Humaid Al Hinai Landscape Architecture Portfolio
Humaidalhinai99@gmail.com BLA ‘24 With Distinction| University of Nebraska-Lincoln Omaha, NE 68106 USA
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Table of Contents: Project Project Size
26,541 sq.ft
03
Ascent Plaza
2.14 sq mi
06
Equitable Urbanism
130.58 sq mi
17
Archipelago of Heat
0.0114 sq mi
23
Regrowing Roots
n/a sq mi
27
Landscape and its Effect on Mental State
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Ascent Plaza: Revitalizing Urban Space in Downtown Lincoln, Nebraska
Independant/Acadeamic/Design Instructor: Yujia Wang
This project explores the transformation of underutilized urban plaza into a dynamic and functional public space that harmonizes with its surroundings and the iconic public art monument, the Ascent. Designed by Japanese artist Jun Kaneko, this 57-foot-tall sculpture plays a vital role in shaping the identity of the site. The studio aims to address two key challenges:Theoretical Challenge: Exploring the question of meaning, form, and expression by drawing connections between spaces, forms, and meanings.Pragmatic Challenge: Tackling the practical aspects of designing a cohesive and functional urban plaza.
Theoretical Challeng: Understand the Idea of “Meaning, Form, and Expression” The conceptual framework for the project is rooted in the idea of “meaning, form, and expression.” Inspired by the vast agricultural strips observed during a trip across the Great Plains, the plaza design adopts linear patterns to define distinct programs. the strips shaps are inspired form apstracting the water sterms These strips not only reflect the natural landscape but also provide a coherent structure that aligns with the surrounding urban context.
Pragmatic Challenge: Spatial Layout, Programmatic Use Hammock Zone: A quiet, shaded retreat designed for relaxation and unwinding. Table Tennis Zone: A social hub with shaded seating, promoting interaction, play, and group gatherings. Elevated Lawn and Water Jets: The plaza’s highlight, blending a raised lawn, water features, and seating to create a dynamic and playful family space. Shaded Seating Zone: A cool, tree-covered area offering comfort and a relaxing atmosphere for visitors.
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Below: expression of meaning collage, showing abstraction for agricultural strips
Below: Primery programming zones. Diagram.
Ascent Plaza. Map
0 FEET
20
30
40
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Above Right: Site Materials Plan. Above Left: Detail Drawings Below: Perspective looking to table tennis zone
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Equitable Urbanism 2050 Benson, Omaha,Ne: Public Realm for Spatial Justice
Group Work (2)/Acadeamic/Design/Research Partner: Sarah Cope Instructor: Yujia Wang
The project team was tasked to create a 20-year vision and urban design and landscape design scheme for the district of Benson in Omaha, Nebraska. Operating under the assumption of shifting population patterns and larger climate and ways-of-business changes, the studio prescribed a 3.0 FAR as it projects the district will grow with greater density. This sets one of the main conditions - planning for growth and density amid challenges - that the project team worked to address throughout an extensive planning and design process, with a focus to deliver such growth while maintaining a level of spatial and environmental justice.
Benson: A Characteristic place at a Transitional Point of Omaha’s Equality Issues. Below: Map High income vs. Race Distribution Undersanding the Transitional Moment.
Below: A Place of Character, Map of Public Art in Benson.
Below: Red-Lining History of Equity and justice issuess Map.
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Envisioning a Different 2050: Changing Climate, Populat
Climate Shade Agriculture Affordable Housing
Above: Vision Collage: Unfold Growth with Networks, inrastructure and Service
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Above: Masterplan: Grown Cap Clmate and Social Era
tion Infux, Re-Aligned Growth.
Stormwater Energy Community Incubator Parks Transit Shade Co-Work
Performance Climate Retail
pcity in Reduced Footprints - Promoting Key Commons for a New
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Justice in Growth, ldea #1: A Connected, Empowering Ur Public Realm Framework Plan (right) Planning for Access, Permeability, and a Cuture for Openness The overall design goal of the redeveloped, much denser Benson neighborhood, is to embed a strong and connected public realm. Instead of isolated and alienating blocks of buildings which are oriented on the inside, this approach opens up urban volumes, makes streets and buildings permeable, and creates an environment where connectedness and publicness are a fundamental part of the urban culture. By doing so, residents will have access to various amenities spreaded throughout the district while uplifting their cultural differences, and allowing them to stay engaged, feel comfortable, belong and respected in their neighborhood. Several important spines and peripheral greenbelt trickles down equitable access to shared public quality across the entire district.
