L andscape
A rchitecture P ortfolio
Kara Lugar, MLA
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
Introduction Portfolio Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 Personal Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02 CUES Internship Coastal Risk Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 04 Coastal Precedents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06 Coastal Design Sandy Hook Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08 Sandy Hook Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Re-imagining the Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Regional Design GIS Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Lower Raritan Watershed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Community Planning & Residential Design Somerville, NJ Brownfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Walker Residence, Holgate NJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Lugar Residence, Cornwall CT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
For all the time I spend outdoors, I might as well have been raised by wild animals. Outdoors is where I find balance and inspiration. From climbing trees to planting them, it has always been my goal to encourage natural systems to infiltrate our daily lives in every way. A Bachelor’s of Science in Wildlife Biology taught me to look at landscapes as ecosystems, at both the micro and the macro scale. Subsequent work as manager of a native plant nursery and sole proprietor of a restoration design business helped me to better understand how the pieces of those ecosystems fit together. My love of ecology and design led me to pursue a Master’s of Landscape Architecture, with the goal of creatively integrating the two. Bringing real-world experience to my studies helped me understand the need for real-world solutions.
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As a working professional and graduate student, I understand the value of effort and teamwork. This portfolio is intended to illustrate recent projects at Rutgers University, and to showcase my ability to balance multiple project goals. My emphasis is unapologetically ecological, because there is no reason that people and natural systems can’t successfully inhabit the same spaces. Kids from ages 1 to 100 need trees to climb and clean water to play in; as a Landscape Architect, I intend to help create that world.
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Coastal Risk Analysis Hurricane Sandy: Risk and Recovery Water is an obvious and integral part of living on the coast. Following the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, New Jersey and New York began a long-term reassessment of existing coastal infrastructure methods. The recent Rebuild by Design competition inspired a creative approach to alternative solutions. Building on this idea, the Rutgers Landscape Architecture program put together a series of collaborative studios intended to address different aspects of recovery and resiliency. Each group of students studied a different aspect of storm recovery, evaluating the known storm costs at the time, recovery efforts, and future vulnerability. Working with individual communities, homeowners, and the region as a whole, our team collectively proposed individualized solutions tailored to the needs of the region, the community, and the residents. Working as in intern for the Center for Urban Environmental Sustainability (CUES), I was part of a smaller team who’s goal was to analyze new methods for incorporating changes into existing infrastructure. Understanding that cost and regulatory restrictions are a major factor in preventing innovative solutions, our team looked for ways to work with existing State and Federal regulations and permitting processes to implement the necessary changes. Beginning with risk analysis, I used data from the US Census Bureau to illustrate population density along the New Jersey coast. An overlay of storm surge data and projected sea level changes highlighted the most at-risk population centers. Site visits to high risk communities showed an almost 100% hardening of the coastal edge in the form of seawalls, bulkheads, piers and other hard infrastructure. Rather than facing the cost of removing these structures, our focus centered on ways of altering existing infrastructure to include new elements reducing wave impacts and boosting intertidal ecology.
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Hurricane Sandy Storm S
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Surge Reach
Selected Sites State Coastline State Rivers Coastal Municipalities Surge Extents New York State Scale 1:150,000
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1.5
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12 Miles
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Coastal Precidents Case Studies: Jurisdiction & Goals The aftermath of Hurricane Sandy clearly showed that coastal areas with natural marshes, wetlands, or dune systems experienced relatively little damage compared to those without. Heavily urbanized areas such as New York City or Hoboken lack the space to reconstruct massive natural systems, so the CUES team investigated the possibility of retrofitting existing coastal infrastructure to include ecological elements. This would have the dual benefit of adding the protective elements of natural systems and of diversifying intertidal ecology along the coastline.
