Aaron Ackerman 2016 Landscape Architecture Portfolio

a a ro n j. acker man selected works / 2017

about This book is progress statement of my pursuit of a graduate degree in landscape architecture. It represents my creative process, design flexibility, technical skill, and evolution as a student.

Merging my background in urban and environmental planning with design, these works exemplify a comprehensive understanding of the physical and cultural processes that shape environments and envision creative design solutions that realize the complexities of the modern landscape. Works were chosen that communicate design solutions driven by both analytical procedure and artistic narrative in varying scales and contexts.

Aaron J. Ackerman ackerman.aaron@gmail.com

contents 02

01

desertwash

reclaiming the

river edge

SYSTEM DEMONSTRATION + PLANTING PLAN

COMMUNITY OPEN SPACE + REGIONAL SPORTS PARK

[p.3]

[p.9]

03

04

rethinking the bench

harada house

BENCH DESIGN + BUILD

LANDSCAPE REHABILITATION + VISITOR CENTER

[p.17]

[p.21]

05

public good(s)

resumé

A HEALTHY GOODS MOVEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE LOS ANGELES PORT [p.25]

[p.34]

3 / DE SE RT W ASH

01

wash SYSTEM DEMONSTRATION & PLANTING PLAN SCIENCE COURTYARD, CAL POLY POMONA SPRING 2015 ocated on the Cal Poly Pomona campus, the sciences courtyard is a half-acre intimate space encased on all sides by classroom facilities. Generally underused, the current courtyard primarily functions as a space funneling pedestrian flow moving to and from the surrounding classroom buildings. It lacks basic elements that encourage use and comfort. Hot temperatures, lack of shade, wind, and evaporation add to the difficulties of enjoying the space.

L

The intent of the design was to re-envision the space as a landscape that could be both an amenity and a living laboratory for students and professors. Designed to imitate a desert wash, it would function as a low water landscape and demonstrate ecological drainage processes. Educational opportunities for increasing student understanding of landscape, rainwater accumulation and harvesting, and the benefits of low impact stormwater management would ultimately be achieved.

D E S E RT WAS H / 4

PLANTING PLAN A

B’

Plaza + Seating Infiltration Basin

A’

Active Mound

Hardscape Path B

0

8

16 FEET

WATER EFFICIENCY Planting design for the landscape was developed for water use efficiency, adhereing to the hydrozone model of considiring both sun exposure and plant irrigation demand. A majority of the landscape contains very low water use desert adapted plants, that perform well in the warm, dry climate of Pomona.

5 / DE SE RT WAS H

Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU) was calculated for the design based on local reference evapotranspiration rate, plant factor value, the area of each irrigation hydrozone, and irrigation efficiency. Irrigation demand in gallons per year for the landscape is as follows: Irrigation Zone 1 (7,068 sf) - 164,575 Irrigation Zone 2 (200 sf) - 5,603 Irrigation Zone 3 (300 sf) - 13,071

IRRIGATION DEMAND

MICROCLIMATE

EQUINOX SUMMER SOLSTICE WINTER SOLSTICE

FULL SUN PARTIAL FULL SHADE

partial shade

H-h20 M-h20 L-h20

sun

HYDROZONES

D E S E RT WAS H / 6

SYSTEM DEMONSTRATION The design envisions a zero runoff landscape that is capable of containing, infiltrating, and harvesting rain water of a 24 hour 50-year rain event. Average roof and surface runoff of a rain event this size would be expected to produce up to 1,270 gallons of water. Much of this water would be directed to a central infiltration basin, designed with a capacity to hold up to 1,500 gallons.

Rain water filling the basin could be captured and held in a subsurface storage tank and later tapped for irrigation reuse.

SEE DETAIL CUTOUT

DRAINAGE FROM ROOF

INFILTRATION BASIN

SUBSURFACE STORAGE TANK

A B

C

D E

F G

RAINWATER HARVEST DETAIL A B C D

Roof water flushed through downspout filter Sub-surface connection pipe (gravity) Surface runoff Infiltration basin

7 / DE SE RT W ASH

E Percolation F Modular storage basin G Pumped to irrigation system

SUBSU SURFA SU UR RFACE CE WATER PI PIPE IPE P PE

Salvia chamaedryoides

Agave attenuata

Anigozanthos 'Bush Sunset'

Acacia willardiana

Juncus var.