Corridor and Clusters Plan (below) Interfacing Urban Operation.
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rban Framework
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Justice in Growth, ldea #2: Un-Marginalize: Resetting the Center Stage Urban/Public Realm DesignASky Walk: Extending Best Common Space and Embedding Places ofExchange at the Most At-Risk Areas for Marginalization
Threats to environmental justice, particularly affordable/mixed-income living, prompted the development of strategies to avoid marginalization. The resulting design transformed at-risk areas into a public center stage. Key features include a third-floor skywalk connected by bridges to the public ground level. This vantage point houses amenities like a coffee shop, community center, garden, and viewing hub, fostering engagement and community spirit. The skywalk links to a retail area via an elevated walkway, leading to an agricultural tower with educational opportunities and panoramic views. The system integrates back into a second-floor recreation center with outdoor games, dining options, and mixed-income housing, forming a cohesive, inclusive framework.
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Skywalk Detailed Design:Connected, Elevated CommonsWhere Communities, Vistgrs come Together
The View Pod Vantage Point As Mixer to Gather All
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Justice in Growth, ldea #2: Un-Marginalize: Resetting the Center Stage
Above: Shows an active area that provides opportunities to improve health. Below: A perspective that illustrates interaction among community members.
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Justice in Growth, ldea #3: The Rights-Rose: A Tool for Process Actions
Self-evaluation and Outcome Visualization: An Evaluation-Feedback-lteration-Evaluation Loop Developed as aConstant Reminder of Priorities and Checks Design Gestures for Meaningfulness in Justice Qutcomes.
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Justice in Growth, ldea #4: Multivalence in Design Not Only Space, but Modes of Functioning: Climate and Environment Equity Opportunities.
Above: Is It Not Onlt Design of Space, But The Orchestration of Urban Functioning and The Multivalence In Its Possibilities
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Action Plan Against Climate Change: The Archipelago of Heat
Group (4)/Acadeamic/Design/Research Partners: Sarah Cope/Parker Hamling/Kyle Riley Instructor: Salvador Lindquist Collaborator: City of Omaha
This project is a collaboration between the University of Nebraska and Omaha City Planning. The project is funded by a grant provided by the Landscape Architecture Foundation. It aims to develop a heat action plan for Omaha, Nebraska, as the increase in heat is the number one leading cause of death in the U.S. This study emphasizes how to implement design solutions to mitigate the increase in temperature due to climate change. The process involves researching previous heat action plans, developing mitigation and adaptation methods, identifying key heat areas in Omaha, implementing the design solutions to reduce the impact of the heat on these islands, and also engaging the community. Project awarded by the Nebraska-Dakota ASLA Chapter.
Phase 1: Adaptation and Mitigation Through case studies of cities like Phoenix and Sydney and insights from the Rockefeller Foundation's Heat Action Platform, our team explored strategies to address extreme heat. By combining adaptation— adjusting to climate impacts—and mitigation—reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we developed a holistic approach tailored to Omaha's unique climate and seasonal patterns.
Above Left: Mitigation refers to strategies that reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses being released into the atmosphere to prevent or slow down climate change. Above Right: Adaptation refers to strategies that aim to minimize the negative impacts of climate change by adjusting to its effects.
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Phase 2: Visualizing Heat Disparity
GIS maps divided Omaha into Infrastructure, Environmental Health, and Sociodemographics, revealing inequitable heat stress.
Above: A collection of GIS maps exploring Omaha through various systems, categorized into Infrastructure, Environmental Health, and Sociodemographics.
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correlations between green space, surface lots, and temperature, as well as overlaps between heat islands and impoverished areas.
Above: Landsat 9 satellite imagery from August 3, 2022, was used to identify hot and cool islands across Omaha. Below: Additional data, including median income, percentage of people of color, park tree equity score, trails, highways, bus stops, public transit, and health infrastructure, was collected to further analyze identified heat islands.
