Chelsea DeWitt Portfolio

CHELSEA DEWITT P

O

R

T

F

O

L

I

O

Master of Landscape Architecture | University of Virginia | 2013 Master of Urban & Environmental Planning | University of Virginia| 2013 Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Analysis: Biology | Pomona College | 2006

4

RIVER CITY

14

EDGE ADAPTATIONS

26

SAND ENGINE

20

INNER GREEN BELT

WINTER INTEREST PLANT NURSERY

28

FERN AS CONSERVATION AGENT

22

30

29

GARDEN DESIGN & MAINTENANCE

C

O

N

HAND DRAWING

T

E

N

T

S

STREAM VALLEY AS BACK

STREAM VALLEY AS FRONT

Charlottesville Stream Valley Diagram | GIS & Illustrator

RIVER CITY: STREAM VALLEYS AS PUBLIC SPACES OF SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL PRODUCTION Thesis Project | Spring 2013 | Charlottesville, VA | Advisor: Elizabeth K. Meyer | Collaborators: PLACES Task Force of Charlottesville, James Moore, & Brian Flynn

4

How might we reenvision our urban hydrological systems as facilitators of productive spaces that enhance the socio-ecological well-being of communities? This thesis reorients Charlottesville’s stream valleys from a marginalized and forgotten back to a vibrant front. Through the proposal of a one mile Streamway, Downtown Charlottesville is connected with the regional trail and stream network, creating a new threshold and multifunctional public realm.

Chelsea DeWitt | Master of MLA & MUEP 2013| University of Virginia

TRANSFORMATION DIAGRAM

MULBERRY GROVE & PAULOWNIA PICNIC PARKING LOT

1. EDGE

(BARRIER)

DOWNTOWN CHARLOTTESVILLE +396’ SECTION A

+394’

PUBLIC BUS STOP

2. THICKEN

(CREATE CENTER)

+378’

COMMUNITY CENTER & LIBRARY +382’

+392’

PINE PLAYGROUND & ROPES COURSE

SUNKEN SUMMER STREAM GARDEN

+398’

+403.5’

3. REGRADE

(PROVIDE ACCESS)

+382’ +380’

SECTION B +396’

WETLAND WALK

+410.5’ +403.5’

4. CONNECT

(LINK TO LARGER LANDSCAPE)

