Application Portfolio for UCL MLA Landscape Architecture

PORTFOLIO

HUAXU WANG

01

HEAL THE WOUNDS Purification Wetland Planning, Yancheng, China

02

SOUNDPROOF, CONNECT, SETTLE

03

RESHAPE THE AXIS

04

UNSAID HISTORY

Noise reduction habitat design, Chengdu, China

City Plaza Design, Nanjing, China

Historic Site Renewal Design, Athens, Greece Major in Environmental Design, Jiangnan University Applying for MLA Landscape Architecture, University College London

Application number: 23154191 Email: huaxuwang2001@outlook.com Tel: +86 19850155919

05

CATBLOCK CAFE

Interior design, Wuxi, China

01 HEAL THE WOUNDS

Individual work Duration: 05/2022-06/2022 Site location: Yancheng, China Area: 4 km² Instructor: Liu Jia

Purification Wetland Planning

INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION ALONG GUAN RIVER Xiangshui County is located in the northernmost part of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration in China, bordering the Yellow Sea in the east. The Guanhe River in the north of the county has a wide channel, a large flow rate, and convenient navigation. The chemical industry zone is distributed along the river and is large in scale, close to towns and agricultural areas.

The design tries to heal the wounds of the chemical park - severe water pollution and explosion accidents. Through the addition and arrangement of sewage plants, the design of protective belts and wetlands, and the adjustment of the layout of towns, farmland, and industrial areas; in order to achieve sustainable development of the local environment and economy, and to achieve the purpose of education and warning.

China

Yellow sea

Jiangsu province

INDUSTRIALIZATION OF THE SITE Excellent natural environment

2002

Start of industrialization

Xiangshui Chenjiagang port Industrial Zone was established

Port Industry Park

Industry Park

Red-crowned cranes

Factory Emissions

Hazardous chemical wastes are landfilled, water pollution is serious, chlorine gas leaks from the plant.

False killer whales

2005

2010

The explosion killed 47 people, buildings were damaged and Chemical combustion caused the fire.

CHCl₃

Duigou Industrial Park

CH2Cl2 C2H4Cl2 C6H6

Chenjiagang Town

Carcinogenic pollutants in water

Illegal emissions from chemical plants

Huge casualty losses

Water pollution

The surface water next to the industrial zone is poor category 5 and no longer suitable for fish.

2019

Guan River

Explosion accident

On March 21, 2019 at 14:48 , a chemical plant in Chenjiagang Industrial Park exploded

Duigou Town Chengjiagang Industrial Park

SITE Air pollution

Sewage pollution, Soil pollution

Serious pollution and ecological damage

Chemical leaks caused severe environmental contamination

Site boundary Farmland Salt field Residential area Water Irrigation Canal Industrial area Main Roads Explosion site

WOUNDS OF INDUSTRY: WATER POLLUTION

Long-term industrial management in Xiangshui County is not standardized, resulting in serious environmental pollution, which is the root cause of the explosion accident. The design intervenes from sewage treatment to seek strategies for local sustainable development.

Problems

A NEW PLANNING SCENARIO

The project re-planned the Guan River watershed and adjusted the layout of urban farmland and industrial areas; installed wastewater treatment plants in each industrial park and designed purification wetlands downstream of the wastewater treatment plants.

Farmland

Yellow sea

Residential area Industrial area Port

Chemical wastewater

Agricultural wastewater

Port Industry Park

Sewage plant

Domestic sewage

Water

Sewage Discharge

wetlands Green belt Pedestrian route Main Roads

Illegal pipeline discharge

Direct sewage discharge

Explosion site

Hazards

Contaminated undergroundwater

Industry Park

Damage to agriculture

Contaminated soil

Polluted rivers

Loss of wetlands and habitat

Health problems Duigou Industrial Park

Objectives

Chenjiagang Town

Agro-industrial production system

New ecological habitats clean water for domestic use

Guan River

Environmental awareness awaken

Duigou Town

Strategy

Sigang Village

Sewage Treatment

Wise planning of agriculture

Natural purification wetlands

Education and Warning

SEWAGE PURIFICATION WETLAND DESIGN

Morphology and Fuction

① Sewage plant ② Chemical plant ③ Sedimentation tank Original industry site

④ Flow suppression inlet ⑤ Surface flow wetland ⑥ Submerged flow wetland

Water flow

⑦ Retention pond

⑪

⑧ Open Water Area ⑨ Islands

Explosion site

⑩ Memorial spot

⑫

⑪

Original sewage plant

⑪ Beach Meadow ⑨

⑫ Ship port

Form ④

④

A

③

②

⑥ ④

A'