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Phase 3: Prototyping Heat Mitigation Data-driven strategies were developed for diverse Omaha locations, including 75 North Neighborhood, Southside Terrace, and the I-80 Industrial Corridor. Each student was assigned a location to develop, with my focus on the I-80 Corridor. These prototypes address local heat islands, aiming to reduce heat and improve living conditions for vulnerable low-income and minority communities.
Above: Master Plan for Keyston District Located in I80 Corridor
Robust analysis
Site Existing
Public Realm 0 Acre public space
Surface Parking: 23 Acre
Program Mix: 3 primary programs
Site Proposed
Public Realm 6.3 Acre public space
Surface Parking: 3.4 Acre
Program Mix: 8 primery programs
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Keystone District, situated on 43 acres along Dodge and 72nd Streets, is being transformed from a deteriorating strip mall into a vibrant mixed-use district. Inspired by the intersecting Keystone Trail, this project emphasizes green infrastructure, mobility, and cultural enrichment. Strategies include structural innovations like solar panels and cool facades, ecological tactics like constructed wetlands and cool pavement, and “cool corridor” elements such as pocket plazas and bioswales. -21-
Above: Perspecives for Protected bikeline Below:Perspective for the Wetland
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Regrowing Roots: Empowering Revitalization at Lincoln’s Indian Center
Group Work (11)/Acadeamic/Design/Research Partner: Tristin Korinek et al. 2024 Instructor: Monique Bassey Collaborator: MIG, Lincoln’s Indian Center
Regrowing Roots reimagines a site rich in Indigenous history, transforming the Lincoln Indian Center’s two-story building and its surrounding 7.3-acre landscape into a ground of resilience and cultural continuity. By weaving together architectural repurposing and ecological renewal, this project seeks to question the permanence and hierarchies often imposed on shared spaces—urging a reframing of how communities engage with both built and natural environments. Through ongoing research and iterative design, Regrowing Roots experiments with spatial conditions that accommodate cultural gatherings, educational activities, and moments of reflection, drawing on traditional knowledge to blur the boundaries between interior and exterior realms. This work stands as part of a broader narrative of design inquiry, undertaken with fellow students and Native community members, that explores how communal identity, ecological stewardship, and new forms of participation can converge. The resulting landscape and building interventions propose a more inclusive, living space—one that honors Indigenous values through medicine gardens, nature play, heritage plazas, and flexible event areas. In doing so, Regrowing Roots contributes to a collective studio initiative, uniting diverse voices around a shared vision of revitalized, culturally anchored public space.
Phase 1: Cultural & Educational Emphasis Participation in Tribal Engagement Training before meeting with the Indian Center community, which was key to the approach; through understanding history and culture, engagement events could be curated and rapport built with the community.
Collage of what is Learned about the center
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Participants expressed desire for spatial enhancements (outdoor recreation/play and facilities for cultural/educational programs), envisioning a vibrant, inclusive hub.
1st engagement event
Plan for final design based on feedback from the communit
Phase2: Establish Clearer Vision -24-
Diagrams Developd by team to further design these Areas
Phase3: Final Design Landscape and architecture collaborated on areas of interior-exterior connection to further design
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Landscape and architecture collaborated on areas of interior-exterior connection
Section Perspective Shows the Arrivel
In this particular drawing, my contributions focused on illustrating how the site programming transitions from cultural programming in the west to play and educational programming in the east. This visual representation highlights the integration of diverse activities that align with the community’s needs and the site’s overarching vision.”
In this render, I was illustrating the arrival plaza, featuring the eagle statue prominently placed as a symbol of wisdom. Behind it, a mural creates a dedicated space for local Native artists to express and showcase their creativity.
In this render, I aimed to illustrate the connection between the indoor dining area and the outdoor seating area, which overlooks the water channel, wet prairie plants, and the Indian flag post.
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Landscape and its Effect on Mental State 1/8/25, 12:34 AM
Intercept Survey
Independant + Group (3)/Acadeamic/Design Instructor: Yujia Wang
1/8/25, 12:34 AM
3.
Intercept Survey
Intercept Survey
What is your age? * Mark only one oval.
This survey is being conducted as part of a classroom activity for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The survey is open to individuals over the age of 19 who are willing to participate. The purpose of the survey is to gather opinions and feedback on various topics related to the park.
