Margot McLaughlin Landscape Architecture Portfolio 2023

MARGOT MCLAUGHLIN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO 20

MARGOT MCLAUGHLIN LINKEDIN EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Master of Historic Preservation | 2024

Bachelor of Landscape Architecture | 2023

INVOLVEMENT

CO-FOUNDER OF SEED COLLECTIVE (Students For Equity In Environment And Design)

GSLA ASLA

LEED GREEN BUILDING ACCREDITATION

mem13774@uga.edu

404-989-7828

Landscape Architects are tasked with influencing the relationship between humans and the environment. This includes how we interact with it, benefit from it, and the role it plays in our lives. The people-place relationship is so important as it shapes how we view ourselves within the greater network of the planet and our responsibility to it.

My goal as a landscape architect is to help create connected, healthy, vibrant communities that prioritize the well-being of people and foster a high quality of life that I believe everyone deserves. Our relationship with the world starts with our relationship with our community. At a time where the health of our planet is in jeopardy, we need reconsider our relationship with the environment, which can start with communityoriented design.

As a designer, I aim to practice an inclusive and wholistic community-oriented design process that strengthens communities from within; One that respects the historic fabric of an area while visioning for the future.

CONTENT

1 2 3 4

INTERNATIONAL DESIGN

1000 YEAR PARK

CORTONA PARTERRE

LOCAL DESIGN

LAYTON PARK

PIEDMONT PLAZA

JACKSON ST. BUILDING

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

DYNAMIC EXPLORATION

FASHION & GRAPHIC DESIGN

ELLERY COLLECTION

SEED COLLECTIVE

INTERNATIONAL DESIGN

Busan, South Korea

Cortona, Italy

Perspective created with Photoshop, Lumion and SketchUp

1000 YEAR PARK

HYDROLOGY. TEMPORALITY. CONNECTIVITY.

This waterfront park is located in the heart of Busan, one of South Korea’s busiest and most populated cities. The site is just down the coast from the famous Jagalchi market. The goal of this park is to create a greenspace for locals and visitors that strengthens local hydrological systems, connects people both physically and communally, and is resilient in the face of sea level rise.

Studio group project Busan, South Korea

Fall 2022

COASTAL EVOLUTION

Residential design aimed at creating a peaceful and vibrant, sanctuary for retired individuals in Athens, GA. This design accommodates a variety of mobility needs, seen in the grading, pathways, and raised garden bed for seamless engagement with nature.

GROUP MEMBERS: Alexis Kellner and Ashley Daniel

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

BUSAN SHRINE

This shrine was located in Yongdusan Park and served as a shrine for Japanese occupants of Busan.

AN ACTIVE CITY

Busan has been a densly populated urban center for many years. Due to the Korean War, many Koreas migrated South to Busan in the 1950s.

Busan is South Korea’s second largest city.

LEFT: Daechangjeong st., Busan c. unknown

JAGALCHI MARKET

Largest fish market in South Korea, established during Japanese Colonial Rule. Known for the “Busan Wives” notable for their strength and financial support of their families.

PICTURED: South Korean Marketers c. 1910 and 1930

TRADE HISTORY

Busan has been an key trading city for hundreds of years.

Busan served as a major trading port for Japan during the colonial period due.

BOTTOM: Busan port c. unknown. LEFT: Busan Station St. c. unknown

PROJECT SITE

Image Source: http://waks.aks.ac.kr/rsh/?rshID=AKS-2017-KFR-1230003

A PARK BUILT TO FLOOD

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), sea level rise is predicted to be about one meter every 278 years. On this project, we have designed four sections of the park, rising one meter each. We acknowledge the many unknowns that accompany predicting and designing for sea level rise, and we have treated this concept as both a hypothetical solution and a visual tool for awareness, by manipulating the landscape to reflect the effects of climate change on coastal landscapes. The goal of these levels is to create usable recreational space that can withstand climate change.

CONSTRUCTED CORAL

The form and texture of coral was the inspiration behind these multipurpose sculptural pillars. In the present, they serve as structural support for the raised boardwalk and seating for park visitors. In the future, they serve as constructed coral, creating habitat for sea life. These pillars are designed to last for years to come.