①

Memorial

Ecological habitats

⑤

Sewage treatment wetlands

⑧ ⑩ ⑦

⑦

Functional wetlands

Memorial and Warning

The wetland design starts from the process of natural purification of sewage and designs the landscape topography. The wastewater first flows out of the sewage treatment plant, enters a sedimentation tank for settling, filters through the flow suppression inlet, and then flows through surface flow wetlands and submerged wetlands, where it is purified by plants and soil. After that, it flows the monumental landscape of open water, and finally diverts through ecological islands to merge into the Guan river.

Education

N

0

100

200

500M Activity route

Section A-A' Marsh

Islands

Marsh

Retention pond

Submerged flow wetland

Surface flow wetland

Sedimentation tank

Flow suppression inlet Open Water Area

Sewage Treatment

WETLAND NODE ANALYSIS

Contains wastewater, reduces sediment, disperses stormwater

Stage1: Tank

Decontaminate, divert water flow, increase the flow time

Stage2 : Wetland

Stage3 : Open Water Area

Reduce flood peaks, improve water quality, wildlife sanctuary

Sedimentation tank

Surface flow wetland

Floating wetland

PLANTING STRATEGY

Retention pond

Submerged flow wetland

Island

Flow suppression inlet

Marsh

Memorial spot

Metasequoia glyptostroboides Height: 35m Wetland Index: FACU

Canna indica Height: 1.5m Wetland Index: FACW

Arundo donax Height: 6m Wetland Index: OBL

Iris pseudacorus Height: 0.6-0.7m Wetland Index: OBL

Phragmites australis Height: 1-3m Wetland Index: OBL

Oenanthe javanica Height: 0.15-0.8m Wetland Index: OBL

Pinus elliottii Height: 30m Wetland Index: FACU

Nelumbo nucifera Height: 1-1.5m Wetland Index: OBL

Cinnamomum camphora Height: 30m Wetland Index: FACU

Nymphaea tetragona Height: floating plant Wetland Index: OBL

Lythrum salicaria Height: 0.3-1m Wetland Index: OBL

Trapa Height: floating plant Wetland Index: OBL

Salix babylonica Height: 12-18m Wetland Index: FAC

Iris germanica Height: 0.6-1m Wetland Index: OBL

Ligustrum lucidum Height: 25m Wetland Index: FACU

Pontederia cordata Height: 0.2-0.8m Wetland Index: OBL

Coix lacryma-jobi Height: 1-2m Wetland Index: OBL

Nymphoides peltata Height: floating plant Wetland Index: OBL

Stage 2

Stage 0

Wetland

Sewage

Stage 1 Tank

Stage 3

Open Water Area

NEW ECOLOGICAL HABITATS Reed birds' nest

The new wetlands cleanse the effluent through the topography and also provide a diverse habitat for native flora and fauna. People visiting the wetlands can visualize the purifying power of nature and appreciate the beauty of life.

Red-crowned Crane protected wild animal Baer's Pochard protected wild animal

Metasequoia glyptostroboides remove TP, COD chemicals

Eurasian River Otter protected wild animal

Whooper Swan protected wild animal

Black-capped Kingfisher protected wild animal

Helical pile Submerged flow wetland Shrimp Little Yellow Croaker

Surface flow wetland

Batter anchor with turnbuckle assembly

Arundo donax remove COD chemicals

helix Chinese sucker

Wetland Trail

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AWAKEN

The chemical explosion created a circular crater 80m in diameter from which a large amount of contaminants leaked, deeply scarring nature. The design uses a circular walkway to enclose the original site of the explosion and a wedge-shaped monument to point to the center of the explosion.