Parkinsonia 'Desert Museum'

A

A’

Berberis 'Golden Abundance'

B

Prosopis chilensis

Dudleya var.

Agave attenuata

Parkinsonia 'Desert Museum'

Achillea millefolium

B’

B’

D E S E RT WAS H / 8

CITY OF BAKERSFIELD

9 / ACK E RMAN

02

reclaiming the river

edge

OPEN SPACE & REGIONAL SPORTS PARK BAKERSFIELD, CA WINTER 2015

T

he proposed design will create a community open space and sports park with an active and accessible river edge located on 20 acres adjacent to the Kern River in Bakersfield, California. The driving theme of the design is inspired by the ecological and cultural services of the river. In addition to providing unique vegetation, wildlife habitats, and open space, the river is a major cultural and recreational corridor for the City and is a distinct riparian visual relief from the dry flat character of the Bakersfield basin. The design envisions a variety of community sports fields and a reinforced connection between the park and river. Moments of introduced channelization would split and slow river flows at the park’s edges, allowing visitors to interact and experience the water in new ways.

Design throughout the park reinforces the river theme. A children’s playground would include educational water features that could mimic rise and fall of river flows. Furthermore, the proposed bike and pedestrian nature trails take on serpentine like river forms, flowing through a palette of grasses, wildflowers, and oak trees.

R EC L A I M I NG THE R IVE R E D GE / 10

1 1 / ACK E R MAN

/S

FB G/

B

S/B

/ FB

PA

N/

SIO ES NC O C

IN RK

B

B R/ /R

NIC

PIC

AMONDS (4) BASEBALL DI D & TRACK (1) EL FOOTBALL FI DS (2) SOCCER FIEL TS (4) TENNIS COUR URT (1) CO BASKETBALL S /RESTROOM CONCESSION G PARKIN CESS VEHICULAR AC PLAYGROUND PICNIC AREA BUILDING CE MAINTENAN KERN RIVER DENCES SI EXISTING RE MERCIAL M EXISTING CO CHURCH SCHOOL MTN. VIEWS RESOURCES BIOLOGICAL

L AL

BB

N/ SIO ES

L AL

FAST RIVER

NC /CO

M

M CO

VIEW S/EC OL/P ICNIC R/RE S/CH URC H/SC HOO

RIVE

ACCESSIBLE + ACTIVE RIVER L/VIE

WS/E COL

PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY R EC L A I M I NG THE R IVE R E D GE / 12

Kern River (primary)

EXISTING

RIPARIAN

1 3 / ACK E R MAN

Introduced channelized portion of the Kern River intneded to slow water flow along the parks edge, allowing a more accessible river.

C H A NNEL FU L L W I DT H

RIVER BANK

Area of fill inteded to channelize river. Planted with native riparian species. Not intended to be accessible.

INTRODUCED CHANNEL

INTRODUCED FILL

river edge scenario Re-envisioned edges along the channel bank will take on a variety of ecologically sensative, minimal form typologies, including gentle steps as shown here.

Edge Fill

Trail

Perdiodic Inundation Flood Control

Channel

Trail

Kern River (primary)

GRASS L AND

A network of pedestrian trails are envisioned for the park, providing access to natural spaces and passive recreation opporunities.

BICYCLE TRAIL

Natural landscape environemnt encouraging passive recreation and picknicking.

PROPOSED (100 YR FLOOD)

PEDESTRIAN TRAIL

PICNIC AREA

PROPOSED (NORMAL FLOW)

A regional bicycle trail spans the park’s southern boundary, connecting to and extending the City’s existing network of bicycle infrastructure.

