AILA Future Leaders Award Slideshow

Design RepoRt: 2011 gRaDuating stuDio

RobeRt gReen

JUST ADD

WATER:

Reclaiming THE intertidal

ecotone ROBERT GREEN The University of New South Wales Faculty Advisor: Linda Corkery

CAMELLIA: characterised by a large industrial area on the foreshore of the Parramatta River, covering an area of 40 ha to the north of Grand Ave. The industry in this area includes large open yard areas for storage of shipping containers and other items.

“Shell Announces THE ClOSURE OF Australia’s longest Running oil refinery in Sydney’s west” Tuesday 12th April 2011

FLooD RisK LinKages eCoLogiCaL

stoRMWateR QuaLitY UWS

overgrown mangroves

mangroves education

parramatta river

mangroves

mangroves water quality mangroves saltmarsh medium risk swamp-oak floodplain forest improve habitat reedland brackish wetland brackish wetland swamp-oak flood hazard: 100 year flood event floodplain forest reedland mangroves brackish wetland mangroves swamp-oak floodplain forest

4.5 h 260 L/s

2.17 ha 130 L/s

1.3 ha 70 L/s

1.7 ha 115 L/s

forest low riskswamp-oak floodplain high risk bird migration saltmarsh improve habitat swamp-oak floodplain forest building line mangroves swamp-oak floodplain forest

duck river

improve: stoRMWateR QuaLitY

INDUSTRIAL RAIL LINE grand ave high technology employment

saltmarsh saltmarsh

“Shell Announces THE CLOSURE OF Australia’s SHELL OIL longest running oil refinery in Sydney’s west.”

mangroves reveal tidal fluctuation

saltmarsh

Tuesday 12th April 2011

swamp-oak floodplain forest

understand: enhance: FLooD RisK LinKages eCoLogiCaL

engage: increase: CHanging aCCess LanD use FoResHoRe

swamp-oak floodplain forest

swamp-oak floodplain forest saltmarsh mangroves swamp-oak floodplain forest

high technology employment

failed

grand ave

saltmarsh saltmarsh

“Shell Announces THE CLOSURE OF Australia’s SHELL OIL longest running oil refinery in Sydney’s west.”

mangroves reveal tidal fluctuation

swamp-oak floodplain forest

Tuesday 12th April 2011

increase: engage: FoResHoReLanD aCCess CHanging use

enhance: eCoLogiCaL LinKages

“Shell Announces THE CLOSURE OF Australia’s longest running oil refinery in

failed

failed failed

failed

OK

failed

failed led

high technology employment

failed

UWS

SITE ANALYSIS

failed

bird migration saltmarsh improve habitat

INDUSTRIAL RAIL LINE

failed

saltmarsh

OK

mangroves

failed

mangroves

water quality mangroves swamp-oak floodplain forest improve habitat reedland brackish wetland brackish wetland swamp-oak floodplain forest reedland mangroves brackish wetland

mangroves swamp-oak floodplain forest

failed

education

failed failed

overgrown mangroves

mangroves

failed

UWS

address: FaiLeD seaWaLLs

CA M E L L IA R I V E R F R O NT : Existing Conditions POOR WATER QUALITY

OVERGROWN MANGROVES

BANK EROSION

FAILED SEAWALL

LIMITED ACCESS TO WATERFRONT

ABANDONED INDUSTRIAL RAIL LINE

LIMITED HABITAT

UNTREATED STORMWATER

GREEN CONNECTIONS TO WATERS EDGE

IMPROVED HABITAT

WSUD INTERVENTIONS

CA M E L L I A R I V E R F R O NT +5 Years IMPROVEDINTERVENTION:RECREATION INTERTIDAL SHORELINE Rebuilding aAND functional shoreline WATER QUALITY

EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES (SECONDAY CONTACT)

SALTMARSH

PUBLIC SPACE

IMPROVED PUBLIC ACCESS TO FORESHORE

CA M E L L I A R I V E R F R O NT +5 Years IMPROVED WATER QUALITY

RECREATION AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES (SECONDAY CONTACT)

INTERTIDAL SALTMARSH

PUBLIC SPACE

IMPROVED PUBLIC ACCESS TO FORESHORE

GREEN CONNECTIONS TO WATERS EDGE

IMPROVED HABITAT

WSUD INTERVENTIONS

CA M E L L I A R I V E R F R O NT +10 Years PROTECTION OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

