PORTFOLIO PATRICK J. SUNBURY
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
04 05 06 07
[ DELTA DELTA DELTA ]
[ MUTHANA ESTATE ]
[ THORSEN HOUSE ]
[ INTEGRATION ]
ACADEMIC WORK Harvard University GSD 2012-Present
05 [ Academic Work ]
CONVERGENT ECOLOGIES
[ Jamaica Bay, New York ][ Spring 2013 ][ Harvard University GSD ] - Partners with Fred Thwainy ‘14 In the face of rising sea levels and increased storm surge activity, we developed an urban growth strategy for Jamaica Bay in New York City that harnessed the ecological services of Eastern Oyster reefs to provide wave attenuation and water purification. Oyster reefs once dominated the shores of New York City, providing the populace with a storm buffer, food source and keystone ecological species. Taking inspiration from the oyster’s ability as a small organism to accumulate and form a highly functional mass, we envision our civic realm to be composed of a network of small spaces that when aggregated form a dense network that sustains urban life.
02
[ Convergent Ecologies ][ Spring 2013 ][ Academic Work ] 06
ENABLING STRATEGIES - PHASING Ecologically Driven Development 00. INITIAL SITE
01. ECOLOGICAL MAT APPLICATION
OYSTER REEF MARSHLAND URBANISM
OYSTER REEF DEEP CHANNEL SURROUNDING SITE
MARSHLAND WATER WITH HIGH TURBIDITY AND EXCESSIVE NITROGEN
MODULES PLACED UPON NTERTIDAL FLATS - DEPTH 0-1 M AT LOW TIDE
URBANISM CHANNELS FOR WATER FLOW TO REACH INNER REEF
MODULES ADJUST ACCORDING TO SITE TOPOGRAPHY
DISTRESSED SALT MARSH
03. FLOATING HOUSE COMMUNITY & INITIAL CITY
02. PARKWAY & INITIAL CAUSEWAYS BUILT
OYSTER REEF
OYSTER REEF
MARSHLAND
MARSHLAND
DEVELOPMENT ONLY BUILT UPON MATURE OYSTER REEF
OYSTER GROWTH UPON ARTICIAL REEF
URBANISM
URBANISM CAUSEWAY PATH CHANGES TRAJECTORY TO REACH MATURING OYSTER REEF
PARKWAY BUILT TO ALLOW FOR CAUSEWAYS
LOW TURBIDITY AND REDUCED NITROGEN DUE TO FILTERING FROM THE MATURING OYSTER REEF
CAUSEWAY INITIALLY BUILT ALONG MODULE PATH
04. MARSHLAND PREVALANCE & CITY EXPANSION
05. URBAN FLUX
OYSTER REEF MARSHLAND
OYSTER REEF INITIAL STREET GRID BUILT ON NEWLY MATURED REEF AREAS
URBANISM
MARSHLAND URBANISM
MARSH GROWTH DUE TO WAVE ATTENUATION FROM MATURING OYSTER REEF
FLOATING HOUSE COMMUNITY DEVELOPED PRIOR TO CITY EXPANSION
NATURALLY FORMING OYSTER REEF HOGBACKS WITH MARSH PLANTS ON TOP
PIERS EXTEND TO REACH SEA LANES AND START FERRY SERVICE TO NYC
OYSTER REEF LEFT UNDEVELOPED TO FORM STORM SURGE BARRIER
MAP-PLAN FRAMEWORK
[ Convergent Ecologies ][ Spring 2013 ][ Academic Work ] 08
Ecological and Urban Flux
Depicting the transitional aspects of the development strategy, the map plan shows the accumulation of oyster reef on the site in addition to the gradual aggregation of public spaces over time. The blue lines represent the various water currents on the site and the ability of the oyster reef to attenuate their velocity and redistribute the flow within the reef to provide for a sufficient degree of water movement that is necessary for oyster reef health.
