SEHAR AHMED
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE P O R T F O L I O
BIO A Landscape Architect, experienced in residential, commercial and master-planning landscape architecture. I am interested in social and ecological design processes that fosters creativity and innovation. Through my education and work experience I have established a wide range of skills; I am proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, AutoCAD and hand-rendering. Having recently completed a Master of Landscape Architecture - MLA from the University of Sheffield and having had exposure on diverse projects in the Middle East, I am extremely keen to gain further industry experience.
EDUCATION MLA Landscape Architecture University of Sheffield, UK Sep 2020 - June 2021 BSc Landscape Architecture University of Sheffield, UK Sep 2016 - June 2019
EXPERIENCE Landscape Architect desert INK, Dubai, UAE Sep 2019 - Sep 2020
05 MIZA CREATIVE DISTRICT
CONT E N T S
01
02
SPECIAL PROJECT
ART AND POLITICS
03
04
MAINTAINING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE
KING SALMAN PARK COMPETITION
06
07
PHOTOSHOP R E N D E R S
SKETCHES AND ILLUSTRATIONS
01 02 U N I V E R S I T Y P R O J E C T S
03 EDUCATION MLA Landscape Architecture University of Sheffield, UK Sep 2020 - June 2021 BSc Landscape Architecture University of Sheffield, UK Sep 2016 - June 2019
The following section showcases work that was produced during my masters program at the University of Sheffield, between 2020-2021. 01 Special Project: The Green? Wharf 02 Landscape Art and Politics: Enlivening the Ruins 03 Maintaining Green Infrastructure
01
SPECIAL PROJECT: THE GREEN? WHARF PROJECT DESCRIPTION The work for this module was produced individually. Focusing on community, culture and ecology this special project proposes the industrial port in Abu Dhabi to become a busy port with active water edges and bustling marketplaces for users of all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. It will tackle the typical landscape approach in this region of manifesting greenery in urban spaces and aim to achieve social, economic and environmental sustainability.
PROJECT VISION AND KEY DESIGN DRIVERS
Bringing together communities; this project prioritises the integration of all classes and backgrounds
Slow and gradual growth that’s sensitive and responsive to its environment.
Enhance native ecosystems and preserve local culture and heritage.
LOCATION
EXISTING CHARACTER
Mina Zayed district in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Derelict industrial warehouses with active fishing ports
GREEN? This project will explore the presence of green in Abu Dhabi from an environmental and social point of view. Environmental Sustainability Sustainable landscape design in an arid desert climate will look very different to what is traditionally perceived as environmentally green. Social Equality All socio-economic classes using the site will be considered during the design stages of the project. Economic Growth The existing industrial businesses and market vendors will remain on site and the landscape design will be tailored to fit their activities.
REGIONAL CONTEXT AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CLIMATE IN ABU DHABI Abu Dhabi’s social climate has been extremely interesting to explore when setting out the brief for this project. Surveys denote that majority of the residents in Abu Dhabi would like to see more ecological natural outdoor spaces accessible from the city, that fit well in the desert. This Project will also explore the voices of the residents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, who are often overlooked during the design stages. This social group residing in Mina Zayed, are currently disconnected from the wider network of residents in the main city, will be at the centre of the design and regeneration of Mina Zayed.
Mina Zayed
Waterfront Promenade
Abu Dhabi Central District
Public Beach
Lulu Island Saadiyat Island Al Reem Island Umm Yifenah Mangrove National Park
Mukesh “We dont like life beyond the port. Those tall buildings never fascinate us. We are very comfortable in our comfort zone.”
Louvre Art Museum Zayed Port
Danny “This is our home now. For us, our boat is our palace”
Naveen “All of us live peacefully here regardless of our religious and cultural differences. We are fishermen we have one faith which is fishing.”
