PORTFOLIO

SELECTED WORKS 2017-2023

Urban state of mind

This portfolio delves into the captivating relationship between People, Spaces, and Design. Through a curated selection of projects, it explores the interconnectedness of urban design, planning, architecture, and landscape design, with a focus on specific thematic elements in each project. These works showcase a blend of analytical and professional skills, coupled with design thinking approaches and conceptualization. The overarching aim is to view these projects in a larger context, as they connect spatial, social, and sustainable approaches for the built environment. With a strong emphasis on urban design, urban research, and architectural design, this portfolio encapsulates the essence of these themes in a comprehensive and compelling manner.

Ecological Design

CHICAGO’S NEW NATURE

The Odd Compromise Between Human And Nature

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS PROJECT LOCATION :

WORK :

ROLE :

ACADEMIC (GROUP)

RESEACH, CONCEPT, DESIGN, DRAWINGS, RENDERS, GRAPHICS

SEMESTER :

GUIDE :

MCD - SPRING SEMESTER 23’

AR.PHIL ENQUIST (SOM)

DR.SEVIN YILDIZ

“The New Nature” is a conceptual framework plan for the Override Studio (MCD) that acknowledges the existing systems and redefines the region’s ecological framework strategies through a systems thinking approach. Chicagoland, being a complex and layered urban landscape, encompasses not only humanmade infrastructure but also natural systems. The studio’s aim is to map these relationships in order to explore new typological arrangements for Override confluences. The framework emphasizes an adaptive repurposing approach to urban design and planning that is climate-responsive.

Overview

This studio we are expanding from one connection to address a larger conjunction of ecosystems and its impact on urban fabric, Situating chicago’s location in the larger canvas we see lake michigan (part of great lake) connecting mississippi through, chicago river, des plains and illinois.

Ecological Abundance

series of locks and dams that exist along the Chicago and Illinois Rivers reveals the past and present use of these rivers as engineered systems operational for the shipping and transportation of goods and people.

Identities And Issues

FRAGMENTED NATURE

IMPERVIOUS SURFACE INDUSTRIAL GROWTH FREIGHT LINES

Quarry Fields

WETLAND TO AGRICULTURAL

URBAN SPRAWL FLOOD ZONE

ENGINEERED SYSTEMS

NPK RUNOFF

The mapping of Green and blue infrastructure indicate the major confluence points, fragmented and degradation of natural systems, the dispersing urban sprawl. The primary goal is to connected the broken links, allow the natural system to thrive and diffuse into the urban core.

Wildlife move between aquatic, riparian and upland habitats making encroachment a pressing issue as habitat connectivity is lost. Mapping mammal richness along the river and open space networks give us a scope to create spaces that alow biodiversity to thrive by connecting the broken islands of habitat and migration.

This map details the areas where watersheds, rivers, wetlands, and flood prone zones are located. Understanding the flow between watersheds, rivers, and tributaries is vital to understanding where and what interventions should be pursued since these sites act as a funnel into bigger watersheds and ecosystems

Economic Demographics Geomorphology

Above map helps us analyze the topography of Chicagoland that shows how Chicago’s terrain shapes ecological systems in the region. Valleys cutting through ridges create a unique geomorphology of streams and gullies that eventually connect to the larger watersheds.

Utility Infrastructure

The network of utilities that stretch across the city and connect the dense urban fabric to sub-urban and rural communities. these utility corridors allows us to understand how engineered and human made systems are layered on top of natural systems.

This map highlights the economic North- South divide in the Chicago region which shows a legacy of disinvestment on the south and west side. A high rate of housing vacancy is coupled with lower median household incomes between the two rivers (Chicago river and Cal-Sag river)

Placetypes

Vision

Fragmented natural systems need to be restitched to restore the Chicago region’s legacy of rich natural systems, promote coexistence between humans and nature, and catalyze Chicago’s New Nature - an ecology that responds to historical degradation and is innovatively positioned for urban use and resilient climate adaptation - through design, planning, and governance.

Connect Adapt Restore

Adapt the built environment to be multipurpose, meeting the needs of people, wildlife, and natural systems.

Restore natural edges and remove physical barriers to improve and conserve natural functions

Guiding Principles and Place-types Connection

Goals

Ecological Corridor

Regional Stratergies

Green Roof Masterplan Reimagined Infrastructure Waterway Adjacencies

Opportunity areas for green roof development and financial and tax incentive recommendations.

Re-imagined infrastrucure connections along abandoned and exisitng railway corridors and utility lines.

Opportunities and challenges along the river corridor.

Proposed landscapes and design recommendations.

Waterway Adjacencies

Reimagined Infrastructure

Chicago’s industrial legacy has left behind a landscape with broken natural systems that were manipulated for industrial purposes. Infrastructure, particularly railways, divides both open spaces and neighborhoods. However, the interlaced systems of railways and power lines present an opportunity to create a 35-foot-wide green buffer that can be rewilded to connect wildlife and humans. This would utilize underutilized space within the right of ways and provide corridors of connectivity for both.

Our waterways connectivity plan repurposes the region’s waterways, including rivers, streams, and wetlands, into ecological hotspots that connect and protect wildlife and people. It also provides increased community access to these spaces, promoting a reconnection to the region’s nature. Using placetype-based prototypes, the plan addresses current challenges and creates a climate adaptation strategy for a stronger and more flexible Chicago region.

Green Roof Network

Our ecological green roof plan focuses on identifying suitable areas, such as industrial, institutional, and commercial buildings, for green roof installations. To maximize coverage, we set targets for the percentage of eligible roofs that should be covered by green roofs, considering their potential benefits such as reducing the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, and managing stormwater runoff.