growth of Bogotá Photography Samples Travel Photography
R e co n c i l i n g I n di g en o us Cla im s a t a L a n d G rant U n i ve rsi ty Auburn, Alabama LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO | 2020-02
“Reconciling Indigenous Claims at a Land Grant University” at Auburn University studies and redesigns the campus arboretum through the lens of land reclamations and colonialism. It adopts Pierre Bélanger’s “un-design” concept as a spatial language that retroactively overwrites the present by underscoring the past. This undertaking includes grounding territories with their treaties and renewing relations by building alliances between the design and the land in a non-hierarchical way. It means undesigning a Eurocentric Arboretum so that the ideas that shape the place are grounded in the aboriginal territory, not the vestiges of a colonial past. In the Davis Arboretum, this means “un-designing” the place towards transparency. Transparency is defined as the quality that allows light to pass through, free from pretense or deceit. This concept is embraced by adopting a design that yields by the existing place. Materials are locally sourced, infrastructure is minimal, and lines drawn celebrate the existing site. Rock lines are drawn precisely but loose – to shape new ground for gathering but minimizing the impact on trees. Gaps allow movement – of water, plants, and people – and celebrate subtlety and nuance of the existing terrain. The design is grounded in the landscape’s native, ecological, cultural and historical context. The project responds sensitively to the existing conditions by embracing the land how it is: an assemblage of Southeastern plant species that tell the story of Alabama’s biodiversity.
L a n ds c a p e a rc h ite c tu re f o un dat i o n th e gre e n n e w de a l s u p er st ud i o
_redesigning a Land Grant University’s Arboretum The cultivation of plants through gardening has been around for thousands of years dating to the ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia civilizations. However, botanic gardens with a scientific foundation were created in Italy around the 16th and 17th centuries. It didn’t take long for arboretums to become popular as a garden of trees, perfectly assembled for scientific and educational purposes as well as for aesthetic value, systematically displayed and carefully catalogue, following the Victorian values of desire to acquire, and of order and control. Arboretums and Botanic Gardens Loot This idea of “contained for consumption” is translated to arboretums as places dedicated to conservation. However, “conservation” normalizes domination for extermination. For “the generation of conservationists [...] preservation of nature was the preservation of white supremacy. Naturalism of nationalism […] Heteropatriarchal man, conveniently universalized to consume the ‘New World’ by disarming Indigenous systems of governance and kinships to rearm a ‘wilderness’ for ‘the civilized’ and ‘the superior’, free of ‘savages’ or ‘Blacks’ recounted in racist, frontier-fantasy novels” (Bélanger 2020, 120-127). Design Dehumanises The land and the people are a rationalized terrain. Landscape design is complicit in obeying jurisdictional authorities in order to rule over the landscape. The land and the people end up being strategically separated between spaces of consumption and production.
The negation of place is closely linked to the negation of indigenous bodies, knowledge, and human rights; if you can deny or distort ideas about Indian bodies or culture, you make it much easier to rationalize or justify the theft of land from a population deemed savage, incompetent, or vanished Deborah A. Miranda
Pea gravel
Gravel: leveling course Rock: structuring course
Entrance plaza
Piedmont Upland: Marble
East Gulf Coastal Plain: Black Prairie Chalk
Creek
50’ Gravel
60’
40” Construction detail
CURRENT CONDITION Contained Pond: - “English garden” looking pond - Contained - Piping - Engineering system CURRENT CONDITION - Maintenance and oxygenation - No room for compression and Contained Pond: decompression Piping for oxygenation
Piping for oxygenation
- “English garden” looking pond - Contained - Piping - Engineering system - Maintenance and oxygenation - No room for compression and decompression PROPOSAL
Treaty with the land: - No artificial system - No piping PROPOSAL -No need for oxygenation -Creek expands and contracts as needed Treaty with the land: - No artificial system - No piping -No need for oxygenation -Creek expands and contracts as needed Treaty with the soil: - Pockets of wetland - Hydric soil - Gabion walls for dispersal of water + oxygenation -Microenvironment Treaty with the soil: - Pockets of wetland - Hydric soil - Gabion walls for dispersal of water + oxygenation -Microenvironment
Framework Plan
Treaty with the water:
Cumberland Plateau: Sandstone
Limestone pavers
Valley & Ridge: Sedimentary Shale
- Terraces as levees - Landscape as containment for flooding events
Treaty with the water: - Terraces as levees - Landscape as containment for flooding events Creek Wetland Floodplain
-2’ -4’ -6’ 40”
30’ Entrance Plazas Longitudinal Section Elevation Scale 1/16” = 1’ - 0”
Creek Wetland Floodplain
The proposal seeks to create a Treaty with the Land by removing the engineering that maintains water quality. A flat surface with a rock bottom creates a wetland condition. Gabions work as surfaces for water dispersal and oxygenation.
