My first document

NATALIE KO

Nat.ko@mail.utoronto.ca

EDUCATION

2022 | 2025

Master of Landscape Architecture (Year 1)

Universityt of Toronto

Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

JAN | APR 2021

Placement Student | Area Realty Inc.

Toronto, ON

2017 | 2021

Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning

Toronto Metropolitan University

· Examined prospective properties and complete development analysis for potential real estate investments

· Reviewed site related planning documents such as land use designation, zoning by-law and recognized its performance standards to assess site feasibility

· Prepared planning reports and provided professional opinion to propose the highest and best use based on planning analysis to determine the merit of an assembly

SEP 2019 | APR 2020

Communication Associate & Graphic Designer | Ryerson Association of Planning Students (RAPS)

Toronto, ON

· Enhanced the urban planning program experience by increasing RAPS brand awareness and planning events such as career week, Ryerson-Waterloo Undergraduate Planning Conference, and PLACE19

· Created promotional materials for social media posts and displays by utilizing Adobe Creative Suite

· Ensured the successful delivery of marketing content to increase student participation in urban planning events, measured through increases in social media engagement

OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE

OCT 2016 | SEP 2022

Supervisor | Ten Ren’s Tea

Mississauga, ON

· Displayed strong customer service skills by ensuring accurate orders and promoting Ten Ren products to provide customers an enjoyable purchasing experience

· Demonstrated strong attention to detail through accurate payment transactions and order preparation

· Oversaw the team’s workflow by ensuring productivity and performance by providing constructive feedback

OCT 2022 | PRESENT

Stock Assoicate | Michael Kors

Mississauga, ON

· Demonstrated strong attention to details through categorize and organize items in store for accurate inventory tracking and storage

· Operate POS system and ensure correct price label are created and placing them on items on store shelves to prevent negative on hand

AWARDS

Winner of The Wind Rose Design Competition | 2022

Propose a new temporary installation for the Downsview Wind Rose that celebrates the wind, local history, stories of making home and the indigenous connection

Emilio Deo Memorial Award for Studio Excellence | 2021

To recognize a team of undergraduate students who demonstrate such strong commitment to city-building through client-based project work and their engagement with agencies and firms

SKILL

Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)

Rhino

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

ArcGIS

REIMAGINE DENTONIA

Dentonia Golf Course TORONTO, ON Fall 2022

Main focus/concept:

• Optimize site functionality

• Promote active programming based on seasonality

• Sustainable Golf management

The project intended to embrace the existing topography and infrastructure through adaptive reuse, and transform the Dentonia Golf Course into a multifunctional green space that provides for social interaction and habitat restoration. To preserve the game of golf and protect the ecological importance of the area, new strategies are suggested to be implemented on how the golf course will be managed and maintained, and additional programming will be introduced to optimize site functionality based on seasonality, inviting the community into this valuable green space.

Perspective of the skating loop

Dentonia Golf course is one of five city operated golf courses. It is the smallest, the least utilized and generates the least amount of revenue to the city. Not only does it have the lowest play and rental cost, beginner friendly design and programming. Being one of the largest green spaces in the neighborhood and conveniently located by a subway station, Dentonia golf course has tremendous opportunities to transform and host various community events and activities. The transformation aims to create an inviting and attractive public space all season round to integrate newcomers to the community through community gathering and the induction of winter sports such as tubing, tobogganing and cross country skiing.

Proposed Site Plan

Detail Plan

In terms of ecological restoration effort, area along the creek, underutilized park space and identified out of play area in the golf course will be naturalized to reduce mowing and maintenance, while also reducing water and fertilizer use.

Native tall grasses and wet meadow species like switchgrass, sideoats grama and more would be planted in these areas, allowing tall grasses to

Switch Grass Panicum virgatum

Side-oats Grama Bouteloua curtipendula

Cattail Typha latifolia

Sweetgrass Hierochloe odorata

Prairie Dropseed Sporobolus heterolepis

Sedge Grass Carex pendula

Indiangrass Sorghastrum nutans

Sweet Flag Acorus calamus

Naturalized area including out of play area in the gold course

Wet meadow plants that can be planted near the ravine

grow, creating habitat diversity and attracting various species. A precedent of such initiative that the project can learn and study from would be the Bathurst Glen Golf Course in Richmond Hill, ON, where the golf course strives to achieve the highest possible standards of environmental management.