While being healed by the beautiful wetlands, the importance of controlling industrial pollution is remembered.

Signage made of concrete, describtion of the accident

Round shallow pool stainless steel grating pavement concrete pile Wetland deep water

reinforced foundations Stainless steel path

Memorial to the explosion made of concrete, wedge-shaped, point to the explosion site

02 SOUNDPROOF, CONNECT, SETTLE

Individual work Duration: 06/2022-11/2022 Site location: Chengdu, China Area: 65 ha Instructor: Zhou Lin

CITY GREENWAY AND NOISE CONDITION Design Site

Noise Range

B

70d

Highway

Based on the habits of Chinese ferret-badger, a native wild animal, the project uses topography and vegetation design to reduce the noise impact, connect the green space system cut off by the expressway, and create a habitat park.

SITE ANALYSIS

Number of wildlives counted in 3 months An area can support the stable life of two wild carnivorous mustelids, which means that this area has a relatively stable and complete food chain.

Chinese ferret-badger is a representative urban wild animal, and protecting its habitat is beneficial to maintaining the stability of the urban ecology.

Noise Source

Noise reduction habitat design

Potential umbrella species

Building site

B

80d

15 times Melogale moschata Cycling park

The project is located next to the Chengdu Ring Expressway and the airport, which has serious noise pollution. Due to the construction of the greenway around the city, it offers the possibility to improve the habitat environment for local wildlife.

3 times Mustela sibirica

Shuangliu Airport Parking lot

12 times Bambusicola thoracica 1 time Phasianus colchicusthoracica

Qiming School

2 times Urocissa erythrorynchacolchicusthoracica 9 times Turdus merulacolchicusthoracica

dB

70 dB

80

Chengdu cycling greenway and the site

0

Distribution of Melogale moschata in China

100 200

400m

Noise Strategy

Threats

dB

Habitat Strategy

● Noise interferes with badger's communication ● Hearing impairment, blurred vision and damage to organs ● Badgers abandon their habitats Schools and residential area

Green spaces and habitats

ridges

airplane sound deflection

dB

80

The planes and cars are so noisy that my ears hurt.

● Hit by car and killed ● Human interference airplane noise buffer sound absorption

20dB Help! my partner was knocked by a car!

road noise reflection

connect habitats

noise reduction and absorption

enclosure protection activity

sink

noise reflection and absorption

green corridors

road noise barrier

I want to have a safe and comfortable home without disturbance......

30dB Hit by car and killed Separated habitats

berms

enclosure

Noise threat

Threats ● Blocked migrations

Noise and highway threatens badgers' survival 70dB

1 time Zoothera dauma

70

Factory

THREATS AND STRATEGIES

Diverse habitats in urban areas

8 times Garrulax sannio merulacolchicusthoracica

Highway

wetland habitat foraging

green corridors

foraging

nesting

SOUND-GROUND DESIGN PROCESS original pattern

Landforms shaped from noise

Topography design

phase 1: ridges

phase 2: twist of ridges

phase 3: enclosure

135°

ridges to the direction of noise

twisted berms

large size enclosure

small size enclosure

combine different directions

berms along the road

open space

sink habitat

ridges absorb and reflect low frequency of sound

berms and slope cut the loudness of traffic noise

provide farm area and food for Chinese ferret-badgers

provide water and shelter for Chinese ferret-badgers

low frequency sound buffer

traffic noise barrier

food resource field

wetland habitat

extract forms

Step 1: the noise directions Ground noise made by airplane moves in an angle of 135° and noise from the highway spreads to both sides of it.

apply forms to the site

Step 2: frame to reduce the sound Construct a grid system according to the direction of the noise to determine the position and shape of the noise buffer.

Step 3: ridges and slope to reduce the sound Various sheltered and open spaces are created by the grid, Increasing landform diversity.

NOISE REDUCTION LANDSCAPE WITH HABITATS AND CORRIDORS

10

A

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

This is my travel route. Don't get hit by car!

50

100

200m

Connected Habitats

Low frequency sound buffer Traffic noise barrier Food resource field Fruit trees Open grassland Underpass tunnel Woodland Wetland habitat Pedestrian route Bicycle trail Badger Routes: 3.5 km added

6 2

At dusk, I get out of my den and search for food along the river. I like eating fruit, insects and small

1 4

Sound Buffer: 1.2 km² added

A

2 3

Sometimes I go through the tunnel to look for companions.

