Sandwick: Portfolio of Work 2014

Page 1

Ryan Sandwick curriculum vitae selected work samples

environmental design place-making regeneration community planning The Duke of Wellington statue with his omnipresent traffic cone at the Gallery of Modern Art - Glasgow, Scotland


PERSONAL CONTACT DETAILS Email Ryan.Sandwick@Gmail.com Twitter @SandwickSays Website RyanSandwick.com All images and work presented were created by Ryan Sandwick unless noted.

References Available Upon Request

Royal Exchange Square - Glasgow, Scotland


WHO AM I AS A PROFESSIONAL? I have studied and practiced landscape architecture; I love the field, but I don’t only want to be a landscape architect. I have studied and practiced urban planning; I love the role of planning, but don’t necessarily want to be a planner. The same goes for economic development and urban design. If I am passionate about them all, what do they have in common that attracts me? The common thread is their effect on ‘place’. Looking back, I could see that ‘place’ had long been important to me. Prior to leaving for holidays as a child (and long before Google Earth), I would study maps of our destinations and imagine what the neighborhoods we’d be visiting would look like. As I grew older I progressed from maps to building Lego cities on the dining room table, drawing freeway interchanges on dry-erase boards and ending with one of the most prolific computer game of my generation: Sim City. In that game, I didn’t try to build the biggest cities, but rather places I would want to visit and live myself. Every body of water was lined with parks, enabling public access. Parisian-styled boulevards stretched through the city, creating mixed-use districts, purposefully contrasting my homogenous suburban upbringing. I didn’t understand then what the difference was between places that felt good or felt bland, and what may have made them feel that way. With the uniqueness of each place, I am continually inspired by this. When visiting new places I inevitably find myself questioning how it feels, and why. The inimitability of each place offers a distinctive feel, requiring individualized strategies when approaching design and regeneration. What is missing, what does it need? And what does it already have? Professional experience has taught me that answers are rarely singular or straightforward. The complexity and layers involved when interrogating the depths of urban issues, and their effect on the built surface, are what inspire me professionally. All of this shows itself when experiencing an area’s ‘sense of place’, allowing me to combine my professional background and interests to a single cause: place-making. - Ryan Sandwick

A rare warm (and sunny!) summer day in the Botanic Gardens - Glasgow, Scotland


EDUCATION Graduated 2013

University of Glasgow, Scotland Postgraduate: City Planning and Regeneration, MSc. Dissertation/Thesis title: Productive Lands: Analyzing Vacant and Derelict Land as a Regeneration Tool in Glasgow.

Graduated 2009

University of California, Davis Undergraduate: Landscape Architecture, B.S. Completed Senior Project: Capitol Mall: Resuscitating the Heart of California - An Urban Redesign

CAREER HISTORY Sept 2009 – Present

Landscape Architecture Sandwick Design - Sacramento, California Landscape Designer/ Project Manager Project Experience: Residential Landscape Designs, Client and Contractor Relations, Budgeting, Bidding Processes, City and HOA Submittals, Construction Documents, Native and Adaptive Plantings, Project Billing and Invoices, Project Management Project Management Experience Cassel Residence Dennison Residence Doyle Residence

Aug 2010 – Aug 2011

University of California, Davis - Davis, California Assistant Landscape Architect, UC Davis Campus Planning Project Experience: Streetscapes, Corridor Design, District Master Plans, Open Space Planning and Design, Facility Planning and Design, Urban Design, Complex Site Analysis, Model Homes, Interpretive Signs, Restoration and Mitigation Design, Landscape Management Plans, Landscape Sustainability Assessments, Bicycle Planning Project Support Experience: Landscape Management Plan Hopkins District Infrastructure Plan Civic Core Lighting Study

Nov 2009 – May 2010

University of California, Davis - Davis, California Principal Drafting Technician, UC Davis Grounds Division

May 2008 – Sept 2009

University of California, Davis - Davis, California Landscape Architecture Intern, UC Davis Grounds Division

June 2006 – Sept 2007

Theresa Clark Studio - Capistrano Beach, California Landscape Designer /CAD draftsman


CAREER HISTORY Sept 2013 – Aug 2014

Urban Planning Kevin Murray Associates - Glasgow, Scotland Assistant Researcher Project Experience: Telephone Interviews, Community Meetings, Data Collection, Data Analysis, Research, Case Studies, Research Team Work, Written Reports, Invoicing

March 2004 – Sept 2004

April 2003 – Sept 2003

City of Sacramento - Sacramento, California Planning Department, Design Review Intern City of San Buenaventura – San Buenaventura, California Planning Department, Office of Economic Development Intern

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Affiliations RTPI: Student member of the Royal Town Planning Institute Computer Software Proficiency AutoCad: 2005-2010 Google: SketchUp, Documents, Youtube Video Posting Adobe Suite: CS3-CS5.5 Photoshop, InDesign,Illustrator, Acrobat and entry level Flash Microsoft Office: Word, Excel and Powerpoint Operating Systems: Mac and Windows Video Editing: Sketchup, iMovie, Windows Video Editor Critiques UC Davis LDA 70: Entry Design Studio – Winter 2009 & Winter 2010 LDA 21: Landscape Graphics – Spring 2010 California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo LA 401: Natural Systems Design Studio - Fall 2009 & 2010, Winter 2013, Spring 2014 LA 405: Design and Implementation - Winter 2011 Presentations & Lectures UC Davis: ‘Sustainable Practices within the University’ UC Davis: ‘Future of Landscape Architecture’ Amador County Master Gardeners: ‘The Robert Mondavi Institute’s Good Life Garden: Locaculture in an Institutional Setting’ City of Sacramento City Council: Invited to present my Senior Project redesigning Capitol Mall to the City Council in effort to seek approval for an international design competition. California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo: ‘The Reality of Studying Abroad’

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Jan 2011 – Present

Downtown Sacramento Partnership Sacramento, California • Volunteer with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership to prepare a planting design for flower baskets along K St. Mall, the historic heart of the city. The baskets were installed to add vibrancy and visual interest to the re-imagined transit mall. (Continued)


Feb 2012

(Continued) Develop and execute the plant selections and planting design per varying sun exposure and site conditions. Additionally, my role required extensive coordination with local nurseries to solicit discounted pricing for plant purchasing within the minimal budget available. The result was project completion at 20% under budget, allowing for a fall planting cycle.

