Portfolio, Laura Buschman 2021

PORTFOLIO urban design / updated 2021 Laura Buschman

Guggenheim museum, New York

SHEN YUAN b. 1959 History of Nanling 1957-2005 2005 Ink and watercolor on paper.

Courtesy the artist and Tang Contemporary Art, Bejing

Since moving to Paris in 1990, Shen Yuan has pursued a sculptural and installation-based practise that combines autobiographical references with assemblage to reflect on concepts of movement, migration, and cultural displacement. For History of Nanling 1957-2005, she collaborated with some twenty women of various ages who were associated with the local forestry bureau. The artist interviewed these women and asked them to describe their memories of the area on paper with brushes. The collected stories link local, intimate histories to a larger narrative about the developtment of Southern China, highlighting the signigicance of physical place and disparate and partial perspectives.

Completing the installation is a collection of watercolours by Shen, which illustrate the idyllic beauty of the Nanling Mountains and incorporate its reconfigred history.

About me

Resumee

LAURA BUSCHMAN

Education

Nationality Dutch Current location London, United Kingdom

2019-2021

CONTACT

Erasmus exchange semester, Aarhus School of Architecture

Email Laura.Buschman@hotmail.com Phone +316 37383839 LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/laurabuschman/ CV issuu.com/laura-buschman/docs/resume_laura_buschman_2021 Portfolio issuu.com/laura-buschman/docs/ portfolio_english

Master’s Urban Design & Planning, University College Dublin

2017-2018

2014-2018

Bachelor’s Architecture, Urbanism and Building Sciences, TU Delft

2011-2014

IB English Diploma, Jan van Brabant College

2008-2014

Bilangual VWO (Dutch & English), Jan van Brabant College

RELEVANT (WORK) EXPERIENCE 2020-2021, December- July

Work as a teacher at Breda University of Applied Science (BUAS), Built Environment Department, Breda The front page is my own interpretation of Shen Yuan’s artwork, of my childhood memories of ‘building’ a space. My interest in this particular artwork is in that it represents people’s perception, rather than the ‘factual reality’. What fascinates me most about urban design is its effect on people, whether that effect is conscious or not. Every public space and building makes a statement about, or is a reflection of, how people live and think.

2019, July and August

Internship at InnoEnergy, Cities Department, Eindhoven

2018-2019, September- March

Solo backpacking trip through Southeast Asia

Languages Dutch - Native English - Professional

I am an aspiring Urban Designer, with a strong interest in how humans interact with, and perceive, the built environment (environmental psychology) and how that can facilitate urban design. My most valued qualities are my collaboration and analytical design skills, as well as, a broadened, open-minded perspective that I’ve gained through my travels across Europe and Asia. I use these skills to assess problems from different points of view, and solve them through a socially conscious mindset.

Table of Content

GRADUATE PROJECTS (Thesis) Place Attachment in the Urban Design Process Fall semester 2020 Neighbourhood Identity through its Skyline Spring semester 2020 Expanding Public Life Fall semester 2019

........6

...........10 ................16

UNDERGRADUATE PROJECTS Community in the American Grid Spring semester 2018 Space Syntax in a Museum Spring semester 2017 Different shades of Public and Private Spring semester 2016

.............24 ...............30 ..........36

ART Photography, Mixed-medium Art & Boardgames Ongoing

............42

6

Place memory

PLACE ATTACHMENT IN THE URBAN DESIGN PROCESS Type - WRITTEN Design Thesis Date - 2020, Fall Semester Location - The Liberties, Ireland

Within the urban design process, ‘place’ is not only the sum of its physical features, but also has the intangible dimensions; activity and meaning. An understanding of the design of processes of social interaction has already found its place within the urban design framework. However, perception of place and attachment to place are often not considered. and its definition as a ‘sense of place’ remains ambiguous.

This thesis sought to contribute to an understanding of the role of the concept of place attachment as a tool in the practice of redevelopment by the urban designer. Through a review of the literature on the processes of place attachment, and the application of place attachment analysis, it began to hypothesize what physical indicators in the urban environment could indicate a form of attachment.

This was tested through a redesign of a case study area; the Liberties in Dublin.

The proposed design considered the Liberties from the vantage point of the local residents, and took steps towards preserving their attachments, whilst accommodating initiatives for tourism and new development.