NJDEP CAFRA Jurisdiction Boundaries
Researching case studies from all over the world yielded data on several effective methods. To narrow the search, we opted to focus primarily on studies with either very similar conditions, or within the US. Our primary objectives were projects that would fit within existing permitting regulations and meet structural requirements and ecological goals. Arranging the selected case studies along dual gradients of ‘hard-to-soft’ and ‘mitigation-to-resilience’ reflected our initial goals. Overlaying our desired results along the same axes illustrated some of the best potential methods for the study area. Quick sketches of different possible methods helped us visualize spatial requirements, in order to better understand permitting and regulatory restrictions. Working within these boundaries, we found that partial mitigation creates the best balance between expanding intertidal ecology and mitigating flood risk. While this project focused on our local region, the issues we sought to address are not unique. There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to the issue of coastal protection, and the growing understanding of the importance of coastal ecosystems requires an equal understanding of methods for incorporating ecological elements.
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Shore Structures NJ_Coastal_Waters CAFRA Jurisdiction Northern Coastal Counties
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NJ State Waters NY State Scale 1:175,000 0
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10
20
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40 Miles
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Coastal ReDesign Sandy Hook, NJ: History and Projection Building on my research into ecologically sound coastal protection with CUES, I was asked by the National Park Service to analyze a section of coastline behind the Fort Hancock Chapel on the Sandy Hook Peninsula. Sandy Hook is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, and the Chapel site also serves as the docking facility for a seasonal ferry service. Gateway National Recreation Area covers 26,000 acres across New York, New Jersey and the waters of Raritan Bay. The Sandy Hook Unit is part of a dynamic coastal barrier system with the geological purpose of sheltering the inland shorelines. It’s proximity to the largest urban area on the east coast draws thousands of beachgoers, birders and nature lovers, and serves as critical dune habitat for endangered species. For my Masters Project, I was approached by the Sandy Hook Unit to analyze shoreline erosion behind the historic Fort Hancock Chapel. A bulkhead behind the structure failed during the storm, putting the Chapel at risk of collapsing as a result of dramatic erosion. The Park Service sought a non-traditional approach that would incorporate structural integrity, historic preservation, and ecological conservation. In order to meet the Park Service’s objectives, it was necessary to lay them out according to the broad categorizations outlined by the risk analysis established in the CUES study. Diagramming the connections between different objectives and strategies helped to visualize which solutions would work best with at the Chapel site. Breaking the site into three distinct zones- seaward, intertidal, and landward- made logical connections between successful intervention strategies. Matching these strategies to the Park Service objectives allowed the final design intervention to balance multiple bottom line priorities for the site.
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Coastal ReDesign Sandy hook, NJ: an alternative solution Beyond the immediate goals of halting erosion and facilitating access at the Chapel site, the National Park Service is equally concerned with protecting and rehabilitating the coastal ecosystem. This site represents a challenging land gradient across distinct zones, each with specific needs and conditions, and each dependent on successful linkages between systems. Analyzing the different solutions for coastal protection showed how individual interventions might work in tandem for increased effectiveness. The combination of structural and ecological solutions reflects the importance of the linkages between the solutions themselves as much as between goals and outcomes. Each potential intervention was then scaled as hard or soft based on material and ecosystem services. Relating these potential interventions to the individual zones, I overlaid the intervention diagram based on which objectives would be met by each potential solution. Wave suppression structures and breakwaters offer hard shoreline protection, while the addition of reefs offers the potential for shellfish colonization and marine habitat. The intertidal zone is the most sensitive to erosion and disturbance. Hard intervention strategies, such as the existing bulkhead, offer limited ecological diversity, restrict access to the water, and are less adaptable to changing sea levels. The landward zone best serves site visitors, offering educational opportunities about the importance of conservation and protection, as well as connecting them with the rest of Sandy Hook. The biggest challenge of this project was to incorporate and prioritize each of the multiple goals as outlined by the Park Service. Keeping each of these goals at the forefront of the design process resulted in creative compromises between structure, accessibility and ecology.