MILL PARK & RIVANNA TRAIL 0

50

100 FT

Site Plan: Schematic| AutoCAD, Rhino & Illustrator

5

Sunken Garden Perspective | Rhino & Photoshop

6

Chelsea DeWitt | Master of MLA & MUEP 2013| University of Virginia

RESIDENTIAL

PERMEABLE PARKING LOT

RAMP & MOSS WALL

FT

24

8

0

WILD EDIBLES ion

t ec

S

on

Ax

&

D

CA

to

u |A

or

at

str

lu , Il

p

ho

os

ot

Ph

CONSTRUCTED STREAMWAY

STREAMWAY PATH

7

COMMUNITY CENTER & LIBRARY

ROPE’S COURSE & PINE PLAYGROUND

0

Se

cti

on

8

Ax

on

|A

uto

CA

D,

24

FT

Illu

str

at

or

&

Ph

oto

sho

p

STREAMWAY WALK & WILD EDIBLE PATCHES

BOARDWALK

CONSTRUCTED WETLAND

8

Chelsea DeWitt | Master of MLA & MUEP 2013| University of Virginia

Wetland Walkway Perspective | Rhino & Photoshop

9

SECTION A | SUNKEN STREAM GARDEN & WETLAND WALK

SECTION B | COMMUNITY CENTER & PINE PLAYGROUND

12

Chelsea DeWitt | Master of MLA & MUEP 2013| University of Virginia

13

Concept Tapestry, Before | Felt, Yarn & Thread

Concept Tapestry, After | Felt, Beads, Plexiglass & Thread

Coastal Ecosytem Plant Communities | Partner Work

EDGE ADAPTATIONS: MULTIPLE LINES OF DEFENSE IN A GRADUALLY SHIFTING SYSTEM 3rd Foundation Studio | Fall 2011 | New Orleans, LA | Project Partner: Dasha Lebedeva | Instructors: Jorg Sieweke & Pete O’Shea This design envisions a proactive approach of allowing the gradual shift of the Mississippi river to the Atchafalaya basin at 1% per year, over 40 years, reversing the current 70/30 split. A strategy that was proposed in the EPA’s 1987 report, “Long-Term Plan of Action for Saving Louisiana’s Wetlands.” We envision this alternative to a potential catastrophic jump of the Mississippi River as allowing for a period of time for adaptation to take place in a multitude of shifting systems, including sea level rise. Our proposal explores the adaptation of two edges over the next 50 14 years, the urban edge: New Orleans Port, along the Mississippi River, and the new main line of defense at the coastal edge of Bayou LaFourche.

Chelsea DeWitt | Master of MLA & MUEP 2013| University of Virginia

Timeline, Collaborative Work | Illustrator & Photoshop

15

CURRENT

2050

2030

2100

Coastal Phasing Diagrams| Partner Work

Bayou LaFourche | Coastal Phasing On the coast, we explore adaptation opportunities for what we’re calling, a new line of defense. We focused our design on a new gateway to this coastal experience located at the edge of where the constructed levee ends and exposed territory begins. We propose, clustering, elevated homes for residents that chose to remain in this area, mostly fisherman and recreators. An opportunity is presented to redefine this edge as a recreational zone that provides access to engage and experience the shifting ecosystems of the delta through the adaptive reuse of existing 16 structures for floating boardwalks and platforms for camping. A new waterway trail is defined through mangrove habitat clusters.

Chelsea DeWitt | Master of MLA & MUEP 2013| University of Virginia

Coastal Phasing Diagrams| GIS & Illustrator

New Orleans | Urban Phasing In addition to continued use of freshwater diversions to encourage natural protection from wetlands; adding new city parks and transitioning current neutral grounds into wetter area to help hold more water; we propose pumping water from the city into the Mississippi River, providing an opportunity to create an articulated ground that will define the new river waterfront experience (since the Port will be forced to shut down). Utilizing the salinity gradient of water from fresh to brackish, various habitats will flourish along this new edge, representing a 17 condensed version of the delta ecosystems. New Orleans becomes a fortress, surrounded by a protective, thickened, soft edge.

Edge Adaptations | Urban

Urban Section Perspective | Partner Work

BEFORE 18

AFTER

Urban Axons | Partner Work

Chelsea DeWitt | Master of MLA & MUEP 2013| University of Virginia

Edge Adaptations | Coastal

Coastal Section Perspective | Rhino, Watercolor, Hand Drawing & Photoshop

ELEVATED ROADWAY

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ON LONG LOTS

ELEVATED CLUSTERED HOUSING

LOCK

SHRIMPING INDUSTRY BARRIER ISLANDS

HOMES BUILT AT GRADE OYSTER REEFS

ERODING SALT MARSH (CORDGRASS) CONSTRUCTE LEVEE (8’)

BEFORE

LIVING WITH WATER

VIEWING PLATFORM ADAPTED SALT MARSH (MANGROVES) NATURE WALK

RECREATIONAL/RESEARCH PLATFORMS

AFTER

Coastal Axons | Rhino, Watercolor, Hand Drawing & Photoshop

19

VITORIA-GASTEIZ INNER GREEN BELT | GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE & PUBLIC SPACE

Birds Eye View: Corridor Catayst | Photoshop

4TH Urban Landscape Forum : Green Infrastructure | Summer 2012: Two Week Summer Workshop | Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

20

In the summer of 2012 I was asked to participate in the 4th Urban Landscape Forum Workshop located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, the European Green Capital of 2012. The focus of the workshop was developing an interior green belt that would connect to the exterior green belt. Our group proposed to revitalize the northern, commercial corridor by designing a series of public spaces that redefined the socio-ecological character of the city by overlapping green infrastructure and public space.