V IS
STRATEGIC MASTERPLAN
L IV
E
IT
WORK
N 80 0
40
Car Park
160
Phase 1 Boundary
FUNCTIONAL MIX Mix is a means of generating alliances and synergies between functions: between home, work and play; between production, exchange and consumption. “The social mix has to do with the ways a good city brings together people of different ages, abilities, ethnicities and social classes. Cities are places where differences rub together in walkable public space” (Dovey and Pafka, 2019)
WORK
LIVE The community of fishermen are the main residents of Mina Zayed “whether they live on the fishing boats, or the nearby labour accommodation, the fishermen of Abu Dhabi’s Mina Zayed have turned the small, concrete strip into a community.” (Hassani, 2015).
There are lots of different communities of workers currently existing on site, majority of the industrial activities occurring on site employ a large workforce. The fishermen are also work from their boats and selling produce to local fish markets.
VISIT People visiting the site are mainly interested in visiting the fish market.
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20 0
1
40
10
10
2
5
11
6 12
3 7
13
8 MICROCLIMATE
MASTERPLAN
Abu Dhabi has an arid desert climate, with prolonged periods of humid summer temperatures and the occasional high interesting rainfall. A shade structure will make the environmental much more comfortable for users due to the extreme environmental conditions .
The shade structure will change in height, creating a variety of enclosed resting spaces and more open passive spaces
As shown on the left, a large shade structure will be implemented mainly in the mosque plaza. The structure will open up where the trees will be planted.
Mosque plaza
1
Terraced outdoor dining
2
Floating market
3
Souq
4
Waterfront promenade
5
Tree grove in gravel
6
Flood defences
7
Linear steps with access down to water
8
Outdoor cinema
9
Swale with native planting
10
Kayake rentals
11
Boardwalk
12
Mangroves
13
USER EXPERIENCE
These vignettes explore the day to day life on site from the perspective of a worker, resident and visitor.
OUTDOOR
CINEMA
MOLLUSC
FARMING
FLOATING
MARKETS MOSQUE
PLAZA
OUTDOOR WATERFRONT
PROMENADE
TERRACED SEATING
DINING
MANGROVE
FOREST
THE
SOUQ
RESILIENT EDGE TREATMENT STRATEGY At present the water edges are contaminated due to the industrial works that used to take place on the port and they also lack interest. The water edge strategies shown below offer flood defence and water treatment. They also increase visual and physical interaction with water and marine ecosystems for visitors.
Linear steps with access to water
Le v ee
Flood control
Boardwalks
Linear steps
Storm buffer
Carbon sink Vegetated edge
Natural edge with boulders Pollution filter
FLOATING MARKET: CONSTRUCTION DETAILS Timber deck Marine grade iroko
Kick plate
Staging board with handrail
Timber boards Marine grade iroko A1
Pre-stressed concrete pile ROLLER DETAIL A
Modular cube UHMW UHMW pontoons rub pad roller
ROLLER DETAIL
02
LANDSCAPE ART & POLITICS: ENLIVENING THE RUINS PROJECT DESCRIPTION The work for this module was produced in a group. Group members: Sehar Ahmed, Alice Hare and Rebecca Simpson The aim of this module was to view landscapes through the lens of a film and explore the relationships between anthropocene and landscape architecture in theory and in practice. We used art and film to describe landscape and inform the materials and elements for our design. Our group chose to explore a research film called ‘Uppland’ by Killian Doherty (architect) and Edward Lawrence (film maker) for our final submission which follows the story of a village called Yekepa in Liberia.
VISION • Enhance connections and mend fragmentation of neighbourhoods • Proivde amenity and facility space to grow economy • Green initiatives to improve ecological value and ensure a long-lasting design
TYPOLOGY & KEY SPECIES 1. Secondary Hill Forest - Slopes at various altitudes (500- 1170m) in previously disturbed areas. Albizia adianthifolia (a), Bridelia grandis (b), Milicia excelsa (c), Ceiba pentandra (d), Ficus exasperata (e) ... 2. Swamp or Wetter Secondary Forest/ Thicket (420-991m); disturbed sites often lowlying. Musanga cecropioides (f), Macaranga barteri (g), Terminalia ivorensis 3. Wetter Nimba Moist Evergreen Forest (420-872m) Protomegabaria macrophylla (i), Mapania spp. chloraphora regia ( j) ... (Marshall & Hawthorne 2013)
LEGEND
N DESIGN RESPONSE
FILM ANALYSIS
STILLS FROM UPPLAND There are still remnants of the LAMCO developments; Abandoned machinery, housing, leisure spaces are prevalent in many sites across Yekepa and serve no current use. The film depicts that the people of Yekepa were exploited for their town’s resources and left to live in the ruins.