MAINTAIN ESTUARINE PROCESSES AND HABITATS

RECREATION AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES (PRIMARY CONTACT)

ADAPTIVE REUSE OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

LINKS TO REGIONAL PEDESTRIAN AND OPEN SPACE NETWORK

ESTABLISHED SELF-SUSTAINING HABITATS

CA M E L L I A R I V E R F R O NT +10 Years PROTECTION OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS

MAINTAIN ESTUARINE PROCESSES AND HABITATS

RECREATION AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES (PRIMARY CONTACT)

ADAPTIVE REUSE OF INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

LINKS TO REGIONAL PEDESTRIAN AND OPEN SPACE NETWORK

ESTABLISHED SELF-SUSTAINING HABITATS

STRATEGIC ACTIONS: Expanding on the project’s goals in addressing some of the wider landscape issues and how these are addressed through a number of site interactions, each of which have consequences for the site and the region.

EXISTING: Development of the foreshore will embrace the industrial past of the area and reestablish the ecological interface between the river and changing local infrastructure

IDENTIFY KEY SITES: potential to change the character of currently neglected river areas

YEARS 0 - 2: GATEWAY SPACES: riverside precincts, natural areas and recreational spaces

FORESHORE WALK: Continuous access along the river, a unifying movement corridor, linking these gateway spaces and providing recreational opportunities

years 2 - 5: BUILD AN ECOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURE: Extension of landscape character providing functional, visual and spatial relationships to foreshore open space

years 5 - 10: REORIENTATE URBANISM TO THE RIVER: Urban form assists use and activation of foreshore open space (active frontages, linkages)

CURATE THE VISION THROUGH TIME: Design and stage improvements so that the landscape can be understood and enjoyed in each phase of it’s development.

Years 10 +: ECOLOGICAL CONNECTIVITY: A healthy natural river system with resilient and self sustaining habitats that continually evolve

Current condition: Scattered planting due to tree deaths, no formal plan and removal of habitat

Phase 1: Defined street planting, Grand Ave becomes a parkway.

Gateway spaces and spaces orientated towards the river are planted

Phase 2: Piercing new streets and alleyways to create fingers to the rivers edge. New habitats are created

ADAPTIVE MODEL FOR LINEAR GREEN LINKAGES:

Phase 3: WSUD becomes a visible process.Vegetation adapts, develops and becomes selfsustaining. A new urban forest emerges

E ia’s

1. Create an urban fab a publicly accessible an edge with strong visua the water. Streets and are designed to encou pedestrians, cyclists an

Main axis’ and through block connections

2. Encourage active, p ground floor uses alon promenade.

3. Grand Ave become boulevard that provide amenity, commuter bi lanes, and mass transit

l 1

Dedicated public realm open space pattern

View corridors open up to the water’s edge at special places

Spaces for pedestrians, cyclists and transit

CONNECTIONS TO THE URBAN FORM:

ERVENTION :

2

3

4

Ground floor public engagement: Community Commercial Urban Mixed-Use Public Engagement Uses

1. Create an urban fabric that creates a publicly accessible and vibrant river edge with strong visual connections to the water. Streets and public spaces are designed to encourage and support pedestrians, cyclists and transit users.

2. Encourage active, publicly-engaging ground floor uses along the rivers edge promenade.

3. Grand Ave becomes a parkway/boulevard that provides for pedestrian amenity, commuter bike lanes, and mass transit.

Existing grade will be excavated and modified creating a rich mix of hydric and mesic conditions. Supporting the remediation of intertidal saltmarsh and mudflats will attract a diversity of wildlife, from fish and amphibians to birds and mammals.Visitors will be able to enjoy this restored nature through a boardwalk, which provides an ideal viewing platform of the fragile saltmarsh and marsh exhibits, as well as providing educational signage, bird watching and fishing opportunities. This space makes new habitats instantly accessible to the public. The design geometry of the boardwalk is based on projected lines from the urban form, the existing shoreline, linkages to the river and the industrial rail line.

