RIPARIAN RESTORATION INITIATIVE RECONNECTING TO ENVIRONMENT
SHWETA THAKUR UNIVERSITY OF OREGON
TABLE OF CONTENT Abstract Thesis South Waterfront Ecological Context The Brownfield Site Climate Analysis Design Process Design Documentation
ABSTRACT Typology for project has been derived from the problems concerning the disturbed riparian habitat due to urban encroachment. It will also investigate approaches to remediate brownfield sites along the river edge by employing ecological design strategies. The design will incorporate Environment Education and Research Center for Riparian Habitat Restoration within the context of wild and urban fringe. Designing of multipurpose spaces and diverse program will vitalize newly developed neighborhood. The Riparian Restoration Initiative (RRI) will provide a place to educate people while experiencing wild in the city.
P R O B L E M S TAT E M E N T How can architecture (built environment) be employed to restore natural environment and ecology within the city?
THESIS Presently, Portland is flourishing as sustainable city. But in mid of 20th century, city was struggling for survival. Today, Portland has been survived due to its historic abundance of natural resources. The waterways, forests, woodlands & prairies, fish and fur bearing animals and fertile soils have supported people for thousands of years (City of Portland Natural Resource Inventory Update). Willamette River is one of the opulent natural resource and habitat for aquatic animals and plants. Willamette River has seen a lot of redevelopment in past 100 years, along with the complete replanning of the City. Ross Island and South Waterfront still show the scars of industrial activities taken place in early 20th century. Consequently, North part of South Waterfront district has been converted into brownfield site. Due to land and water contamination in and around the site, wild life and vegetation has been adversely affected and disappeared gradually. Yet some streams, wetlands, forest has remain interwoven through Ross Island and along the waterfront. In 2004, Blueprint of the South Waterfront Ecodistrict had been laid with the goal of 10000 jobs and at least 3000 affordable housing units by 2019. Even though, district has been provided with urban built environment, residential apartments, fewer institutional activities and other required infrastructure, neighborhood has been failed to attract people. At present, neighborhood feels lifeless due to lack of diverse activities. It is required to draw attention of people to South Waterfront district in future for optimum utilization of previously built environment and infrastructure.
S I T E I N F O R M AT I O N A N D A N A LY S I S In 1980’s P Portland o r t lan n d gover government r n m ent took ccharge h a r ge e o off the district and d proposed p r o p o s e d rredevelopment e d evelo o p m en n t plan which designated it ass m ixed-u use n e igh h bourmixed-use neighbourhood. Rezoning of the South S outh Waterfront Wa t e r f r o n t took place again in 1988 and d once o nce again ag g a i n in 1990. 1 990. Finally in 2004 blueprin nt o n g llaid a id d down in blueprint off zonin zoning the area. According g tto o tthe h e pro o p o sal goal iis, s, b 019 proposal byy 2 2019 Sout t h Waterfront Wa terfront neigh h bourhood d should s h o uld proSouth neighbourhood vvide ide 1 0000 jobs and at le e ast 3000 housing h o u s i ng units 10000 least aaffordable f f ordable to median fam m ily income incom m e group. g r o up. The family 2 004 zoning plan p l a n was w a s to t o attract attrr a c t future f u t u r e resi2004 d ents byy it ts e a s y aaccess c c e s s tto on earby e m p l o yment dents its easy nearby employment ccentres, e n tress , ccultural u l t ural and en n t ertt ainm m e n t aamenities, m enities, entertainment neighbourhood n e i g h b o u r hood retail services, se e r vices, restaurants re e s t a u r ants and h e a l t h c a r e facilities. Also o, OHSU h a s se e t up larghealthcare Also, has set e s t healthcare h e a l t h c a r e ffacility a c i l i t y over o v e r here h e r e aand n d tthey h e y aare re est cconsidered o n s i d e r e d aass o ne o h e llargest argest e m p loyers in one off tthe employers tthe h e area. arr e a . R i g h t now, n o w, residential r e s i d ential b u ildings iin n this di i stt r i c t Right buildings district aare r e almo o s t 30-40% occup p ied. Also o, TriMet is e xalmost occupied. Also, exp e c t i n g tto o serve lig g ht ra a il betwe e e n downtow wn pecting light rail between downtown P o r t l a n d and a n d Milwaukie M i l w a u k i e by b y year y e a r 2015. 2 0 1 5. They The e y are are Portland aalso l s o planning to connect South Waterfront Wa t e rfront with O M S I and Southeast Portland with w i t h new car free OMSI b r i d g e across a c r o s s tthe he W i l l a m e t te. bridge Willamette. R o s s IIsland s l a n d iiss p ar t o e Channel and Ross part off the Holgate Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge complex. O aks B ottom W i l d l i fe R e fuge co o m plex. It has bee e n designa a t e d aass an ssignificant ignificaa n t habitat for been designated rregional e g i o n a l fish and do ther w ild life e like l i k e Blue heron other wild and B a l d Eagle. R o s s IIsland sll a n d iiss o n e of the scenic Bald Ross one aarea r e a iin n ssouthern o u thern portland.