The film dramatically cuts from old photographs of LAMCO’s Yekepa displaying a thriving community of leisure and wealth to frames of the site in it’s current form of destruction. The people of Yekepa live amongst the ruin of a once successful economy where these remnants of the past serve no purpose anymore. Within the film, when the site is introduced, the skeleton of an old transit depot looms over a cargo graveyard. These overgrown structures pose great potential for an enlivened public space
DESIGN RESPONSE Sections denoting the community led design approach for the residents of New Yekepa
03
MAINTAINING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT DESCRIPTION The work for this module was produced individually. The site selected for this university project was located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The aim of this module was to produce a maintenance plan suitable for the landscape site selected and to introduce sustainable maintenance practices.
VISION The preliminary vision for this site will aim to: •
Achieveasustainablewaterefficientlandscape in order to conserve energy and resources; due to less water pumping and treatment.
•
Promote strong ecosystems as a means to enhance biodiversity and achieve long term integrated pest management.
•
Encouragenativefloraandfauna to protect desirable species and achieve a more natural environment.
•
Bevisuallyengaging;caterforthehumanaestheticexperience as the site is located in an urban residential area and is used frequently by the residents, to walk and cycle through.
Promote strong ecosystems
Achieve a sustainable water efficient landscape
Encourage native flora and fauna
Be visually engaging; cater for the human aesthetic experience
BIODIVERSITY INDICATORS These species have either been spotted on site or are likely to found in environments similar to our site.
Parkinsonia’sand Acacia’s attractvariousspeciesofbees Speciessuchas Acridotherestristis are attracted Parkinsonia’s to
Ornamentalgrassessuchaspennisetum attractsvariousspeciesofbirds
Speciessuchas Uromastyxaegyptia leptieni liveonrockygravelplains wheretheydigtheirdeepburrows andusetheirterritorytograzeshrubs
Zebra bees (Pseudapsisnilotica ) nest onhardsandbanksanfgravelplains. Typicallyunderplants.
MICRO-CLIMATE ON SITE
High levels of humidity
Partial shade
The landscape site is a pocket park located near residential building blocks. Dry wadi; The sunken gravel garden features Mediterranean and Xeriscape planting. The wadi (swale) collects rainwater run off during periods of heavy rain however for the most part of the year the wadi remains dry due to the arid desert climate.
EXISTING PLANTING LAYERS Acacia polyacantha
Phoenix dactyfeliria
Pennisetum divisum Ruelia ciliosa Yucca desmetiana
a
compacted gravel path
dry wadi with shrub planting
a a1
surface irrigation pipe system underground lawn irrigation system
Cynodon dactylon (mown lawn)
sandy soil
a1 4 0
2
10m
DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS ACROSS SITE
Cynodon dactylon
Pennisetum divisum
Aloe arborescens
Ruelia ciliosa
Hymenacalis littoralis
Yucca desmetiana
Tecoma stans
Cyperus alternifolius
Asystasia gigantic
Livistonia rotundifolia
Pheonix dactylifera
Acacia polyacantha
Parkinsonia aculeata
Sand and gravel
N 5
CURRENT MAINTENANCE PRACTICES
Figure 1: Exposed irrigation pipes
Figure 2: Mown lawn (Cynodon dactylon) with trimmed Ruelia ciliosa
0 2.5
Figure 3: Pennisetum divisum being over watered on the site
10
Pennisetum divisum
Yucca desmetiana
Tecoma stans
Hymenacalis littoralis
Ruelia ciliosa
Cyperus alternifolious
Cynodon dactylon
Asystasia gigantic
Aloe arborescens
SURVEYING PLANT SPECIES ON SITE
High Moderate Low
2 OUT OF 3 PALMS/TREES ON SITE, HAVE HIGH OR MODERATE WATER REQUIREMENT The water requirements are generally low but only when considering the shrubs, grasses and groundcovers. When investigating the water needs of the existing trees and palms on site, despite being mostly native species, their water requirements are much higher.
