Javiera Diaz-Ortiz Landscape Architecture Portfolio

Portfolio

About Me

EDUCATION

University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture with a minor in Sustainability Studies

August 2019 - Anticipated May 2023 | GPA: 3.98

Maryland Student ASLA (SASLA) | 2022-2023 President

Student-run organization that helps foster a sense of community among the UMD landscape architecture department, offering educational, professional and social events

College Park Scholars: Environment, Technology, and Economy Program

Invite-only, living-learning academic program that explores global sustainability through both classroom and active learning

EXPERIENCE

Norton Land Design, Ellicott City, MD | Landscape Architecture Intern

June 2022 - Present

Complete landscaping plans, Natural Resource Inventories, Green Area Ratio plans, grading plans, among other services under the guidance of a licensed landscape architect

University of Maryland Landscape Architecture, College Park, MD | Undergraduate Asisstant

September 2022 - Present

Take part in unique projects for the department such as creating an informational report summarizing studio work, and helping to develop the Design Center through research and grant proposals

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Wahsington, D.C. | Country Office Unit Intern

Javiera Diaz-Ortiz

I am a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park pursuing a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. My initial interest in the field was sparked by a passion for environmental conservation and restoration. I have involved myself in ecological work through internships and organizations, and I hope I can maintain this focus throughout my professional career. Additionally, I wish to pursue other interests, such as inclusive design, community engagement through education, and nature play.

EMAIL ...jdiazort@umd.edu

PHONE NUMBER...(240)-595-7140

June 2021 - August 2021

Assist in communications with WWF country offices in South America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia through events such as operational workshops in order to ensure their success

Sun Nurseries, Woodbine, MD | Horticulture Intern

September 2020 - December 2020

Learn about horticulture at a plant nursery through customer service, weeding, pruning, potting, transporting plants into the display, etc.

AWARDS AND CERTIFICATIONS

ASLA Council of Fellows Scholarship | LAF | Mar. 2023

University of Maryland Landscape Architecture Undergraduate Olmsted Scholar | LAF | Feb. 2023

University of Maryland Landscape Architecture Undergraduate Fountain Scholar | CELA | Dec. 2022

Skills

AutoCAD

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe InDesign

Sketchup Lumion ArcGIS Pro

Maryland ASLA Scholarship | Maryland ASLA | Dec. 2022

Carville M. Akehurst Memorial Scholarship | Horticultural Research Institute | Dec. 2022

LEED Green Associate Certification | Green Business Certification Inc. | Oct. 2022

01 Buzzard Point Waterfront Park

Washington, D.C.

D.C.’s Buzzard Point is experiencing gentrification, and its natural ammenities are being underused. Buzzard Point Waterfront Park, for example, offers great potential for recreational, educational and social experiences for community members, and it is currently being neglected as surrounding construction continues.

A reimagined Buzzard Point Waterfront Park will bring people to the Anacostia River by uncovering and highlighting its value. It will serve as a way to connect people to their natural surroundings, both through direct educational programs and more indirect methods such as boating and play. The park will ultimately foster environmental stewardship while simultaneously tackling current issues, such as Buzzard Point’s status as a food dessert and environmental degradation.

Project Brief

Proposed Section A-A’

Programs used: Photoshop

Pedestrian path among tree canopy

Process Metaphor development Concept development

Creation of a path within space available among existing trees to preserve as many natural assets as possible

Matthew Henson Earth Conservation Center

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Shaded seating overlooking the water

Nature play space

Tidal shelves

Sculpture as a vertical element

Outdoor classroom

Boat ramp and beach area

Anacostia River

A Final Plan

02 Headen Spring Development

Riverdale, MD

Project Brief

The Headen Spring Development is a project proposed in a parcel of woods located southeast of the proposed Riverdale Purple Line station. It is designed to be multi-use, multi-generational and multi-economic. The intent was to investigate the proposed development and propose changes to address the pedestrian connection to the transit station, shopping and services, surrounding community, and environmental opportunities. The redesign will also provide more open space and a sense of belonging to a community for Headen Spring residents, as well as safe, pedestriancentered circulation.

Programs used: SketchUp and Lumion

Performance stage Picnic table area shaded with tensil structures

Children’s splash park Nature walk around the pond

Process Diagrams

Concept 1: Large Commerical Area

While the final plan focuses solely on the Headen Spring housing development, attention was also given to the surrounding community through the lens of masterplanning. I had to find ways in which to integrate the Headen Spring residents into the rest of the community, which could be enhanced with more ammenities. This particular concept looks at the possiblity of expanding the exisitig retail area, and adding a cultural center and a youth sports complex.