09 [ Academic Work ]
INFRASTRUCTURE & BUILDING TYPOLOGIES Promoting Vibrant Reef and Civic Space
Built upon the oyster reef itself, the building types and road infrastructure have to be carefully tuned to allow for sunlight and water flows through the city for the oyster reef to continue to flourish. In addition, in order to generate the public sphere and allow access to open water, buildings have boardwalk aprons lining their perimeters and the courtyards have floating plazas within that oscillate to the diurnal tides. FORMAL FRAMEWORK
STREET TYPOLOGIES
ADAPTATION OF THE PORTLAND, OREGON BLOCK
3M 1.4M 3.3M
TERRACING AND COURTYARD FOR SUNLIGHT
3.3M
3M 1.4M 3.3M 2.4M 1.4M 3M
1.4M 3M
60M X 60M BLOCK
ONE-WAY WITH PARKING, DEDICATED CYCLIST LANES, AND SIDEWALK
PUBLIC SPACE ON EXTERIOR
ONE-WAY W/O PARKING, DEDICATED CYCLIST LANES, AND SIDEWALK
RAISED STRUCTURE FOR PUBLIC SPACE 3M
1.4M 3.3M
2.4M 1.4M 10M
2M 2.4M 1.4M 3.3M 2M
INVERT TO INTERIOR
EXTENSION OF SIDEWALKS INTO COURTYARDS
HEIGHT: 2 M WIDTH: 30 M x 14 M
OYSTER FREQUENCY
HIGH TIDE LOW TIDE
CREATE PLAZA SPACES
HEIGHT: 2 M WIDTH: 25 M x 11 M
HEIGHT: 2 M WIDTH: 20 M x 9 M
ONE-WAY STREET WITH PARKING, DEDICATED CYCLIST LANES, AND BOARDWALK
ONE-WAY WITH PARKING, ONE BICYCLE LANE, AND SIDEWALK
HEIGHT: 2 M WIDTH: 15.7 M x 7.2 M
HEIGHT: 2 M WIDTH: 13.4 M x 6 M
HEIGHT: 2 M WIDTH: 8.5 M x 3.9 M
HEIGHT: 2.2 M WIDTH: 5.4 M x 2.5 M
HEIGHT: 2.4 M WIDTH: 3.8 M x 1.7 M
HEIGHT: 2.6 M WIDTH: 2.22 M x 1 M
HEIGHT: 2.8 M WIDTH: 1.3 M x 0.61 M
HEIGHT: 3 M WIDTH: 1 M x 0.48 M
HEIGHT: 3.5 M WIDTH: 1 M x 0.48 M
HEIGHT: 4 M WIDTH: 1 M x 0.48 M
HEIGHT: 4.5 M WIDTH: 1 M x 0.48 M
HEIGHT: 5 M WIDTH: 1 M x 0.48 M
[ Convergent Ecologies ][ Spring 2013 ][ Academic Work ] 10
HIGH-DENSITY COMM.
MED-DENSITY COMM.
HIGH-DENSITY RES.
MED-DENSITY RES. LOW-DENSITY RES.
80% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
65% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
50% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
35% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
20% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
6M 6M 9.1M 3M
15M
3M
6M
6M
15M
11M
10M
10M
12M
10M
LOW-DENSITY FLOATING HOUSES 80% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
LOW-DENSITY FLOATING HOUSES 65% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
10M
LOW-DENSITY FLOATING HOUSES 50% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
10M
15M
LOW-DENSITY FLOATING HOUSES 35% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
LOW-DENSITY FLOATING HOUSES 20% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
12.2M 12.2M
12.2M
9.1M
9.1M
57M
54M 13M
12M
22M
16M
MED-DENSITY HOUSING 80% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
MED-DENSITY HOUSING WITH PLAZA 65% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
14.8M
MED-DENSITY HOUSING 50% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
14.8M
10.4M
MED-DENSITY HOUSING WITH PLAZA 35% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
MED-DENSITY HOUSING WITH PLAZA 20% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
42.7M
21.3M
23.8M
61M
27.4M
33.5M
15.4M 36.6M
22.5M
41.7M 27M
17M
14.8M
14.8M
21.8M
27M
HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING - RAISED 80% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING - RAISED 65% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING WITH PLAZA 50% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING WITH PLAZA 35% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING WITH PLAZA 20% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
14.6M 14.6M
11M
11M
11M 30M
60M 20M
20M
20M
24M
15M
20.4M
26M
17M 13M
MED-DENSITY COMMERCIAL/RETAIL 80% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
MED-DENSITY COMMERCIAL/RETAIL 65% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
MED-DENSITY COMMERCIAL 50% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
MED-DENSITY COMMERCIAL/RETAIL 35% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
MED-DENSITY COMMERCIAL - OFFICE WITH PLAZA 20% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
69.5M 54.9M 37.8M 29.3M
26M
37.8M 50M 20M
20M
20M
15M
24M
20.4M
10.9M 26M
HIGH-DENSITY COMMERCIAL/MIXED USE 80% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
HIGH-DENSITY COMMERCIAL 65% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
HIGH-DENSITY COMMERCIAL/MIXED USE 50% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
HIGH-DENSITY COMMERCIAL 35% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
HIGH-DENSITY COMMERCIAL WITH PLAZA 20% BUILDING FOOTPRINT
11 [ Academic Work ]
SECTION AXON VIGNETTES
FLOATING HOUSE COMMUNITY
GREENWAY EDGE RECREATIONAL GREENWAY ALONGSIDE ROAD.
