Appleby Castle Bank Park

PROJECT PORTFOLIO

APPLEBY CASTLE BANK PARK

MLA2 DESIGN THESIS PROJECT

Chic So

Research Question

The project brief was set in the context of Cumbria.

We have been undergo series research across discipline, from human system to natural system. These data and knowledge inform the base of a data and policy driven design. And decide our main focus and create an appropriate resolution spatially.

How to achieve inclusive Human-Nature co-exist community on a floodplain by implementing Natural Flood Management?

Inclusive

To include humanity and nature. Taking natural habitats and people from diverse backgrounds or conditions into count while designing. In addition, is not just the way of getting to the design but also the experience and willingness to access.

Human-Nature co-exist community

A community could value and respect to considering nature as part of them. Merging daily activities in the human side and nature side to blur the boundary.

Natural flood management

Flood management technique by mimicking or taking advantages from natural process.

Group Research

Well-being improvement

From the study of vertical group information, I have picked up a few main themes from a few groups and put them together in a visual collage to represent the image I have as a connected response.

The following are the key issues I would like to engage more and address by the design:

PHYSICAL CONNECTION

Improve community connection by transportation infrastructure

HUMAN SYSTEM

Policy making process, community participation, balance development

CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Policy to address climate issue, particularly in water COMMUNITY

Local community communication and identity

GEOGRAPHIC & ECOLOGICAL EVOLUTION

Transition from heavy industry to restore nature

In this group project, we have been looking into the issue and situation of flood in Cumbria, specificity on the Eden Catchment.

We have create a video to allow audience to understand the impact of flood. From that, we have asked them to vote for the more prefer option of infrastructure to mitigate the negative impact on the built environment.

To conclude from the vote, people do tend to consider soft engineering water management but also have concerns about its successfulness.

Material study

We have choose a specific material to study deep assisting us to understand the context of Cumbria on a material aspect. I have chosen snail as my material. From that I have understand the connection of food chain and ecosystem as an whole. It allow me to develop my design in a longer chain and wider frame.

Burrowing

By making the soil porous, water absorption could be raised. It can also improve plant growth by increasing the aeration of the root system. This could be applied to prevent soil erosion and reduce flood risk.

Multi roles

As snails play multiple roles in the ecosystem, I would like to create a multifunction space that could work as a green-blue infrastructure and a space for the surrounding community. The space will be included in the socioeconomic structure of the community.

Pattern

The daily life of the snail creates a series of fractal patterns. By creating a similar pattern across different sites, connectivity can be created between locations and raise the acknowledge that this site are connected by the water and share the same water bodies and potentially strengthen the cultural identity of the community.

Shape

The ‘‘S’’ shape created by the snail-eating pattern maximises the food they can eat. By making streams into ‘‘S’’ shape, the volume of water they could hold will increase and the contact surface will also increase to allow more soil to absorb water.

3d interpretation

Material mapping

Manifesto

Enhance the harmony of nature and humanity co-exist

- Equality between humanity and nature Humanity and nature should be on the same stage - Functionality

Should be benefits in both human and nature community

- Harmony

Should be merging with respect and preserve current culture

- Sustainable

Should be a long term solution that could continue and support the life through the lifespan but not temporary

Manifesto poster

Regional planning

As a rationale of selecting site for more detail design, I have start from considering the water system in a catchment scale and did a simple strategic planning which align with the county planning.

A series of Natural Flood Management could be applied through the River Eden to maximise the function of each implementation.

By using Natural flood management, cost of project could be minimise. It means it will be able to replicate similar project along the river catchment easily with less financial concern but raising the management efficiency.

DOWNSTREAM NFM OPTION:

Complete grey infrastructure

Absolute protection and stopping water enter

MIDDLE NFM OPTION:

Increase flood water capacity to reduce flood volume

Slow the flow to reduce the power and speed of flood

Water filtration and purification

Trap sediment

UPTREAM NFM OPTION:

Increase flood water capacity to reduce flood volume

Slow the flow to reduce the power and speed of flood

Store and recharge groundwater

Minimise pollution into water

From the previous planning, I have choose Appleby-in-Westmoorland,a historic market town on the upstream as my site.