Post Oak Proposed
In this focus area, the system uses the gabion wall as a device to frame the main entrance to the Arboretum. Moments of compression and decompression using the vegetation to separate the public realm from the private realm.
This focus area is designed as a set of pockets within a woodland of American legacies such as Longleaf Pine, American Chestnut, and Oaks, to create a system of terraces that allows outdoor classrooms to take place.
Longleaf Pine Proposed
White Oak Proposed
American Chestnut Proposed
Cinquapin Oak Existing Section A
Ou td o o r Cla ssro o ms Wo odland S ectio n E levation S cal e: 1/ 8” = 1’
4° Slope 4° Slope
American Sycamore Existing
American Elm Existing
Longleaf Pine Existing
Grounding territories with their treaties and renewing relations by building alliances and embodying anti-colonial measures means redesigning a eurocentric Botanical Garden. In the context of Davis Arboretum, this means renegotiating design so the Landscape Architecture that shapes our Arboretum is oriented towards social justice through a treaty with the land
Native Heritage Medicinal Shrubs: Yaupon Holly: Ilex vomitora Possumhaw: Ilex decidua
Entrance Portico Threshold: Swamp Chestnut Oak: Quercus michauxii Swamp White Oak: Quercus bicolor
Groundcover Medicinal Perennials: Masterwort: Angelica atropurpurea Rattlesnake Master: Erynigium yuccaefolium Goldenrod: Solidago
R e s ha p i n g t h e I nform a l Prog re s s i ve A rch ite c t ure by M o d ul e s Bogotá, Colombia THESIS PROJECT | 2019-01 According to UN Habitat, 113 million people live in informal settlements in Latin America. This project targets the most fundamental problem of these communities: the lack of quality and habitable conditions in their homes. After analyzing their idiosyncrasy, a system of progressive and modular architecture was developed. Modules of 3x3m could be placed together and combined, giving families multiple possibilities of deciding the houses’ shape. Furthermore, by being progressive, the family could add more modules and spaces as their necessities and resources grow.
2019 A RC H ITE C TU RE M A S TE RP R I Z E WI N N E R RE S IDE N TIA L A RC H ITECT UR E
_rethinking the informal city An urban explosion of economic growth has produced dramatic marginalization resulting in the expansion of slums. This polarization in the communities, together with social and economic inequities, has produced places of social and urban conflict.
The cities in our country, are dividing our
C I T I Z E N S
There is a fundamental need to reorganize the social and economic relationships that have shapped Latin AMerican cities today. Designing from the bottom-up was at the core of this project. “The best ideas in the shaping of the city in the future will not come from enclaves of economic power and abundance, but in fact from sectors of conflict and scarcity from which an urgent imagination can really inspire us to rethink the urban growth today.” Teddy Cruz
In Latin America 113 million people live in informal settlements 16% of the Colombian population live in this condition In Bogotá, Colombia’s capital, 230,000 people, live in the slums
r e s i l i e n c i a
Imagen 7: Arquitectura informal enfrentada a la idiosincrasia de la informalidad
p l a s t i c i d a d 55
54
A B
L M N O P Q
A B C
6
1
7
2 3
C
A
4
D
B
5
E
C
F G H
A
15 14
I
B
13 12
J
C
11
K
D E
L M
F
10 9
N
G
8
H
7
O
6
I J
1
K
2
5
L
4
3
3
M
2
4
1
A
N
5 B
O P
C
Q
D E F A
G B
H
C
I 1
J
6
K
2
7
L
3
M
4
N
5
O 1
A
2
B
3 4
C
5
-1 m
D E F
10
H
9
G
8 7
I
6
1 2 12
3
11
13
15
14
4 5 6 6
7
8
9
10
7 8 9 1
2
3
4
5
A B C
-4 m
D E F G H I J K
0m
2 1
3 4 5 6
A B C D E F G H I J K L M O N
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
9
8
7
3
6
5
1
4
3
2
2
1
11
10
15
14
13
12
A B C
1
2
3
4
6
5
7
9
8
10
D E F G H I K J
1
6
5
4
3
2
Axonometric View
105
-6 m 1 2 3 4 5
6 5 4 3 J I
K
2 1
H G F E D C A B
Framework Plan
Steelframe Structure
1 2 3 4 5 6
3
2
3
2
1
Half Module Stairs Laundry Room Balcony
6
D
D 5 4 3
13
C
C
12
C
2
14
1
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
3
4
2
F
G
H
I
1
c i o
A
A
A
B
15
B
D
E
7
11
B
E
8
1
3
2
1 E
9
10
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
G
H
I
1
2
t i
A
B
C
D
E
Type A Basic Unit + Patio
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
D
E
1
t e r s
A
B
C
D
E
F
Type B Basic Unit + Living Room + Patio
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
F
G
H
I
1
i n
A
B
C
Type C Basic Unit
e l
A
B
C
D
E
Type D Basic Unit
Housing typologies
StoryBoard: community growth