MODULES COLLECT SEDIMENTATION ON TOP IN HIGH MARSH AREAS.
BUILT ON PUBLIC FLOATING STRUCTURE
OYSTER GROWTH DEPENDENT ON ARTIFICIAL REEF
FLOATING PLAZA & CONNECTIONS
WATER BOULEVARD WITHIN CITY
“BUILDING APRONS” - PEDESTRIAN WALKWAYS THAT LINE THE SIDES OF A BUILDING - ALLOWING ACCESS TO THE WATER AND IN AGGREGATION FORM A DENSE NETWORK OF CIVIC SPACES.
MATURE REEF DEVELOPS RIDGE-LIKE FORMATIONS WITH MARSH GRASSES GROWING ON TOP THAT BECOME EXPOSED AT LOW TIDE SEA GRASSES AND AQUATIC WILDLIFE THRIVE IN AN OYSTER REEF ENVIRONMENT.
[ Convergent Ecologies ][ Spring 2013 ][ Academic Work ] 12
FLOATING DOCK DETAIL ASCENT/DESCENT MECHANISM
MATERIALS A. Stainless Steel Shell Post - 1’ diameter - .25” thick
N
L R
H. Aggregate Concrete - Artificial Reef - 2’ Height
O. Stainless Steel Washer
B. Polyethylene Foam - 2’ depth
I.
Stainless Steel Cross Beam with .5” Bottom Lip - 2” X 2.5”
P. Stainless Steel Screw Nut Cap
C. Black Plastic Egg Crate - .25” thick - 1” height
J.
Zinc Coated Steel Hex Bolt w/Washer & Screw Nut
Q. Stainless Steel Axle Holder
D. Stainless Steel I Beam - 2” height/width
K. Stainless Steel Wheel Attachment Chassis - 19” X 19” X 2”
E. Square Stainless Steel Cross Beam - 2” X 2”
L.
F. Composite Wood Planking - 5.5” X 16” X 1”
M. Stainless Steel Washer
T.
G. Eastern Oyster Reef (Crassostrea Virginica)
N. Stainless Steel Screw Nut
U. Concrete - Cast in Place
R. Brushed Stainless Steel Cover - 19” X 19” X .25”
Stainless Steel Hex Bolt - .75”
S. EPDM Rubber Roller - 2” Diameter Stainless Steel Axle - 5.33” Long
M
S T
P O Q
N
A
M K
DETAIL 1
D
I
F
J
E L B
C
U G
DETAIL 1
H
1” = 1’ SCALE 1’
4’
13 [ Academic Work ]
DEFENSE IN DEPTH
[ Cape Cod, MA ][ 2012 ][ Harvard University GSD ] - Partners with Mikaela Pearson ‘14 & Shanji Lee ‘14 As the evolution of military bases change to meet new obstacles, we envisioned the Massachusetts Military Reserve taking a larger economic and civic role within the community by establishing biomass plantations in partnership with the biomass industry. The focus of the intervention was to find ways that the phytoremediation strategies used to remove perchlorates and RDX from the soil and groundwater could also provide economic benefits for the military and the local community.
