Portfolio Design Development 2
Simon Stroo
MA PT Landscape Architecture Year 4/Level 7
Unit 14131004_Design Development 2
The Mobile Nursery: vegetation philosophy
Design DesignDevelopment Development2 2
Objective – To expand the potential of the introduced Ammophila arenaria
Elytrigia juncea
Carex arenaria
Leymus arenarius
Spartina anglica
Suaeda maritima
Salicornia europaea
Juncus maritimus
Ulex europaeus
Hippophae rhamnoïdes
Planted above high tide mark
Rhyzomatous growth
Creeping, rhyzomatous growth
Rhyzomatous growth
Early coloniser intertidal mudflat
Early coloniser intertidal mudflat
Rhyzomatous growth
Bushy, evergreen shrub
Hardy, salt tolerant shrub
High sand binding capacity
High sand binding capacity
High sand binding capacity
Withstands salt spray and sporadic inundation
Mud binder
Salt water tolerant
Salt water tolerant
Clump-forming
Pruning every 2 years
Invasive species
Initiates embryo dunes
Rapid coloniser on embryo dunes
Succulent, easy grower
Tolerant of salt spray
Fast growing
Pruning every year
Attracts wildlife
Usage for berries
Fibrous and matting roots Withstands repeated sand burial Withstands strong winds
Withstands occasional inundation
High sand binding capacity
Withstands strong winds
Withstands strong winds
Withstands strong winds
Salt water tolerant Stabilisation intertidal mudflats
Attracts wildlife
system along the coastline by maximising its performance in time as a ‘mobile nursery’. The processes of erosion and accretion of sediments are used to develop a dynamic and interactive planting vision which responds to the changes created by these
Eroding dune-face
Vegetation species
Dune pione er vegetation
Dune slack - mudflat pioneer vegetation
Area with existing vegetation
processes. Execution – Hippophae rhamnoides
Ulex europaeus
Festuca rubra grass mix
Juncus maritimus
Salicornia europaea
Suaeda maritima
Spartina anglica
Carex arenaria
Elymus farctus
Elytrigia juncea
Ammophila arenaria
Use the ‘mobile nursery’ to grow ample plant provenance on site to be transplanted along the coastline when the right conditions appear. As yet, it is impossible to determine
25 metres
the locations of these transplanting phases. It is important to acknowledge the fluid and dynamic condition of the nursery zone in the planting design and the choice of vegetation species. Therefore, only
160 metres
Planting conditions
vigorous pioneer species will be planted
Wind-facing slope
Lee-ward/sheltered slope
Dune slack, tidal creek and mudflats
Areas of existing vegetation
Strong erosion of material by wind/water
Accretion of material due to reduced wind speeds
Daily water level variation due to tides
Low diversity of existing vegetation structures
Very dry growing conditions
Shallow incline
Salt water inundation / salt spray (variable moisture content)
Large parts will become sheltered by dune system
Exposure to strong winds and possibly sand spray
Frequent burial of plants because of accumulating sediments
Shallow areas of standing water
Nutrients and humus in the soil
Unstable topography with steep inclines
Very dry growing conditions
Possible mud flat or salt marsh formation at low tide
Opportunities to grow shrubs and small trees
Vegetation growth might quickly stabilise a zone causing accelerated erosion adjacent to these zones
Good growing conditions for pioneer vegetation
Dynamic environment in which sudden events might have a large impact
Pockets of sheltered micro climates Highly subject to changing conditions due to erosion and/or accretion of materials
in the nursery zone. These pioneer species are perfectly adapted to the harsh living conditions and would naturally also be found in such an environment.
The Mobile Nursery: vegetation approach
of the different planting conditionsin the mobile nursery. There are three main planting zones: a sand-dune zone, a mudflat zone and a zone with existing vegetation
Pioneer dune-shaping species Ammophila arenaria
Zone 1: 22 000m² => 2.2ha x 0.7 = 1.575ha Zone 2: 7 500m² => 0.75ha x 0.7 = 0.525ha
Leymus arenarius
(mix of different grasses). Each zone has
its specific conditions and is planted with
Carex arenaria
pioneer species which are know to establish easily in such environment. All species are allocated to a specific
allow enough open space in each planting
planted and 30% is left bare. Especially pioneer dune species, such as marram grass, need to be buried in the first years to grow into a vigorous plant. To be able to construct the vegetation
Zone 1 - 2 500m² => 0.25ha x 0.7 = 0.175ha Zone 2 - 2 500m² => 0.25ha x 0.7 = 0.175ha
Suaeda maritima
Zone 1 - 5 200m² => 0.52ha x 0.7 = 0.364ha
Juncus maritima
Zone 2 - 12 000m² => 1.2ha x 0.7 = 0.84ha
Spartina anglica
Zone 3 - 8 500m² => 0.85 x 0.7 = 0.595ha
Salicornia europaea
Zone 4 - 4 500m² => 0.45 x 0.7 = 0.315ha
Shrub species
used. Equilateral hexagons with sides
Hippophae rhamnoides
Consequently, an estimated amount of planted hexagons is calculated in each zone.