5

7

5

B

In the daytime, I rest in my burrow in the rock crevice.

Habitats: 0.3 km² increased

8

9

B 5

This is my forage route. Hide in the woods!

Human area: 0.05 km²

DETAILDED PLANTING

Badgers' corridor: Sound buffer, underpass

Traffic noise barrier and planting design reduce damage and disturbance to ferret badgers. Arbors, shrubs and grasslands serve as migration corridors for badgers to provide shelter, and fruit forests and fields provide food sources.

The underpass tunnel is designed according to the size of the ferret badger.

The topography and vegetation design act as ecological corridors to shelter its activities.

Section A 0

migrate corridor shaded corridor

road

traffic noise barrier

4

6

12m

food sources

fruit trees

food resource field

Badgers' habitats: Slopes, woods, wetland

evergreen noise resistant trees noise barrier berm

Gentle slope woodlands are suitable for badgers to make nests, and grasslands and shallow water are the areas where weasel badgers drink, prey and move.

slope woods grove local fruit trees

Nests in the woods edible grass wetland foraging by the water

PLANTS LIST

Section B

nest

traffic noise barrier

slope woods

forage

drink

grasslands

0 shallow water

grasslands

4 grove

6

12m

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Ligustrum quihoui

Cedrus deodara

Ginkgo biloba

Cinnamomum longipaniculatum

Prunus

Sapindus saponaria Linnaeus

Caulis Fici Tikouae Medicago Setaria viridis

Phragmites australis Typha orientalis Sagittaria trifolia

03 RESHAPE THE AXIS

Individual work Duration: 03/2022-06/2022 Site location: Nanjing, China Area: 6 ha Instructor: Liu Jia

City Plaza Design

The design aims to "reshape the axis", using landscape topography and road pavement to create a rhythm of space, guide the spatial axis, and channel the traffic flow, in order to improve the chaotic site conditions and coordinate the conflict between the old and new buildings around.

The clash of historic sites and modern architecture in the city center

AIMS : REORDER THE SITE BY AXIS

Modern large volume buildings and wide road networks have broken the ancient city texture.From an urban perspective, the historic sites of Nanjing form a north-south axis; from the scale of the site, the Presidential Palace extends the north-south axis. The design will refer to this axis to shape a new space order.

N-S cultural axis

The site's new axis Xuanwu Lake

The site is located in the middle of the old city of Nanjing with many historical sites. Due to urban development, the ancient buildings are surrounded by high-rise buildings and city arteries, and the appearance of the site is in a mess.

Beiji Temple Jiming Temple

Gate of Presidential Palace, since 1870 Nanjing Library, built in 2006 Presidential Palace

Xi'an Gate

Xinjiekou

Jiangsu Art Museum, built in 2008 St.Paul's Church

Surrounding high-rise buildings

Confucius Temple

Axis

Central Hotel, since 1927

Tongji Gate

Case study: Afrikaanderplein Plaza

The plaza divides the square site with axes, creating a new triangular spatial order, which is dynamic and streamlined for pedestrians.

Site Problems

The busy avenues, complicated city grid systems have created a strong sense of seperation, strong edges and boundaries hinder people from going in.

Bus line and station

Car lane

Strategy 1 wedges Use of wedges and retaining walls to create a sense of space

Heritage and tourists attraction Strategy 2 roads Highlight the axis by characteristic linear paving and benches.

Metro line and station

Broken public space

Circuitous tourist flow Strategy 3 trees Rows of trees enclose the space, groves suggest the axis.

circulation inefficiency

fragmentation of open space

no hierarchy of constructions

PLAN VIEW

0 5 15

35m

Design Process

1. Extend the north-south axis A. Park entrance B. Subway entrance C. Library square D. Outdoor theater E. Grassy slopes

B

F. Retaining wall G. Water mirror H. Benches I. Gallery square J. Grove 2. Bifurcation of the axis

A G F

3. Axes guides the roads C

A

E D

2

H

4. Roads divide space

I

2' A

1

5. Sinking space

B J A

1' 6. Lifting space

Strategies that emphasize the axis 1 Vertical construction Use bending retaining walls at the beginning and end of the axis, Set wedge-shaped retaining walls along the road

2 Linear elements The trees planted in rows , the paving and benches directly guide the axis

3 Planting design Trees planted in patches at both ends of the road suggest the axis, emphasizing the space at the beginning and end.

