Landscape Architecture Portfolio

PORTFOLIO

Landscape Architecture I Selected works 2020-2023

Yuxin Zhang I Sylvie (preferred name) 0424298306 I sylvieyuxin@gmail.com

The Mycelia Paradise

Major Project I RMIT University

Tutor : Emily Wong and Candice Teok

01-06

The Shifting Paradise

Design Studio I RMIT University

Studio: That’s KAMP

Studio Leader : Brent Greene

07-12

Looped

Design Studio I RMIT University

Studio: Super Human

Studio Leader : Alice Lewis

13-18

The Market Entrance Development

Core Subject- Environment 04 I RMIT University

Tutor : John Williams

19-20

Other Works

Mangroves Communities- Malaita Province, Solomon Islands

Professional Work Experience 21-22

Perspective renders 23-24

Personal Statement

I graduated with distinction in Master of Landscape Architecture at RMIT University; my final project, “The Mycelia Paradise,” won the TCL Landscape Student Prize 2023 and was shortlisted for the Hassell Traveling Scholarship 2024.

Volunteering with my local parks friend group, I’ve developed a deep interest in fungi, particularly mycelium—the root of mushrooms. I have come to appreciate the complexity and interconnectedness of the natural world and how mycelium is the foundation for much of it. These hands-on experiences shaped my view of a landscape architect as a negotiator between humans and non human stakeholders.

I possess advanced skills in 3D modelling particular in Rhino and Grasshopper, as well as GIS. Additionally, I draw inspiration from the traditional Japanese woodblock printing technique and cartoon illustrations to convey landscapes provocatively. It involves using flat perspective, negative space, hatching, and flat colour to capture the grungy and weird aspects of the landscape.

Summer Autumn and Winter The Mycelia Paradise I 01

The Mycelia Paradise

Project Type : Public / Strategic planning

It offers an alternative way of ecological regeneration by deconstructing the existing ecological pyramid. It considers how human body (walking) can be used as an agent of change.

Contexts I Issues I Opportunities

Darebin Parkland is facing many contemporary landscape challenges. For example, the high salinity (Leachate treatment) within the current wetland system and irregular stormwater has significantly threatened local biodiversity.

Method of design inquiry I Concept

It draws on human walking as a tool to redesign this very human centre parkland to become a habitat for mycelium (the root of mushrooms). It reshapes the walking environment that triggers the existing mycelium network through controlled foot traffic as a way of preserve and enhance biodiversity.

Responses

It explores how the landscape can be performed for other-thanthe human species. Ultimately, it urges us to be aware of the nonhuman actors within the landscape, learning and collaborating with them in order to co-exist in this age of environmental crisis.

I 02

Parkland

Darebin

Mushroom assemblages at Darebin Parkland Yellow-staining Mushroom Darebin Parkland I The Mycelia Paradise I 03 Use Human walking as a tool

Controlling human movement through creating water catchment areas

Plan

The Mycelia Paradise Master

Reshaping the walking environment- creating of micro-climate conditions Phasing Process

Existing Creating low points

I 04

Mycelium spreads

1)Walking on a declined surface opens sub-paths for oxygen, promoting mycelium network expansion and nutrient creation.

2)This helps plant species like Broom Rush filter contaminants from water.

Zoom in paving I Existing Duck Pond area

Existing brackish soil Permeable pavement It then leads to growth of moss that act as a nature buffer for foot traffic The Mycelia Paradise I

05

Increase humidity that leads to growth of Wood-decompose fungi A curated ritualistic style of walking experience for ritualistic walker in Autumn

I 06

The Mycelia Paradise

The Shifting Paradise I 07

The Shifting Paradise

Project Type : Community I Memorial Garden

It strives to balance urban renewal and memorialisation of marginalised communities (LGBTIQ+)

Contexts I Issues I Opportunities

St Kilda is renowned for its supportive and atmosphere for subcultures, such as the LGBTIQA+ communities. However, the “Renew Fitzroy Street” are gentrifying St Kilda even more that impacts the historical narrative of rainbow communities.

Method of design inquiry I Concept

It draws inspiration from queer ecology and showcases its ecological process through times to highlight the shifting experience of the transgender group. The trans experience is also symbolised through the butterfly’s life cycle, implying transformation and growth.

Responses

It employs the queer ecological process as a metaphor that depicts the constantly shifting experience of the transgender community.

The Shifting Paradise I 08

The Queer system-Spontaneous ecosystem.

Photo Essay : Queer ecological process in St Kilda, Melbourne

Queer Approach

Quick Model Testing

Normal Approach

The Heteronormative approach-very control system

The Queer system-Spontaneous ecosystem. The Heteronormative approach-very control system

The Heteronormative approach-very control system

The planting pattern has successfully revealed the grungy atmosphere of St Kilda.