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Existing Conditions
Proposed Solutions
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Reimagining the Coast Long Beach island, NJ: Rethink & Restore As part of the collaborative Resiliency Studio project, my team worked with the Holgate community on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Located at the southern tip of the island adjacent to the Forsythe Wildlife Refuge, the town was the first landfall during Hurricane Sandy. The absence of a natural dune system resulted in almost total destruction from flooding and sand movement. Barrier island migration has been effectively halted by private construction. Even without the threat of major storms, the island residents are at high risk from projected sea level changes. The current configuration of streets and private residences leave little space for natural systems, but provide effective channels for floodwater to infiltrate the community. FEMA regulations have changed to reflect new risks, but more change is needed to avoid further devastation. My solution is to gradually enforce retreat from barrier islands, restoring them to the dynamic natural ecosystems that protect inland coastlines. Following the precedent set by Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland, visitors would still be able to recreate on beaches, camp on the island and enjoy the beauty of the seashore, without the risk of property damage and loss of life. Retreat from barrier islands is not a popular concept. However, Hurricane Sandy proved just how vulnerable these communities are. Ultimately, the cost of rebuilding after future storms will outweigh the benefits of living there. Re-imagining barrier islands as recreation areas rather than as private inholdings protects the native ecosystem and the New Jersey shore.
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Regional Design Lower Raritan Watershed: Growth and Conservation In the fall of 2014, the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership, Monmouth County Planning Board and Rutgers Graduate Design Studio collaborated on a regional assessment of watershed health. Our goal was to analyze historical changes, current conditions and projected growth of communities, resources, and ecological health. As a studio, we worked together with volunteers and municipal officials to understand the historical conditions that led to population growth, water quality issues and ecological decline. Identifying the major needs of the region as a group, each student worked independently to address a specific issue. Comparing our individual work as a team, we presented a comprehensive proposal to the Watershed Partnership. Using GIS analysis tools, I compared the current population density in this region with the availability of existing public transit. Comparing community centers with transit lines allowed me to identify underserved communities with the potential for growth. Using GIS as a tool for largescale planning projects allows for the consideration and inclusion of a broad range of factors including civic needs, and addresses the landscape as an entire system rather than a series of disconnected sites. When considering population growth, this is an important tool for future planning at a regional scale. Based on the existing network of freight and passenger train lines, I proposed the expansion of rail transit within the watershed in order to better serve existing communities as well as accommodating future population and commercial growth. Phased in over the course of twenty years, this expanded rail system is designed to work with urban densification strategies to reduce sprawl and reliance on cars, while simultaneously preserving open space, water quality, and ecological health across the watershed.
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Boundbrook, NJ
South Plainfield, NJ
Raritan Center, NJ
Monmouth Junction, NJ
Freehold, NJ
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Regional Design Learning GIS Analysis: Hiking the Garden State Working with the landscape inherently involves more than a single site. To be successful, any project involving the manipulation of the landscape requires an understanding of the conditions surrounding the project space. Topography, vegetation, hydrology, etc. are all critical components of design at any scale. Without that understanding, a project becomes disconnected from its surroundings.
Open Water
Residential Land
Using GIS analysis of Digital Elevation Modeling (DEM), this project calculates the best possible route for a trail of significant length through northern New Jersey. Based on land use inputs, topography, and views, this explores the use and combinations of analysis tools built into the ArcMap’s Model Builder feature. To illustrate the importance of individual landscape characteristics as well as how to integrate opportunities or restrictions posed by different land uses, each analysis focuses on a single landscape feature. Combining and weighting the importance of each feature yields a best possible route. Finally, points selected along the route offer analysis of different viewsheds, allowing the final layout to maximize any desirable views and minimizing the undesirable. The process of data accumulating the data, separating it into component parts, analyzing it based on specific factors and then recombining it with a specific goal clearly illustrated the value of GIS and geodesign as a planning tool. This study covers just the beginning of the potential for geographic analysis at such a large scale, and is a valuable tool when working with the counties, municipalities, and private landowners impacted by the proposed trail.
