Sample of Work 2016-2018

Portfolio of Work Emily Sinclair

Emergent Futures: A View from the River Site:

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Type:

University Project, December - April 2016

Supervisor:

Alan Tate

Brief:

South Point Douglas, the site of some of the worst flood events, provides a rarity in the prairie landscape - a view of the city. Enhancing this, and emphasizing the relationship to the river will aid in reigniting a desire to once again be the ‘River City’.

Winnipeg has seen a departure from the rivers in the past few decades. Many see them as polluted afterthoughts that the city is responsible for and no one is taking ownership. Meanwhile, as we experience increased flooding events, we further distance ourselves from the original spines of the city. We have forgotten the boons the river once brought: transportation, recreation, and ecological services.

Ecosystem Services and Flooding Plants native to the Riverbottom forest ecosystem aid in rehabilitating this highly contaminated area.

They provide necessary flood protection in one of the most vulnerable areas of the city through absorption of contaminants and bank stabilisation. The proposed elevated walkway ensures this ecosystem is as undisturbed as possible while still allowing access for recreation during times of high water.

Winter Conditions along Bank (Oil Pastels)

A View from the River By enhancing the views, and framing them with tall cottonwoods and fluffy willows, there emerges an opportunity to reintegrate the urban forest, building off of the forest along the Seine. The forest along the point may help with bank stabilisation as well as help contain some of the pollutants which run off the industrial site in the area through phytoremediation. Re-establishing a forest also benefits the neighbourhood by lessening the severity of flood events on the point, as the trees along the edge can absorb the pressure of yearly flooding and still thrive. All while providing new and exciting views of the river and downtown district of Winnipeg.

Historic Floods

Elevated Forest Path

View of Downtown

Regional Design: A Network Approach Site:

Greater Extended Golden Horseshoe, Ontario

Type:

University Project, September - April 2017

Supervisor:

Dr. Marcella Eaton

Brief: The settlements and the resulting infrastructure in the Great Lakes Megalopolis have utterly altered the unique system which runs between the lakes and streams. Flooding both along the shore and in-land have historically been disastrous to the region and its systems. These events have catastrophic effects on people, settlements and infrastructure.

Common Weather Patterns: Colorado Low and Great Lakes Low

Storms and water events in the area are cyclical and well documented making this area a potential area for flooding research. Each region is comprised of several watersheds providing a unique opportunity to reorganize land around these environmental boundaries. Locally, the first step in flood resilience is to reduce the intensity of built structures at the water’s edge.

Connecting environmental corridors throughout the region can bring a multitude of benefits such as pollinators to the far reaches of the region. Previously these region has boasted a deciduous forest cover, including such systems as the broad-leafed Carolinian forest. Introducing a migration of coniferous trees throughout the region, starting with the fields once used for tobacco (since both plants enjoy a sandy soil) would diversify this population in a way that is especially resilient to the ice storms in the region.

Low Areas Prone to Flooding

Flood Flood

Ontario Events 1734-2017

Forest Fire Forest Fire

Erosion Erosion Drought Drought DamFailure Failure Dam Soil Bedrock Instability Soil oror Bedrock Instability

before 1900

1950

2000

Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

Rail Systems and Built up Areas

Conservation Authorities and Watersheds

Lake Ontario Lake Ontario

Lake Erie

Regional Networks

Lake Erie

Waterways and Connections to the Lakes

Networks and Nodes Water runs through this region connecting everything to the lakes. Proximity to the water results in a high risk of flooding or water-related conflicts. Many regional networks exist in the region currently. While they often illustrate the vulnerability of the infrastructure, they also serve to demonstrate the possibilites.

Table for 1201// First Place Winner Site: Type: Collaboration:

Winnipeg, Manitoba Competition/Built, May 2016 Joseph Pilapil

Ways of printing and distributing have become automated practices, and the hands-on approach lost to time. Most of the processes now are completed in a short amount of time, and every replication is the same, without flaws or individuality. Our philosophy embraces the flaws, the differences in each production that makes the copies originals in their own right, the art and our love of hand-making drove us to demonstrate how quality and experience changes when you take the hands-on approach.

Dinner guests were invited to take pictures, letting them develop in paper pouches before clipping them to the wires above the table. The result is a documentation of the event evolving. The attendees, fascinated with the process, became willing and eager participants in the creation of the living timeline. Photos were displayed above the table after developing, which added to the anticipation. Dinner guests picked each spot for every individual Polaroid, adding another element of unpredictability. As well, some of the packs of the film turned out to be expired, creating a happy accident with a blue tint and a dialogue on the availability of film today.

Poloroids clipped to the table display

Table setting with developing envelope

Site with completed furniture settings

SPACELAND Site: Type:

Winnipeg, Manitoba Contract/Built, June 2016

Collaboration: Leads: Mark Bauche, Michelle Tustin Sandra Forese, Janelle Harper, Katy Lipinski, Taylor Sinclair, Jonathan Watts

Testing seating arrangements with the human body

SPACELAND was a project completed by volunteers from the University of Manitoba along with Mark Bauche of HTFC. The project, which was funded by the music label, Head in the Sand, was to provide seating and other site furniture for a one-day pop-up music festival in Downtown Winnipeg. The theme was Space Invaders, modelled after the vintage arcade game.

Inspired by my ragtag lunchroom dining table of boxes and milk crates, the theme immediately brought to mind the pixel-like nature of milk crates. Optimal shapes for comfortable seating and conversing were explored using milk crates borrowed from local businesses. The final project included 500 milk crates total and was remarked on as being both quirky and practical.

Testing spatial conditions at 1:16 scale with sugar cubes

Thank you!

Emily Sinclair eesinclair93@gmail.com 204.557.0177 For a more in depth portfolio, please visit issuu.com/emilysinclair