0.175ha / 0.0032ha = 55 hexagons 0.175ha / 0.0032ha = 55 hexagons
Pioneer mudflat species
zones, a hexagonal planting pattern is of 3.5 metres, create 32m² surface cells.
0.14ha / 0.0032ha = 44 hexagons 0.105ha / 0.0032ha = 33 hexagons 0.105ha / 0.0032ha = 33 hexagons
e zon
1 ne zo
2
Zone 1 - 3 150m² => 0.315ha x 0.7 = 0.22ha
Ulex europaeus
Zone 1 - 3 450m² => 0.345ha x 0.7 = 0.24ha
0.84ha / 0.0032ha = 263 hexagons 0.595ha / 0.0032ha = 266 hexagons 0.315ha / 0.0032ha = 98 hexagons
0.22ha / 0.0032ha = 69 hexagons 0.24ha / 0.0032ha = 75 hexagons
Grass mix: Festuca rubra (60%), Poa pratensis (30%), Trifolium repens (5%), Lotus corniculatus (5%) Zone 1 - 62 750m² => 6.275ha x 0.6 = 3.8ha
n zo
0.364ha / 0.0032ha = 114 hexagons
Patch with existing vegetation
e1
e1
zon
ne zo
ne zo
2
2 e zon
1
2
Therefore, 70% of each planting area is
0.385ha / 0.0032ha = 120 hexagons 0.245ha / 0.0032ha = 75 hexagons
zone
area so the vegetation has space to establish.
Elytrigia juncea
1.575ha / 0.0032ha = 492 hexagons 0.525ha / 0.0032ha = 164 hexagons
3
of the planted species. It is important to
Zone 1 - 2 000m² => 0.2ha x 0.7 = 0.14ha Zone 2 - 1 500m² => 0.15ha x 0.7 = 0.105ha Zone 3 - 1 500m² => 0.15ha x 0.7 = 0.105ha
800 metres
ne zo
planting zones depending on the properties
Zone 1 - 5 500m² => 0.55ha x 0.7 = 0.385ha Zone 2 - 3 500m² => 0.35ha x 0.7 = 0.245ha
Hexagon - 32m² => 0.0032ha
400 metres
A zoning plan shows the general outline
Design Design Development Development 2 2
The Mobile Nursery: vegetation application
Design Development 2
To construct the nursery layout, a hexagonal planting pattern is developed. The hexagon structure serves foremost an organising function to create ‘nursery cells’. The cells ensure a that the nursery can be easily constructed/planted in a controlled way. Each cell is planted with a subsection of the nursery plants. Depending on the location on the dune, different plant species will be planted in the cells. A combination of plant species in one cell is possible to blend two zones pass in each other. On some edges of the hexagons, flanking bare cells, brushwood fences are constructured (black lines on diagram). These fences will trap sand, eroding out of the bare cells and ensure burial of the pioneer species. There are two “planting processes” introduced in the dynamic nursery. 1.
Dune pioneer species are planted 70 centimetres apart which makes 91 plants per hexagon. 70 centimetres provides enough free space to let the sediments erode and slowly bury the plants, ensuring a vigorous growth of the plants.
The first process is the controlled growing of vegetation in the nursery cells.
The plants grown in the nursery will be transplanted along the coastline when the right conditions appear over time. This process needs management interventions to ensure its functioning over time. Also, this is a temporary process which lasts as long as the nursery function is necessary. The hexagon cell structure will be visible in the nursery through different interventions which will have an important value in providing access, ensuring vigorous growth of the plants, preventing rapid erosion, … 2.
