Landscape Architecture Portfolio

Meg Bender PORTFOLIO Master of Landscape Architecture

DATE

2 01 9 - 2 0 2 3

MEG BENDER Designer & Horticulturist

Third-year MLA candidate and experienced green industry professional. Interested in Midwest ecologies, detailing & fabrication, as well as design accessibility.

EDUCATION

EXPERIENCE

The Ohio State University

PLANIT Studios / Summer 2023

2021 - Present

Master of Landscape Architecture University of Cincinnati

Landscape Architecture Intern POD Design / Summer 2022 Landscape Architecture Intern

2015 - 2018

Bachelor of Science in Horticulture Summa Cum Laude

Rachel Robinsion Design Landscape Architecture / 2018 - 2021 Landscape Designer The Fells / Summer 2017 Horticulture Intern

SKILLS

Digital Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, & InDesign AutoCAD Microsoft Office Rhino Sketchup Digital photography 3D Printing

Analog & Professional Hand sketching & rendering Film photography Construction detailing Web & print marketing Project organization & scheduling Landscape cost estimating

Horticultural Annual & perennial planting design Woody & herbaceous plant ID Landscape maintenance Plant propagation

Keep In Touch

bender.319@osu.edu Columbus, Ohio

Resume_Meg Bender_

Table of Contents

Academic

01

The Water Machine

02

Dense Matter

Exploring the infrastructural capacity of landscape architecture to manage stormwater runoff

Working with rammed earth to push the boundaries of contemporary landscape materials

Professional

03

Pittsburgh Streetscape

04

Norwood Nature Play

Creating outdoor living potential for a mixed-use development in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Bringing nature play & outdoor relaxation to an affordable housing facility in Norwood, Ohio

Table of Contents_

01

The Water Machine

DATE Spring 2022

TYPE Academic Studio The Ohio State University

COLLAB Individual Work

PROJECT BRIEF

The Water Machine is an academic studio project that poses the question: can landscape architects mitigate stormwater runoff in a way that visibly improves communities? Students were challenged to consider the infrastructural capacity of landscape architecture, and how this can complement, or detract from, community recreation. This semesterlong project culminated in the redesign of Audubon Park, a 7-acre neighborhood park in the nearby community of North Linden.

My approach to the redesign does not seek to turn Audubon Park into a destination

park, but rather to celebrate the comfort, charm, and versatility inherent to small, neighborhood parks. It was important that the redesigned park still felt like an inviting space that residents would feel welcome to use in their daily lives. The stormwater treatment aspects of the park were coupled with pathways and other interactive water features to enhance the visitor experience.

Ultimately, the goal of the redesigned Audubon Park is to create a space that can offer recreation opportunities for neighborhood residents as well as critical stormwater infrastructure for the wider North Linden community.

INTRO

SITE CONTEXT Audubon Park is situated at the Southern edge of the Linden sewershed and presents a unique opportunity to collect and treat stormwater before it enters the city’s riverways.

Stormwater is conveyed across I-71 and the railroad through large underground pipes; it then makes its way across Glen Echo Ravine, passes under High Street via another large pipe, before ultimately flowing into the Olentangy River.

Academic_The Water Machine_

01.

Site Visit — late winter / early spring; significant water pooling evident in low-lying areas; view looking North from center of park

02.

Clay Model — using clay to balance cut and fill in the proposed design

03.

Clay Model — working th concepts in studio

mixed allee

esplanade

exposed stormwater line

artificial wetland terraces

canal wall

A

secti on A

05.

0’ explores Section Sketch — this digital section one 5’ 10’ possible condition for daylighting the stormwater channels under Audubon Park

20’

PROCESS WORK

A’

A 04.

Plan Sketch — this concept was explored further in digital section as shown below

hrough

open-air plaza

covered pavilion (with bathrooms)

existing shade tree

A’

Academic_The Water Machine_

Site Model — see next page

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LEGEND

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01.

Open Lawn

08.

Stormwater Runnel, typ.

02.

Landscape Mound, typ.

09.

Pavilion & Main Gathering Terrace

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03.

Basketball Court & Seating Area

10.

Terraced Wetland

04.

Water Machine

11.

Esplanade

05.

Playground

12.

Native Seeding, typ.

06.

Main Promenade

13.