Chelsea DeWitt | Master of MLA & MUEP 2013| University of Virginia

Section Perspective: Urban Meadow| Photoshop & Illustrator

BEFORE

Section Perspective: Urban Forest | Photoshop & Illustrator

BEFORE

21

BA R

RA CK SR

D

Section | Illustrator & Photoshop

EVERL E RLASTIN NG N EVER RGREENS & BRUMA BLOSS BRUMAL SO OMS STOCK ST SPIRITED S RITED STEMS STEMS S& BOLD B BE ERRIES STO ST OC CK

GREENHOUSE & GIFT SHOP GLOWING GL G LOW GRASSES SSES & FA ANCY CY Y FRU FRUIT UITS TS S STOCK

EMMET ST/US 29 0

8

16

32 Feet

Site Plan: Schematic | AutoCAD & Illustrator

TWIGS & BERRIES: WINTER INTEREST PLANT NURSERY Planted Form & Function | Spring 2012 | Charlottesville, VA | Instructors: Julie Bargmann & Cole Burrell

22

The design for Twigs & Berries Nursery reimagines the typical nursery as both a commercial enterprise and a public space where stock areas are elegantly divided from publicly accessible display gardens by ornate ironwork screens. Having a special focus on winter interest plants, the stock areas are separated by categories that highlight the following: Bold Berries & Spirited Stems; Everlastings Evergreens & Brumal Blossoms; and Glowing Grasses & Fancy Fruits.

Chelsea DeWitt | Master of MLA & MUEP 2013| University of Virginia

VS.

Spatial Concept| Illustrator

Formal Concept | Illustrator

23

WET STREAM CORRIDOR Betula nigra ‘BNMTF’ DURA HEAT Cornus sericea ‘Cardinal’ Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’ Ilex verticillata ‘Southern Gentleman’ Vernonia noveboracensis Polystichum acrostichoides + Onoclea sensibilis

FANCY FRUIT, BOLD BERRY & SPIRITED STEM GROVE WE WET W ETT & TTW E TWIGGY WIG IGGY IGG GG GGY G GY GY STTTR STR SSTRE R AM AM CO ORR ORRI OR RR RRI R RID DOR DO OR O R

WIN WINE W INE IN NER & EA NE EAR EARL E ARL AR A R RLY SSPRI SPR SP PR PR RIN NG G PE ER EREN ERE RE REN R ENN E NIA NIAL NI IA IIAL A ALL BOR BORD BO B ORD O RD RDE ER R

Cercis canadensis Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’ Ostrya virginiana Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Princess’ Heuchera ‘Plum Pudding’ Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ Polystichum acrostichoides + Onoclea sensibilis

WINTER & EARLY SPRING PERENNIAL BORDER

FANC ANC NC CY FFRUIT UIT, U IT, BOL BOLD D BERRY, BE BERR Y,, & SPI Y SP P RITE RIT D STEM TTEM GRO ROVE VE VE SPI SSPIR PIRITED TED ED E D STE STTTE EMSS & BO BOL BOLD OLD BE O BER ER E RRI RIE RIES R ESS E STO STOC TTOC O OC CK

Cornus sericea ‘Kelseyi’ Cornus sericea ‘Flaviramea’ Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snowflake’ Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ Iris ‘Sparkle’ Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’

WINE W INE NE ER & EARLLY SSP P PRI PR R NG PEREN NNIAL NIA AL AL BORD ORD O DER DER E

Symphoricarpos x chenaultii ‘Hancock’ Festuca ovina var glauca ‘Blue Glow’

WINTER & EARLY SPRING PERENNIAL BORDER EVER VER V VE ER ERLAST ASSTTIING AST AS NG G EVE EVER VE V VER ER ERG GR GREE REE R EENS NS & BRUM B RUM R UMA UM ALL BLO LO LOSS OSSOM OMS OMS MS SSTO STOC TOC OCK OC

Thuja plicata ‘Green Giant’ Cornus florida ‘Cherokee Princess’ Cornus mas Lindera benzoin Hamamelis virginiana Hamamelis vernalis

WINE WI WIN W IN IN NE ER & EARL EAR ARL RLLY R SPR SSP PRI P PR RIN R NG G PEREN ENNIAL EN A AL BORD BO B O ORD DER

Ilex verticillata ‘Southern Gentleman’ Vernonia noveboracensis Polystichum acrostichoides + Onoclea sensibilis Crocus tommasinianus ‘Ruby Giant’ + Galanthus nivalis