The area of the Liberties in Dublin is an area that is on the brink of significant change. It is the oldest neighbourhood in the city, with indications of strong place attachments of its long term residents. However, its central position also means that new groups are flocking to the area and the Dublin City Council has also earmarked the are for growth in the tourism industry in the future, which locals have thus far been able to largely avoid.

The design that this thesis proposed understands that -to a degree- these changes are imminent.

However, it proposes that these changes can be utilised for the strengthening of current place attachment, instead of its destruction. Based on the literature research, specific areas and physical features were found to be important in preserving the place attachment. The final design proposed that by changing the narrative, and focusing first on those areas that are important to the community, old residents, new residents and visitors alike will benefit from the experience of a strengthened local attachment.

10

N Existing situation

NEIGHBOURHOOD IDENTITY THROUGH ITS SKYLINE Type - Urban Design Date - 2019, Fall Semester Location - Donabate, Ireland

This project is situated on an interesting site in Dublin; around Tara Station. While the area is the second largest transport hub in the city, it is not currently able to provide good quality public space for pedestrians and cyclists. This problem will only be exacerbated in the future by an increase in residents from proposals for tall residential buildings. These new proposals are in line with an overarching pattern in Dublin city; proposals and guidelines are increasingly aiming to reach higher. However, Dublin does not have a history of skyscrapers, and current buildings average only 2 to 3 storeys.

This project considered the cultural, physical and international context around implementing tall buildings, and proposed several guidelines for a new Dublin skyline. Simultaneously, it also looked at the area around the transport hub of Tara Station as a case study of what unique urban qualities such buildings could offer the public space. Ultimately, it offered a design for an urban environment that focuses more on slow traffic and urban life, while also meeting the very real needs around housing and innovation through tall buildings.

Whilst the project ended with a proposal for new guidelines around taller buildings in Dublin. It did not start there. The first observation of the area is that it lacked a clear identity. The surrounding neighbourhoods are very well known in the shared local mind, but the neighbourhood around Tara Station was often overlooked, despite being an important transportation hub. In Dublin’s vision for the future, many guidelines, policies and proposals indicated that this site was suitable for tall buildings. Therefore, this project considered; what does that mean

for the identity of the neighbourhood? What qualities can the introduction of tall buildings offer? And how do you implement these changes from a Urban Planning and Urban Design point of view?

One of the discovered qualities of living in a tall building are enhanced at night. When it is dark outside, the windows of neighbouring buildings indicate you are part of a larger community of people and activities up high.

Other design principles that were proposed related to the ‘hills and valleys’ of a skyline. This suggests a clustering of tall buildings that is considered from different vantage points.

Additionally, the design has to secure the quality of the public realm for slow traffic. The eventual design proposes pedestrian zones that align with ‘sunzones’ (these are areas in which a certain amount of sunlight is guaranteed), These areas are based on the human scale, and buildings are not so tall as to give a feeling of discomfort. Simultaneously, vehicular traffic drives by the more ‘looming’ tall buildings, giving that distinct impression of

urbanisation and identity to the area. Finally, the guidelines around the design of the buildings themselves were considered. The appropriate height in the context. the requirement for uses in the plint, the height-to-width ratio. These guidelines are based upon case studies of Rotterdam and London. Which introduced the concept of ‘groundscrapers’ as well as ‘skyscrapers’.

These principles culminated in the design of a new neighbourhood identity with a focus on the human scale and, simultaneously, innovation in Dublin.

16

N Existing situation

EXPANDING PUBLIC LIFE Type - Urban Design / Landscape arChitecture Date - 2019, Fall Semester Location - Donabate, Ireland

The Irish town of Donabate is currently facing a contradiction; its centre still functions like a small irish town, while its population has been growing immensely, and is predicted to almost double in the next five years.

The design addresses public life of the old and new residents of the town, through the redesign of the public realm in the town centre. It specifically focuses on researching the design of public spaces that prioritise pedestrian experience, as opposed to the current domination of vehicles.

The final design is a variety of public spaces, as well as a pedestrian route along a desire line that moves between the train station, main supermarket, and a community centre outside the town centre by extension. It expands public life into the public realm.