Concept 2: Environmental Education

On the other hand, this concept focuses on providing access to nature and environmental education opportunities. In order to maximize space for said ammenities, the retail area is condensed. The parking lot is now a parking garage, taking advantage of the vertical axis. Greenhouses are added to fight the critical food dessert issue, and an enironmental community center is added, featuring pollinator and vegetable gardens and an outdoor classroom.

03 Kenilworth Avenue Revitalization

Riverdale, MD

Project Brief

Proposed entry into Anacostia River Park from Kenilworth Avenue

Programs used: Photoshop

The community surrounding Kenilworth Avenue in Riverdale, MD is largely underserved. The area is deprived of pedestrian access, safety, green space, community spaces for various demographics, among several other essential elements. Streetscape additions and adjustments will make Kenilworth Avenue a welcoming place for members of the community. Great consideration was given to understanding the people and the history of Riverdale, as well as the impacts of road improvements and expansion, especially in relation to the new Purple Line metro station.

A focus of this particular project is the redesign of open space surrounding a community building called the Elks Lodge, which would be enhanced with pedestrian paths, a space for farmers markets, a performance area, shade, seating, vegetation, among other elements.

Redesign of Anacostia River Park/Elks Lodge featuring performance area, recreational open space, seating, and farmers market space

Programs used: Illustrator

Regional Context

Cross Creek Golf Course

Bowie, MD

Project Brief

Cross Creek Golf Course is an underused ammenity, and the community is searching for methods that will help revitalize their neighborhood. The redesign converts nine of the golf holes into an Audobon Certified golf course, creating habitat for various species. The rest of the holes will be transformed into different community spaces, such as a sensory garden walk that serves all ages, which is shown in this illustrated plan. GIS was used to complete site analysis, specifically to research characteristics such as exisiting circulation and the location of water bodies in order to find appropriate placement for a sensory garden.

Site Analysis

ArcGIS Pro

05 Echo Plaza

LARC 141: Design with Plants

Project Brief

Programs used: SketchUp and Lumion

This studio project served as an introduction to planting design. Specifically, it was an exercise that emphasized the concept of utilizing plants for more than simply their aesthetic value. Echo Plaza features intimate spaces through screening vegetation and unique paving patterns. The radial patterns place an emphasis on the center of the plaza, and the tree canopies create a sense of transition and comfort.

Concept Final Plan

06 East Pat Lofts

Frederick, MD | Norton Land Design Internship

Project Brief

East Pat Lofts is a new multi-family residential development, for which Norton Land Design was hired to design the entry plaza. The grade change from the street entrance to the door called for the implementation of stairs and a ramp. The client requested ample seating, a centerpiece, and a grand entrance enhanced through pillars and an elegant fence.

The project process included the creation of hand-drawn concept sketches, 3D models made in SketchUp, and a landscape plan and construction details made in AutoCAD.

Concept 1: Rectilinear

Concept 2: Curvilinear

07 Prospect Hall

Frederick, MD | Norton Land Design Internship

Project Brief

Prospect Hall is a historic mansion being converted into an event venue. The client aspires to renovate the building and convert it into a space where guests can host weddings, using both the interior and exterior features of the project. The redesign of Prospect Hall features a courtyard displaying elegant fountains and paving patterns, a parking lot that doubles as a continuity of the courtyard, and elegant plantings that offer both shade and welcoming understory species.

Landscape Plan: AutoCAD

AutoCAD Samples

Notes:

1. Similar or equal to 75-Gallon Select Recycling System by Landscape Forms.

My group and I designed a small urban park with program features such as wall seating and a space for food trucks. One of my individual tasks was to create the planting plan sheet in AutoCAD, which is partially displayed here.

X 4" SQUARE POWDERCOATED ALUMINUM MEDALLION 50"

2. Each of the three units holds 25 gallons.

4" 18"

4. Text for vynil text medallion provided by manufacturer.

4" MIN.

POWDERCOATED METAL (GLOSS)

ADJUSTABLE GLIDES Ø5" Ø5" Ø5" 42" 2"

2 HOLES FOR SURFACE MOUNTING LOCK

VINYL

RECYCLING SYSTEM (75 GALLON CAPACITY) 10

PLAN & SECTION

LARC 321 SPRING 2022 PROFESSOR IRAOLA

DEPARTMENT OF PLANT SCIENCE AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE

THE SUBMITTED DETAIL IS A COMPUTER DRAWN DETAIL DIGITALLY DRAWN FROM SCRATCH

Above is a construction detail drawing of a recycling system for my landscape design project in LARC 321: Landscape Structures and Materials.

Hand-Drawn Samples

Axonometric Study

Section Study

T h a n k y o u !