WO O D L A ND

R EC L AI M I NG THE R IVE R E D GE / 14

pa SITE PLAN A / LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL DIAMOND B / ADULT BASEBALL DIAMOND C / SOFTBALL DIAMOND A

D / ADULT SOCCER FIELD

C

E / YOUTH SOCCER FIELD

A

F / FOOTBALL FIELD & TRACK

L

G / BASKETBALL COURT H / TENNIS COURT G

I / PLAYGROUND J / SKATE PARK K / OPEN TURF L / CONCESSION/RESTROOMS M / COMMUNITY GARDEN

H

N / PICNIC AREA

D

B

O / RE-ENVISIONED RIVER EDGE P / CHANNELIZED RIVER SEGMENT Q / PEDESTRIAN TRAIL R / BIKE TRAIL

R Q

N P

O

KERN RIVER

VEHICLE 1 5 / ACK E R MAN

PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLE

I G E

M H K

J

K

F

RECREATION

OPEN SPACE/PASSIVE RECREATION R EC L A I M I NG THE R IVE R E D GE / 16

rethin 1 7 / ACK E R MAN

03

“AVA�

WOOD BENCH DESIGN & BUILD SPRING 2015 his project was an assignment for our landscape construction class, and was a collaboration with first year graduate students Luis Pedraza and Kevin Maynard. The concept for our bench started off from three radically different ideas. The first idea utilized a wheelbarrow style bench; the second, was a symmetrical design with two planters bookending a seating area; and the third idea, which was the one chosen, was a simple modern style with a shelf below the seating area. Part of what is unique about this last concept was that (for the most part): all the fastening bolts which were used to connect the pieces. Also, one piece of wood was used for the entire construction (2 x 4s).

The simple linear concept reflects a clean and efficient building style and presents well. The bench is sturdy and handsome and provides ample access for books or plants in a shelf area that spans its entire length.

T

In addition to assisting with the design and build of the bench, I completed the design of the booklet and photographs, which is what is illustrated in this spread.

Our bench was one of five selected by the professors to be placed in the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, San Diego.

nking the h b bench R ET H I NK IN G THE BE N CH / 18

1

2 11’4” ’ 4”

1’6”

1’6” 6

5’-0””

4’5” 3

1’4”

4

1

4X4D DOUGLAS OUGLAS FIR LE LENGTH ENGTH OF THE BENC BENCH CH 55’’

2

4 X 4 DOUGLAS FIR SIDE LENGTHS 1’3/4””

3

4 X 4 DOUGLAS FIR SLATS ON SEAT 3’

4

4 X 4 DOUGLAS FIR SHELVES 4’5” NO OTE: A LL 4X4 4X4 JOINED JOINE ED BY SCREWS AND FINISHING N NAILS IN NOTE: ALL BETWEEN B ETWEEN LAYERS AS S TO NOT BE VISIBLE E

1 9 / ACK E R MAN

R ET H I NK IN G THE BE N CH / 20

EXISTING

PRESERVE/ REMOVE

FOCAL POINT

BUILDING/ LANDSCAPE HARMONY

SPACE EFFICIENCY

PASSIVE LIGHT

PRIVACY/ INTIMACY

2 1 / AC A C K E RMAN ACK R MA MAN AN N

ACTIVATE

04

harada

house

LANDSCAPE REHABILITATION & VISITOR CENTER RIVERSIDE, CA SPRING 2015

B

uilt in 1880, the Harada House National Historic Landmark embodies the Japanese American immigration experience in California. It is the saga of one family’s struggle to achieve the American promise of freedom, citizenship, and a better life for their children. Donated to the City of Riverside in 2004 and managed by the City’s Metropolitan Museum, the Harada House and neighboring property (Robinson House) are envisioned to be preserved and repurposed as a historic museum and garden for the City, telling not only the story of the Haradas, but the struggles of immigrants to the United States.

Guided by two primary goals, the design for this undertaking intends to enhance the historic and cultural significance of the Harada House while creating a space that evokes peaceful individual reflection and unification. Features include a central radial focal form housing an upper outdoor courtyard and sub level theater and exhibit hall. These spaces are connected by an elongated ramp, intending to gradually tell the story of the Haradas as visitors move through the space.

This project was a collaborative effort between myself, former landscape graduate student Daniel Lee, and visiting Taiwanese architecture student Sandy Kao.