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[ Defense in Depth ][ Fall 2012 ][ Academic Work ] 14
BIOMASS
GIANT MISCANTHUS - BIOFUEL Miscanthus X giganteus
Enabling Economics
YEAR 5
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EXPENSES REVENUE
BIOMASS AVAILABLE
BIOFUEL AREAS
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HYBRID POPLAR - BIOFUEL DN74 - P. deltoides x P. nigra
YEAR 5
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EXPENSES REVENUE BIOMASS AVAILABLE
BIOFUEL AREAS
0 YEARS
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HYBRID POPLAR - WOOD PULP DN74 - P. deltoides x P. nigra
YEAR 5
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YEAR 15
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YEAR 25
YEAR 30 REVENUE
EXPENSES
WOOD PULP AREAS
BIOMASS AVAILABLE
0 YEARS
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HYBRID POPLAR - TIMBER DN74 - P. deltoides x P. nigra
YEAR 15
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BIOMASS AVAILABLE
REVENUE
EXPENSES
TIMBER AREAS
0 YEARS
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Through careful analysis of the growth patterns and biomass yields of rapidly growing poplar tree cultivars and miscanthus we were able to apply several harvest regimes to create different outputs. The resulting yields would be available for harvest at different times and with different amounts of expenses and revenues. Through these different harvest regimes, it would be possible to create a diversified set of products. By controlling the production quantity and type of product, the military base would be able to maximize its revenue stream based on market conditions and produce energy when necessary to meet unexpected needs.
15 [ Academic Work ]
VEGETAL STRATA OVER TIME
Each row of a block of phytoremediating poplars can go through one of ten production options listed below. The different options produce different vegetal strata over time that can be integrated with other option chains to create blocks that meet the goals of flexible spaces and production. The scene below has three different chains depicted.
PRODUCTION OPTIONS 01 COPPICE X 5
00 YEAR POPLAR ROW
02 COPPICE, THIN, HARVEST-WP 03 COPPICE, THIN, HARVEST-TIMBER 04 COPPICE X 2, THIN, HARVEST-WP 05 COPPICE X 2, THIN, HARVEST-TIMBER 06 COPPICE X 3 THIN HARVEST-WP 07 COPPICE X 3, THIN, HARVEST-TIMBER 08 COPPICE X 4, THIN, HARVEST-WP 09 THIN, HARVEST-WOOD PULP 10 THIN, HARVEST-TIMBER
03
06
09
COPPICE
COPPICE
COPPICE
COPPICE
12
COPPICE
THIN
COPPICE
THIN
COPPICE
COPPICE
COPPICE
COPPICE
THIN THIN
COPPICE
COPPICE
COPPICE
COPPICE
COPPICE
COPPICE
COPPICE
COPPICE
COPPICE
THIN THIN
COPPICE HARVEST - WOOD PULP
[ Defense in Depth ][ Fall 2012 ][ Academic Work ] 16
YEAR 03
YEAR 12
YEAR 21
YEAR 30
15
18
21
24
27
30
COPPICE HARVEST - WOOD PULP HARVEST - TIMBER HARVEST - WOOD PULP HARVEST - TIMBER HARVEST - WOOD PULP
THIN
HARVEST - TIMBER
THIN HARVEST - WOOD PULP
THIN
HARVEST - TIMBER
17 [ Academic Work ]
FLEXIBLE AND RESILIENT LANDSCAPES Choreography of Productivity and Pleasure
A portion of the revenue from the biomass would go to establish and maintain recreational spaces and events within the MMR for civilian users once the areas were sufficiently remediated. In an age of dwindling public funds, this arrangement would create a shared common space for local communities to engage one another and enjoy the spoils of economic progress.
HIKING PATH
Renders done by Mikaela Pearson ‘14
PATH CREATION THROUGH SCRUB OAK
MATURE POPLAR BLOCK
[ Defense in Depth ][ Fall 2012 ][ Academic Work ] 18
ROW THINNING
MISCANTHUS FIELDS
POST HARVEST MEADOW
PROFESSIONAL WORK California 2009-2012
19 [ Professional Work ]
ΔΔΔ SORORITY HOUSE [ Berkeley, CA ][ 2011 ][ Sunbury Design ]
The Delta Delta Delta sorority, together with the Sigma Phi Society commissioned me to design and oversee the installation of the sorority’s bordering property to the Thorsen House. The impetus for the redesign was the fact that the current trees were causing significant damage to the Thorsen House retaining wall and the Tri-Delta sorority house fondation. The new design was intended to provide a low maintenance physical and visual barrier to prevent people from trespassing and ensure privacy for both institutions.