Bosque

07.

Streambed

14.

Existing Tree, typ.

858

Academic_The Water Machine_

01.

Site Model — The Water Machine is an experiential water feature comprised of a gridded pipe system draped in rain chains & a series of runnels leading out to the streambed

02.

Site Model — The rain chains create a sort of maze through which visitors can navigate

WATER MACHINE MODEL

03.

Site Model — After the pumped stormwater runs down individual rain chains, it collects in a series of runnels that feed into the streambed

Academic_The Water Machine_

02

Dense Matter

DATE Fall 2023

TYPE Academic Studio The Ohio State University

COLLAB Individual Work

PROJECT BRIEF

Dense Matter is an academic studio project that challenged students to consider the implications of material selection in landscape architecture.

The studio began with a collaboration between our studio cohort and an artist presenting work at the Cincinnati Contemporary Arts Center. We designed and fabricated wooden formwork for the artist’s rammed earth sculptures and provided the labor to build the installation as well. After learning the process of building rammed earth structures, the rest of the studio centered on applying this ancient building method to the

field of contemporary landscape architecture.

Individual students focused on a site of their choosing and considered how the material of rammed earth could present unique design opportunities.

My project explored the weathering and erosion process of rammed earth, investigating whether this characteristic could be embranced rather than prevented. The site design looked at a portion of the Olentangy Bike Trail that straddles two very different landscapes: Union Cemetery & Ohio State’s Wetland Research Laboratory.

INTRO

Photo courtesy of the Contemporary Arts Center

Academic_Dense Matter_

01.

Formwork — discussing in studio how to build the formwork for the art installation in Cincinnati

05.

Iterative Design — coming up with concepts for the site design in studio

02.

Construction —construction of the milled plywood formwork on-site at the Contemporary Arts Center

03.

Resea the wa weath

05.

Site Visit —view from the looking toward the Wetla Cemetery is off on the rig

PROCESS WORK

arch—graphics exploring ays in which rammed earth ers and erodes

e Olentangy Bike Trail and Research Lab; Union ght

04.

Test Models — ceating 6” x 6” x 14” rammed earth modesl to test erosion

05.

Playful Innovation — embedding small toys in the rammed earth test models to see how it affects erosion

Academic_Dense Matter_

N e w C o nn e c t i o n

U n i o n C e m e t e ry

R a m m e d E a rt h B a s i n

M ow e d

N e w C o nn e c t i o n

C l e a r e d & M ow e d U n de r st o ry

BIRDSEYE HAND RENDER

SITE DESIGN O v e r loo k S pac e

E x i st i ng F o r e st F r ag m e n t

Bike Trail

This Bird’s Eye render captures the merging of these two very different landscapes, with Union Cemetery on the left and the Wetland Research Lab on the right.

The focal point of the design is the Rammed Earth reflection basin that will slowly erode over time to create a traversable wetland.

m e a d ow

One side of the basin’s walls will be made of unstabilized rammed earth and the other side will be stabilized, allowing for a dynamic feature that changes over time.

SITE CONTEXT

Informal Trail

M e s i c m e a d ow

Union Cemetery

B oa r dwa l k

E x i st i ng W e t l a n d R e s e a rc h C e l l

Wetland Research Lab

Academic_Dense Matter_

03

Pittsburgh Streetscape

DATE 2019-2020

TYPE Professional Rachel Robinson Design

COLLAB Design Studio [Rachel Robinson, Madg Weighner]

R

PROJECT BRIEF

7 8

The architect of this mixed-use development in the Strip District of Pittsburgh reached out to Rachel Robinson Design in 2019 for a streetscape concept. The proposed building stradled two city blocks and included retail, office spaces, and a parking garage.

3 21st St.

The scope of the project included several conceptual design renditions and CAD layout and planting plans. My role in the project included conceptual design work, planting design, CAD drafting of the final design, and a 2D color render of the plaza design.

6

Smallman St.