The second process is the natural succession of plants that will inevitably take
place in and outside the planting cells. This will, over time, allow a seedbank to build Scale 1:1000 @ A1
Indicative planting plan for a typical 'mobile nursery' condition
Pioneer mudflat species
Shrub species
Marram grass - Ammophila arenaria
Sea rush - Juncus maritimus
Sea buckthorn - Hippophae rhamnoïdes
Zone 1 + 2 = 492 + 164 = 656 hex x 91 pl/hex = Zone 1 + 2 = 120 +75 = 195 hex x 91 pl/hex =
Mudflat pioneer species are planted 50 centimetres
Sand sedge - Carex arenaria
apart, which makes 127 plants per hexagon. A closer
Zone 1 + 2 +3 = 44 + 33 + 33 = 110 hex x 91 pl/hex =
vegetation cover is needed to lower the impact of the water washing in at the tides on the establishing vegetation.
Sand couch grass - Elytrigia juncea Detailed planting plan: transition dune to mudflat
is controlled when the nursery is in use. As more vegetation is transplated out of the
Pioneer dune species
Lyme grass - Leymus arenarius
59 696 plants 17 745 plants 10 010 plants
Zone 1 + 2 = 55 + 55 = 110 hexagons x 91 plants/hex = 10 010 plants
Zone 1 = 263 hex x 127pl/hex =
Common seablite - Suaeda maritima Zone 1 = 114 hex x 127 pl/hex =
Cordgrass - Spartina anglica
Zone 1 = 266 hex x 127 pl/hex =
Common glasswort - Salicornia europaea Zone 1 = 98 hexagons x 127 plants/hex =
59 040 plants 14 478 plants 33 782 plants 12 446 plants
Zone 1 = 69 hex x 19pl/hex =
Gorse - Ulex europaeus
Zone 1 = 75 hex x 19 pl/hex =
nursery, natural succession will be allowed to take over. 1 311 plants 1 425 plants
Grass mix Red fescue - Festuca rubra Zone 1 = 1190 hex
up in the sediments.This process appears once the nursery vegetation is in place but
Over time, the rigid hexagonal planting pattern will change to a natural looking landscape build by processes of natural succession and shifting sediments. Not all the plants are transplanted. About 25% of the vegetation is left in the cells to ensure natural
Sown as seed mix
succession once the nursery has lost its function.
The Mobile Nursery: implementation
Design Development 2
The Solway Firth
Cumbrian coastline
Dreged sand and other construction waste are placed directly in the shape of
Oilseed rape straw is disk-harrowed to temporary stabilise the sand and prevent
The sediments used originate partially from the sea or canal floor.
Just before the planting starts, the sediments are disk-harrowed one a last time
the dune. As there is no sufficient place for a sand depot, this is the most cost-
erosion by wind between March and September. An estimated 5 000kg/ha of
Consequently, these sediments have a very high salt content, generally around
to loosen the soil. This will help the vegetation to establish a root system more
effective approach. This is done at the end of the winter (February - March)
straw is used. There is no risk of invasive weed species because the salt content
2000 mg Cl/kg. All sediments must therefore be exposed to natural rainfall for
easily. The nursery is now ready to be planted. (six months later).
when the strong winter storms have passed to prevent rapid erosion in the first
of the sediments is too high for plants to invade.
a period of 6 months (March to September) to reduce the salt content.
months.
Rapeseed straw as dune stabilisation In West-Cumbria, rapeseed is grown as a rotational crop on agriculture fields. It is also used by the University of Cumbria to make biofuel Diesel, indicating the pioneer role that Cumbria
Morecambe Bay and Sandscale Haws
could have in research for new usage for rapeseed yields. Therefore, 4500 kg rapeseed straw 8000 kg root system
I propose a cooperation programme with the University of Cumbria which could monitor the sites and control the efficiency of the rapeseed straw as sand stabilisation. Rapeseed has a Winter and Summer yield, which means it is readily available throughout
4500 kg rapeseed crop
the year. The seeds are used to produce oil and/or biofuel, the rest of the harvest can be used as rapeseed straw. Next to its stabilising function, rapeseed straw will add a first level of nutrients to the bare sand which will help the young vegetation establish in the
Morecambe bay and the Solway Firth are near the site and could provide the nurseries with a vegetation
stock in their establishment phase. Great care must be taken when vegetation is dug up in these vulnerable coastal systems. Also in the patches of vegetation along the Cumbrian coastline, plenty of transplants can be taken, especially Ammophila arenaria, Elymus farctus, Ulex europaeus and Hippophae rhamno誰des.
nursery. 17 000kg organic dry matter yield per hectare
The Mobile Nursery: implementation
Design Development 2
How can a contractor construct the nursery plan? A system of aluminium piles which pinslide in each other provides a quick method to construct a nursery cell. A rope with markings every 50 or 70 centimetres is attached to small rings which are bolted to the aluminium piles. This light-weight
The ‘Dutch’ fencing technique is applied to construct the brushwood fences.