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[ ΔΔΔ ][ 2011 ][ Sunbury Design ] 20
View 1 Iris Douglasiana
Cupressus Sempervirens
Cercis Occidentalis Arctostaphylos Manzanita “Dr. Hurd”
Mahonia Nevinii
DESIGN OBJECTIVES PRIVACY
EFFECTIVE BARRIER
The line of cypresses provides a substantial visual barrier while still allowing some natural light into the house and partial views out of the house.
The barrier planting of spiky leaved mahonia and dense manzanita shrubs provide significant obstacles to anyone trying to cross the property and should discourage repeat attempts.
WILDLIFE HABITAT
LOW MAINTENANCE
The propagation of native plants on the slope will be a boon to native species of butterflies, bees and birds. The redbud flowers are popular among hummingbirds and butterflies. The mahonias and manzanitas are popular habitats for birds who enjoy the dense cover and the multitude of berries.
By using native plants and drought tolerant cypresses, the landscape is naturally adapted to the site reducing the need for water and care that non-adaptive plantings require. Moreover, the plants are given enough space to reach their mature size reducing the need for pruning.
View 1
21 [ Professional Work ]
MUTHANA ESTATE [Tuscany, CA][ 2011 ][ Sunbury Design ]
I was commissioned to provide concept design, initial grading and planting plans for an estate for the Muthana residence located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in central California. Totalling 1.12 acres and composed of 48 different plant species, the estate is intended to be a paradise garden that distinguishes itself from the sun, heat and desolation by providing coolness, humidity, soothing sounds, lush greenery and rich fragrances. As an alternative to the typical large lawn, it utilizes native and Mediterranean shrubs to provide a low water and minimal maintenance estate that is highly functional and productive.
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[ Muthana ][ 2011 ][ Sunbury Design ] 22
DESIGN BASICS
Functional Spaces & Innovative Plant Schemes
The client asked for a more traditional formal design that included space for dining and lounging in addition to an orchard of fruit trees and vegetable/herb beds. The project design is influenced by the Palacio de Generalife, the summer palace of the Moorish kings in 13th century which similarly provided for outdoor living in an arid landscape. The symmetrical simplicity of the design provides cohesion to the diverse mixed vegetable/herb beds and rows of fruits trees in addition to providing a sense of elegance and grandeur. The formal design expressions are also influenced by the French formal garden “jardin à la française” and the estate uses a number of optical tricks to alter the viewer’s perspective. The alleys become narrower, and the fountains and groups of steps are smaller from main viewpoint (the house). This creates the illusion that the perspective is longer and that the estate is larger than it actually is.
The section view is on the following page.
23 [ Professional Work ]
XERISCAPE SLOPE Level One
Utilizes California native and Mediterranean plants known for superior slope stabilization and drought tolerance (requiring less irrigation reduces the opportunities for erosion) thus providing low maintenance erosion control. Plants used: Baccharis pilularis pilularis - Pigeon Point Dwarf Coyote Brush Cistus ladanifer - Crimson Spot Rockrose Ceanothus ‘Ray Hartman’ - Wild Lilac
VEGETABLE/HERB PARTERRE Level Two
A series of vegetable, herb & ornamental beds lined with African boxwood (superior drought and heat tolerance to common boxwood) to impress a uniform look. Dining and lounge areas are located at the far ends of the level.
[ Muthana ][ 2011 ][ Sunbury Design ] 24
FRUIT TREE ALLﾃ右 Level Three
Pathway flanked by two rows of fruit trees (8 citrus & 4 others) with an African boxwood border. There are naturalized mixed bulbs below the trees - 2/3 Spanish Bluebells and 1/3 Narcissus. The rhythmic spacing, massing of majority citrus trees and formal hedge lend grace and stateliness to an otherwise common orchard. Benches are located on each end for relaxation and viewing the allee.
WILDFLOWER MEADOW Level Four
The lowest level reflects the natural landscape and departs from formal parameters of the previous levels. As a native wildflower meadow it provides seasonal interest, promotes native flora and fauna and is generally low maintenance once established.
25 [ Professional Work ]
SCENTS
SOUNDS
The heavily perfumed air is a mixture of the sensuous and sweet that is light and airy with a spicy tinge. There are lavender shrubs, santolina, citrus trees bearing oranges, sour oranges, lemons, tangerines; wisteria vines in bloom - winding up pillars; safflower, rosemary and valerian arrayed in geometric beds. The scents invoke the mythos of the place.