41%
N 5 0
14%
45%
High Figure 4:
Moderate
water requirements Low
For the area of shrubs, grasses and groundcovers planted within site area
2.5
10
26%
native
Figure 5: Area of shrubs, grasses and groundcovers planted within site area
74% exotic
Zone 1: watering once a week
HYDROZONING One of the key strategies in order to achieve a sustainable water efficient landscape is to create different watering zones. These zones have been considered after closely reviewing Figure 3 (see page 13). The existing distribution of high water use plants and low water use plants is muddled into random zones. The suggested hydrozoning in Figure 9 aims to retain as many plants as possible. Zone 1 features mostly moderate water use plants, with the occasional The areas with higher percentage of low water use plants have been grouped togther in Zone 2, however any existing high water use plants from this zone must be removed.
Zone 3: no watering
Zone 2: watering once or twice a month
Figure 6: Zoning the site based on irrigation and maintenance needs
2a
3a 1
3b
2c 2b
2d
2e
3c
N 5
WHO WILL BE DOING THE MAINTENANCE? Maintenance team •
Horticulturist with experience and knowledge of native planting overseeing the establishment of new species on site
•
Trained gardeners
Irrigation experts and consultants Voulnteers (changing attitudes; this is a strategy to educate local communities on the benefits and beauty of desert plants) •
Residents of al badia hillside
•
Students from nearby schools
•
Local communities interested in wild native planting
0 2.5
10
INITIAL ESTABLISHMENT Replace the current irrigation system from high pressure sprinkler in zones 1, 2a and 2b to a more resource saving low pressure drip irrigation system. Trees and palms will be placed on separate valves than from shrubs, groundcovers and grasses. Micro-bubbler valve fitting for trees and palms. In line emitter tubing to be fitted for shrubs, groundcover and grasses. This will be professionally installed and maintained by manufacturers and consultants of smart water saving irrigation systems. Establish pioneer self-seeding species native to wadis, in order to enhance planting palette and secure longevity in the landscape. The high water use species that have been deemed non-essential, Cyperus alternifolius and Cynodon dactylon will be removed and replaced with new species. Cyperus alternifolius will be removed during the initial stages however the lawn will gradually be removed from site. Sub zones, as shown on Figure 4, have been created for the successive introduction of new species to the pocket park.
Euphorbia tirucalli
Boerhavia elegans
Aerva javanica
Onychium divaricatum
LONG TERM ESTABLISHMENT Zone 2c Year 1
Remove irrigation system and propagate self seeding species listed in section 3.5 such as Aerva javanica, euphorbia tirrucalli.
2e, 2d
Mowing and weeding weekly for year 1
3a,3b
Propogate Onychium divaricatum and Epipactis veratrifolia in wadi water catchment areas
2d
Stop mowing and remove irrigation system and propagate self seeding species listed in section 3.5 such as Aerva javanica, euphorbia tirrucalli.
2e
Mowing and weeding weekly for year 2
2e
Stop mowing and remove irrigation system and propagate self seeding species listed in section 3.5 such as Aerva javanica, euphorbia tirrucalli.
Year 2
Year 3
Maintenance action
2c, 2d, 2e
Ultimately become a seedbed for native sown species that requires no irrigation after they have become established
3a, 3b, 3c
These water catchment areas hence why they will focus annuals and perennials that flower in winter in response to periods of heavy rains. Species like Boerhavia elegans, Cenchurus cilaris and Epipactis veratrifolia.
Year 5+
Who? Trained gardener Gardener Horticulturist to oversee propagation Trained gardener Gardener Trained gardener
ANNUAL MAINTENANCE PLAN
1.