1
D yna m i c Terra in Desig n Opelika, Alabama
DM L A Y F o u n dN ation A S t u d i oM | 2 0 1I9 - 0 2C T E R R A I N D TheEapproach S to this I project G started N
with the reading of the post industrial landscape in a site located in Opelika, Opelika, Alabama Alabama. The goal was to interact with the components that make up this landscape and how it is possible Mto L A reinforce F o u n d a tthe i o n ecosystems S t u d i o | 2and 0 1 9 -novel 02 ecologies that were already happening in this place. The approach to this project started with Using the reading of the post industrial a foundation concrete slab as a landscape in a site located in Opelika, field, 3 operations were taken in order to Alabama. Mythe approach wasinside to interact introduce ecologies the field: with the components that make up These this demolition, deposition, demolition. landscape and how can I reinforce the operations were intended to understand ecosystems and novel ecologies that were the interactions between what is manalready inside this place. madehappening (concrete slab) and what is out of human control (ecologies) and how they Using concrete slab as other. a are in aa foundation constant relation with each field, 3 operations were taken in order to introduce the ecologies inside the field: demolition, deposition, demolition. These operations allowed me to interact with the components of the landscape while breaking apart the concrete slab. This was meant to be a metaphor for humans being the main actors of the landscape: how the interactions between what is man made (concrete slab) and what is out of the human control (ecologies) are in a constant relation with each other. At the end of the process I was left with the realization that when given the chance, nature is going to take anything in its path in order to reclaim its territory.
P H A S E
1
|
E x c a v a t i o n
D u r a t i o n :
6
P H A S E
E x c a v a t i o n
1
|
D u r a t i o n :
6
m o n t h s
m o n t h s
Phase 1
Phase 1 Th e Deliniation Demolition Grid Gradient Cracks Gradient
Th e
Deliniation
Grid
D G reildi nGi ar taidoine n t Cracks Gradient Grid Deliniation
Th e
Field
Paths
Th e
Field
Cracks Tool: Jackhammer Paths
Cracks G t em ee l rG r i d T oa ol vl :a n J ai zcek dh aSm Concrete Slab Concrete slab affecting soil pH Galvanized Steel Grid Concrete Slab 15’
Concrete slab affecting soil pH
15’
Th e
Ecology
Ecologies growing through the cracks E e so l o g y T choel o gEi c Groundcover Cogon Grass Ecolo gies growing Broomsedge throu gh the cracks Lespedeza
Golden Rod Ecologies Bluestem Groundcover Cogon Grass S a n dBroomsedge y Clay Subsurface Lespedeza Golden Rod Bluestem Sandy Clay Subsurface
Exploded Isometric Projection Scale: 1”=20’
Exploded Isometric Projection Scale: 1”=20’
Cross Setion Vertical Exaggeration 2x Scale: 1”=10’
Cross Setion Vertical Exaggeration 2x Scale: 1”=10’
Phase 2 P H A S E 2 | D u r a t i o n : T h e
D e p o s i t i o n 2 y e a r s
Fi e l d
Paths Deposition Tools: Shovel & WheelBarrow
Galvanized Steel Grid Concrete Slab Concrete slab affecting soil pH
10
’
T h e
Eco l o g y
Ecologies growing through the cracks Ecologies growing across the chunks Ecologies Groundcover Cogon Grass Broomsedge Lespedeza Golden Rod Bluestem Wild Blackberry
150
’
’
150
Understory Loblolly Pine American Sycamore Bradford Pear Sandy Clay Subsurface Exploded Isometric Projection Scale: 1”=16’
3’ 2’ 1’
Cross Setion Vertical Exaggeration 2x Scale: 1”=10’
Phase 3
P H A S E 3 | D u r a t i o n :
E x c a v a t i o n + 5 y e a r s
The
Gradient
Grid Gradient Deposition Gradient Density Gradient Cracks Gradient Hip Hop Rows
The
Field
Path Excavation Tool: Core Drill 1’ 2’ 3’
Galvanized Steel Grid Concrete Slab Concrete slab affecting soil pH
5’
The
Ecology
Ecologies growing through the cracks Ecologies growing across the chunks Ecologies
Groundcover Cogon Grass Broomsedge Lespedeza Golden Rod Bluestem Wild Blackberry
150
’
’
150
Canopy Loblolly Pine American Sycamore Bradford Pear Sandy Clay Subsurface Exploded Isometric Projection Scale: 1”=16’
7’ 6’ 5’ 4 3’ 2’ 1’
Cross Setion Vertical Exaggeration 2x Scale: 1”=10’
Phase 1
Phase 2
Phase 3