The estate has an all encompassing soundtrack that fills all corners of the landscape. The pitter-patter of the murmuring fountains on each tier echoes throughout. Due to the large amount of native Lemonadeberry and Coffeeberry bushes planted along the edge in addition to trees for nesting, large groups of birds live on the estate and their chirping wafts through the property.
[ Muthana ][ 2011 ][ Sunbury Design ] 26
SIGHTS The densely vegetated border and repetitious use of plants in shades of green illuminates the expansiveness of the estate. The plants which are arrayed in geometric simplicity provide a clarity of vision and calming sense of order.
PHYSICALITY In contrast to the dry heat accompanying the central Californian climate, the fountains provide refreshing humidity and the pergola, border trees and fruit tree allee provide cooling shade. The assortment of aromatic plants provide fragrance to almost every touch.
27 [ Professional Work ]
THE THORSEN HOUSE [ Berkeley, CA ][ 2009-2010 ][ Sunbury Design ]
The Thorsen House, a historic landmark designed by Greene & Greene in 1909, has been meticulously cared for by generations of brothers from the Sigma Phi Society at the University of California Berkeley. However, the landscape had fallen into disrepair and as the House Manager and later President, I tirelessly executed a complete renovation of the premises in order to establish a sustainable landscape for generations to come. Since completion, the project has gained notoriety and was featured in Style 1900, an Arts & Crafts magazine and in The Sig Bear, a Sigma Phi Society publication.
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[ Thorsen ][ 2009-2010 ][ Sunbury Design ] 28
DESIGN SCHEME Previous gardens had withered away because they required excessive maintenance. With an infinite amount of projects to be completed, scarce labor and residents having little to no knowledge of horticulture, the redesigned gardens needed to be as low maintenance and low cost as possible in order to be successful.
ROSE TRELLIS:
Replant original climbing roses below.
This was achieved by selecting plants that required little to no regular pruning, were not fussy growers and could withstand physical abuse.
BACK HEDGE:
Use of Pittosporum Tobira: Wheeler’s Dwarf. Mature size is the ideal hedge size minimizing pruning.
FRONT HEDGE:
Drought and pollutant tolerant Indian Hawthorn “Ballerina.” Its mature size is the ideal width and height requirements to not grow higher than the retaining wall or into the sidewalk. This means minimal pruning and watering.
STREET PLANTINGS:
Plantings under the tree for protection from bikes, cars, & pedestrians. Use of nearindestructible African Iris with hardy flowering bulbs that will make a show every year even if stepped on occasionally.
FRONT TERRACES:
Vinca minor creeps and crawls down the terraces. The untamed growth accentuates the rustic qualities of the house. (Greene’s used a simple ground cover on the terraces too).
SIDE PATHWAY:
Considered the threshold, this engages all the senses in pure natural mystique. There’s a 30 ft. high canopy of trees to filter the view of the neighbors and they’re deciduous in order to let light hit and heat the house in the winter and shade the house in the summer to cool it down.
JAPANESE TEA GARDEN “ROJI”: Utilize
shade-loving abusetolerant evergreen shrubs that can withstand an occasional soccerball. The camellia is the backbone of the group.
FLOWERING QUINCES:
Mixed shrubs to stay below the height of the breezeway. Main focus are the Japanese flowering quinces and a dense carpet of thyme intended to mimic moss.