Different planting rhythms are possible. Rows can be left unplanted or two
All vegetation is planted in culms (traditional planting method). This planting
Once the hexagon is laid out, a rope is span between the aluminium piles which
To create the hexagonal pattern of the planting cells, the aluminium piles are
A trench of 0.6m is dug in the sand. The brushwood stems are inserted so that
species can be planted in one cells. Empty cells are necessary for the stands to
method is more expensive compared to seeding, but it creates the most
has a marking every 50 or 70 centimetres, depending on the species planted.
connected to each other. The best planting period is between September and
their bushy parts emerge at ground level. The stems are inserted and the trench
develop into tussocks of vigorous vegetation which can be transplanted with
homogeneous ground cover which is desirable because as many plants as
One person can easily use these marking to dig small planting holes and insert
April with March being the most fabourable planting month, as there are less
refilled. This cheap systems uses no extra material and fully deteriorates over
higher levels of success.
possible need to establish. The aluminium hexagon outline can be easily moved
the culms.
environmental impacts to contend with such as storms, frost and sea swells, and
and allows a quick and secure outline and
competition of invading weeds is at its minimum.
planting of a nursery cell.
time.
to create a new nursery cell.
Brushwood fences
Ulex europaeus
Corner detail rope connection
Hippophae rhamnoïdes
Axonometric view
Plan view hexagon structure Cuttings of the planted Ulex europaeus and Hippophae rhamnoïdes, grown in the nursery, are used to make the fences. The plants are cut in Autumn as part of their maintenance regime and the cuttings are left to die over the winter so they can not ‘resprout’ when buried in the sand in early Spring.
Detail rope connection on hook
Detail corner connection aluminium poles
element is easily laid out by one person
The Mobile Nursery: management nursery cells
Design Development 2
HIGH Hand weeding
Fence repairing
Transplanting of pioneer species
Diverse and self-maintaining structure
Management Decrease when structure becomes more established
Structure diversity and density Increases when more space becomes available after transplanting
Structure stability and resilience Increases when vegetation establishes on shifting dunes and prevents further erosion
LOW 5 years
TIME
Initial planting condition
Establishment phase
Initial planting condition -
Monitoring -
Hand weeding -
Propagation -
Phases of transplantation -
Natural succession -
Careful management and monitoring of the transplants is required. Not all the transplants are successful, leaving gaps in the planting pattern.
Removal of invasive species to allow full establishment of nursery species. Although labour intensive, this will increase the amount of established nursery plants as competition for water and nutrients is lowered.
All the plants in the nursery are encouraged to propagate and spread in the empty nursery cells. This allows the nursery stock to respond to changes in the nursery condition appearing over time.
Nursery stock is transplanted to sites along the coastline. This is a repetitive process which requires a high level of monitoring of changing conditions along the coastline. Empty spaces in the cells fill by natural succession.
When the nursery has lost its function, about 25% of the plants are still present. New plants are allowed to invade. A robust and resilient vegetation structure will develop over time.
The nursery is fully planted following to the hexagonal pattern. Different management interventions are necessary over time to ensure its success.
Phases of transplanting
20 years
Natural succession
Construction design: philosophy
Design Development 2
800 metres
Vision - To construct places which utilise
1200 metres
the processes of erosion and accretion along the coastline and interact with them on different (time-)scales. Approach - The formation of dunes and the harsh coastal climate force these constructions to be competitive with their surroundings. Each structure is designed with a certain location in mind and has one main function: seating, viewpoint, activity
2.
1.
platform, information panel and shelter. 4.
5.