Camellia’s seawalls have masked the tectonic nature of its association with the river and any indication of tidal flux or the water life that inhabits the intertidal zones. The virgin condition of the waterfront has been so effectively removed and distorted by human intervention that the user has become disengaged from any visual or physical recognition of the site condition. So with this new inclined interface between the land and tidal fluctuations, we begin to visually reactivate tidal perception

Shorebirds were once present in Sydney in their thousands, but in this urban environment they face a variety of threats, including habitat loss and human disturbance. Migratory shorebirds are trans-hemispheric travellers and urbanisation is increasingly impacting on their populations worldwide, which means addressing issues relating to species conservation at a local level is just part of a global concern.

This site actively responds to human disturbance to shorebird dynamics. The ‘minimum approaching distances’ were taken into consideration, bird hide/bird blind as well as a habitat island and significant distancing have all been provided to aid in minimizing disturbance of shorebird habitats.

Limosa limosa

JAN ER UA MB RY VE rating shorebirds NO Mig

Red Knot Calidris canutus

SEPTEMBER

Numbers swell to 60,000 before leaving

MARCH

Red-necked Stint

nt shoreb ir ide es

ds

Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotus

60,000 arrive from Northern Hemisphere

R

50,000 stay for the summer, the rest continue South

Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Calidris acuminata

80m

Live in the area all year

Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea

Migratory breeding in the Arctic North

0

15

30

45

JUL Y

EAST ASIAN-AUSTRALIASIAN FLYWAY

Pluvialis fulva

60

The reading of the tidal change is neutralised to the vertical face of the wall, removed from visual recognition. A new inclined interface between the land and the tidal fluctuations will be inserted to visually reactivate tidal perception.

Y MA

Philomachus pugnax

SECTION A-A A

B

B

C

D

E

F

80m

The edge of the urban forest, an important resource within the urban fabric providing economic, ecological and social benefits. It buffers industrial facilities, provides terrestrial habitats, encourages physical activity aides in microclimate regulation, soil and air quality management.

A

The threshold between land and intertidal zone has a linear planting of small trees to further soften the visual impact of human activity and movement on shorebird habitats. The plantings are adequate to hide joggers and cyclists which are set back from the edge, but are permeable and still allow access to the tidal pools and saltmarsh viewing perimeter.

In areas of higher water levels, constructed tide pools will provide habitats for estuarine organisms as well as become an interactive water feature, valuable education tools and recreational fascinations for the public. This is where the land meets the river, and it is here where the inter-tidal zone is framed.

Saltmarsh provides habitat and food for invertebrates such as crabs, insects including mosquitoes, molluscs and spiders, as well as for fish, birds and bats. It is a breeding and nursery ground for marine life, and filters nutrients that would otherwise enter estuarine waters.

Plants of the Coastal Saltmarsh community: Sarcocornia quinqueflora Suaeda australis Triglochin striata Sporobolus virginicus Wilsonia backhousei Lampranthus tegens Halosarcia pergranulata Juncus kraussii Samolus repens

B C

D

E

Shorebirds were once present in Sydney in their thousands, Bird hide to ensure close proximity to the bird life. but in an urban environment they face a variety of threats, Balustrade becomes a screen that becomes a wall to including habitat loss and human disturbance. conceal bird watchers.

Migratory shorebirds are trans-hemispheric travellers Image: Smilja Milovanovic-Bertram and urbanisation is increasingly impacting on their Bird Blind in Hornsby Bend, Austin, TX populations worldwide, which means addressing issues relating to species conservation at a local level is just part of a global concern.

The design geometry of the boradwalk is based on projected lines from the urban form, existing shoreline, river linkages road network and industrial rail line.

F

highest high tide average high tide average low tide

SCALE 1:250

A boardwalk provides an ideal viewing platform of the fragile saltmarsh ecosystem and marsh exhibits. They need to allow for walkers, prams and wheelchair access as well as educational signage and wayfinding.

TIDAL RANGE (Homebush Bay) High: 1.0 m AHD Low: -0.7 m AHD

With the university predicted to expand across the river into Camellia, we are presented with the chance to reuse old industrial buildings as educational facilities. These industrial structures can provide points of interest along the corridor, however should not compromise biodiversity values or require the clearing of native vegetation. Past tendency for landuses along the river to orient away from, rather than towards the river, have resulted in a ‘back of house’ feel. It is crucial this building opens up to the river and actively promotes an interraction with it.

There is a level of flexibility in the design of the open space to cater for public events and changing recreational patterns in the future. The foreshore needs to provide a variety of spaces for enjoying the river. River steps provide seating spaces and access down to the water level. The relationship is intensified as tides change seating relationships and availability at different points of the day. Natural fluctuations are celebrated and interactions with the river encouraged.