Urban Land Institute, Advisory Services Panel - Graphics Internship Stockton, California • Invited to be a part of the ULI Advisory Services Panel in downtown Stockton, California. Supported a panel of professionals by creating 3-D photo-realistic renderings and graphic diagrams, which were used as key elements in presentations to stakeholders and city officials. Renderings and diagrams I prepared were included in their published report to the city.

DISSERTATION SUMMARY Productive Lands: Analyzing Vacant and Derelict Land as Regeneration Tool in Glasgow, Scotland. Summary Is there a direct link between the amount of unproductive vacant and derelict land and the levels of poor health and environmental qualities in Glasgow’s neighborhoods? Through analysis, I sought to determine if these vacant and derelict lands impacted the surrounding communities, and how they could be made productive while improving the quality of life, environment and employment opportunities for the residents.

Introduction Glasgow is home to 580 hectares of urban vacant and derelict land area within the city, creating an opportunity to analyze and determine the best future use for that land. As defined by the Scottish Government’s ‘Vacant and Derelict Land Survey’ in 2012, Glasgow City had more vacant and underutilized urban lands than anywhere else in the country, home to nearly a quarter of the total national sum. Vacant land was defined as “land which is unused for the purposes for which it is held and is viewed as an appropriate site for development” and is differentiated as vacant versus greenfield when the land is located within areas of over 2,000 people. Derelict land is defined as land with either existing structures requiring rehabilitation before new development can begin or if it is home to an unmediated previous use that could constrain future development. The ‘Vacant and Derelict Land Survey’ found that 42% of the derelict and vacant sites in Glasgow were located in areas designated as Scotland’s most deprived neighborhoods. The areas of severe deprivation, identified as the bottom 15%, were based on factors including income, employment, health, education, skills, training, access to services, housing and crime. With a disproportionate amount of vacant and derelict land in the country’s most deprived areas there exists an opportunity to evaluate these unproductive lands to determine the best methods to make them productive per the needs of the existing community. There are wide-ranging options of how to make the land productive, but focus will be towards uses that will improve the health, quality of life and environmental sustainability for the residents and surrounding areas. Research will be directed on determining the best approaches for site- specific improvements. Health-related improvements might include recommending sites for urban agriculture allotments to improve food choices and connect the community, especially youth, to their food source while contributing to carbon sequestration and improved air quality.


DISSERTATION FINDINGS GIS Research Maps: Proximity of

Vacant and Derelict lands to Levels of Multiple Deprivations

Conclusion A suitability analysis which maps specific vacant and derelict sites within the city provide recommendations of the most productive use for these lands. Each site is unique, and the relative importance of deprivation level will vary between sites and neighborhoods. In some cases of long-term dereliction a hybrid approach can be utilized. Where sites have been unproductive for an extended period of time temporary uses such as allotments can use the space until a more permanent use is established or financially viable. The deprivation levels in Glasgow are spatially correlated to clusters of vacant and urban derelict land. Utilizing these lands to improve the heath and quality of life is important, but safety and access must be ensured for it to be successful within the community. Research was inconclusive of vacant and urban derelict lands decrease values in a neighborhood, or if they are unproductive because of economic stagnation. Unemployment, income and education/qualification deprivations are very high in most of these areas. As current market forces may not support physical development urban agriculture has been shown to create jobs, improve the environment and create economic mobility. Community supported agriculture, such as vegetable box schemes, have been shown to create jobs and provide a range of training and income opportunities on vacant land in deprived areas.

The maps below were created in GIS using data from the Scottish Govt.

Vacant and Urban Derelict Sites in Glasgow with 500m buffer shown in light purple

There is a direct link between income deprivation and the proximity to Vacant & Derelict Lands

There is a direct link between poor mental • health and the proximity to Vacant & Derelict Lands

Analyzing overcrowded housing conditions determining potential uses for adjacent Vacant & Derelict Lands


CONNECTING RESEARCH TO PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE Strategic Development Plan Research Analysis - Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland Working with Kevin Murray, this research project was commissioned by Building Standards Division of the Scottish Government on behalf of Planning and Architecture Division. The project is to review whether the arrangements for and approaches to the new Strategic Development Plans (SDPs) are fit for purpose. Published version HERE. Process of Evaluating if the Strategic Development Plans are ‘Fit for Purpose’

Emerging Contents and Process Themes

Due to the complexity of this project our team proposed a TRIANGULATION of three evidence sources from questionnaires, interviews, and workshop groups (in each of the 4 SDP locations), progressing over different stages, both to corroborate findings and explore recommendations. We proposed three broad stages:

Sample Process Theme Stakeholder/public engagement. This emerging theme concerns the balance of those who have been engaged in the SDP process, the clarity of the engagement process and the clarity of timescales in producing and SDP and its connection to the timescale for the production of the LDPs. Some of the ambiguity is because of several decades of a previous form of engagement.

Stage 1: Initial scoping of issues – through a structured questionnaire to a large sample of stakeholders, scoping the issues in different locations Stage 2: Interrogation & cross check – this entailed a mix of in-person and telephone interviews and also an invited workshop event in each location Stage 3: Report & recommendations – this involved review and recommendation construction as part of the report preparation phase.

Sample Content Theme Relationship between land use/housing and transport and infrastructure. This theme concerns how well strategic infrastructure decisions are integrated with land use/ housing allocation decisions and other growth areas. There is a sense that there is still the potential for greater integration in the strategic thinking.

Application to Professional Practice

European Benchmarks of Strategic Planning

Introduced in 2006, SDPS provide planning vision, direction and autonomy at the regional level. The primary goals of the SDPs where to (1) link the plan to delivery mechanisms and therefore engage with stakeholders who will ultimately will deliver, especially in crucial area of infrastructure provision, and (2) engage local communities to get buy in at the local level & therefore the linkage to ‘downstream’ local planning processes.

The inclusion of European case studies provided a systematic framework that could be adapted specifically to test the Scottish system and has the benefits of having been tested elsewhere. It was based on a self –diagnostic approach (rather than be just theoretical and top down). We proposed using this as a basis for questionnaire and prompting of discussions and interviews.

This chapter covers aspects first of governance, then engagement. As with the next two chapters, it draws together evidence from all parts of the research methodology. It also provides, where appropriate, our interpretation and analysis of the issues that arose. The internal governance arrangements A key research question in the brief was Process Issue 1 - To establish whether or not the governance arrangements (including for example, the way in which the SDPAs are governed, the involvement of members, liaison with constituent authorities, resources, SDPA and plan boundaries etc.) have worked well Our analysis explains the situation at each SDPA.