HARADA HOUS E / 22

INSPIRATION

THEATER

INVERT

IMAGINE

LEMON ST.

A

2 3 / ACK E R MAN

ROBINSON HOUSE

EXHIBIT

VISITOR CENTER

THEATER

COURTYARD

A’

SITE PLAN HARADA HOUSE

0

5

10FT

A’

RAMP TO EXHIBIT

EXHIBIT SHED

COURTYARD

PLAZA

GREEN ROOF

VISITOR CENTER HARADA HOUSE

ROBINSON HOUSE

RAIN GARDEN

ADA PARKING

A HARA DA HOUS E / 24

90% of U.S. trade through Los Angeles Port is with East Asian Countries

Los A Angeles

Japan China Taiwan Vietnam

$134b China

$40b Japan

$15b S. Korea

$13b $12b Taiwan Vietnam

TOP TRADING PARTNERS PORT OF LOS ANGELES Greatest Imports

Electronics

25 / ACK E R MAN

Auto Parts

Greatest Exports

Furniture

Apparel

Cotton

Resins

Paper

Animal Feed

05

public

good(s) A HEALTHY GOODS MOVEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE LOS ANGELES PORT LOS ANGELES, CA SPRING 2016

I

n 2016 more than $200 billion worth of goods will pass between Asia and the United States through what is presently the 9th busiest port in the world, the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach. As a major hub of economic activity, the Port is also a major source of pollution, posing serious environmental impacts and local public health issues for neighboring communities. This project begins address this growing conflict.

This project was undertaken for the purposes of exploring system design and application of landscape architecture in the realm of goods movement.

Specifically, the project examines the Port’s cargo distribution system and the resulting effects it poses to public health issues throughout Southern California. Analysis identified correlations between Port generated pollutants, local health trends, and community demographics, and explored measurable performance applications of landscape architecture and their potential for improving public and ecological health through enhancing the Port as a multi-functional distribution system.

Public Good(s) focuses on a 117 acre site located four miles north of the Ports, in the City of Los Angeles. Design decisions were primarily driven to address harmful impacts resulting from Port activity. The project explored and compared the most effective design opportunities that performed mitigation, from large scale systematic operation of Port activity, to site specific efforts. The resulting design seeks to re-interpret the site as a multi-functional operation for enhancing distribution efficiency, while improving the public and ecological health of the region.

This project recieved the 2016 Student Merit Award from the Southern California Chapter of ASLA. P UBL IC GOOD ( S ) / 26

diesel + education levels mapped variable relationships

linear regression model

LA COUNTY

WEST LONG BEACH

LA COUNTY

WEST LONG BEACH

variable comparison

diesel

edu

DIESEL

+70% -20%

LA COUNTY

WEST LONG BEACH

WEST LONG BEACH

LA COUNTY

particulate matter + population density

pm 2.5

pop

-6%

-0.1%

PM 2.5

asthma

LA COUNTY WEST LONG BEACH

WEST LONG BEACH

LA COUNTY

asthma + latino population

latino

+41% -31%

public health analysis Evaluating Port Activity Impacts on Local Public Health Project analysis evaluated how port activities impact local public health. Using linear regression modeling, the analysis demonstrates strong correlations between measurable port generated impacts and public health issues. Los Angeles County is used as a basis of comparison for understanding the port’s direct impact to the adjacent community of West Long Beach.

27 / ACK E RM AN

ASTHMA

10

Hobart Yard

Los Angeles

Vernon

Alameda

110

Corridor

Compton

710

105

5

405

Carson

PROJECT SITE Long Beach Ports

San Pedro

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Imports/Exports

proposed reg gional g goo oods movement ov m nt Ports to Project Site to Hobart obart Yarrd

SYSTEM DIAGRAM

Aerriiall Cab Ae able lewa way Alaam Al med eda C Co orr rrid ido orr

Por Po orrtts 2 7 / ACK E RM AN

Pro Pr Pro ojjec e t Si Site te

Hoba Ho baart Yar ard d P UBL IC GOOD ( S ) / 28

IC C OAS T HIG H WAY

PA

CIF

Tesoro Oil Refinery

D O M IN

GUEZ C

1

4

2

Container Playground

6

Open Space Trails

0

200

400 FEET

Cabrillo C High h School

p 29 / ACK E R MAN

5

Features 3 Urban Forest

5 Urban Mounds

2 Freight Village

4 Treatment Wetlands

6 Decomissioned Terminal Island Freeway

EL

SEP

U LV

EDA

CHANN

B LV

D.