Therefore, there is no spatial hierarchy
3.
between the five structures but each of Scale 1:3500
them responds to the particular condition in which they are constructed. These places provide visitors a point of reference in this continuously changing environment. The processes influencing these conditions over time and the flexibility of the structures will enhance the design intentions and spatial layout and provide a staging of opportunities and possibilities over different time-scales. As the constructions are temporary, they will disappear and dissolve
1. The seating elements are the most flexible of
2. The shelter is located in areas with existing
3. Information panels are set up at interesting places
4. The lookout structure is located where sand
5. The activity platform is situated on the edge
the structures. They can be located anywhere along
vegetation. The level of accretion is expected to be
along the coastline. They are located in areas which
accumulation is expected to be maximal. Because of
between beach and railway, where existing vegetation
the coastline. Therefore they ask for a simple yet
lower which is necessary as the shelter has an open
are expected to be more or less stable and mostly in
its central location, near the mobile nursery, it offers
has disappeared. It offers protection at first and will
sturdy design capable to be constructed in different
structure which would otherwise fill with sand. This
proximity to or incorporated in the bigger structures.
interesting perspectives on the changes in the shifting
perform as an access platform to the beach/dunes when
conditions.
location is closer to pathways allowing people to easily
dunes.
the process of accretion is completed in the future.
access the shelter.
to become a natural part of the landscape. Note: the location of the structures on the plan is indicative. There is only one main structure (viewpoint, platform or shelter) close to 1 dune. Information panels and seating elements are more randomly dispersed and may appear more frequent.
Construction design: materiality and sustainability audit Vision - Materiality connects the structures
Design Development 2
WOOD
CONCRETE/STONE Prefabricated timber beams with high load bearing capacity, strenght and less thermal movement. Needs water resistant coating
Strong, durable solid wood sections sawn to the right dimensions
Wood of relatively low quality can be used.
FSC labelled
is based on their performance in the
Sustainable material choice as it can be made of wood with relatively low quality
Easy on-site mounting of different elements
Treated in presurrised cabin under high temperature to make it more durable
construction, durability and longevity in
FSC labelled wood
as a series and creates a degree of uniformity. Therefore, it forms an important part of the design. The selection of materials
the intended environment. The integration of the structure in its context and the change this context undergoes over time has also informed the choice of materials.
Construction timber (Glulam)
materials when these age generates a sturdy and authentic look over time. Decay and deterioration of materials due to water is incorporated in the design.
Ages with surroundings
Gives a solid and sturdy look to structure
Gives a light look to the structures
Ages with surroundings
Ages with surroundings
Solid Douglas fir wood section
Thermowood cladding
Standard mild steel construction elements
Smooth finish for walls and sitting surfaces with adequate strenght properties Smooth surface makes it easier to connect metal frames for wood cladding
Exposed aggregates elevate durability of concrete and give surface more traction when wet
No need for chemical treatment
Sand blasted C35/45 marine concrete
METAL
Especially the interaction between different
environmental influences as wind, salt and
Gives a light look to the construction
Marine concrete to meet requirements of coastal environment, cycles of high rainfall and drought, salt spray and occasional freezing
Local aggregates can be used to blend foundation structures with surrounding shingles beaches
Waste material may be used as aggregates as these are not visible Smooth concrete C30 mix
OTHER Justification of selection
Lower hardness makes it easier to weld steel
Develops a protective rust layer against further corrosion
Will rust just as the mild steel and create a uniform aging of the structure
Lightweight, strong and corrosion resistant
Easily mouldable to meet design requirements
Highly visible for a distance due to rust colour
Will loose some of its durability due to harsh coastal climate
Heavy winds will sand-blast surface tearing off its protecting layer over time and rust will develop
The rusted look lets it age with surroundings
They will not fail in the temporary lifespan of the proposed structures and can be used without danger of failing of the structures
Ages with surroundings
Cor-ten steel
Untreated steel bolts and connectors
Black colour does not reflect sunlight and makes the structure less visible in landscape Black galvanised zinc covering
I have chosen a select list of everyday materials that have proven to behave adequately in a coastal environement. Other aspects such as sustainable production, longevity, durability and locality have also informed the choice of materials. Assemblage of the materials is simple and functional. Management and repair of the proposed materials is unnecessary as the constructions are designed as temporary structures and are intended to dissappear over time.
Change over time of materials The process of ageing and changing of materials is crucial in the design of the structures. A walk along the unmanaged beaches near Askam-in-Furness, UK, showed me how my choice of materials could, and probably will, behave over time in a coastal environment. Wood slowly deteriorates, the tides and sea water smoothen the surface of concrete and stone materials, salt water corodes steel that slowly dissolves when the rust chips break off, steel bolts leave rust traces on wood, ... This series of images shows how I see my constructions become part of this very dynamic landscape over time. The decaying materials and the movement of sediments around the structures will make my structures dissappear or change their function over time.