A8200002

Urban Comparator: Portland, Oregon

3 Analysis: Governance & Engagement

Portland, located in America’s Pacific Northwest, is Oregon’s largest city and has long been recognized as a pioneer for North American planning policies. The city’s innovative urban strategies began in 1973 when the State legislature’s Senate Bill 100 Oregon's system of land-use regulation was enacted (Oates, 2006). While the policy was meant to contain urban sprawl at a State level, it directed management of lands to regional and local authorities, who were required to align zoning to correspond with the State’s policy. The legislation required all cities to prepare and submit their proposed urban growth boundaries (UGB) to the Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC), justifying them according to "19 Statewide Planning Goals." Oregon’s land use policy stated that all lands outside of an UGB, with noted exceptions, were designated for the management of natural resources and were protected from urban development (Daniels, 2001). With focused urban development and environmental protections established, a framework was in place to encourage highquality, livable cities while increasing urban density, improving public transit options and preventing piecemeal rural development. Additionally, the system placed planners in a proactive position, putting power back into the local authorities from private developers (source).

102

In 1979, Portland area residents responded to the legislation and voted to create Metro, a regional government authority. While statewide UGBs in the United States are unique to Oregon, notably the Portland area is the only region in the country to have an elected regional body. This allows for the development and implementation of a unified regional vision. The role of Metro includes management of the UGB, regional land use planning, transportation planning, and data management (Daniels, 2001). While the agency lacks authority to zone and impose specific subdivision regulations, it can require local governments to revise their plans and regulations if it finds that they do not serve regional goals (Oates, 2006). Furthermore, Metro can require its cities and counties to amend their comprehensive plans to ensure compliance with their Urban Growth Management Functional Plan (Metro Government, 2014 ). Due to its unique position of authority Metro has been influential in establishing Portland as an international model of urban management and growth.

Today, Metro encompasses parts of 3 counties, 24 cities, over 1.3 million people and borders the State of Washington to the north (Daniels, 2001). As one of the 240 UGB throughout the state, the urban zones are required to adjust their UGBs every five years in effort to maintain a twenty-year supply of land for future development (Oates, 2006). In addition to locating development within the UGBs, cities are additionally required to locate all major infrastructures within the urban zone as well, including roads, sewers, schools, water and public transport. The regional approach in Portland has delivered population densities that support a world-class light rail and tram system, leading the area to pioneer the concept of ‘transit-oriented developments’ (Oates, 2006). Tying compact and mixed-use developments to public transport has helped the city to combat the urban sprawl that plagues most American cities.

Figure 4: Map of Scotland’s four SDPAs (Source: Glossary, National Records of Scotland, http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/glossary-of-terms).

A8200002

30

Sample page

According to one researcher: “Portland has become a sort of living laboratory for efficient urban planning and living. The results are benefiting both the environment and the region’s economy” (Benfield, 1999). The region cooperates and works together to prepare a coordinated vision involving land use, transportation, infrastructure major funding, eliminating the competition for resources that inflicts most regions. The A8200002

120

Portland case study

Graphic example of interview/research data


THE IMPORTANCE OF PROCESS Freeway Lid Park - San Diego, California Every place has a unique essence, history and experience, and understanding this individuality is imperative when beginning the process of design and regeneration.

Failures of mid-twentieth century planning projects can be attributed to ignoring the existing sense of place. Instead of developing a piece that fits into the larger urban puzzle, they are often forced in, damaging the surrounding pieces. I am passionate about place, and feel that the importance of process cannot be understated.

A Civil/Topographic Base Map

A Understanding the site. As a freeway lid park with 35’ of vertical cross slope, the importance of understanding how the slope would effect the site design from the very beginning could not be underestimated.

B Site analysis. Once the slope and existing

conditions were analyzed, the natural layout and design of the park revealed itself.

B Interpretation of Topography

C Bubble diagrams & programming. The form and circulation were inspired by the effects of topography on the site, with the adjacent uses dictating the activity nodes within the park.

D Final Presentation. The final presentation of

this project was critiqued by a panel of professionals. One of the professionals, Theresa Clark, offered me an invitation to her office after my presentation. After a tour of her office I was offered a landscape design position.

C Schematic Bubble Diagram

D Final Hand-drawn Site Plan


MASTER PLANNING: DESIGN ANALYSIS & CONTEXT Urban Design Analysis - Glasgow, Scotland One of the most important planning principles I learned abroad is the German method of Bebauungsplan (B-plans). B-plans legally dictate site coverage, maximum building heights and the Baufenster, which is the area within the site that development must be located. B-plans have became an effective tool complementing site analysis, helping to fill in the knowledge gaps of why an area feels the way it does. Understanding this has helped me to avoid, or duplicate, neighboring communities when entering the schematic phase of spatial planning. When I began working on a spatial plan for Glasgow Harbour I knew that connectivity was one of the key constraints, and that preparation of a B-Plan could visually explain how, and why, the site was so disconnected and how dramatically the historic footprint of the area has been changed. The communities to the north of the site (Partick and the West-End) have retained their historic

character and are some of the most successful in Glasgow. When redevelopment began along the River Clyde 30 years ago, an emphasis was placed on creating statement architecture, breaking from the traditional Glaswegian aesthetic. This physical regeneration strategy has resulted in eye-catching buildings along the river that are often removed from the ground plane and seem to discount effective circulation and access. While utilizing a B-Plan in this project helped me understand how the site fits into the surrounding contexts, it primarily helped me connect the buildings to the circulation, laying the foundation for effective urban design. B

B F

E

A

A

E

Site

D Site

F

C

D

Above: Surrounding Building Block Form

C

Above: Surrounding Street Block Form

A Glasgow Harbour Phase I & II

A Glasgow Harbour Phase I & II

B Partick/West End Traditional Tenements

B Partick/West End Traditional Streets

C Govan Town Center

C Govan Town Center

D Govan 1980s Residential

D Clydeside Expressway

E Remnant Buildings

E Castlebank Rd

F Riverside Museum and Iconic Architecture

F Passenger Train Lines


MASTER PLANNING: SCHEMATIC DESIGNS Urban Design Analysis - Glasgow, Scotland The needs, connectivity, and local flavor are the building blocks of a master plan and must be understood long before a single line is drawn in AutoCAD. There is something fundamentally special to me when I unroll the

first sheet of trace paper over an aerial plan at the beginning of a project. Whether it’s a residential landscape design, an urban design plan or a regional spatial plan. I am a visual learner and when I first take the pencil in my hand and start drawing I am physically and metaphorically taking the project into my hands.