River Foreshore PCC South Stormwater Drainage

1.3 ha

CATCHMENT AREA

70 L/s

4.5 ha

CATCHMENT AREA

260 L/s

1.7 ha

CATCHMENT AREA

115 L/s

2.17 ha

CATCHMENT AREA

130 L/s

Q FLOW (3 MONTH)

Q FLOW (3 MONTH)

Q FLOW (3 MONTH)

Q FLOW (3 MONTH)

11.5 L

42.7 L

18.9 L

21.4 L

15 DAY RETENTION MINIMUM VOLUME

15 DAY RETENTION MINIMUM VOLUME

15 DAY RETENTION MINIMUM VOLUME

15 DAY RETENTION MINIMUM VOLUME

With the university predicted to expand across the river into Camellia, we are presented with the chance to reuse old industrial buildings as educational facilities. These industrial structures can provide points of interest along the corridor, however should not compromise biodiversity values or require the clearing of native vegetation. Opportunities to incorporate water recycling and stormwater management should also be investigated. Changes in land use offer the potential to change the character of currently neglected river areas and integrate better address to the river and enhance visual and access links.

SECTION B-B A

B

C

D

Uncovering the abandoned, industrial railway line and turning it into a linear public par. Opportunity to establish a corridor that would serve as primary pedestrian and cycle access, and act as stormwater treatment facility and ecological amenity, promoting active living, providing access to the river along its length and acting as a car free connection through Camellia.

Adaptive urban reuse of industrial warehouses and factories for new eco-industry and land uses, such as the university. In turn reducing environmental impact of new buildings and urban sprawl.

Past tendency for landuses along the river to orient There has to be a level of flexibility in the design of away from, rather than towards the river, resulting in a the open space to cater for public events and changing ‘back of house’ feel. It is crucial this building opens up to recreational patterns in the future. the river and actively promotes an interraction with it.

Image: Richard Rogers Transforming the East River Waterfront, NYC

E

F

G

The foreshore needs to provide a variety of spaces for enjoying the river. River steps provide seating spaces and access to water level. The relationship is intensified as tides change seating relationships and availiability.

Natural fluctuations are celebrated and interration with the river encouraged.

Keeping the old seawall footings references the past form of the shoreline, adds visual interest, helps the public read tidal rhythms and provides perching for bird species.

The Parramatta River catchment represents an enormously significant recreational, scenic and economic resource for the community, and improving water quality is of great importance. Because of the extent of development, waterways are affected by poor water quality and a changed flow regime. Stormwater and runoff management needs to be integrated into all planning and design.

Where appropriate structural habitat element would be added to provide both surface area for the attachment of invertebrates and retreats for fish and mobile invertebrates

B A C

D E F

SCALE 1:250

G

Each set of tanks sit in a large square depressed plot, calculated to hold the entire contents of the tank in the event of a major leak. Canals are cut into the existing grid network to supply water to the holding depressions. The refinery will reconstitute natural and settled landscapes as well as their interplay, with a new relation of overflows, water levels and flood mitigation.

AN INTERFACE BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The tidal waters enter through sluices, suspended sediments deposit behind the gates, and then settle on the site. Over time a new landscape is created, providing diverse habitats and nesting sites for shorebirds and creating a unique waterscape destination.

A filtration ecosystem is seamlessly interwoven into the refinery landscape. The new waterscape will foster remediation of the river water through both phytoremediative plants and infiltration. The wetland and saltmarsh spaces will additionally provide treatment of stormwater runoff and provide spaces to hold flood waters.

A series of layers that work in tandem to create an ecosystem. A simple path system is implemented to utilize the spaces for recreation and education. This circulation and programming populates the space without compromising it’s natural functions.

For the tanks to function as natural systems and keep a balanced equilibrium between the structure and its natural surroundings hidden areas, nesting spaces and food resources have been provided. By locating and identifying a variety of existing or potential animal and plants species in the area we are able to create a series of openings and internal voids – each specifically sized and positioned to allow for a rich and varied range of animals – reptiles and amphibians, small mammals, bats and shorebirds.

The preservation of the tanks demands a minimal intervention that respects the original form without compromising the new program and activities within it.

A series of auditoriums and viewing galleries occupy the internal space and allow non-interruptive bird watching.