Supermarket

Church Community centre Train station

Public life is about the everyday activitie spend time with each other outside o However, an analysis of the centre of Do for public life in the public realm. Instea ty buildings, such as; pubs, churches, su

Instead of space for public life, the area cul-de-sacs for both vehicular and ped

es that people take part in when they of their homes, workplaces and cars. onabate shows that there is little space ad, it largely happens inside communiupermarkets, and community centres.

a largely consisted of parking lots and destrian traffic. What little walkways

were there, were shared with cyclists and unsafe.

This project used practical tools, such as: Counting the occupancy of the parking lots throughout the day and week, and Public Life Tools. It soon became apparent that there was an overcapacity of parking spaces. In contrast, the pedestrian areas were always overcrowded, because the pedestrian space was insufficient.

1. footprint 2.

Urban

Building & plots blocks

3. Vehicular traffic & pedestrian zones

routE sEction a-a - 1:200 proposEd plan - location of sEction - 1:2000

a

a

B

P

B

routE sEction B-B proposEd plan - location of sEction

a

a

c

d

B

c B

routE sEction B-B proposEd plan - location of sEction

d a

c

d

a

c

P

B d

d

B

c c

routE sEction c-c proposEd plan - location of sEction

Commercial square

d a

a

B

B

d

Church space

c

P

c

P

d

routE sEction d-d proposEd plan - location of sEction

a

a

B

B

Train station square

d

c c

Park

routE sEction c-c proposEd plan - location of sEction

d a

a

B

B

d

c c

routE sEction B-B proposEd plan - location of sEction

d a

a

B

B

proposEd plan - 1:2000 d

c c

d

Social overview

Movement axis Edge seating effect Evergreen rain cover

Colourful stay / activity zones

Spill-out activity

The design instead explored what these open spaces might instead be used for.

Drawing upon the research of Gehl, Lynch, Whyte and Hillier, a pedestrian route was proposed along the axis where the most foot imprEssion traffic squarE occurred.

The route was an- principlEs alysed and designed to encourage wayfinding through landmarks. Additionally,

existing indoor facilities connect to designed outdoor spaces that serve specific and varied uses to promote public life.

The detailing of these propositions for the design considered the cultural contexts. For example, people in Ireland spend a lot of time inside, because the weather is unpredictable. Therefore, the designed outdoor spaces are also provided with opportunities to hide from the rain, and move along the axis whilst remaining protected.

imprEssion squarE - rain

Commercial buildings Offices

Community centres Train station

24

N Existing situation

COMMUNITY IN THE AMERICAN GRID Type - Urban Design / Landscape arhitecture Date - 2018, Spring Semester Location - Detroit, united States Team - With Anne Byrialsen, ALl Used images made by me

Detroit is the schoolbook example of American after-Sprawl: A big grid system which has been left mostly abandoned and in decay due to the city’s bankruptcy, except for the occasional building. The question becomes, what next?

This project suggests a transformation in the high amount of unused acreage and the low population density. Over time its result is that residents are once again grouped together as communities, using the guidelines of the existing grid.

Simultaneously, abandoned plots will be grouped together and their residential uses can be reimagined for parks, agriculture, or entirely new uses.

The project also shortly delves into the details of the potential qualities that can be created for small communities with an abundance of space, in such a setting.

Section - Existing situation

+

++

The strengths of this project lies in its long term focus; understanding that changes to the urban environment are constant and by no means instantaneous. It suggests subtle and long term guidance of the natural patterns of development, deterioration and migrations. +

e

tim

Firstly, the quality of the current houses is decreasing through the wear of time, and current residents are moving away from the area. In these areas that are emptying out, the smaller grid can slowly be abandoned in favour of bigger plots suitable for agriculture, parks, and similar uses.

0

However, through selective provision of repair and quality housing developments in areas that currently already have a higher population density, comfortable living communities can start to be created to which people want to move. The residents that are moving away, can relocate within their own community. These areas become dense again.

Urban Strategies: Erasure and Densification | Unit 2/3B | Laura Buschman | Anne Byrialsen | Malte Didrigkeit | Sami Yücel

Section - Future situation

Farnsworth

The new communities have the advantage of being created in an area that has plenty of space without the pressure of optimising every square metre like in more urban settings. Since certain communities in the area have thrived, despite the bankruptcy of the city, it is wise to be inspired by them.

One such community is called Farnsworth. It is one of the few streets that has remained mostly intact, and has even slightly grown its population throughout the bankruptcy of Detroit. Analyses of its qualities show that its residents actively repair their own houses and use the empty plots around them to their benefit; e.g. urban farming. Greenhouses are a big part of this system as the winters in Detroit are harsh.