1 Goods Movement System

4

1

2

3

RES

Hudson

Hudson d Elementary h School

IDE

NTI

AL

STR

EET

P UBL IC GOOD S / 30

Aerial Cableway Distribution

100’ +

Alam e

7710 71 100

da C

orrid or

405

PROJECT CT T SITE

PCH

Top Speed - 40 mph

Closed Loop System 22 miles

Container Load/Unload 10 Locations

100% Electric

Low Noise Pollution

110

Max Weight - 40 Tons

Shore Terminals LLC

Terminal Island San Pedro

Long Beach ach ch Container ner ner Terminal al

APM Terminals Pacific, LTD.

goods movement Port to Project Site Container Transport Rail Line Aerial Cableway Route Container Load/Unload

distribution center

Green Roof Dome

full cross-section

Naturalized Channel Bank

Cableway Crane

Train Road

3 1 / AC C K E RMAN R MAN

Dominguez Channel

Urban Forest

Goods Movement

architectural concept

Community

Load/ Enter

Views

Freight Activity

+

Dome

=

Stacked

FOOD

Synergy

Freight Village

OFFICE

+ SER VICE

STOR AG

E

Green Roof

Mitigation

SE HOU

E WAR

Functions

Logistics + Benefit

Jet Heavy Equipment

So un dP re ss ur

Night Club

e

Trees can intercept up to 85% of airborne particulates

Construction

Mature Conifer Tree

One tree absorbes 48 lbs. of carbon dioxide per year

Urban Mounds

Classroom

Mature Oak Tree

Vegetation + Topographic features can reduce noise by 10-15 dBA

Residence

Urban Forest

1

2

3

urban forest noise mitigation

Stacked Architecture

4

urban forest air pollution mitigation

Existing Utility Corridor View Platform Trail

Trail

Sub Level Storage P UBL IC GOO D S / 3 2

Freight Village

Treatment Wetlands + Urban Forest

Urban Forest + Park

The world is not to be put in order; the world is order, incarnate.

It is for us to harmonize with this order.

- Henr y Miller

Aaron J. Acke rman ackerman.aaron@gmail.com

resumĂŠ EDUCATION 2014-2017 2006

Master of Landscape Architecture / Cal Poly Pomona B.S. City and Regional Planning / Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

EXPERIENCE 2016-Present 2011-2014 2006-2009 2005 2004

Project Designer / Mia Lehrer + Associates / Los Angeles, CA Associate Planner / EMC Planning Group / Monterey, CA Urban Designer / RBF Consulting / Monterey, CA Planning Internship / Community Development / Mammoth Lakes, CA Planning Internship / Sacramento County Planning / Sacramento, CA

AWARDS & HONORS 2016 2016 2016 2016 2015 2015 2015

Student Award of Merit, Southern California ASLA CLASS Fund University Scholarship Chapman Forestry Foundation Scholarship Graduate Student Creativity Award Lifescapes International Scholarship Recipient Delta Epsilon Lota Academic Honor Society Certificate of Achievement / Japanese Friendship Garden / Balboa Park

CO-CURRICULAR 2016-present 2016 2015 2011-2014

Officer / ASLA / Urban Design Professional Practice Network Design Volunteer / SCOPE & USGBC / Green Building Retrofit International Study Abroad / Castiglion Fiorentino / Italy Chair / APA / California Northern Chapter / Monterey Bay Region

SKILLS AutoCAD ArcGIS Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Lightroom

AfterEffects SketchUp Rhinoceros 3D Laser Cutting Hand Drawing

a aron j . ac ke r man 916.296.3115 ackerm an .aaro n @ g m ail .co m