Site

A professor in undergrad once told me, “Trace paper is cheap. Losing a project because you don’t understand the site is very expensive”. Drawing seemingly random circles and making connections where you may have otherwise missed them often challenges and improves the initial vision that I may have developed during initial site visits. Much like math teachers who require you to ‘show your work’, these steps leave a marked trail on the path to a final product. I often include these images and works in meetings with my team and the clients, justifying ideas and leaving a trail.

Existing Aerial View

Glasgow Harbour was a very difficult site with rivers on two sides of it, a new (and financially challenged) high-rise development to the west and a motorway and train lines to the north. These constraints forced me to maximize the access points that were existing, and to overcome other connections. The freedom of sketching with pencil on trace paper allows for mental connections to be made physical, making organic links and forms which can carry throughout the project, as the new River Clyde crossing did below.

Bubble Diagrams

Schematic Design #1

Schematic Design #2

Schematic Design #3

• •

Create central feature where Riverside Museum promenade connects to main vehicular access points Use central feature as main axis for all circulation A more classical street layout is formed with a mixture of grid and radial alignments

• •

Introduce a new street access point on CastleBank Rd. and connect in a sweeping motion to Glasgow Harbour Terrace Connect new Clyde pedestrian bridge to bridge over Clydeside Expressway Transition existing streets into site with gentle curves

• •

Bring adjacent streets into site and keep on a grid pattern with central green belt/park Most major pedestrian access would be along streets versus promenades Predictable street patterns


DESIGN DEVELOPMENT Urban Design Analysis - Glasgow, Scotland Furthering analysis into a thoughtful and responsive design. Analysis of the bubble diagrams showed how important the connection was between the Partick transit center and Govan’s town center, an element eventually developing into the backbone of the site’s spatial structure. Connecting Partick to Govan through Glasgow Harbour required a new pedestrian bridge over the River Clyde, allowing for a potentially iconic structure for the development and city as a whole.

Minor Pedestrian Route Major Pedestrian Route Minor Vehicular Route Major Vehicular Route Major Views

Primarily the spatial organization includes a direct pedestrian connection between the Clydeside bridge and Govan’s Water row over the River Clyde. Secondary relationships include the symmetry along a east-west axis represented by the walkways, connecting to the Riverside Museum, and the contrast between the open space along the river confluence and the entertainment district. With the central circulation elements being experienced primarily on foot, lining the promenades with trees over the walks frame the views looking out and into the site.

To Partick

To Govan

N

Emphasizing the physical connection to the Riverside Museum, which attracts over 2 million visitors a year, across the River Kelvin would not only link the two spaces but provide for the fluidity of physical and emotional movement between them. The triangular area that developed between the river confluence and the two pedestrian promenades is directly across from the Riverside Museum showed itself as an ideal location as a regional cultural landscape featuring art, design, leisure and kinetic landscapes, engaging and drawing people into the site.

A High Density Residential B High Density Residential with Ground Floor Retail and/or Office Space D

A

B

C

C Central Plaza D Mixed-Use Theater, Retail and Hotel

E

A G

E Civic Space

B

F

F Public Open Space G Riverfront Promenade and Park

H

Full project can be found HERE

H Iconic (Accessible) Pedestrian Bridge N


WORKING WITHIN A MULTITUDE OF SCALES Urban Design Analysis - Glasgow Harbour, Scotland Understanding the role that the site plays within a larger context is imperative to the creation of a successful place. Each site and development opportunity is like a piece of a puzzle; it needs to fit into the adjacent pieces while contributing to an overall picture. Pieces can almost always be forced into a blank space, but eventually it will need regeneration to help it fit in as it should have in the first place. Designing quality and effective places to begin with works to prevent this. SITE SPECIFIC SCALE Opportunity Community • High visibility & proximity to Riverside Museum • Govan Town Center is directly across the river Pedestrian • Short walk to Partick transit mall (subway and Argyll commuter trains) Vehicular • Direct access to Clydeside Expressway & Castlebank St. • Access to Riverside Museum car park

West-End

Constraints Community • Disconnected from adjacent neighborhoods

Partick

River Kelvin

Pedestrian • Needs better connection to Partick transit center and high street. • Connect to the Riverside Museum and Govan town center Vehicular • Clydeside Expressway and Castlebank St. are a visual and physical barrier • Traffic noise & pollution

Yorkhill

Govan

River Clyde

N

NEIGHBORHOOD SCALE

CITY SCALE

Architecture- What is the historic aesthetic, and what recent design trends have been included?

Social- Fitting the development into the existing social fabric, in effort to complement rather than gentrify.

Circulation - How do people experience and move through the site at a community scale?

Economic - What does the existing community need, and at what scale can it function and be supported?

Landscape - Is there an existing landscape vernacular?

Environmental - How can nature be embraced through the design, based on LID principles?

Natural Systems- What natural systems are included in, and affected by, the development? Transportation- How do you access the site and region? Urban Design- What are the existing standards?

River Clyde Developments

Cultural- Who is it being developed for? Transportation - How does it connect to existing systems without impacting adjacent neighborhoods?

Glasgow City Council limits


REGIONAL REAL ESTATE AND DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS Development Economics And Urban Design Appraisal - Glasgow City Center, Scotland Evaluating regional contexts and economics of development and real estate design and proposals. Regional Planning Context

Clyde Valley Town Centre Location Study Sauchiehall

cha

nan

St.

St.

Bu

Scottish planning policy has placed a high emphasis on urban regeneration as a way to meet the country’s future housing needs. While also meeting the standards as set by The European Spatial Development Perspective (1999), it encourages infill and city-centre revitalization as the preferred development method. The encouragement of environmentally and economically sustainable development seeks to protect ecologically threatened areas from development by and promote transportation as the primary mode of mobility. In addition to promoting healthy natural environments properly designed urban regeneration can improve quality of life creating healthier communities. The Glasgow & Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan identifies town centers as the preferred location for large scale residential and business developments. As the guiding planning document for the Glasgow region it specifically identifies Glasgow’s City Center as a renewal priority for the entire metropolitan region. A key component of their urban renewal plan is the regeneration of brownfield, vacant and derelict sites within town centers, such as the Selfridge’s site. Seeking to divert local trips from vehicular to alternative transport modes the site is well suited to meet the goals of the Scottish Government’s transportation guidelines. Strategically located within short walking distance to the subway, along with the Central and Queen Street train stations, the Selfridge’s site is well linked to public transportation providing connections to the larger metro area, as well as Scotland as a whole.