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Contaminated Sites
Model Builder Example
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Community Planning Somerville Brownfield: Creating an Ecopreserve This project was completed as a team consisting of myself and fellow graduate students Han Yan, and Justin Hyde. The town of Somerville, NJ is seeking to restore an area previously used to dispose of chemical waste, and to reconfigure the site into a space that is safe and accessible. A particular challenge on this site was balancing the desire for ecologically sound open space and the community’s need for additional housing and businesses. Because of the contaminant issue, public access remains a safety hazard. As a team, we agreed that our focus should be on the ecological sensitivity of the site as well as its value to the surrounding community. We found that public open space is limited in this area, and that the cost and risk of disrupting the brownfield in order to develop it outweigh the financial benefits to the township. Additionally, the site covers a natural wetland adjacent to the Raritan River, and adjoins Duke Farms Nature Preserve. Disturbance in the form of development would have broader effects than the immediate site. Our proposal introduces phytoremediation techniques to help mitigate contaminant leaching, and a recirculating water filtration sytem to clean the wetland prior to release into the river system. Partial capping in areas where construction is proposed protects residents from exposure to contaminants with minimal site disturbance. An education center and hiking trails brings the community into the site, encouraging a better understanding of habitat and natural systems. The work shown represents an equal collaboration between myself and my teammates. Working together allowed us to consider the merit and feasibility of different ideas and incorporate them into a final design.
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Residential Design Living with Dunes: Walker Residence, Holgate NJ Part of our resiliency studio investigating post-hurricane recovery on Long Beach Island included following up with homeowners as they attempt to rebuild their home to changing building standards. FEMA released new guidelines for homeowners regarding elevating homes based on current flood statistics, but a particular challenge facing this site is the unpredictability of future storm patterns and rising sea levels. Barrier islands are a uniquely dynamic environment. Housing and community construction has inhibited the natural patterns of sand movement. As houses are elevated in response to higher base flood elevations (BFE’s), a particular challenge is how to make buildings accessible and welcoming. One possible solution to the first issue is to allow sand to move freely under the elevated building. Case studies demonstrate that areas with intact dune systems consistently sustain less damage during flood events. An ability to adapt and live with such a dynamic environment means decreased risk and increased ecological health. For the Walker family, I proposed keeping the ground plane of the home open. This would allow sand and native plants to naturally reform, and connect the house to the surroundings. Open stairs and multilevel decks and would still accommodate an outdoor lifestyle in greater harmony with natural systems.
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Elevation: Rear of House
Elevation: Front of House
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Residential Design Living with Bears: Lugar Residence, Cornwall CT Prior to returning to school, I did a number of residential projects for private clients. One of these was for my mother’s property in northwestern Connecticut. The house, which she designed, is pinned to a steep hillside and surrounded by deciduous forest. Each of the three floors exits at ground level, with a large deck surrounding part of the main story. Her goal was to open up the area immediately surrounding the house, leaving space for ornamental gardens, and partially screen the lower section of hillside from downhill neighbors. She is also fond of native mountain laurel and flowering dogwoods, and wanted a specimen collection of cultivars surrounding the house. Working with the naturally steep slope meant tiering some areas close to the house to include private patios and walkways, and sloping outlying areas to meet the altered grading. Walls would need to be structurally able to retain large amounts of soil while meeting height and safety codes. Over the years, this plan ha s been in construction, in phases. It has been necessary to work with installation crews to understand the concept and planting plan. Adaptations have been necessary in places where the bedrock rises to the surface, or other unanticipated obstacles have impeded progress. As construction continues, elements of the original plan have been altered to reflect new ideas or changing needs. Working with my family to implement this plan has been a fun challenge. Running wild on the surrounding hillside as a kid gave me a deep love and appreciation for such a unique space. It has been tremendously rewarding to see this plan come together in real time over the years.
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Thank You