GLOWING G NG G GRAS GRA RA ASSSES SSE E ESS & FFANC FA A Y FR FRUIT UITS UITS TS STOCK

GRASSES & FRUITS EDGE Cercis canadensis Panicum virgatum ‘Shenandoah

Partial Site Plan: Early Design Development | AutoCAD & Illustrator

24

Chelsea DeWitt | Master of MLA & MUEP 2013| University of Virginia

+DZWKRUQ &UDWDHJXV YLULGLV 露:LQWHU .LQJ路 ZONE: 4 to 7 BLOOM TIME : May FRAGRANT: N HABITAT: Upright, vaseshaped youth, spreading vaased to horizontal at maturity

L

B

Fl

Fr

TOLERANCES: Urban pollution, clay soil, dry soil NOTES: With thorns on its branches, do not position it too closely to walkways.

s

c

l Plant Palette | InDesign & Illustrator

Plant Palette | InDesign

Seasonal Color Diagram: Winter | AutoCAD & Illustrator

Seasonal Color Diagram: Spring| AutoCAD & Illustrator

Seasonal Color Diagram: Fall | AutoCAD & Illustrator

25

8+ RAEY

0 RAEY

Sand Engine Process | Illustrator

YEAR 0

Flows Model | Cardboard, Plexiglass & Pape

YEAR +8

Sandcatcher Model | Cardboard & Wire Mesh

SAND ENGINE | FORM FOLLOWS FLOWS 2nd Foundation Studio | Spring 2011 | Norfolk, VA | Instructors: Kristina Hill & Kate John-Alder This studio was inspired by the Dutch-invented ‘sand engine’, an alternative to traditional beach nourishment practices. Through the natural processes of shoreline wind and wave action, the sand engine gradually nourishes the beach over a period of 20-25 years. The proposed design uses the idea of a conveyor system to translate the process of the sand engine into a perceivable and achievable system of flows that will thicken the coast while 26 enhancing current beach activities and the reintroduction of dune habitat to the beach.

Regulating Lines Diagram | Hand Sketch

61+ RAEY

T N E M E V O M D N A S | N O I TC

YEAR +16

YEAR +24

Sandcatcher Section | Rhino, Photoshop & Hand Drawing

Sandcatcher Dune Formation| Rhino & Hand Drawing

27

Conceptual Perspective | Photoshop

CONTEXT

CONCEPT

FERN ECOLOGY

WASHINGTON DC FORT CIRCLE PARKS

FERN AS CONSERVATION AGENT | EROSION CONTROL FOR HISTORIC EARTHWORKS Design Research Studio I | Spring 2012: Two Week Project | Washington, DC | Instructor: Julian Raxworthy

28

In this design, ferns are proposed as an erosion control measure to stabilize the slopes of Fort DeRussy, an historic earthen defense used during the Civil War in Washington D.C. Ferns were chosen both for their slope stabilization qualities and their similar form to ‘abatis’, branches use for protection from attack.. The proposal takes advantage of ferns’ self-propagation and only specifies planting the top edge of the slope, allowing ferns to naturally colonize the remaining slope.

Chelsea DeWitt | Master of MLA & MUEP 2013| University of Virginia

Photograph | Summer Garden

Indigofera tinctoria

Artemisia absinthium

Arachis hypogaea

Passiflora incarnata

Gossypian hirsutum Planting Plan |AutoCAD & Illustrator

THOMAS JEFFERSON DEMONSTRATION GARDEN | GARDEN DESIGN & MAINTENANCE Co-Designer & Paid Garden Coordinator | 2011-2013 | Charlottesville, VA | Co-Designer: Erica Thatcher | Advisor: Nancy Takahashi The TJDG is a teaching garden made up of Jefferson-documented “useful” plants, including varieties used in the production of food, medicine, textiles, dyes, and other materials that sustain and enhance life. Our mission is to teach people about the continued importance of plants and realize Thomas Jefferson’s vision of providing a plant collection for botanical study on UVa grounds. The design was informed by traditional 17th, 18th, and 19th century gardens, as well as modern botanic gardens, particularly those that look to highlight specific plant collections and relationships through the construction of garden rooms.

29

VENETO LANDSCAPE & ARCHITECTURE | HAND DRAWING 30

Vicenza Drawing Program | Summer 2011 | Vicenza, Italy | Instructors: Charlie Menefee & Craig Barton

31