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It's important to note that no identi able personal data will be collected or stored during the survey. Participation is completely voluntary, and individuals are free to decline if they do not wish to participate. The survey will only take roughly 10 minutes to complete and will be conducted by Humaid Al Hinai.
45-54
25-34 35-44
55-64 65+
The results of the survey will be used for academic purposes only and is a great opportunity to share your thoughts on Pioneers Park. We appreciate your time and feedback!
4.
* Indicates required question
1.
What is your ethnicity? *
Do you consider your daily work to be more physical activity based, or more thought based
*
Mark only one oval.
Mark only one oval.
1
American Indian or Alaskan Native
2
3
4
5
Very Physical
Not Physical at all
Asian / Paci c Islander Black or African American Hispanic
5.
White / Caucatian
What is your current annual income? * Mark only one oval.
Other
<$10,000 $10,000 - $40,000
2.
On average how many hours do you work and/or participate in school per week? *
$41,000 - $85,000
Mark only one oval.
$86,000 - $165,000 $166,000+
0-20 21-40 41-60 65+
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DVYI0KHeVCaLPN718RbjYgZrmL0XtquC2n7RcT4fnoA/edit
1/8/25, 12:34 AM
6.
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Intercept Survey
How adequate do you consider your exposure to greenery in your daily life, excluding out-of-way park visits?
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DVYI0KHeVCaLPN718RbjYgZrmL0XtquC2n7RcT4fnoA/edit
1/8/25, 12:34 AM
*
9.
Mark only one oval.
Mark only one oval. 1
2
3
Very Minimal
Intercept Survey
How frequently do you visit Pioneers Park? *
First Time 4
5
A few times per year A few times per month
All my green space needs are satis ed
A few times per week
7.
What transportation method did you use to get to the park? *
10.
Mark only one oval.
Mark only one oval.
Car
First time
Walking
A few times per year
Biking
A few times per month
Other:
8.
How long is the commute from your house to pioneers park? *
How frequently do you use parks in general? *
A few times per week
11.
Mark only one oval.
How much time do you spend in the park? * Mark only one oval.
1-5 Minutes
less than 30 minutes
6-10 Minutes
30 minutes - 1 hour
11-15 Minutes
1 hour - 2 hours
16-20 Minutes
more than 2 hours
21+ Minutes
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12.
How safe do you feel being in this park in general? * Mark only one oval. 1
Not safe
2
3
4
5
Very safe
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This group project explored the relationship between landscapes, green spaces, and their impact on mental well-being. We developed an intercept survey to gather data on this connection. My contributions included assisting in the development of the survey and creating a Grasshopper script to analyze the survey responses. The script helped visualize relationships between answers to different survey questions, providing deeper insights into the connections between green spaces and mental states.
Collection of data Visuallization Produced
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Professional Work: Residential Landscape Design in Practice $200,000 To $+1,000,000
Residential/Design/Construction Documentation Supervisor: Jake Foutch Location: Omaha, NE, USA
Landscape Design in practice presents selected professional work completed during my time with Carson Outdoor Living, a landscape design-build practice based in Omaha, Nebraska. Working within a professional studio environment, I contributed to the design and documentation of mid- to high-end residential landscapes, translating client aspirations into outdoor spaces that are functional, visually refined, and responsive to everyday use. Through these projects, I developed a stronger understanding of how landscape ideas move from concept to implementation. My role involved preparing design drawings, developing spatial layouts, producing 3D visualizations, and supporting project coordination using tools such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Lumion. This experience strengthened my ability to think across both design and construction, balancing aesthetics, material decisions, site conditions, and client expectations. This chapter showcases one residential landscape project that reflect my professional growth beyond the academic studio. Together, they demonstrate my interest in creating outdoor living environments that connect architecture, planting, circulation, and social space into cohesive residential landscapes.
Phase 1: Elkhorn The space is crafted to create a continuous experience, beginning from the arrival sequence and extending toward the backyard. The design guides movement through the side entrance, allowing guests to access the outdoor living areas without interrupting the main residence.
Veiw of the arrivel driveway Perspective
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The project works with the existing terrain, transitioning from the patio to the backyard while using level changes to create privacy. At the same time, the design opens outward toward the valley, framing the view and strengthening the connection between the home, landscape, and surrounding context.
Veiw of the design Perspective
Plan drawing of Planting
Plan drawing of Hardscape
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