Sustainable and water efficient
Maintenance objective
Vegetation type
Maintenance action
T, P, S,G, GC
Deep watering of soil; coordinate with seasonal rains. During periods of heavy rain (generally in December) avoid watering. After mild summer rains (Generally in June) reduce water application by 80%
1. Achieve a sustainable water efficient landscape
2.
Apply organic mulch layer up to 20cm deep. Maintaining a thickness of 10cm throughout the year as it settles over time. This is the ideal thickness in order to successfully retain moisture and prevent weed germination
Strong ecosystems
Reapply areas of sand and gravel to ensure habitats of native species of bees, lizards etc.
2. Promote strong ecosystems
3.
Introduce native flora and fauna 3. Encourage native flora and fauna
S
Trim off only the dead leaves and dead flowers from shrubs like Ruelia and Tecoma stans. Avoid over trimming into manicured hedges. The crevices in the irregular and naturalistic forms of the planting is appreciated by the wildlife
G
Cut plumes before seeds mature in order to prevent self seeding
4.
Weeding exposed areas without mulch or gravel
Visually engaging
4. Be visually engaging and cater for the human aesthetic experience P
P - Palm
T - Tree
Pruning to remove suckers
G - Grass
Se - Sedge
Sh - Shrub
When
Total area m2
Total cost per annum
Trained gardener and irrigation consultants to follow up on plant health and irrigation system condition
400m2
Set up cost of £4980 then checked once annually for leaks £240 per day
Trained gardener
444m2
£5760
400m2
£880
Gardener
160m2
£304
cut manually using clean pruning shears
Trained gardener
142m2
£540
Annually
Cut manually using clean pruning shears
Gardener
109m2
£382
Monthly
Manually by hand
Gardener
400m2
£8112
Annually
Cut the dead leaves and branches using sharp clean pruning shears or or a pruning saw
Gardener
No. of palms 6
£240
Zone
Frequency
Equipment
Task carried out by
1, 2a, 2b
Check irrigation schedule for seasonal changes in frequency
Drip irrigation system, in line emitter tube
3a, 3c 2c, 2d, 2e
Twice a month only during first month of establishment
Manually hose watering basin
January (Winter )
Zone 1, 2a and 2b
Annually
Manually apply to beds with square pointed shovel
January
3a, 3b, 3c
Annually
November (Late autumn)
1
Annually
Spring
2a, 2b
Spring
1, 2a, 2b
Late evenings (6pm-7pm)
Spring
Across all zones
GC - Ground cover
Gardener
04 05 WOR K E X P E R I E N C E EXPERIENCE Landscape Architect desert INK, Dubai, UAE Sep 2019 - Sep 2020
The following section showcases work that was produced during my year in practice with desert INK. I have included my contributions to the projects that I worked on. My role at desert INK entailed carrying out design production under the guidance of Senior Landscape Architects. I was responsible for the delivery of small projects independently and worked as part of a wider team for the delivery of larger projects. 04 King Salman Park Competition 05 Miza Creative District 06 Park Typologies
04
KING SALMAN PARK COMPETITION PROJECT DESCRIPTION Masterplanning project for an all inclusive park. Location: Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Approx size: 1300 hectares We were approached to create a vision for what is aspiring to be the worlds largest urban park, as part of a compettion. I worked alongside a team to design an initial vision for the park and create visuals for the competition entry.
VISION An all inclusive park that welcomes users of all abilities. The wider masterplan will feature themed parks with innovative design solutions to make the park accessible and interactive. • • • • •
Heritage park Sports park Conservation park Ceremonial park Urban Park
Cross sections rendered on photoshop
THEMED PARKS AND AMENITIES
Ceremonial Park
Heritage Park
Conservation Park Sports Park
Urban Park
INTERACTIVE PLAYSCAPE STRATEGY One of the tasks allocated to me was to create a playscape strategy for the park in order to make the play elements immersive and engaging.