Exploded axon of park levels

Photoshop perspective of below the boardwalk. Created with Lumion SketchUp and Photoshop

PROGRAMMING

LEVEL 1

Stormwater collection and filtration

Creating connection between people and water

Constructed wetland habitat

PREDICTED FLOODING DATE: 2300

LEVEL 2

Shaded grove seating

Community gathering space

Water feature

PREDICTED FLOODING DATE: 2578

PROGRAMMING

LEVEL 4

Community event and gathering space

Vegetated terraces

Multi-age playscape

PREDICTED FLOODING DATE: 2858

RAISED PARK AND BOARDWALK

Connection to west entrance

Views of water and city

Recreational space for the future

PREDICTED FLOODING DATE: 3134

*SketchUp created by Ashley Daniel

PERSPECTIVES SITE FEATURES

VIEWPOINTS

ADA ROUTES

GREENSPACE

BIOSWALE

ELEVATED BOARDWALK: Raised boardwalk connecting West side of site to park and providing connectivity to the water. Perspective created with Photoshop, SketchUp and Lumion.

GATHERING SPACE CIRCULATION

WATER FEATURE: Gathering space and opportunity to connect with water. Perspective created with Photoshop, SetchUp and Lumion.

*Created by Alexis Kellner

Seating Grove

Vegetated Mounds

Gravel Plaza

Terraced Seating and Playscape

Raised Planter

Elevator

Terraced Bioswale

Recessed Water Feature

Boardwalk over Bioretention System

Raised Boardwalk

MALL

Waterfront Walk

*Created by Alexis Kellner Connection to west side

GROVE: Shaded seating for park visitors and shoppers. Perspective created with Photoshop, SketchUp and Lumion.

CORTONA PARTERRE

The Cortona Parterre is a historic park in the heart of Cortona, Italy. The park has served as a significant cultural resource since the 19th century, but today is suffering from a lack of biodiversity, discontinuous organization, and loss of the historic stone amphitheater as a usable space due to tree growth. This design aims to honor the past, while revitalizing the park for active use through the future.

Cortona Study Abroad Studio

Cortona, Italy

Summer 2022

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

PLANT DIVERSITY

PATH HIERARCHY FOCAL POINT RELATIONSHIP AMPHITHEATER ACTIVATION ENTRANCE CIRCULATION

Planting is uniform and homogeneous through the entire site

No path hierarchy. All pathways have same weight and follow a linear, radial arrangement

No relationship between World War I monument, Fountain, or Kehoe statue

View from amphitheater inhibited by trees, rendering the space inactive and unused.

No clear entry path into park. Monument blocks natural pathway from steps

Consideration of various levels of sun exposure to inform plant selection and placement

Establishment of main circulation routes creating a primary path network

Observation of natural relationship between each monument

Creation of open lawn space for amphitheater-related events and addition of shade trees

Addition of triangular garden bed directs flow of movement around monument and into park

Addition of secondary path that introduces curvilinear form

Incorporation of pattern to create a tertiary path that creates viewsheds between sculptures

CONTEXT

1 2 3

PROJECT GOALS

AMPHITHEATER ACTIVATION AND PRESERVATION

MAINTAIN HISTORIC PARTARRE ‘FEEL’

INCREASE BIODIVERSITY

CREATE HIERARCHY

HISTORIC IMAGES

PRESENT DAY

The park has significantly more shade, the growth of American Linden trees, and several varieties of pines.

Historic image c. 1884. Presence of lush and tall coniferous trees.

shade, due to trees, Holm Oaks,

While the amphitheater was previously utilized, the space is currently inactive due to poorly placed trees that block its view, and harsh, fullsun conditions.

lush planting

Fontana Dei Delfini in summer of 2022

Historic amphitheater date unknown.

Postcard of Fontana Dei Delfini, installed in 1954 and designed by Ignazio Lucibello/

BEFORE no use for amphitheater

AFTER

a space to gather

The goal is to reactivate the amphitheater space, bringing both shade and room for events, in order to provide Cortona with a functional and beautiful space to come together as a community.