The proposal for new houses in this area takes this principle a step further, and proposes communal space on empty plots that are entirely made up out of greenhouses to allow for an active community that can continue through the winter. The residential houses surround the all-year communal areas.

30

N Existing situation

SPACE SYNTAX IN A MUSEUM Type - Public Building / Arhitecture Date - 2017, Spring QUARTER LOCATION - Rotterdam, The Netherlands

In the fictional assignment for this project the HNI (The new institute) has burned down and in its place a new museum needs to be erected. The basis of the design are analyses of the old building and its perceived qualities and shortcomings.

The museum used to house a collection that is largely based in Architecture, but now also houses items related to; E-culture and Design. Whilst related, interest in these subjects varies a lot per person. Therefore, the premise for the design was learning through genuine interest.

Research into the topic of learning in museums suggests that a person learns more when they are able to encounter what interests them, rather than following a curated route. Therefore, the design employed principles of Space Syntax to encourage wayfinding behaviour, in a space that has multiple routes.

The museum’s lunchrooms turned out to be a popular first destination of the museum, it often drew visitors independent of the museum function. The new design engages the common lunchroom visitor with the museum through a visual link, allowing them to scout what might pique their interest inside. The museum space is made up out of three pillars representing the separate subjects. These are connected by an exposition space that can present varying ideas. There is no set route, and visitors of the museum create their own meaning as they explore the diversity the museum has to offer.

The building’s design has several elements that promote the visitor to find their own route. Firstly, through entering at a higher level than the museum space, there is an opportunity to view the objects in the room and assess what might be interesting to look at. The slow descend down the stairs elongates this effect.

The three platforms in the back are textured to represent their different subjects, they are the anchors for the oval exposition room in front. Whilst people can walk straight towards the area they are interested in, they are also subconsciously encouraged to engage with the other subjects.

The main room has a particular construction that is built up by pillars of wooden beams fanning outward and weaving together. This woven pattern evokes a feeling of a forest, and allows the technical necessity for the usual grid construction to be ignored, thereby removing the urge to move in straight lines.

36

N Existing situation

DIFFERENT SHADES OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE Type - Residential building Complexes / Architecture Date - 2016, Spring QUARTER LOCATION - Amsterdam, The Netherlands TEAM - WITH EVIE GOEDEMANS, All used images Made by me

The building block in Osdorp has many qualities through its spacious layout and abundance of green. However, the buildings are dated and there is little variation in the green space, causing most of it to be unused by locals.

The project looks into what kind of program variety can be added into recreational green by experimenting with (visual) access. Through these nuances in the borders between private and public, different living environments are created, such as communal gardens and private living.

The project also suggests a transformation of the old flat buildings, as well as new buildings that play with access and privacy on a smaller scale.

Old situation, Front Elevation

1.

Communal space with public acces, mostly surounded by flats with private gardens.

2.

Communal space enclaved by flat.

1

3.

Public space with varying areas for activities.

2

3

4.

Private gardens, with line of sight to communal pathways.

4 4

The single family houses are layered towards their garden. Depending on the season, or on preference, the conservatory can be used as an extension of the house or the garden.

The folding wall in the house allows residents to vary the amount of intimate and private spaces, as well as breaking up the room into different areas. Closing it all the way creates two separate rooms, and opening it up all the way creates one, but the experimentation of the option in between encourages creative use of space.

Besides exploring the benefit of the flexible living space, the conservatory also acts as a buffer for heating in winter, and cooling in summer. Either by trapping heat within the glass space, or promoting natural airflow.

42

ART Type - Photographs, collages & Boardgames Date - Ongoing LOCATION - Varying

To me photography is a tool through which to experience the world. In order to consciously take a good photo you have to really look at things, but also be highly sensitive of the atmosphere you are in. It is actively taking on the role of observer and trying to look from different people’s perspectives to better understand what you are seeing, and translating that emotion back to the photo. People give life to places, and to photographs.

Performance Bikaner, India

Happening Nanuoya, Sri Lanka

Passing by Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Viewing Agra, India

Reflecting New York, United States

Observing Jodhpur, India

The Royal Game of Ur Boardgame, made out of MDF

My Room Collage, made out of newspapers

For a Friend Collage, made out of magazines