INTRO

Re

LEGEND 1. Shade Tree 2. Flowering Tree in Grate

tail

&F

3. Specimen Shade Tree 4. Seat Bench 5. Curb (6”) 6. Accent Building Remnant

7. Slopted Corten Planter 8. Movable Cafe Tables & Chairs 9. Native Ornamental Plantings 10. Unique Stone Sculpture

ood

Main

E nt ra

nce

9 10

4 1 2 5

Professional_Pittsburgh Streetscape_

LIRI 60

CAMP 6

PART 6

LIRI 60

LIRI 60

D

CAFL 6

QUER 6

CARE 40 CARP 1

CLAD 3

VIBM 4

CLAD 5

E

VIBL 3 PART 3

VIBL 2

VIBM 8

A NYSS 3

Plaza Design — see previous page

TILI 3

NYSS 7

CARE 120 PART 3

CARP 3 VIBM 4

F

A

B

A

CAD PLANTING PLAN ECHI

ILEX

ECHI

ILEX

LIAT

SOLI

CAMP 6

PART 6

LIRI 60

PART 6

LIRI 60

CAFL 6

CAMP 6

LIRI 60

LIRI 60

PART 6

QUER 8

HYDR 6

CARE 160 CARE 125 VIBM 8

CARP 2

VIBM 8

CARP 4

C

HYDR 6

VIBL 3

HYDR 6

VIBL 3

C

CARE 160 VIBM 12 PART 3

CARP 4 VIBM 4

B

CARP 6

C

NYSS 9

A

B

A SCALE: 1.0" = 30.0'

B

0

15'

30'

N 60'

Professional_Pittsburgh Streetscape_ LIAT

SOLI

VIBL 2

VIBM 8

A NYSS 3

CARE 150

TILI 3

NYSS 7

PART 3

CARP 3 VIBM 4

01.

Exploring Concepts — in the conceptual phase of this project I F collaborated during our in-house charette sessions

ECHI 10

ILEX 6

02.

Hand Sketching — this is a hybrid hand & digital sketch to show the B A feel of the planting beds; it helped inform the digital birdseye render

A

ECHI 10

SPOR 10

ILEX 6

SCALE: 1.0" = 8.0'

SPOR 8

SCHI 10

HYDS 6

PLANTING B

HYDS 6

RUDB 12

SPOR 8

PROCESS WORK & DETAILS

PLANTING D

SOLI 6

SPOR 10

PLANTING A

05.

Planting Details — the Planting included HYDS Plan RUDB enlargements of each planting bed configuration 6 12

LIAT 18

SCALE: 1.0" = 8.0'

PLANTING E

VIBM 4

HYDR 6

VIBM 8

C

CARE 290 VIBM 8 PART 3

CARP 5 VIBM 4

B

CARP 6

C

NYSS 9

03.

Birdseye Render — provided by project Architect A

04.

Plant Palette — I took the lead in plant palette research and B A selection for this project, focusing on native and resilient species

SCALE: 1.0" = 30.0'

LIAT 18

SOLI 6

HYDS 6

SCHI 10

SCALE: 1.0" = 8.0'

RUDB 22

B

0

15'

30'

HYDS 6

RUDB 12

CARE 24

N 60'

RUDB 12

CARE 24

PLANTING C

SCALE: 1.0" = 8.0'

UNDERPLANT FLOWERING PERENNIALS WITH NARCISSUS SP. MIX, SEE PLANT SCHEDULE

SCHI 21

ECHI 15

SPOR 12

LIAT 15 ILEX 5

SPOR 14

Professional_Pittsburgh Streetscape_

SCALE: 1.0" = 8.0'

PLANTING F

SCALE: 1.0" = 8.0'

04

Norwood Nature Play

DATE 2019-2020

TYPE Professional Rachel Robinson Design

COLLAB Design Studio [Rachel Robinson, Madg Weighner]

PROJECT BRIEF

Lydia’s House, an emergency housing organization for women and children, contacted Rachel Robinson Design in 2019 to begin work on this nature playscape. The site, located in the Norwood neighborhood of Cincinnati, is adjacent to one of the organization’s housing centers.

In addition to being used by families at the housing center, the playscape also serves a nearby preschool, Azaela Montessori.

The project began construction during the summer of 2020 and was completed in October of that year.

My role in the project began with designing preliminary concepts and creating presentation documents. The final plan render was created by myself and another associate designer. As the project moved into design development and construction documents, I transitioned into a project lead role under the guidance of the principal landscape architect. I drafted construction documents for the project and was involved in the bid comparison process.

During the summer of 2020 I performed construction observation of the in-progress project.