Argyle

/Trong

ate St

.

Site

Glasgow’s ‘Golden Z’ Retail Corridor

Discounted Cash Flow Discounted Cash Flow Analysis - See design on the next page Residential Developments Residential Development

Gross External Area (m2) Gross Internal Area (% of Gross Ext) Net Internal Area (% of Gross Int)

Retail Development Retail Development

5.00% 15.00%

Net Internal Area (m2) (NIA) Annual rent (£/m2) Investment Yield (%) Gross Market Rent (GMR) Management Fees (% of GMR) Flats - 20 Units (3 Bedroom) Flats - 39 Units (2 Bedroom) Flats - 39Units (1 Bedroom) Investment/Market Value Net Market Rent (NMR) per annum Net Market Value (YP perp) Net Market Rent (NMR) per quarter

Gross External Area (m2) Gross Internal Area (% of Gross Ext) Net Internal Area (% of Gross Int)

6,470

Net Internal Area (m2) (NIA) 2

£130.00 8.00% 5.00% £210K ea £195K ea £150K ea

Construction cost (£/m2)

£1,000

Construction Cost Professional Fee (% of Const. Cost) Contengencies (% of Const. Cost)

15.00% 5.00%

Total Construction Cost (Residential)

8,012 7,611 6,470

£841,059.70 £42,052.99 £4,200,000.00 £7,605,000.00 £5,850,000.00 £17,655,000.00 £799,006.72 £9,987,584 £199,752

£8,012,000 £1,201,800 £400,600 £9,614,400

Annual rent (£/m ITZA) Investment Yield (%) Gross Market Rent (GMR) Management Fees (% of GMR)

Development Summary

Development Summary

5.00% 15.00%

2,083 £190.00 8.00% 5.00%

Net Market Rent (NMR) per annum Net Market Value (YP perp) Net Market Rent (NMR) per quarter Construction cost (£/m2) - Small Retail Shop Construction Cost Professional Fee (% of Const. Cost) Contengencies (% of Const. Cost) Total Construction Cost (Retail) Finance Rate (%) Investment Value Letting Fee (%) Investment Sale Fee (%) Pre-Construction Time (months) Demolition and Façade Preservation (months) Construction Time (months) Let Delay (months) Rent-Free Period (months) Client Hold Period (months)

2,580 2,451 2,083

£395,836.50 £19,791.83 £376,044.68 £4,700,558 £94,011

£1,548,000 £232,200 £77,400 £1,857,600

12 6 18 3 3 12

Total Gross External Area (m2) - Entire Site Net Internal Areas (m2) - Office - Retail - Residential

Construction Costs - Office - Retail - Residential Total Construction Cost

11.00% 11.00% 1.00%

Gross External Areas (m2) - Office - Retail - Residential

Total Net Internal Area (m2) - Entire Site

£600 15.00% 5.00%

Site Acquistion Cost

£4,700,558 £43,542 £47,005.58

Net Market Values (NMV) - Office - Retail - Residential (24 2Bd Flats, 17 1 Bd Flats) Total Net Market Value Preliminary Costs (Design Fees, etc) Demolition Costs (6 Buildings @ £145,000 ea) Façade Perservation (1 Building @ £215,000) Street & Landscape Improvements Total Preliminary Costs

Clyde Valley Town Centre Location Study diagram was courtesy of the Glasgow and The Clyde Valley Joint Structure Committee

£8,750,000

5,722 2,580 8,012 16,314

4,621 2,083 6,470 13,174

£10,299,600 £1,857,600 £9,614,400 £21,771,600

£14,814,526.22 £4,700,558.44 £17,655,000.00 £37,170,084.66 £425,000 £870,000 £215,000 £175,000 £1,685,000

Pre-Construction Demolition and Construction Tim Let Delay (mont Rent-Free Period Client Hold Peri


REGIONAL REAL ESTATE, URBAN DESIGN AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION Development Economics And Urban Design Appraisal - Glasgow City Center, Scotland Balancing infill developments to complement, rather than offend, the existing built environment. Preparing a development plan for the ‘Selfridges Site’ on Trongate in Glasgow represented the wide breadth of issues that face most infill urban developments. Landmarked buildings, poor connectivity and strict zoning constricted development possibilities. However, located at the southern terminus of the city’s ‘Golden Z’ retail district and bordering the active Merchant City neighborhood, the importance of quality architecture and urban design would be necessary to make the project successful, meet city development code, and be financially viable.

Trongate: Existing

Proposed

Brunswick: Existing

Proposed

Key Site Design Elements • • • • • • • • • •

Imperative to fit into the surrounding context and act as a connector between the neighborhoods Utilize retail exposure on ground floor along Trongate Keep existing façade of listed building and add Grade A office space Residential units are U shaped to increase sun light and prevent Hutcheson from feeling like an urban canyon Courtyard in new office building for events and access to light, reducing energy consumption Green roof providing healthier views, insulated buildings and ecological biodiversity Increase pedestrian connectivity between Trongate & Merchant City Loggia connecting the two districts, improving the pedestrian experience Architectural feature on building acknowledging Merchant City and providing architectural acknowledgement of loggia Brunswick St, redesigned to match existing Merchant City standards and can also be used as outdoor event space promoting the cultural quarter. New Office Space New Ground Floor Retail Space Listed Facade Retained Potential Green Roof New Residential Units

Ground Floor Creative Industry Offices

Proposed


DESIGNING IN SCALES Economic and Spatial Analysis Study - Glasgow, Scotland and Roseville, California In America traditional town centers have mostly been vacated and replaced with suburban malls. In the UK the primary city centers have largely survived.This scaled visual shows how the Roseville Galleria is half the size of Glasgow’s City Center but without any of the amenities, character or ‘place’.

Glasgow City Center and ‘Golden Z’ retail district in Scotland • • • •

4,789,940 sq. ft. retail floor space. 2nd largest UK retail district, and largest outside of London. 18th largest retail district in the Europe. Features offices, residences, retail, hotels and cultural amenities.

Roseville Galleria, Creekside Town Center and Fountains shopping centers as the core retail area in Roseville, California • • • •

Appx. 3,000,000 sq. ft. total retail floor space. Most profitable mall in the Sacramento area 7th largest mall in California. With the exception of some office buildings on the east side, the remainder of the development is single use retail.

Roseville’s core retail area superimposed onto Glasgow’s City Center •

Roseville’s central retail center is appx. half the size of Glasgow’s City Center.