EDUCATIONAL exploration
LAWN
PLAY
community gardening
undulating landforms
urban farming
interactive walls
PLAY
INTERACTIVE
PLAY
TOGETHER
connect with nature
caters for all abilities
exploration
undulating landforms
wadi water play tactile
MULTISENSORY
adventure
PLAY
CHALLENGING visually engaging
water play
accessible
auditory
NATURE
PLAY sand
managing risk
PLAY
Masterplan rendered on photoshop
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MASTERPLAN 3
8
2
5 10 6
9
Educational play
1
Sensory garden
2
Water play
3
Nature play
4
Challenging play
5
Multisensory play
6
Interactive play
7
Lawn
8
Tree top walk
9
Outdoor dining
12
10
Palm court plaza
11
Car park
12
Play courts
13
05
MIZA CREATIVE DISTRICT STREET TYPOLOGIES PROJECT DESCRIPTION Concept stage for a masterplanning project. Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Approx size: 800 hectares A creative district with retail, residential and workspaces. MIZA fosters innovation and creativity. I worked on the project during the visioning and concept stage of the project.
VISION Innovative design solutions to promote walkabilty in the district of Mina Zayed. We were tasked with creating a landscape design tool-kit for the district . One of the main focus was the treatment of the streetscape. Following local guidelines and planning laws we designed typical for the various landscape zones.
DESIGN TOOL-KIT Exploring how the various typologies of spaces and streets will be treated.
shared street surface
urban plazas
urban streets
formal linear
loose organic
structured organic
home zones
M IZ A IZA communal pocket park
access down to water
shared street surface
urban tree planting
STRATEGIC MASTERPLAN Allocating the type of streets and across the masterplan and defining home zones that will use landscape solutions to create pedestrian dominated areas.
formal linear
urban streets
structured organic
loose organic
formal linear structured organic loose organic
n
urban streets residential home zones
20 0
40
120 80
n
MASTERPLAN RENDER The masterplan render on the right shows all three tyoical street types. The streetscapes will feature marketspaces, plazas, home zones and etc.
40
120
0
80
PLANTING CHARACTER FORMAL LINEAR
STRUCTURED ORGANIC
LOOSE ORGANIC
•
Linear and structured
•
50% native species
•
100% native species
•
Neat and contained
•
Organic planting character
•
Drought tolerant
•
Xeriscape
H PARKING •
Urban tree species
STREET SECTION This section shows what a typical fomal linear street will look like.
NOT COMPLYING WITH USDM FRONTAGE
THROUGH FRONTAGE
THROUGH
+0.60m © Dark Pixel Ltd.
+0.60m +0.1m
© Dark Pixel Ltd.
+0.1m
+0.00m .dtL lexiP kraD ©
PEDESTRIAN REALM
EXISTING SERVICES PROPOSED SERVICES TREE PIT ZONE
LANDSCAPE ZONE / FURNISHING
CYCLE TRACK
PEDESTRIAN EDGE ZONE
.dtL lexiP kraD ©
.dtL lexiP kraD ©
© Dark Pixel Ltd.
PARKING
TRAVELLED WAY
PARKING
PEDESTRIAN EDGE CYCLE LANE ZONE
LANDSCAPE ZONE / FURNISHING
PEDESTRIAN REALM
06
MASDAR CITY ABU DHABI PARK TYPOLOGIES PROJECT DESCRIPTION Pre-visioning stage. A brief task I carried out during my work experience was to create quick visuals to present to the client. These photo montages show the character of different zones we wanted to propose for a large district in Abu Dhabi.
ENERGY ZONE
ADVENTURE PARK
KINETIC PARK
H20 PARK
BIO SPINE
INNOVATION
SHOWCASE
07 S K E T C H E S & ILLUSTRATIONS Collection of drawings and sketches completed during my university and professional career.
07
SKETCHES AND ILLUSTRATIONS
WATERCOLOURS Hazelnut dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius
WATERCOLOURS AND PEN Male common bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
WATERCOLOURS AND PEN Female common bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
VIGNETTES Hand rendered and coloured on photoshop
RETAIL PLAZA
MOSQUE PLAZA
SEMI PRIVATE PLAZA
URBAN STREETSCAPE
SEHAR AHMED
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE P O R T F O L I O