The town was frequently affected by flash floods in winter flood season. Part of the city is not protected by existing flood defences successfully. Infrastructure was seriously damaged and negatively impacted people’s lives.

By comparing the area under flood risk and the actual flood happened under 2015 Storm Desmond, the flooded area stooped within the estimated area.

The information is accurate. The map identify the area where number of listed building located are under risk clearly and required improvement.

SITE

Town scheme

By overlaid the information from my research on the site, including: planning plan, ecological data, historic conservation area and general information on the town, I have discover the area with opportunity that could be used to implementing different type of flood management.

NFM Flood Management type A

Before water reach the town

1) Store and reduce flood water

2) Reduce flood water velocity

NFM Flood Management type B

After water reach the town

1) Store flood water outside the town

2)Shifting flood

SuDS Sustainable Drainage System

Water runoff management in town

1) Reduce Water runoff

2) Storing water

Open public land human activities eg. daily recreation, temporary event

Woodland Adventure

Playing trail on the air linked to trees by compensated bridge or structure with less direct interaction with the ground

PROPOSAL SITE

Urban rain garden

roadside rain garden for public education and street scape aesthetic

Woodland restoration/ conservation

Recreate habitat on floodplain to store more water

Woodland walk

Improving original path with habitat connection

Design development

In the process of developing my proposal, I have use model to understand and test how the water system work and how could they be combine. It also helps me to visualise my idea and explore the connection between idea. In addition, sketches allow me shape my idea as well.

Testing of water model by physical clay model

3D idea visualisation Sketching over physical model

Design development

DESIGN PRINCIPLES:

Community Engagement

Sustainability

Flexibility and Adaptability

Natural Process

Natural Corridor

WATER PLAYGROUND

Space highlighting an accessible pond and stream for children and visitors to enjoy the water from the River Eden and learn through play

RESTING PLATFORM

Small resting platform with benches to stop at in the middle of the site to spot the reedbed planting and interact with the nature from the walkway

RIVER SIDE VIEWING PLATFORM

Bench and platform on the riverside providing opportunity to visually interact with the River Eden and historic weir on site

WORKSHOP ACTIVITY AREA

A structure to create space for diverse activity use and a bridge for access but also to observe the habitat and animals on site

Planting and ecology

In the process of spatial design, I have also consider planting as an element to shape the space. The site originally only have few planting and low biodiversity, to improve the ecological value of the site I tried to create new habitat which work with existing planting on site.

I have cross check the county document(Cumbria Biodiversity Data Centre) and general national document (UKHAB) to choose planting according to habitat type. When it comes to specifying plants, I have also try to provide variety on size and type to offer opportunity for ecological succession in order to raise the completeness of the local ecosystem on site.

Planting selection

Ecological succession concept diagram

Wildflower

Reed bed

Fens

Proposal

Children water playground

A water play and lawn space.

The flexible space allowing community engagement in varies form. The stream in the centre connect to the main river as fish pass connect the water ecology and form an alternative Natural corridor for Natural process happen. The water will also be used for the water play for children. The play act as an active learning experience. The learning experience and connection of ecology contribute to the environmental and human knowledge sustainability.

In addition, demonstrating flood in different level strengthen the rational of implementing different flood management technique into the spatial design.

Water level:1.1m (high normal water level)

Water level: 3.1m (Flood warning for potential property flooded)

Water level: 4.7m (1 in 200 years flood)

Proposal

Workshop activity area

Area with insects hotel and seating for the community to adapt and use it freely.

Community can use the installation freely to adapt to the furniture, the illustration is only demonstrating one use. It allow the Community engage with the space Flexibly. The combination of insects hotel and seating contributing to sustainability of invertebrates society and human knowledge by education. Natural process can be done more easily by providing shelter for them to ensure the survival of the whole Natural Corridor.

Water level:1.1m (high normal water level)

Water level: 3.1m (Flood warning for potential property flooded)

Water level: 4.7m (1 in 200 years flood)

Leaky dam (at the back)

Wet woodland Reed

Demonstrating how the design and flood management technique could be function in a smaller (1:50) scale and involving wider range of user, including human and nature.