Roseville’s core retail area superimposed onto Glasgow’s City Center shows that their single use retail center is the same size/scale as: • • • • •

2 train major stations and 2 subway stops Parts of 2 major universities Merchant City (an arts district) Portions of the IFSD (financial district) The largest UK shopping district outside of London’s West-End.


ENHANCING THE ‘SENSE OF PLACE’ IN CITY CENTER REGENERATION Urban Land Institute Advisory Services Program - Downtown Stockton, California Mise en place is a French term referring to having all the ingredients necessary for a dish prepared and ready to combine up to the point of cooking. Applying this to regeneration projects, aligning stakeholders and overcoming cross boundary and inter-governance issues is imperative

to a successful and timely implementation. Experiencing the practical application of this while researching the new Strategic Development Plan process in Scotland, I found that cooperation between local authorities was the key to success, and when the process failed it was the regional residents who were ultimately impacted the greatest.

Sense of Place and Livability Livability is a strategy for creating a place where people want to live, and where they thrive as a result of living in this place. The key components discussed to implement a strong ‘sense of place’ within downtown Stockton were to unify design elements, improve walkability and connections to public spaces. These elements were also suggested to be incorporated into any new buildings to increase “eyes on the street” and embrace to role of streets as the key to a vibrant and healthy downtown.

Approaching City Center Development Working within a panel of professionals, we decided to use scale and ownership rights as a key catalyst. Moving away from standard flashy and expensive projects to gain momentum downtown, we began on the periphery. In starting this way a housing market and a track-record of success begins. With a market established and continuing towards the downtown core the profit potential of larger-scale downtown projects increases. This allows for a organic approach to development and community building.

Villages Within City Centers The panel believed that a village-type development consisting of several contiguous parcels surrounding a well designed intersection would provide the environment necessary to foster community. Associated streetscape improvements might serve as a catalyst for further improvement along this corridor, consistent with those described in the existing urban design guidelines and Miner Streetscape Master Plan.

ULI Powerpoint Presentation Link HERE The ‘Principles of a Successful Masterplan’ image was supplied by the ULI.


ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SPATIAL PLANNING AND URBAN DESIGN Spatial Planning Analysis for Govan - Glasgow, Scotland Developing a Spatial Plan for one of Scotland’s most deprived communities required special considerations; providing residents access to opportunities, rather than gentrification. The creation of education and employment op-

portunities is paramount to achieving better socioeconomic performance, and in establishing a distinctive and fresh appeal for Govan. As Govan sits in close proximity to an emerging media district, home to BBC Scotland and STV (Scottish Television), as well as the new Southern General Hospital (the largest in Europe) it is proposed that the development creates

a ‘distinctive appeal’ as an arts and sciences district, building upon the momentum created by each of the neighboring land uses. Implementation of these concepts would be based upon utilizing existing infrastructure and populations. With the use of this ‘distinctive appeal’, this proposal aims to tackle the problem of low skilled employment and poor access to training.

ACCESS TO EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARTS

SCIENCES

Low Skilled Employment • Arts: retail, show set ups, access to mentors and local talent • Media: janitorial, administration, assistance • Music: performances, gig set up/take down, non-intimidating

Low Skilled Employment • Janitorial and maintenance • Administration and assistance • Security

Medium Skilled • Arts: sales, event planning, supporting roles, visual arts • Media: camera, sound, stage, marketing, commercial • Music: performing, set up, promotion, concerts

Medium Skilled • Nursing and general practice • Sales and management • Clinic and student/community outreach

High Skilled • Arts: artists, galleries, design, museum, • Media: acting, writing, directing, producing, editing • Music: production, mixing, festivals

High Skilled • Surgeons, specialists and doctors • Pharmaceuticals • Medical practitioners and professors

Spatial Plan: Phased Implementation Short Term 0 - 10 years

Employment

Health/ Education

Environment/ Infrastructure

• Rehabilitate historic structures for business incubators • Reestablished high street shops

• Establish connection to Southern General Hospital • Improve local schools

• Clean up derelict sites • Establish new iconic Clyde crossing

• Adapt existing warehouses into biotech work spaces • Introduce media & creative industries

• Establish media and tech college • Enhance community clinics and workshops

• Introduce green infrastructure • Improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity &safety

• Replace low den- • Develop Fairfield sity developments into film studios • Restore historic • Large scale biourban development tech developments fabric & structure

• Create worldclass media & tech center • Offer opportunities to all residents

• Pedestrian bridge to Science Center through new park • Sustainable building codes and model

Housing

• Stabilize de-

population trends • Rehabilitate derelict residential buildings

Medium Term • Capitalize on Govan’s diverse 10 - 20 years

housing stock • Continue infill development

Long Term 20 - 30 years

Full project can be found HERE

Study Area

Implementation Plan


CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS Landscape Architecture Senior Project - Downtown Sacramento, California The understanding of a site’s historical surroundings is key to designing the future. What has changed, and why? Who are the users? What do they need, and what does the client want?

Capitol Mall, Sacramento CA The Context

Vehicular Circulation

The Big Picture: Central City Proposed developments along Capitol Mall

K Street Mall redevelopment

Midrise buildings

Future adjacent developments

Downtown Plaza Upgrades

Ryan Sandwick - ryan.sandwick@gmail.com

Highrise office buildings

Historically, Tower Bridge via M St. was the main western entrance into the city of Sacramento from San Francisco. M St. was transformed into a Parisian-inspired boulevard in 1959 when the State of California widened it initially into Capitol Avenue, and eventually into the current configuration of Capitol Mall. When Interstate 5 was built a decade later, the historic urban fabric was destroyed and connecting vehicular access points at the corner of 2nd street and Capitol Mall were built, effectively directing traffic off of the Mall and onto the adjacent one-way L and N streets.

15 14

The Context

Activity Nodes

Site Destinations Light Green: Public open space Green: State office buildings Olive Green: Old Sacramento

Turquoise: Residential Orange: Major hotels Tan: Cultural and regional attractions

Ryan Sandwick - ryan.sandwick@gmail.com

Red: Capitol Mall Yellow: Downtown Plaza Light Blue: Highrise office buildings Blue: J/K/L St. Central Business Corridor

19 18

The Context

Existing Urban Design Conditions

Vehicular Traffic Study

4th St.

5th St.

L St.

7th St.

8th St.

9thSt.

6th St.

L St.

N St.

N St.

3rd St.

10th St.

4th St.