29 [ Professional Work ]
INITIAL DESIGN CONCEPTS Using the Greene’s Work for Inspiration
As an integral part of the Greene’s design, Japanese influenced garden design and its emphasis on hardy evergreen shrubs fulfilled the design objectives as outlined on the previous page. Anything very formal would require too much pruning/constant attention and would be in contrast with the rustic nature of the house. Flower beds were literally and figuratively too delicate for the members of the house and picturesque lawns would be a financial and ecological burden. Depicted in Dining Room Furniture
Vinca Minor
Depicted in Living Room Frieze
Chaenomeles Speciosa
Before
After (February - 8 months after planting) In the Greene’s design, the outside and the inside were intrinsically tied together. Nature was represented everywhere. The plant palette for the redesign was inspired by specific depictions of nature in the house. As a result helping to fulfill the Greene’s goal for integration. In the living room, the friezes depict gnarly branched pinkish-white flowers which bear a strong resemblance to Japanese Flowering Quince “Toyo-Nishiki.” The Quinces were ideal because they required little to no maintenance, had a beautiful flower display in the winter and as a result they were used extensively. In the dining room, the dining room table, chairs and sideboard were all adorned with inlay of precious stones and abalone depicting periwinkle vines. The plant was also an ideal plant because of year round flowers and hardiness. The vinca minor would be the predominant ground cover in the re-design. After (July - 1 year after planting)
[ Thorsen ][ 2009-2010 ][ Sunbury Design ] 30
ROJI “DEWY PATH” Serenity and Sanctuary
The backyard and side court entrance utilize a Japanese tea garden design. The tea house was traditionally separate from the house and required a walk along a roji “dewy path” as the first step in breaking communication with the outer world. The walk along the pathway would cleanse you for the tea ceremony. Typically a water basin was placed along the path for people to wash themselves so they could purify their bodies. The plants typically used in a tea garden are shade-loving evergreen shrubs that are meant to look natural and untamed. Trees and shrubs providing a subtle variety in shades and textures of green. There are traditionally few flowers with the exceptions of camellias, flowering apricot and azaleas. Viewing the house as a sanctum sanctorum of the society, the purifying ritual of walking through the garden is very fitting. Moreover, the use of natural and untamed evergreens meets the requirements of a hardy and low maintenance yard and due to large evergreen trees in these areas, shade-loving plants were ideal.
Before
After (August - 18 months after planting)
31 [ Professional Work ]
After (March - 7 months after planting)
[ Thorsen ][ 2009-2010 ][ Sunbury Design ] 32
THE SIDE WALKWAY The side walkway that leads into the backyard is the gateway into this historic landmark and society home. For those who are going to walk up the passageway I wanted them to become conscious of their transcendence from street to sanctuary. In order for the individual to become aware of the gateway they are crossing, all their senses are distinctly affected and the transition from urban street to idyllic garden becomes quickly apparent.
SCENTS:
In Winter there are Japanese Magnolia flowers and in Spring there are orange scents (Mock Orange & Orange) and Wisteria blossoms
PHYSICAL CONTACT:
In Autumn the falling leaves flutter down upon you; in spring the wispy cherry blossoms gently float around you and in summer the shade cools your skin.
SOUNDS:
The gravel beneath crunches at every footstep making the individual aware their movement. Birds chirping in the trees and bees buzzing about from flower to flower replace the sounds of street traffic.
Before
SIGHTS:
Visually distinct from the street and completely surrounded by greenery, the periwinkle brambles over the terraces creating a sense of a green cornucopia.
After (July - 1 year planted)
33 [ Professional Work ]
FALL:
The main attraction is the kaleidoscope of autumn colors with the star performers being the Japanese Maples.
The piece de resistance are the Japanese Magnolias which are echoed by the crocus flowers planted underneath. The periwinkle, camellias and flowering quince bloom profusely.
TREES & VINES
WINTER:
SHRUBS, PERENNIALS & BULBS
The diagram below illustrates the time of year certain plants have seasonal interest in Berkeley according to my observations. The individual bar color underneath the plant’s Latin name is the same as the color of the flower or fall leaf that provides the intrigue.
Thyme Praecox Dietes Iridiodes Rosa “Sombreuil” Citrus X Sinensis “Dwarf”
Narcissus & Daffodi P Camellia Japonica (M Camellia Sasanqua (Many Varieties) Chaenomeles Speciosa Crocus Vernus “Mixed” Nandina Domestica “berries” Rhaphiolepis Indica “Ballerina” Laurustinus Viburnum Vinca Min October
November
December
January
February
Wisteria Floribunda/Sinensis Cherry “Kanzan” Cherry “Yoshino” Magnolia “Columbus” Magnolia X Veitchii “Columbus” Punica Granatum Sango Kaku “bark” Acer Palmatum “Sango Kaku” Acer Palmatum “Osakazuki”
Mar
Wis
[ Thorsen ][ 2009-2010 ][ Sunbury Design ] 34
PLANTS & MATERIALS
SPRING:
Four Seasons of Interest
The project was intended to provide year round interest with a particular focus on when the students were living in the house to attend school (fall, winter, spring).
Marked by flowering cherries, wisteria plumes and scented mock orange blossoms.
The basis of the design is evergreen shrubs for reasons explained earlier. These shrubs provide year round “greenery” so that the garden never looks bare. Moreover they provide a strong contrast to seasonal interest elements, namely the fall leaves on the deciduous trees and the winter/spring flowers.