KEY

Monaserto Santa Chiara

Monument to the Fallen of the First World War

Fontana Dei Delfini

John Kehoe Statue

Garden Beds

Lawn

Water Fountain

Amphitheater

Public Restroom

Path to Playground and Tennis Courts

LOCAL DESIGN

Perspective of Layton Park. Created in Photoshop

Athens, GA

LAYTON PARK

Mixed-use redevelopment aimed to create a live, work, play community that uplifts human and environmental health. Development plans include bio-swale and pervious paving stormwater solutions, access to ample greenspace, retail, and nightlife, and a variety of residential opportunities.

KEY

Studio project

Athens, GA

Spring 2020

1. ENTRANCE

2. BUS STOP

3. POCKET-STYLE TOWNHOMES

4. COMMERCIAL GREENSPACE

5. RESIDENTIAL GREENSPACE

6. PLAZA

7. GROCERY STORE

8. DEPARTMENT STORE

9. HOTEL

PROCESS

The site currently serves as a large shopping mall, taking up large swaths of impervious space for parking. The current configuration is outdated, detrimental to the environment, and vehicle-centric.

The configuration of the blocks, parks, commercial and residential spaces were determined through many sketched iterations. This final design consolidates density, prioritizes greenspace, and resolves the unusual shape of the site.

The final design prioritizes human and environmental wellbeing. Walkability, access to greenspace, restoration of forests, and green infrastructure all contribute to creating a safe, healthy, and joyful community

Perspective of community plaza. Created with Photoshop

PIEDMONT PLAZA

This plaza is designed to be a connection point between downtown Athens, the College of Environment and Design, and the Sculpture buildings at the University of Georgia. The site’s historic purpose as a point of connection between city, railroad, and nearby river has been revitalized, restoring its value to the local community.

SECTION ELEVATIONS

1 2 3 4

UGA TANNER BUILDING

UGA INNOVATION HUB

NORTH OCONEE RIVER

FORMER RAILROAD

SECTION ELEVATION 1

SECTION ELEVATION 2

JACKSON ST. BUILDING

Studio project

Athens, GA

Fall 2022

The North side of The College of Environment and Design is largely under-utilized and not designed to be occupied by people. This redesign includes plaza space for students and faculty to rest, study, meet and gather. The West side of the plaza features an alumni plaque wall to honor the many bright and talented people who have come through the program.

LIGHTING AND FURNITURE PLAN

LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

COLUMN

CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

DYNAMIC EXPLORATION

This project was an exercise in designing a conceptual landscape from scratch that embodied an assigned adjective. This project explores how to create a sculpture park landscape that responds the word Dynamic through topography, plant selection, and pathway. Each element supports the concepts of change, activity, variety, and progress, taking visitors on a journey through the site to the sculpture.

Athens, GA

Spring 2020

Studio project

PATH PLANTS

Sketched plan of conceptual sculpture park

TOPOGRAPHY

The topography of the site is an abstraction of a wavelength, fluctuating between ridge and valley to emulate movement and variety. The site experience changes depending on the way one decide to navigate, creating a dynamic experience.

PLANTS AND PATH

The pathway and tree placement contrasts the undulating topography by following a linear, perpendicular path around the site. The distance between the pavers responds to the rise and fall of the slope and trees line the path, with intentional gaps highlighting important views and creating both enclosed and open spaces.

Form and Fabric of conceptual sculpture park

FASHION DESIGN

Individual project

Atlanta, GA Spring 2019

This collection was designed and constructed on my own for my senior fashion design collection in high school. The collection aimed to combine effortless streetwear with unexpected details. to create fresh, unique and easy to wear looks

Photo series shot by Aziza Hutcherson

SEED COLLECTIVE

In 2022, I co-founded SEED Collective (Students for Equity in Environment and Design), an Interdisciplinary, studentled collective created to provide support and mentorship to marginalized students within the College of Environment + Design. The main goals for SEED Collective include creating and facilitating a space for discussion, engaging with the community both within and outside of the college,and providing students with an opportunity to network with other like-minded professionals and colleagues.

Student Organization

Athens, GA

Fall 2022

SOCIAL

Thursday, September 29th 10am - 12:30pm

Students chatting at a SEED coffee social, Fall 2022.

Photos courtesy of Macy Khamsa

Thank You