5th

7th St.

8th St.

9thSt.

Ryan Sandwick - ryan.sandwick@gmail.com

3rd St.

Pedestrian activities on Capitol Mall primarily consist of two groups: visitors and employees. Serving a workforce composed of professional employees during business hours, Capitol Mall is underutilized during weekends and off peak hours through the central portions between 3rd and 9th Streets. The most heavily traveled portions of Capitol Mall are at the ends; at the fountain between 9th and 10th and by Front Street in front of Tower Bridge, both of which are popular with visitors for photo opportunities due to the nearby attractions of Old Sacramento and the State Capital building.

10th St.

The thicker the lineweight the heavier the traffic volume. Traffic volumes are estimated through observation.

17 16

The sidewalks along Capitol Mall are inconsistent in width and design, often varying by building. While most are similar in size and layout, the sidewalks in front of the new highrises, specifically at the western end, each have their own sidewalk style with different banding materials. The inconsistency leads to a mixed identity and confusing pedestrian experience. Many of the buildings along Capitol Mall have poor relationships to the buildings, as the parking garages are accessed from the blocks behind, severely limiting pedestrian and vehicular activity on along the length of Capital Mall.


LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AS REGENERATION Landscape Architecture Senior Project - Downtown Sacramento, California Capitol Mall in Sacramento has the potential to be a symbol for the State of California, but currently is underutilized and poorly managed. A new plan for the mile long street required an approach far beyond a new landscape design, one that included physical and cultural strategies. Regenerating Capitol Mall is important not only for Sacramento’s image and financial future, but as a symbol for the entire State of California. Given that the street frames the views to and from the state capital building, any redesign of the mall should not only contain California symbolism but also serve the everyday needs of Sacramentans. It is also key that it be financially and environmentally sustainable. With a limited available width to accommodate these features, I aimed to incorporate all of these elements utilizing the most efficient use of spaces while preserving the

significant view corridor through the center of the Mall. Decreasing the width of the central median allows for the addition of bike lanes and streetscape and sidewalk widths. In order to achieve this, I decreased the size of the central lawn median to a 12’ landscaped median which centered the traffic lanes 15’ from their existing location. The central landscaped median also functions as storm water detention. With a easily movable grate on top it, the storm drains, irrigation and planting can be easily maintained while also allowing crowds to effortlessly cross it during major events on Capitol Mall.

Click on the image below to play a fly-through video, or Youtube link : http://tinyurl.com/boltovj (Note: both open in a new window)


EVALUATING SUSTAINABILITY IN LANDSCAPE AND URBAN DESIGN Landscape Management Plan - Davis, California You can design a beautiful and thoughtful ‘place’, but if it can’t be maintained then the promotional pictures will last much longer than the space will. My mentor has repeatedly stated that “The most sus-

tainable landscape is often what is already existing”. As UC Davis is recognized as one of the most environmentally progressive universities, it was important for the university to balance the need for environmental sustainability in times of financial austerity. Balancing landscape renovation projects with extensive budget cuts led the University to embark on its first Landscape Management Plan. As drought tolerant and native gardens cost nearly 5 times as much to maintain as traditional lawn landscapes, the ultimate goal of the plan was to identify the most environmentally, financially and physically sustainable methods of maintaining UC Davis’s 900 acre core campus. The practical application of installing native and retrofitting exisiting lawn-based landscapes has helped me became a better designer and practitioner. Awareness of the physical and financial realities of design influences how I approach projects, as my priorities have transitioned into design elements which can maintain a high aesthetic quality over an extended period of time. This approach has positive impacts that reach beyond the future users to the clients, as maintaining positive relationships with the public is as important as that of the users.

Abstract The University of California, Davis, is embarking on an exciting period of growth. As envisioned by the Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) the campus can expect a 42 percent increase in student population between 2001 and 2016. The Grounds Division looks forward to helping bring this blueprint to a reality. Yet, as the university prepares for an aggressive fundraising drive to help raise the $1 billion needed for expansion over the next 10 years, there has been a steady decrease in Grounds funding while the landscape workload is experiencing steady and unprecedented growth. Prior to the 1960’s, there were no campus landscape guidelines and the campus landscape’s primary function was to provide shade and erosion control. After over 100 years of incremental growth, and with a core campus that is larger than UCLA and UC Berkeley combined, the campus sought to develop a plan to value its living assets despite the fact that there is no identified funding source. In developing a management plan for the campus landscape we aimed to break the uniform maintenance levels and base the level of landscaped care on the specific landscape’s use level and function.

A. Landscape Type Ranking System Redefining the Campus Landscape: A Sustainable Approach

Native meadow landscaping at the Mondavi Institute

The cover image was created by the University’s Communications Department.

B. Landscape Use Ranking System


UC DAVIS LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PLAN Landscape Management Plan - Davis, California Evaluating the environmental sustainability of a 900 acre area is an immense undertaking. Armed with a clipboard and a golf cart I surveyed the entire campus landscape, placing each landscape into one of 24 types. Comparing each TYPE to their USE identified high-cost landscapes which were underutilized, simplifying the process of landscape conversions and rehabilitations.

LANDSCAPE USE MAP The Landscape Use Map labels how the campus landscape functions. The purpose of this map is to identify the campus landscapes that have the most intense maintenance schedules. This map was prepared through a series of group meetings.

STEP 1: Use the Landscape Use Map to determine the level of landscape maintenance by type. This is the principal document/map.

Maps Prepared in GIS LANDSCAPE TYPE MAP The Landscape Type Map shows the specific landscape cover types. The purpose of this map is to determine the area of each landscape type in order to calculate maintenance costs based on given costs to maintain each “type” of cover.

STEP 2: Analyze the Landscape Type for each site to determine the components that make up each landscape (per Landscape Use Map above). From there one can determine the required and associated cost of each landscape chosen to be reviewed. The GIS maps were prepared by the University’s GIS Specialist based on information that I gathered.


RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE The Doyle Residence - West Sacramento, California I’ve found that residential designs often have the same issues as larger scale projects, but at a smaller scale and on a more personal level. While in public sector projects the ultimate users are fairly removed from intricacies of the process, in residential design every decision directly effects the client. The personal relationship that develops during the process inspires me to push my creative and technical boundaries, all in effort to create the space they’ve always wanted, but never knew they could have.

Residential Process When preparing concept drawings, whether at a residential or regional scale, I base the graphics on the German B-plan aesthetic, using 3 colors to identify circulation, planting areas and lawn. This method simplifies the concept into an easily understandable plan. Additionally, this simplicity shows a sense of scale and represents to the client that I’ve ‘showed my work’, understanding the site while incorporating their needs.