Vision 3 Workshop activity area

Vision 4 Resting platform

DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Physical model

The research question focus mainly on community and flood management and it is not restricted to the site but widely on floodplain.

To response to the question, the installation and construction are simple and using prefabricated feature, the use of natural flood management also reduce the cost. Therefore, the design would be able to replicate on to other site on the floodplain with minimum adjustment.

In the case of Appleby, the design was align with the local planning focusing on family community, but the element could be replace with different focus to fit in the site.

The design principles: Community engagement, sustainability, flexibility and adaptability, natural process and natural corridor is embedded into the design, they will be retain and guiding the adjustment when apply on the a different site.

TECHNICAL DRAWING SET

Originally drawn in different paper size (Correct size please see drawing)

Order:

General Arrangement Drawing 1

General Arrangement Drawing 2

General Arrangement Drawing 3

001_Detail Area Plan

002_Railing Details

003_Railing Type

004_Planting plan and schedule

005_Planting plan and schedule 2

006_Planting plan and schedule 3

007_Detail area section

NOTES:

1.ALL

DRAWING TITLE: WATER PLAYGROUND AREA GENERAL ARRANGEMENT DRAWING

SCALE: 1:200 @A2

DRAWN BY:CHIC SO UNIT: LS2C ATELIER

MANAGED MEADOW

WOODLAND PLANTING

HEDGEROW WET GRASSLAND

REEDBED FENS

STAINLESS STEEL MESH ELEVATED WALKWAY

CONTOUR LINE (EVERY 0.5m) RIVER

CONSTRUCTED NEW STREAM

COVERED CONNECTING BRIDGE

CEDAR WIDE ANGLED HANDRAIL TOP

GREEN PAVER

NOTES:

1.ALL LEVEL AND MEASUREMENT TO BE READ IN METER

2.CONTOUR LEVEL COUNT IN SEA LEVEL

INSECT SHELTER BLOCKS

LEAKY DAM BENCH CEDAR ON GALVANIZED STEEL FRAME

INCLUSIVE BENCH WITH BACK CEDAR TIMBER ON GALVANIZED STEEL FRAME

RAILING TYPE A

RAILING TYPE B

RAILING TYPE C

EXISTING TREE

CONSIST:

PROPOSED TREE

DRAWING TITLE: WORKSHOP ACTIVITIES AREA GENERAL ARRANGEMENT DRAWING

SCALE: 1:200 @A2

DRAWN BY:CHIC SO UNIT: LS2C ATELIER INFRA-SPACE

Salix alba in bare root

Alnus glutinosa in bare root

STAINLESS STEEL GRATING ELEVATED WALKWAY

BOULDER STEPS TRAIL

CONTOUR LINE (EVERY 0.5 METER) RIVER

CONSTRUCTED

EXISTING WEIR

BENCH CEDAR FRAME ON DRY STONE STRUCTURE

INCLUSIVE BENCH WITH BACK CEDAR TIMBER ON GALVANIZED STEEL FRAME

EXISTING TREE CONSIST: Fagus sylvatica Quercus robur Taxus baccata

PROPOSED TREE (in bare root) CONSIST: Salix alba Alnus glutinosa Betula pubescens

NOTES:

1.ALL LEVEL AND MEASUREMENT TO BE READ IN METER

2.CONTOUR LEVEL COUNT IN SEA LEVEL

CEDAR WIDE ANGLED HANDRAIL TOP LOCATION KEY 1:2500

RAILING TYPE A

RAILING TYPE B

RAILING TYPE C

DRAWING TITLE: VIEWING PLATFORM AREA

GENERAL ARRANGEMENT DRAWING

SCALE: 1:200 @A2

DRAWN BY:CHIC SO UNIT: LS2C ATELIER INFRA-SPACE

1.Contour counted from sea level in meter

2.Measure done in millimeter mm

3.Planting details refer to softscape drawing 004-006

4.Elevated walkway details refer walkway detail drawing 002, 003

5.Section AA' see drawing 002

6.Section BB' see drawing 007

Connecting plate

Dimension: 66 x 66 mm

Material: E304 Stainless steel

Finish: powder coat

Colour: RAL 8016

3,5 x 15 mm

Stainless steel

woodscrew

Helix screw pile every 10meters

NOTES:

1.Contour level count from sea level

2.Measurement done in milimeters

3.Vegetation details refer to softscape drawing 04, 05

4.Detail location refer to drawing 01

Timber Handrail

Material: Cedar

Treatment: Preservation

Source: UK Length: 1500mm

Circular connection

(Connected to steel beam post)

Dimension: Ø25 x 46

Thickness: 2mm

Material: E304 Stainless steel

Finish: powder coat

RAL 8016

Box section steel beam

Dimension:900 x 50 x 50mm

Thickness: 4mm

Material: E304 Stainless steel

Finish: powder coat

Colour: RAL 8016

M6 x 70mm screw

Material: E304 Stainless steel

C Section steel beam

Dimension:90 x 90 x 3000 mm

Thickness: 3mm

Material: Grade 304 Stainless Steel

Finish: Brushed Polished

M10 x 50mm Screw

Material: E304 Stainless steel

Metal Grating

Name: H6 RF Grating

Mesh width: 34 x 75 mm

Height: 30mm

Panel size: 1000 x 2000mm

Material: Stainless steel

Finish: Stainless steel 1.4420 untreated and pickled

Connection foot

Dimension: 102 x 260 x 101.6

Material: ASTM A123/A123M Steel

Finish: Galvanised

Helix screw pile (Circular section)

Thickness: 3.7 mm

Material: ASTM A500 grade C Steel

Finish: Galnanised

Dimension: To be specified by engineer

Plastic information board

attached to leaning timber top

Material: PVC plastic size and colour vary

Leaning timber top

Material: Cedar

Dimension: vary

Thickness: 20mm

Finish: Preservative Source: UK

Railing type D - Elevation

M6 x 70mm screw

Material: E304 Stainless steel

Timber edging

Dimension: 75 x 50 x 1500mm

Material: Cedar

Treatment: Preservation Source: UK

Railing type A - Elevation

Railing type D - Section For leaning and attaching information board

Timber Handrail Arbor vitae

Material: Cedar

Treatment: Preservation Source: UK

Length: 1500mm

Handrail connection panel

(Connected to steel beam post)

Dimension: 65 x 72 mm

Thickness: 2mm

Material: E304 Stainless steel

Finish: powder coat Colour: RAL 8016

Railing type C - Elevation

Railing type C - Section

Intermediate railing for children and wheelchair user on slope

Location plan

SCALE: 1:2500

Railing Type A - Purple

Railing Type B - Green

Railing Type C - Blue

Railing Type D - Pink

Railing type A - Section Edging

NOTES:

1.Measurement done in milimeters

2.Fixing detail refer to drawing 002 typical fixing detail

0.5m 2m

Project title: Appleby Castle Bank Park

Drawing number: 003_HardScetion_B

Drawing Title: Hardscape Plan

Scale:1:20 @ A2 Unit: Landscape Atelier 2c

NOTES:

1.Contour level count from sea level in meter

2.Tree details refer to softscape drawing 006

3.Elevated walkway details refer walkway detail drawing 002, 003

4.To be read as set with drawing 005 showing 2 more planting type (fens and woodland undergrow)

NOTES:

1.Contour level count from sea level in meter

2.Tree details refer to softscape drawing 006

3.Elevated walkway details refer walkway detail drawing 002, 003

4.To be read as set with drawing 004 showing 2 more planting type (grassland and hedgerow) Project title: Appleby Castle Bank Park

1.Contour level count from sea level in meter

2.Under grow planting details refer to softscape drawing 004, 005

3.Elevated walkway details refer walkway detail drawing 002, 003

NOTES:

1.Measure done in millimeter mm

2.Planting details refer to softscape drawing 004-006

3.Elevated walkway details refer walkway detail drawing 002, 003

4.Section location see drawing 001