PROPOSED FINAL PERFORMANCE

The design reshaped the axial order of the site. The spatial axis is guided by landscape topography and road pavement, forming a clear and simple circulation network; the unified lawn and woods coordinate the conflicts between old and new buildings in the surrounding area, and carry various tourist activities.

The urban road passing underneath realizes the diversion of people and vehicles.

The circular square echoes the curved enclosure of the Presidential Palace.

The Gallery square maintains a visual connection with the Presidential Palace, and at the same time provides space for gathering activities.

Pedestrians follow the terrain uphill from the park entrance connected to the subway station, feeling the axis of the space.

Central lawn, outdoor theatre, paths and shade trees provide spaces for rest and movement.

Section 1-1'

Section 2-2'

0

5

15

35m

04 UNSAID HISTORY Historic Site Renewal Design

The Acropolis has a long history and has been built, destroyed and rebuilt many times since antiquity. Today we are able to enjoy our visit because of the diligent exploration and restoration by archaeologists since the recent past. Yet the archaeological process is like a silent story, attached to monuments and artifacts, unknown to the public. The project seeks to improve the Acropolis' infrastructure and landscape experience by incorporating a building that demonstrates the importance of archaeology to the Acropolis. The bulk of the building is located underground, while providing a visual connection to the site and offering visitors a new perspective on the Acropolis' history.

Archaeological sites

ATHENS ARCHAEOLOGYCAL MAP

Hills

Museums and galleries

The surrounding area of the Acropolis is a world-renowned tourist attraction, where archaeological sites and museums gather. The site is on the hill of the Acropolis, not only has magnificent ancient Greek architectural relics, but also has a good landscape view.

Kerameikos was the potters' quarter of the city, and was also the site of an important cemetery and numerous funerary sculptures erected along the Sacred Way.

Individual work Duration: 10/202211/2022 Site location: Athens,Greece Area: 2.7 ha Instructor: Zhou Lin

Mount Lycabettus is a Cretaceous limestone hill in Athens. At 277 meters above sea level, its summit is the highest point in Central Athens and pine trees cover its base.

on isi

eV Sit

Keramikos

Metro Line

The ancient Agora of Athens is the best-known example of an ancient Greek agora, whose initial use was for a commercial, assembly, or residential gathering place.

The Acropolis is an ancient citadel located on a rocky outcrop and contains the remains of several ancient buildings.

Agora y wa gh

Hi

Thissio is a small settlement which is found south west of Monastiraki. It is famous for the plethora of trendy cafes and bars.

Acropolis SITE

The Arch of Hadrian is a monumental gateway resembling a Roman triumphal arch. It spanned an ancient road from the center of Athens.

Site Visi on

Olympian Pikionis’ paved pathways connects Propylaea to the Philopappou hill. It is designed by the architect Dimitris Pikionis.

Philopappos Hill is home to the Philopappos Monument, a square white-marble construction dedicated to Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos.

The Temple of Olympian Zeus is a former colossal temple. During the Roman period the temple, it included 104 colossal columns, was renowned as the largest temple in Greece.

Stadium

300m

300m

300m

300m

300m

300m

300m

300m

300m

The Panathenaic Stadium is a multipurpose stadium in Athens, Greece.

It is the only stadium in the world built entirely of marble.