A grading plan is included in the proposed trail network which will improve accessibility of the existing infrastructure, by widening pathways and adding multiple entrances. The transformation of the Dentonia Golf Course would be one of respect and thoughtfulness of the existing condition and would be a model for social and ecological improvements. Reimagining the site into a multifunctional space creates new opportunities for a healthier and sustainable future.

Grading plan of a accessible pathway without railing

SANCTUARY FOR THE SENSES

New College, UofT TORONTO, ON

Winter 2023

Worked in a team of two, the project intended to use the New College Courtyard, west of the University of Toronto Campus, as a test subject to explore various design standards in creating healing spaces. The design intention for this space will allow one to connect back to the natural landscape and relax one’s mind from mental health issues or other problems. Our design is also rooted within the indigenous knowledge system and framework to align with the University’s 2017 Truth and Reconciliation – Calls to Action report that assist divisions in answering the calls, serving as a touchstone for the University community to begin to work towards Truth and Reconciliation and answering the call.

Planting scheme and plant list of the healing garden (Produce by Sakshi Riar & Natalie Ko)

Existing indoor and outdoorprogramming (Produce by Sakshi Riar)

A series of research is conducted as a starting point for how we began to think about the design of the garden that targets each of our senses in a cohesive yet non-overwhelming way, including sun/ shade study, existing indoor and outdoor programming, and tree and circulation study. Corresponding to our vision, we created winding, looping paths and trails throughout the courtyard space to make the experience feel longer and varied based on the needs of the individual. We created a hierarchy for the pathway and associated them with specific senses and types of planting material.

Sun shade study

Proposed materiality diagram (Produce by Sakshi Riar & Natalie Ko)

Secondary path provides a more intimate experience within the courtyard. One can experience a greater sense of solitude compared to the primary path and be closer to the elements and greater emphasis on smell.

PATHWAY HIERARCHY

Pathways are divided into three category and each are designed to be accessible in terms of its width and the materials used. The primary path guides one across the courtyard in a loop. Users on this path will be surrounded by tall trees and lowlying ground cover, encapsulating one within the space. At various moments one will see glimpses of a visual marker that will guide them towards the smaller paths out of wonder and curiosity.

As the smallest path in both width and journey, the tertiary path is held together by the close proximity of taller plant species, allowing individuals to feel a sense of peace and solitude. Visitors can experience the plant’s healing qualities as they can now touch the textures of various species.

Entrance to the garden and primary pathway

Water feature

Secondary path Tertiary path

SIDEWALK GARDEN

Harbour Village Neighburhood TORONTO, ON Winter 2022

The sidewalk garden is a part of the plants and design course that ask to select a front lawn in Toronto with a relative dimension and design a perennial planting plan. Since the lawn chosen is on a major arterial road with moderate to high foot traffic, the planting scheme for the garden is based on plants with high tolerance to foot traffic and salt. The garden relies on a mix of native perennials and grasses to create a pocket of oasis beside a busy street in downtown Toronto that will bloom all summer long and fill with interesting textures.

WIND ROSE COMPETITION

LANDING, TAKE OFF

DOWNSVIEW PARK TORONTO, ON Collaborative work with a team of 3

Landing, Take off is a project that celebrates the industrial history and ecological diversity of Downsview Park. The installation mimics landing and take off of birds through the wind. Sixteen panels will go between each pole and encircle the wind rose with colourful patterns showcasing different species of bird found in the area.

A rendering visualizing the design and how people can interact with the installation (Produced by Natalie Ko)

Underside of the installation design

Eight different birds found in the area and their wing patterns are recognized and unveiled on the panel. The installation encourages visitors to look up to the panels and observe something that is usually unseenable from the ground. The design is one of three winning proposals.

Pattern of each panel and its placement (Produced by Natalie Ko, Fion Kong, Georgia Sa)

Installation at Downsview Park, Toronto, taken from below looking up to the sky