Le experience

Iterations I Through manipulating the topography

PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK Queer

St Kilda PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION STUDENT VERSION

ecological process in

The Shifting Paradise I 09 PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK Queer ecological process in St Kilda PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK

N PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION STUDENT VERSION

Iteration 1: The current paths are random Iteration 3: Creating loops Iteration 7: Creating the central node between loops

day I walk with fear, deep within…..” “Pride cannot be enhanced if the grief is not acknowledged.” Anastasia Le

“Every

Anastasia

Le experience “Every day I walk with fear, deep with“Pride cannot be enhanced if the grief

day I walk

in…..” cannot be enhanced if

grief is

Anastasia

with fear, deep with-

the

not acknowledged.” Anastasia Le

The Shifting Paradise Plan

1:100 A3 BB03 1:100 A3 N N BB03 BB04 Year 3-6 Year 7-10 The Shifting Paradise I 10 Year 3-5 Year 5+

diagram

Phasing

1:50 A2 For section C and D

The Butterfly Garden sections The Butterfly Garden The Wildrose meadow

1:50 A2 N For section C and D CC DD

The Butterfly Garden I The Shifting Paradise I 11 It encourages them to rest rather than strolling. It exposes with vibrant ornamental plants like lavender while connecting to the butterflies. The Butterfly Garden

Annual sunflower planting

The Wildrose meadow

Seasonal Change

EE 02

Experienced through open sightlines to the ornamental plant while immersing within the overgrow wild roses.

Autumn I Safe Winter I Sentimental

The sense of sentimental arouses as the plant decays in winter.

Seasonal Experience: Experience: Section EE 01

CC

The

The Shifting Paradise I 12

Butterfly Garden

I

Spring I Peace Summer I Healing

Looped I 13

LOOPED

Project Type : Environment (Ecological regeneration)

LOOPED cultivates a new ecology with the dog walker and swift parrot by using the dog digging as a generator of change that provides a healthy, resilient habitat for the swift parrot ( the client).

Contexts I Issues and Opportunities

Plenty Gorge Park is a peri-urban park located in Bundoora with significant environmental value. However, the existing landscape particularly on the southern part becomes significantly fragmented due to excessive human programs such as mountain biking and dog walking.

Method of design inquiry I Concept

The Framework of Care describes the role of dogs as agents of change in restoring fragmented landscapes by introducing both active and passive activities for dog walkers. The use of apps and maps serves as an engagement tool, passively guiding dog walkers’ activities while offering a new way to connect with the landscape with greater care.

Responses

It introduces a prosthetic ecosystem that engages the two conflicting user groups that benefit each other. It fosters a community of care through forming multispecies relationships where each stakeholder ( human and non-human) becomes a caretaker of each other within the ecosystem.

Looped I 14

Assist in regeneration the soil through dog digging

Food source and habitats Forest ecosystem

The design introduces a series of designated digging stations for dog walkers, who are key stakeholders. At these stations, they can finish digging and planting before moving on to the next stop during spring.

Looped I 15

The Framework of Care

Making APP Dog Walkers Swift Parrot Yellow Gums Undercover Soils Box Ironbark Forest Subject of Care

In winter, an alternative route design will be introduced, which will keep them at least 50 meters away from the swift parrot while still allowing them to observe their positive impact on the landscape,giving them a sense of accomplishment.

Looped I 16

Phase four : Restoring forest

Looped I 17

Winter : The stone seat integrates with the existing environment which becomes a habitat for wombats.

Dog Digging areas I Summer

Spring

Looped I 18 Bird Hide I Winter

It becomes a habitat for reptile

The Market Entrance Development

Elizabeth street I Chapel Street Precinct

The Market Entrance of Elizabeth street is a chaotic, grungy area perceived by the local communities and Market district retailers. It’s dominated by private vehicles with little green asserts that is in risk of flooding.

Therefore it aims to

1) Turn adjacent or corner areas into resting spots and temporary market stalls to encourage community engagement.

2) Utilise the unoccupied public car park areas to create an edible rain garden in managing flood while strengthening the green corridor linkage.

19

The Market Entrance, Elizabeth Street, Chapel Street

I

Soil zone within the stratavalult matrix through foot compaction

Reinforcing collar to stablise the road for traffic Cobble stone/ hex pavers

Watering and aeration system

Drainage layer (5-10mm stone chip

100 825 153 2850 2850 900 6600

Rootball fixing system Mulch

Cas ( Claret ash) PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION 400 100 200 100 100 Below top of ground level Soil mix Sand Gravel screenings Connect to drainage Gravel mulch 50 Vpe (Digger's speedwell) Ble (Fishbone waterfern) Cla (Milky beauty head) PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK STUDENT VERSION

The Raingarden

I 20

The Tree Root

Mangroves communities- Malaita Province Solomon Island

The Maramasike Passage in the Solomon Islands hosts an extensive mangrove ecosystem vital for coastal protection.

However, the projected sea level rise of 89cm threatens these mangroves. Human activities, notably timber exploitation, are accelerating mangrove decline, affecting the country's reliance on imported goods due to limited resources.

Conserve and restore mangrove ecologies in Solomon Island to enhance the livelihood of coastal communities and mitigating to climate change

The first strategy is to build bee hives around areas with mangrove loss, followed by mass planting in coastal areas to regenerate and enhance mangrove ecologies, which act as the front line of defense against climate change. Mangroves communities I

Generation // 6.1 MANGROVE CONSERVATION STRATEGY VIEW Acknowledging the difficulties of local coastal communities, the first strategy is constructing bee hives around areas that are currently exposing mangrove loss such as villages near Taraparish Parush and Sarawasi School. This strategy aligns with the project “Sustainable Community Climate resilience through Nature-based Solutions.” The Bee hives are place scatter across the existing informal settlements in the radius of 1,3 and 5km, where bees usually within the radius of 3km. The construction of bee hives following four key elements 1) Protection of strong wind (analysis of Aspect) 2) Proximity to foraging source (land cover and mangroves) 3) Adapt sunlight (Aspect) 4) Dry and well drain areas (Surface soil, stream)

Bee hives

Community

Existing mangroves

settlement

20

Deforestation Surface soil