Into the Commons
Las Cruces, Bogota, Colombia
Into the Commons is a nature-based response to preserve the regional historic stream system and establish a neighborhood spine connecting vital community nodes. Currently, 95% of the stream is buried in concrete culverts. Through public park design of terraced landforms, wetland retention basins, and street stormwater bioswales, the memory of water is restored to serve ecological needs and form essential gathering places.
This urban design plan carefully evolved through several remote and on-site presentations to The World Bank, City of Bogota, Secretary of Transportation, and Community Leaders.
The arcylic topography site model above projected cartography created interactive discussions on terrain responsive design.
Rooted History
Prairies of Kansas
The ongoing investigation of prairie ecosystems and their astounding ecological services was brought to light through an in-depth study of soil biodiversity and the process of soil development. As a team, we tested soil along the Blackland Prairie corridor in Texas and the Tall Grass Prairie of Kansas to reveal the intricate connections between organisms, deep-rooted plants, and the inorganic properties that sustain life. Ultimately the research was used to tell the story of the ecological region and its potential for carbon sequestration.
Little Walnut Creek Revival
Austin, Texas
The City of Austin is understandably named “Greenbelt City” with creek and park systems throughout the urban fabric. Using historic records, water quality charts, and development plans, I investigated riparian zones in need of restoration and how the locations can optimize carbon sequestration and community use at multiple levels. Through deep root growth of native plants and soil biodiversity, wetland soils have the highest potential to store atmospheric carbon.
The Post Oak Savannah, which Little Walnut Creek is largely located, contains loose soil and is susceptible to erosion and flooding events. The experimental design suggests seep walls to increase water quality while minimizing soil movement, sediment collection to rebuild wetland soils that restore the creek edge, and infrastructure to promote nature immersion opportunities. This project grounded current efforts and initiated possible climate resilience solutions to further the discussion of urban waterway restoration.
URBAN CONNECTION
LITTLE WALNUT CREEK
opportunity to expand through development
turf grass expands most of area heavy pollution from roadway and rapid development
COMMUNITY CONFLUENCE
unusable space for community
heavily polluted
GREENBELT TERRACE
approved for park space in 2019
- trail systems
- bathroom, outdoor classroom, playground
extreme slope and erosion concerns
heavy clay soils
bike route connection
HIGH LEVELS OF CONTAMINATION
access points sediment deposition habitat corridor planted bu er zone
COMMUNITY CONFLUENCE
COMMUNITY CONFLUENCE
clay soil composition
carbon sequestering below ground
CREEK FLO W GUIDES
URBAN CONNECTION - creating soil + visible impacts
GREENBELT TERRACE - exploration + nature immersion
GREENBELT TERRACE- exploration + nature immersion
Entanglement
Woodshop, UT Austin
Living Wall
Variance Design Contractor
Johnson City, Texas
REMOTE MONITORING
close loop irrigation
to cloud
Escarpment Botanic Park Deck El Paso, Texas
In El Paso, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is planning on expanding Interstate 10 (I-10), the major roadway that runs through El Paso. The expansion suggests doubling the number of lanes from six to twelve, and proponents of the plan are pushing for funding for a deck park, which will “cap” the highway expansion over six blocks in downtown El Paso.
This proposal imagines the park as a recreational hotspot that dissolves the idea of being amongst heavy traffic and noise pollution. Large rock facade structures resemble the West Texas terrain and host drought-tolerant plant pallets, while serving as indoor program space. Visitors are able to meander the trails, participate in the region’s most popular outdoor sports, and build community.
Advanced climbing area
Tree well and creek bed
Accessible hike and bike trail
Children’s climbing area
Community climbing area
Main facility
Lookout elevator
Lookout deck
Trolley station
Elevated viewing trail
Cave climbing area
Outdoor gym pavilion
Indoor facility
High intensity trail
Sand art garden
Indoor classroom
Trolley station Park space
Indoor storage
Indoor facility Indoor facility
Indoor facility
Section cut A Section cut B2
2
planting schedule planting schedule
planting schedule
Garden of Reciprocity
University of Texas Campus, Austin, Texas
At the edge of the UT tower is a garden meant for community. This landscape design encourages the trade and gift of plants between gardeners, as well as knowledge. Greenhouse, fruiting trees, and garden plots establish a new level of land use on the UT campus. The outdoor classrooms also bring forward the ability to share skills and build networks.