Amaryllis Belladona Liriope Muscari & Liriope Spicata Eschscholzia Californica Thyme Praecox Dietes Iridiodes Mahonia Aquifolium
Rosa “Sombreuil”
Citrus Sinensis “Dwarf” Pittosporum Tobira “WD” us & Daffodils “Mixed” Pittosporum Tobira a Japonica (Many Varieties) rieties) es Speciosa “Toyo Nishiki” & “Cameo”
Citrus X Sinensis “Dwarf”
SUMMER:
Ground covers ensure a show of summer flowers: creeping thyme, periwinkle, wild California poppies and liriopes.
Nandina Domestica
erina” Vinca Minor March
April
Wisteria Sinensis
May Wisteria Floribunda Cherry “Kanzan”
June
July
August
Cherry “Yoshino”
mbus”
Punica Granatum
SPRING
SUMMER
September
ACADEMIC WORK UC Berkeley 2006-2010
35 [ Academic Work ]
INTEGRATION: ALBANY BULB [ Albany, CA ][ Smr 2009 ][ UC Berkeley ] - Partners with Anthony Wright UCB ‘10
Buildings today are increasingly being built in difficult and degraded places. Understanding how to embrace the constraints can lead to new and unique forms. This project attempts to integrate both diverse site characteristics and unique building uses that includes a series of racetracks, acupuncture, chiropractor, fortune telling, martial arts, a movie theatre and a circus in order to promote understanding and create new connections between users and site factors.
07
[ Integration ][ Smr 2009 ][ Academic Work ] 36
Artwork and Homeless Areas: 1985 - 2009
SITE ANALYSIS A Home for the Neglected
1985
Originally a dump site for the San Francisco Bay Area population, the dumping was eventually stopped and people and vegetation took hold. The shoreline of the Albany Bulb has long provided inspiration for artistic expression. Over the years, local residents and artists have used the flotsam and jetsam from the Bay as their medium and the mud flats and upland areas of the park project as their canvas.
1991
Within the bulb there exists a scattered shanty town and a small homeless population. The City of Albany has made several attempts to relocate the homeless, but due to litigation, as well as the perseverance of the population, the city has has been unsuccessful.
1997
2003
2009
Artwork Homeless Vegetation 1930
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
Infill
2000
Artwork
2010
Homeless
37 [ Academic Work ]
SECTION VIEWS
PLAN VIEW
Theatre
Fortune Teller/Bathroom
Acupuncture
[ Integration ][ Smr 2009 ][ Academic Work ] 38
SECTION VIEWS
THE BUILDING
Circus
Hybridization & Functionalism Form is determined by individual program’s function and the hybridization between programs. The walls and floors morph as they transition from one program to the other in order to accommodate their function. For instance, the steps to the acupuncture office eventually become the desk for the chiropractor’s office, the wall to the bathrooms and so on. Looking at the theatre (opposite page, top left), the stadium seating and the movie screen determine the outline of the building skin.
Karate Studio
Chiropractor
Modelling the hybridization was an iterative process that utilized the “loft along rail” function in Rhino 3D with the idealized “functional form” sections as the start and end points of the rail.
39 [ Academic Work ]
PROGRAM Finding Connections
The organization of the programs promotes an integration of users by encouraging exposure to different programs and their users. Programs are stacked horizontally in accordance with their usage, with the least popular located at the entrance of the building and most popular at the end. Programs with low demand have high exposure as all users have to walk past them and come into contact with the activity and its users. This will promote dialogue and cohabitation as otherwise segregated groups will engage in regular contact.
[ Integration ][ Smr 2009 ][ Academic Work ] 40
41 [ Academic Work ]
[ Integration ][ Smr 2009 ][ Academic Work ] 42
SITE RELATION Embracing a Sense of Place
The site has been constantly evolving through physical and cultural shifts. In order to embrace these changes, the building is situated on the epicenter of these changes in order to become integrated with all aspects of the site. The location is situated on the threshold between land and sea in addition to refuse dump and lush vegetation. As a result, the building will eventually become a canvas covered in the patterns of change. Graffiti will cover the walls and homeless will find shelter from the winds. Barnacles and algae will appear along its structural supports and vegetation from land will creep along the facade.