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
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PROPOSED OHSU-SCHNITZER KIE
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RESTORATION
CEDARWOOD WALDARF SCHOOL
OHSU MARQUAM HILL CAMPUS DOERNBECHER CHILDREN HOSPITAL
SW CHARTER SCHOOL
RIVER PARKWAY
SW BOND AVENUE
SW MOODY AVENUE
OHSU
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IDGE ROSS ISLAND BR
ROSS ISLAND S SL
E CO LO G I C A L CO N T E X T M UA Q AR M
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AM U Q AR M
E BRIDG LAND S I S S RO
E DG I BR
M UA Q AR M
E BRIDG LAND S I S S RO
E DG I BR
E BRIDG LAND S I S S RO
SOUTH WATERFRONT
SOUTH WATERFRONT
SOUTH WATERFRONT
ROSS ISLAND
ROSS ISLAND ROSS ISLAND
WILLAMETTE RIVER AND ROSS ISLAND IN 1850
WILLAMETTE RIVER AND ROSS ISLAND IN 1895
LEGEND FLOOD AREA
LAND CONTAMINATION DATA
WETLANDS
CONFIRMED CONTAMINATION
RIPARIAN FOREST
SUSPECTED CONTAMINATION Note:
FOREST LAND
NO FURTHER ACTION TAKEN
LAND MINED FOR GRAVEL BY RISG
-Data for map 1 and 2 have been taken from Central City Natural Resource Inventory (June 2011 draft) published by Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (City of Portland, OR) -Land contamination data has been taken from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality- ECSI database (summer 2010) and edited by the Bureau of Environment Services. This data is not official data and should be used only for informational purposes.
WILLAMETTE RIVER AND ROSS ISLAND IN 1932
WILLAMETTE RIVER AND ROSS ISLAND IN 1995
THE BROWNFIELD SITE South Waterfront District is subset of the 402-acre North Macadam urban renewal area. The purpose of urban renewal project is to turn former industrial land, into a mixed- use central city development. Proposed Urban Ecology Centre at brownfield site will fulfill neighborhood community needs as well as support the larger downtown community by rejuvenation of contaminated land and restoration of riverfront.
TEMPERATURE CHART
WIND WHEEL
SUN CHART
C L I M AT E A N A LY S I S Portland experiences a temperate climate with mild, damp winters and relatively dry and warm summers. Portland climate falls in the cool, dry-summer subtropical zone. In summer July and August have maximum temperature of 800F and much larger day-night variation than in winter. Due to city’s inland location heatwaves occur in months of July and August, which rises temperature over 1000F. Winters are normally mild and extremely moist. Average temperature in January is 380F. Minimum temperature is usually above freezing but it can reach below 370F in night. Snow fall occurs only few times in year, but city experiences major snow and ice storms due to cold air outflow from the Columbia River Gorge. In spring weather is very unpredictable, ranging from warm climate to thunderstorms. City experiences rainfall for almost 155 days of year. Average rainfall in downtown Portland is 37.5 inches per year. Advantage of Portland climate can be taken for designing passive heating and cooling strategies for the building.
DESIGN PROCESS These concept sketches were spurring for spatial development of plan. Interior programming of the facility is directly related to the existing as well proposed exterior environments. Reconnecting passage between urban environment and riverfront is placed at the Axis without disturbing free flowing form of the building. Position of the Willamette River, existing and upcoming bridges and proposed sustainable strategies has also worked as catalyst for the design.
THE PARTI
ALONG T
URBAN
THE RIVER
NATURAL HABITAT
URBAN-NATURAL INTERFACE
RESEARCH
EXHIBIT AND LEARNING CENTER
RECONNECTING URBAN AND NATURE
CONNECTION THROUGH BUILDING
D E S I G N D O C U M E N TAT I O N
THE ENTRANCE
WEST ELEVATION
SITE PLAN
TERTIARY LEVEL WATER FILTER AT ION TANK
WATER FILTERATION TANK
WATER FILTERATION TANK
NORTH
1ST LEVEL PLAN AT 43’
BASEMENT PLAN AT LEVEL 30’
SECOND LEVEL PLAN AT 56’
WETLAND
EXHIBIT AND LEARNING CENER
SECTION THROUGH RESEARCH FACILITIES
SECTION THROUGH AUDITORIUM