INTRO

Professional_Norwood Nature Play_

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15

0’

5’

SITE PLAN RENDER

Before

After

7 LEGEND

5

1. Central patio with seat walls

9. Loose parts play

2. Crushed gravel

10. Log hop

pathway 3. Certified play mulch 4. Astroturf 5. Embankment slide 6. Log climb 7. Astroturf hill 8. Willow tunnel

area 11. Infant swings 12. Bird’s nest play platform 13. Existing large shade tree 14. Stone transition 15. Retaining wall 16. Art or music panel

N 15’

20’

Professional_Norwood Nature Play_

S F

01.

Stripping willow on-site

02.

Bundling willow fiber for weaving around Bird’s Nest frame

CENTERLINE

03.

Bird’s Nest Frame

PRIMARY SUPPORT POSTS, SEE DETAIL 3/L5.0 FOR ATTACHMENT AND DETAIL 9/L5.0 FOR LAYOUT SECONDARY SUPPORT; 1 X 4 AZEK BOARDS BOLTED TO PRIMARY POSTS; 3-5 BOARDS PER SIDE OF HEXAGONAL DECK BASE; NO GAPS BETWEEN BOARDS BETWEEN 3" AND 9" AZEK RIPS, 54" WIDE, HORIZONTALLY WOVEN BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SUPPORTS; NO GAPS BETWEEN RIPS BETWEEN 3" AND 9" NATURAL WOODY MATERIAL (HONEYSUCKLE, WILLOW, OR EQUAL); FRESHLY CUT AND WOVEN BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SUPPORTS FOR TEXTURE

SEE DETAIL 3/L5.0 FOR POST FOOTING

NOTES: 1. NO GAPS IN WEAVE GREATER THAN 3" AND LESS THAN 9" 2. NO SIDE OF HEXAGONAL WEAVE TO BE THE SAME; EACH SIDE MUST HAVE A UNIQUE LAYOUT OF SECONDARY SUPPORTS, AZEK RIPS, AND NATURAL WOODY MATERIAL

05.

Designed to encourage imaginative play, the Bird’s Nest is a custom play feature I detailed for this project

86'-0"

7 L5.0

86'-0"

BIRD'S NEST WEAVE, SEE DETAIL 7/L5.0

CAD DETAILS & CONSTRUCTION PROCESS 6" DGA BASE

4 X 6 PRESSURE TREATED SLEEPERS

SECONDARY SUPPORT; 1 X 4 AZEK BOARDS BOLTED TO PRIMARY POSTS; 3-5 BOARDS PER SIDE OF HEXAGONAL DECK BASE; NO GAPS BETWEEN BOARDS BETWEEN 3" AND 9" AZEK RIPS, 54" WIDE, HORIZONTALLY WOVEN BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SUPPORTS; NO GAPS BETWEEN RIPS BETWEEN 3" AND 9" NATURAL WOODY MATERIAL (HONEYSUCKLE, WILLOW, OR EQUAL); FRESHLY CUT AND WOVEN BETWEEN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SUPPORTS FOR TEXTURE NOTES: 1. NO GAPS IN WEAVE GREATER THAN 3" AND LESS THAN 9" 2. NO SIDE OF HEXAGONAL WEAVE TO BE THE SAME; EACH SIDE MUST HAVE A UNIQUE LAYOUT OF SECONDARY SUPPORTS, AZEK RIPS, AND NATURAL WOODY MATERIAL

SEE DETAIL 3/L5.0 FOR POST FOOTING

04.

First-pass of weaving

7 L5.0

86'-0"

86'-0"

BIRD'S NEST WEAVE, SEE DETAIL 7/L5.0 6" DGA BASE 4 X 6 PRESSURE TREATED SLEEPERS

CENTERLINE AZEK DECKING, ALTERNATING WITH 5/4 X 6 AND 5/4 X 4 SPACE DECKING EVENLY FOR LAYOUT AS SHOWN

2 X 6 PRESSURE TREATED JOISTS, 12" O.C., ATTACHED WITH METAL FASTENERS TO 4 X 6 SLEEPERS 4" DIA. TIMBER ROUNDS, BOLTED THROUGH SLEEPERS TO HOLD WEAVE

9 L5.0

Professional_Norwood Nature Play_