Acropolis became a purely archaeological site

ACROPOLIS'S HISTORY

Original site protection

1834

1863-1874

Athens Charter

Venice Charter

1931

1964

Acropolis restoration project starts

Acropolis inscribed on World Heritage List

1975

New Acropolis Museum completed

1985

2009

RESTORATION

WARS

ARCHITECTURE

550 BC

437-405 BC

The Old Temple of Athena

Acropolis

338 BC

146 BCE

Battle of Chaeronea

Roman Empire

1396 Turkish era

1687 Morean War, The Parthenon exploded as an arsenal

SITE CONDITION

1821 Greek- Turkish War

1914-1918

1939-1945

World War I

World War II

PROBLEMS

The Acropolis has a clear circulation, with three ancient buildings and the open space forming a strong sense of spatial sequence and ritual. The project adds a new building mass on the site of the old Acropolis Museum in the southeast corner of the site.

As the number of visitors grows, the landscape and services within the site are in urgent need of improvement.

1

Lack of spatial scene experience

2

Lack of tourist services and rest facilities

1

2

3

?

3

Propylaia

Parthenon

Erechtheion

Cement road damages pristine surface

MASTER PLAN

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Propylaia Parthenon Erechtheion Old Temple of Athena (Remains) Roma and Agustus Temple (Remains) Acropolis Viewing Point Archeological Museum Fountain Observation Deck Meadow Staircase Accessible Elevaor Signage Shades and Bench

9 14 3

E

4

14

A

A

D

6

B C

1

13 5

14 7

14

8 D

A

Athens Schist Surface

D

Ruins of stones and grass

B

Athens marble

E

olive tree

C

Gravel pavement

Vision spots

F

Mediterranean pine

14

F

2

11

10

9

12

The project began by sorting out the circulation network and designing road paving that has material continuity with the site.

Landscape facilities such as seating, pergolas, and fountain were added to improve the visitor experience. A new museum building was placed in the southeast corner of the site, and the majority of its space is underground, echoing the nature of the archaeological work.

Axis

Architecture and facilities

Landscape

0

5

15

30m

-1F PLAN

Entrance

A down 9

Exit

4

±0.000

8

10 5 7

1 2 3 4 5

Entrance hall Cafeteria Kitchen WC Exhibition room

A-A' SECTION

6 7 8 9 10

Restoration display hallway Heritage Exhibition Hall Exit hall Staircase Office area

-4.00

down

-4.00

6

2 4

down

1

-1.00

A' 3

-2F PLAN

up 3

4 2

1

up up

1 2 3 4

Archaeological Relics Exhibition Hall Heritage Exhibition Hall WC Staff lounge

SOUTH ELEVATION

-8.00

AXONOMETRIC VIEW

The building's skylight creates a visual connection to the landscape at the surface, providing a visual contrast between the past and present, and offering visitors a new perspective. The new building quietly blends into its environment, developing amidst the ancient traces buried to this day, revealing the archaeological history of the site.

Exit staircase

Back to reality from archaeological history

Restoration display hallway Experience the process of archaeological work

Heritage exhibition hall Feeling and reflecting on history

Entry ramp

The museum's entrance ramp hint at the archaeological theme

05 CATBLOCK CAFE

Individual Work Location: Wuxi, China Duration: 11/2021-12/2021 Instructor: Ji Lin

Cat Cafe Interior Design

EQUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMAN AND CAT

In "Catblock Cafe", people are the objects and cats are the subjects.Through the combination of separation and intersection of human and cat activity area, the equal relationship between human and pet is explored.

In China, cat cafes are popular places where young office workers enjoy drinks and desserts, play with cats, and relieve stress at the same time. However, there are some problems with cat cafes, the core of which is that in cat cafes, the human customer is God and the cat serves the human. Sometimes the will of the human overrides the cat, and the relationship is not one of equality and mutual benefit.

STRATEGY: SEPARATION AND INTERACTION

Block Scale

1 Cat watching people from high " blocks"

1st floor plan

Ergonomics

Cat Scale

"Cat Engineering" Human and cat encounter

In a cat cafe, the encounter between a human and a cat is as brief as the encounters of passers on the street (low intensity contact). At "Catblock", in order to get close to cats quickly, people need to respect the perspective and habits of cats, and approach them with kindness and caution.

3 Cats have undisturbed space to move around

5 Discreetly gaining the cat's trust and then interacting further

2 In the dining area, people can only spy on cats

Interactive area restaurant area

Cats' area Cats' area restaurant area 4 People in the window being observed by cats

mezzanine floor plan

2nd floor plan