Construction design: activity platform
Design Development 2
Key precedents materiality and design
Activity platform
Plan view Scale 1:50
Section AA’ Scale 1:50
Detail foundation Scale 1:10
Detail stair Scale 1:10
Simon Stroo 14/08/2015
KEY Grit blasted concrete floor finish
A’
Exposed granulates give extra traction to surface
Concrete smooth finish Smooth finish as sitting surface
LVL - Kerto Q used as stair tread Treated with Kerto WeatherGuard coating to prevent moisture absorption
Thermowood vertical cladding
Spotheight Measured above low tide sea level
Specification 1. Reinforced pile foundation to loadbearing ground layer - Marine concrete mix C35/45 2. Enlarged pile head for better bearing capacity in sand - Marine concrete mix C35/45 3. Steel foot bolted to concrete head and reinforcement bars. Steel fin bolted to Glulam beam 4. Weather coated glulam 220 x 140 mm 5. Stainless steel bolts M24
5.
4. 3.
2.
1.
A
Detail foundation
Plan View
Specification
8.
6. Steel plate connected to glulam beam running around whole structure. Used to connect thermowood cladding and kerto Q stair treads. 7. Kerto Q stair treads 34mm thick screwed to steel plate 8. Handrail welded to steel frame. Steel frame is used to connect thermowood cladding to provide extra stability
7. 4. 6.
5.
Section AA’
Change over time
Initial condition
Detail stair
Construction design: shelter
Design Development 2
Key precedents materiality and design
Shelter structure
Plan view Scale 1:50
Detail long section Scale 1:5
Long Section AA’ Scale 1:50
Short section BB’ Scale 1:50
Detail short section Scale 1:5
Simon Stroo 14/08/2015
KEY
Plan view shelter 1:50
A’
Grit blasted concrete floor finish Exposed granulates give extra traction to surface
Thermowood cladding as seating finish Soft and smooth sitting surface
B’
Structural concrete mix Marine concrete mix C35/45
A
A’
Thermowood vertical cladding
Spotheight Measured above low tide sea level
B
Plan View
Specification Details 1. Stainless steel I-beam bolted to concreted wall as roof support 4. 3.
2. Thermowood indoor and outdoor cladding bolted on metal frame and connected to concrete wall 3. Kerto Q - Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) - strong roof decking to carry possible weight of accumulating sand 4. Black corrugated zinc roofing - hook in each other and screwed in wooden roofing guides
5. 1.
5. Glulam beam 6.3 x 18 to support LVL decking connected to stainless steel I-beam
4.
3. 5.
2. 1.
2.
Section AA’
Section BB’
Change over time
Initial condition
Construction design: seating elements
Design Development 2
Key precedents materiality and design
Short seating element
Plan view Scale 1:20
Front view Scale 1:10
Section AA’ Scale 1:10
Simon Stroo 14/08/2015
A’
4.
3.
2. 1.
A
Plan View
Section AA’
Specification 1. Reinforced foundation - Marine concrete mix C35/45 2. Steel I-beams 100 x 100 mm to keep wood from touching concrete 3. Douglas fir - full wood sections 500 x 500 mm which serve as seating/standing surface 4. Internal steel thread 16mm - Welded to steel I-beams underneatch; bolted at the top. Keeps the wooden sections in place.
KEY Grit blasted concrete floor finish Exposed granulates give extra traction to surface
Moisture coated Douglas fir - 500 x 500 mm Full section wood - no laminated lumber
Spotheight Measured above low tide sea level
Front view
Change over time
Initial condition
Construction design: information panels
Design Development 2
Key precedents materiality and design
Information panels
Large information panel front view Scale 1:10
Side view Scale 1:10
Plan view Scale 1:5
Waypoint element front view Scale 1:5
Plan view Scale 1:5
Simon Stroo 14/08/2015
Plan View large panel
5.
Specification 1. Structural concrete marine mix C35/45 2. Base of Cor-Ten Steel panel, chemically anchored in concrete base
4.
3. Cor-Ten steel plate, hot rolled, little holes are drilled indicating every 10cm of accumulating sand 4. Cedar wooden panel etched with information, no water coating is applied
Plan view
5. Top and base plate are welded to hot roled plate to give structural support as sand builds up
6. Prefabricated waypoint element: - CNC laser cutted steel plate - text is cut out in metal plate - Metal plate is welded to reinforcement bars and concrete base is poured 3.
6.
KEY Cor-Ten steel plate, hot rolled 2.