Before

Much like public projects, balancing the budget with deliverable expectations is a delicate dance. I’ve found that this is point in the process is where the established client/ designer relationship can lead to greater trust and understanding.

Residential Outcomes

After: Click to play video (opens new window)

The project shown here, the Doyle Residence in West Sacramento, CA, was designed in the year prior to living in Scotland and was installed shortly after I had moved. Continuing as the designer and project manager from another continent (and 8 time zones ahead) challenged my communication skills. Further developing my managerial skills I had to balance the relationship between the contractors and client, maintaining the budget and keeping the installation time on track.

Construction of lowered terrace (L) and concrete pads (R)


RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE The Dennison Residence - Sacramento, California Budget: $35,000 Bids: $30,000 - $45,000 Outcome: Placed on hold due to family emergency

Key Constraints • • • • • • •

Client was severely allergic to aromatic plants Both clients were elderly and one was disabled, so minimal maintenance and accessibility were priorities Flag-shaped property provided access and design challenged to make it cohesive and functional The surrounding properties drain into the backyard, causing seasonal flooding Difficult and narrow side access into the backyard Must be able to be enjoyed equally from indoors Low water and maintenance

Preliminary Design Concepts

Final Site Design

• Rendered with pastels and markers A as a time/cost saving technique

• Wheelchair accessible paths A

• Fruit trees blocking view of neighB bors, power lines and flood channel

B • Covered patios for outdoor living C • Raised vegetable and herb beds

• Preserve existing trees as needed C

• D High density fruit orchard

• Wheelchair accessible circulation D

E Flood channel incorporated into • design, reducing future risks

A C D

B

C

A

Approved hand drawn conceptual plan

E

B

CAD drawn revised base plan

D


URBAN DESIGN & PHOTOSHOP EXERCISE K Street Mall - Downtown Sacramento, California

K St. 8th St. K St. Existing

K St. Proposed

Located in downtown Sacramento, K Street Mall, like many other urban streets in the 1960’s, was closed to traffic. In the time since it has become a symbol of blight and multiple failed redevelopment attempts. Light rail was added during the 1980’s in efforts to rejuvenate, and activate, the street. After attending a community meeting about ways to enliven the street, I developed the concept of replacing the existing hardscape with lawn. In introducing lawn, it would add aesthetic warmth, lower surface temperatures in the summer and make the streetscape more appealing. I prepared a concept plan and sent it to the Downtown Sacramento partnership as well as the City of Sacramento’s downtown economic developer. Key Benefits Include: K St. Existing/Proposed

• • • •

K St. Existing

Added life, replacing visually cold effects of existing concrete pavers Year around color adds vibrancy Reduces storm water runoff, increasing sustainability Enhances Sacramento’s image of ‘City of Trees’

Street tram on lawn in Barcelona


INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES Glasgow Scotland, Barcelona Spain and London England Living abroad meant a lot more to me than checking a box on my bucket list. Living in a socioeconomically transitional neighborhood in Glasgow meant full immersion into what it means to be Glaswegian. Visiting new cities meant experiencing how they lived, and what was great about each place. In Prague I was fascinated with the intricately tiled sidewalks, while Berlin’s history gave the city an au-

thenticity and edge. Amsterdam’s cycling infrastructure exceeded expectations and small towns in the Scottish Highlands were some of the most welcoming places I’ve ever been. Visiting these places meant more than just a holiday as they each offered a unique lesson on how to live and the role that the cities play. Did the cities shape the people, or vice versa? Sometimes these questions made me forget that I was, indeed, on holiday.

Glasgow: River Clyde Waterfront Glasgow’s riverfront was one of the reasons that I decided to move and study here. Beyond the merits of the program at Glasgow University, I knew that if I was going to study City Planning & Regeneration I wanted to study in a city that had done it successfully. Glasgow made a decision in the 1980s to use cultural regeneration and make the River Clyde the key component of the city. I’ve found inspiration in the range of architecture and uses (cultural and commercial) that have been seamlessly introduced, establishing a new international image.

Barcelona: Passieg de Garcia Walking through Barcelona’s broad boulevards for the first time I found inspiration in their comprehensive design. The large trees, vibrant storefronts and mix of architectural styles contributed to the city’s renown energy and appeal. Beyond the broad, pedestrian oriented boulevards cutting through the dense neighborhoods, the chamfered corners at the intersections left me awe inspired. Cutting the buildings back at every intersection throughout the city allows light and air to reach the ground plane, a confluence of built and natural forms.

London: London Eye & River Thames As one of the first modern projects of its time, I can imagine that presenting the idea of building the world’s biggest Ferris Wheel across from the Parliament Building on the River Thames raised some eyebrows. However, in the 13 years since it opened it has become a symbol of 21st century London and attracts 3.5 million visitors annually. This project has strengthened my views of creating opportunity and ideas to revolutionize a ‘place’.


HOW I DESIGNED MY FIRST CITY AT AGE 10 (OUT OF LEGOS AND HOT WHEELS) Simi Valley, California With the dining room table acting as an urban growth boundary, my cities were limited more by space than ideas. If this were an actual city, what would it need? Pedestrian access? A variety of on-street parking? Varied building scales and types? A scaled built environment for resident minifigures? As an adolescent did I truly understand what any of this meant? Of course not, but I knew that I was drawn to the ideas. None of this would have been possible without my mom being supportive by sacrificing her dining room table for most of my childhood, so thanks mom!

The Big Ideas

...and smaller details

• Variety of parking options

• Connections between spaces

• Pedestrian plazas

• Outdoor seating

• Covered pedestrian loggias

• Traffic signage

• Variety of building types and sizes

• Bollards and pedestrian safety measures

• Traffic roundabout • Opportunity for future in-fill development

• Urban design with landscaped buffers and zones • Class 3 bicycle lanes


HAND DRAWINGS UC Davis, California

A Figure drawing pencil on medium paper in 2 hours B Figure drawing. Erased out of charcoal on medium paper in 2.5 hours C Cloth drawing in charcoal on medium paper in 2 hours

A

B

C


MANY SMALL PEOPLE who in MANY SMALL PLACES do MANY SMALL THINGS that CAN ALTER THE FACE OF THE WORLD

- African Proverb

Inspirational quotes on the Eastside Gallery portion of the Berlin Wall - Berlin, Germany


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.