R es earch Graduate research assistanship | 2019-2021 _reading the American landscape The passing of the Taylor Grazing Act in 1934 marked the closing of the American frontier - all remaining public domain land was transferred into the hands of the US Forest Service for administration. The progressive conservation agenda called for careful scientific management of these landscapes in the name of sustained exploitation of rangeland resources. What resulted were a series of landscape manipulations, from the re-seeding of entire landscapes with imported grass species, to the application of Agent Orange by airplane, that forced an inappropriately rigid scientific agenda of control onto a landscape system deeply vulnerable to environmental flux. The legacy of these alterations and the blanket of federal landscape management endures in the contemporary American West today, 245-million acres of grazing lands are administered by the Bureau of Land Management. 85-years after the passing of the Taylor Grazing Act, this project explores the landscape legacy of extreme, federally managed ecological alterations of western rangelands. Current work occurs through critical mapping of rangeland ecoregions. Final maps will express the complicated relationships between the arid western landscape, ecology, natural resources, land use and property ownership (private/ public). Funding is being pursued to incorporate fieldwork and photography into the investigation. Collaborators: Emily Knox, Johana Medina
PORTLAND DISTRICT
ST. PAUL DISTRICT
Average Annual Volumes
Average Annual Volumes 566,003 CY/Y
ROCK ISLAND DISTRICT
Average Annual Volumes
4,282,558 CY/Y
SEATTLE DISTRICT
42,578 CY/Y
Average Annual Volumes
KANSAS CITY DISTRICT
No Data
1,211,743 CY/Y
ST. LOUIS DISTRICT
Average Annual Volumes
WALLA WALLA DISTRICT
Average Annual Volumes 1,504,019 CY/Y
101,562 CY/Y
LITTLE ROCK DISTRICT
OMAHA DISTRICT
Average Annual Volumes
No Data
316,672 CY/Y
TULSA DISTRICT
Average Annual Volumes 34,989 CY/Y
VICKSBURG DISTRICT
Average Annual Volumes
3,351,609 CY/Y
Fiscal Years: 1990 - 2015 = 100,000 Cubic Yards / Year 0
150
300
600 mi.
Data from USACE Navigation Data Ce for some years for other districts. Ave
R es earch DETROIT DISTRICT
Graduate research assistanship | 2020
Average Annual Volumes
_dredging volumes by districts 1,361,266 CY/Y
CHICAGO DISTRICT
Average Annual Volumes 199,070 CY/Y
LOUISVILLE DISTRICT Average Annual Volumes
Mapping of the average annual volume of dredged material in specific USACE districts. Information was taken from the Army Corps of Engineers official web page. The data showed dredged volumes by district in fiscal years. This information was analyzed, processed and converted from Microsoft Excel format, and imported into ArcGIS for spatial and geographic interpretation.
6,895,573 CY/Y
HUNTINGTON DISTRICT Average Annual Volumes 245,139 CY/Y
NASHVILLE DISTRICT No Data
MEMPHIS DISTRICT
Average Annual Volumes
1,572,556 CY/Y
MOBILE DISTRICT
Average Annual Volumes
10,109,879 CY/Y
enter (2015). The data generally covers the period 1990-2015, but there is no data for some districts as well as no data erage annual volumes have been calculated based on the period of apparent coverage within the data for each district.
Current Condition
Proposal
R es earch 2019 - 2021
_planning for the future growth of Bogotá After the 1980’s with the demographic explosion and the need for new infrastructure, wetlands and natural reserves were completely manipulated in order to be used as the ground for the construction and expansion of Bogotá. As a group project, we were in charge of designing the future expansion of the city. Approaching this project started by studying and analyzing the river and its impact on the underserved population that lives around it. By mapping this information and using it as a tool for the proposal, we aimed at transforming River Bogotá from a city border into a city center. Branches designed to be green metropolitan corridors would come out of the River and into the city changing the relationship the city has towards this ecological structure and the community that lives at its border Collaborators: Juliana Gutierrez, Carolina Pinedo, Fabio Chica
Tenerife Auditorium / Canary Islands, Spain / Nov 2018
Alcazar of Segovia / Segovia, Spain / Sept 2018
The Alhambra / Granada, Spain / Jan 2019
Ph o to gra phy S a m ples Spain Travel Photography | 2018-2019 “Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s OK. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” -Anthony Bourdain Living in Spain definitely changed my life. I try to honor my memories and my soul with photographs, to remind myself that traveling is one great of an enriching experience, but it is greater when a piece of your heart stays in these places.
The Alhambra / Granada, Spain / Jan 2019
The Alhambra / Granada, Spain / Jan 2019