Sides are perforated as height indicator of accumulating sediments
Cedar Wooden panel 24mm thick Information is etched on the surface with lasercutter 1.
Structural concrete mix Marine mix C35/45
Front view large panel
Section large panel
Front view waypoint element
Change over time
Initial condition
Construction design: lookout structure
Design Development 2
Key precedents materiality and design
Lookout structure
Plan on 2m heigh through structure Scale 1:20
Top view plan Scale 1:20
Detail wooden cladding Scale 1:5
Simon Stroo A’
A’
Plan view 2m above concrete foundation
A
A
KEY Grit blasted concrete floor finish Exposed granulates give extra traction to surface
Thermowood vertical cladding
LVL - Kerto Q used as stair tread Treated with Kerto WeatherGuard coating to prevent moisture absorption
Glulam construction wood Treated with water resistent coating
Spotheight Measured above low tide sea level
Detail wooden cladding
Change over time
Initial condition
B’
B
B’
B
Top view plan
Construction design: lookout structure details
Lookout structure
Longitudinal and transversal section Scale 1:20
Design Development 2
Lookout structure
Simon Stroo
Section through stair Scale 1:10
Detail foundation Scale 1: 5
Detail wood cladding Scale 1: 5
Detail tread Scale 1: 2
Simon Stroo KEY
Specification 1. Concrete foundation - Marine concrete mix C35/45
Structural concrete mix
2. Glulam beams - load bearing structure
Marine concrete mix C35/45
3. Steel plate - secondary structure to connect stairs to load bearing structure and connect thermowood cladding
Weather coated Glulam
4. Kerto Q - Strong load bearing stair treads 5. Thermowood vertical cladding 6. Stainless steel hand rail - steel frame welded to steel plate
Thermowood vertical cladding
Stainless steel plate
Kerto Q - Laminated Veneer Lumber
6.
Detail section AA’
5
4.
5.
3.
4.
Specification
Specification
1. Reinforced concrete pile foundation to load bearing soil structure
1. Thermowood vertical cladding 68 x 26 mm
2. Reinforced foundation plate. Reinforcement bars welded to reinforment of pile foundation - Marine concrete mix C35/45
2. Stainless steel bolts - internal steel plates connect different glulam beams at corners
3. Steel foot 140 x 270 mmm- two plates welded in cross bearing structure. Bolted to steel threads chemically anchored in concrete plate
3. Weather coated Glulam 140 x 280 mm - saw to right angles with CNC-machine
4. Stainless steel bolts - connect glulam section to internal steel fin. Keep 2 cm spacing between steel and wood underneath to prevent capillary water suction.
4. Steel plate 6 mm - screwed in glulam section. Used to screw thermowood cladding against
6. Kerto Q stair treads 36 mm thick screwed to steel support plate 7.
2.
1.
5. Steel L-support for stair welded on steel plate
5. Weather coated Glulam 140 x 270 mm
7. Vertical steel plate 68 mm wide every 700 mm - creates a steel frame with steel hand rail for extra stability
3. 6. 2.
5
2.
1.
4.
Specification
3. 2.
1. Steel side of stair with steel plates welded to it as support for wooden stair treads.
1. 1.
2. Kerto Q stair treads 36 mm
Detail foundation
Detail wood cladding
Detail treads
Change in time: vegetation and construction
Design Development 2
Management vision along coastline Management operations to maximise structure’s diversity in time and create niche habitats that attract wildlife and provide a degree of stability to the dune structures. Once transplanted, the vegetation will help to trap sediments and build a landscape of shifting dunes. The micro climatic conditions within the dune structure will lead to natural variation once other plant species will invade on the dunes, with different plants becoming dominant in different area of the dune structure. This process should be managed on a niche scale promoting diversity, ensuring the mature dune ecosystem supports a variety of plants and associated wildlife such as the Natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) and the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis). Management to the structures is not considered necessary as I see these structures as temporary. Some of them will get buried by accreting sediments. Others will allow new uses as their surroundings change in time. All constructions are made Initial condition - No accumulation of sediments has taken place. The structure is
Change after 5 years - Transplanting phase. Sediments accumulate against the
Change after 10 years - Establishment and colonisation phase. Embryo dunes
Change after 20 years - Natural succession. A strong system of shifting dunes has
easily visible from far away and functions as a reference point in the landscape.
telegraph poles erected along the coastline. A landscape of embryo dunes with
grow and shift land-inwards. The porosity of the lookout tower’s structure allows
developed. As this landscape changes, the lookout tower changes as well and is
transplanted pioneer vegetation develops.
sediments to move trough it letting it disappear in the ‘growing’ landscape.
fully embedded in this shifting landscape.
as simple as possible which reduces the need for management as well. Broken elements can be replaced if necessary.
Soft Technology Theoretical and pragmatic approach
Buckthorn City, West 8
Marco Polo Airport, MADE associates
My planting design centres around the process
My approach has developed through research of projects that developed a similar approach to the
A second project that inspired me is the design for one of the Marco Polo Airport car parks,
of eroding and accumulating sediments and the
use of vegetation. The first project is Buckthorn City, developed by West 8 in 1995 off the coast
drawn by MADE associates, Italy. The project is made by balancing the unavoidable need for
unique vegetative conditions that are created by
of Hook of Holland and Scheveningen, a new coastal town drawn according to the principle of
locating car park spaces (approximately 1200) and the measured removal and preservation of
these processes. In this dynamic environment,
designing along with nature.
existing woodland. The integration of parking into a movable nursery concept is innovative. The
I will develop an interactive planting vision by
“A dune 160 metres wide will be piled up off the coast as a dike, creating a 17-kilometre-long
creating a mobile nursery on this eroding dune.
artificial lake. A narrow lake separates it from the mainland. The wind will blow a mound of
development of the airport area is planned to be carried out in four phases, over a timespan of two decades. This creates opportunities for a process-based design where latent areas of the site operate as tree nurseries and material stockpiles.
My planting design considers pioneer species that
sand 80 metres high piled up in the south into a natural dune landscape with as yet unpredictable
are known to grow well in this highly dynamic
contours. The actual process of colonisation will begin with the seeding of sea buckthorn. The plants
“As new phases are constructed, those areas are deconstructed, material stockpiled and reused, and
environment. Pioneer dune, mudflat and shrub
will spread over the dunes and shape the landscape in unforeseeable ways. People will follow and
plants relocated to be grown in future development sites. Trees will be used as they are needed from
species are planted in the mobile nursery. The
build the new city and its links with the mainland.”
this tree nursery in motion. The project is one of continual re-composition, with soils, surfaces, and
objective of the mobile nursery is to establish a planting stock along the coastline. The plants grown in the nursery will be transplanted along the coastline when the right conditions appear over time. Once transplanted, they will help to trap sediments and build a landscape of shifting dunes that will eventually strengthen the coastline
trees reused and reconfigured over time.”
What I have learned from this precedent is to use vegetation to stabilise shifting sediments into unpredictable patterns which allows multiple opportunities for the future. The buckthorn is used
What I learned from this project is the idea of a landscape in motion. The nursery proposes
to generate a ‘natural looking’ landscape over time that can be colonised by people. A Manhattan-
a landscape literally in motion, as the trees are moved and removed when needed. Plants are
like grid is drawn over areas that will be urbanised and plot by plot the buckthorn is removed and
stocked in latent areas, close to development sites, and as the developments proceed, they can be
replaced by urban development. As a result, an interesting dynamic is developed between the use
easily moved to new locations. This prevents the unnecessary destruction of plants on site and
of vegetation and the different functions it might take up/allow over time.
allows the plants to fully adapt to local microclimate conditions before transplanting.
against future sea level rise and provide a new habitat for many birds, amphibians and small mammals. The nursery is called ‘mobile’ because the vegetation moves together with the shifting of the dune as well as the fact that vegetation in the nursery is transplanted along the coastline. When
Images showing before the site under construction
the dune has eroded after a 20-25 year timespan, the nursery will be gone and all its vegetation will
Plans showing blow-out phases of the 80m high dune
have colonised the coastline. In this way, I hope to establish a robust and resilient vegetation system that adapts to changes in its environment. For information regarding plant species and vegetation growth in coastal conditions I would like to refer to the articles in the technology file.
Image of dune and buckthorn pattern 1 2
Tilman, H., ‘The colonisation of emptiness: Duindoornstad’, Topos, no. 17, 1996, pp. 104-105. Images coutesy of West 8. Available at: http://www.west8.com/projects/buckthorn_city/
Plan of city
Plan of car park indicating patches of trees 3 4
Image of car park in use.
Thoren, R., Landscapes of change: innovative designs and reinvented sites, Timber press, London, 2014, pp. 22-23. Images courtesy of MADE associates. Available at: http://www.madeassociati.it/?p=2268&lang=en