Portfolio of Landscape Architecture

Sarah M Chu | PORTFOLIO Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

Sarah Chu (she/her) is a Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) student with an undergraduate background in cultural preservation and textile design, with a BA degree from the Rhode Island School of Design. Prior to graduate school, she spent five years organizing symposiums on historical textiles and craft in China and Mexico. This international work, particularly with supporting artisan communities, sparked her interest in the intersection of culture, communities, and landscapes, leading her to a career in landscape architecture. Sarah’s academic work includes rehabilitative design projects with incarcerated individuals, research on environmental racism in both Seattle’s South Park and Hunter’s Point in San Francisco, and the design of memorial sites addressing immigration and removal in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square. She is actively engaged in student leadership, the department’s Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion committee, and EXTENTS, a student-led publication. Sarah is particularly interested in how landscape architecture can preserve culture, history, and bring forward lost narratives. Her research areas include landscape materials, landscape remediation, community engagement, educational design, and the creation of equitable public spaces.

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

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CONTENTS

01 Slow Material Futures | South Park, Seattle, WA 02 Memorial Studio | Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA 03 Rehabilitative Design | Gig Harbor, WA 04 Community Activism | San Francisco, CA 05 Pacific Horticulture Design Futurist Award | San Francisco, CA

06 Quilted Ecologies | Union Bay Natural Area, Seattle, WA 07 Community Engagement 08 Textile Design

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

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01

| Slow Material Futures: Dismantling Landscapes of Industrialization

Location: South Park, Seattle, WA

Slow Material Futures reimagines a large parcel in South Seattle as a site which supports community-led ideas, environmental justice, and an equitable existence. The imagined Duwamish Valley Land Trust, represents shared community visions for an abandoned airfield, creating a partnership across organizations in South Seattle.

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

The site design is founded on three conceptual pillars: Community Imaginaries, which are future-shaping ideas and initiatives held by the local community; Ecological Interventions, involving plant processes to remediate, restore, and regenerate patches throughout the site; and Slow Production, which counters the fast pace of

rapid industrialization and technological innovations that to its present pollutive existence. By dismantling material components from the site’s former occupation of the aircraft industry, and recontextualizing them for community-centered programming, the space is reclaimed, reformed and revitalized.

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01

| Slow Material Futures: Dismantling Landscapes of Industrialization

Location: South Park, Seattle, WA

Highlights of the tour include:

Slow Material Futures: The Scrap Tour

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Outdoor Classroom: A flexible covered area for youth engagement and environmental data and research

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See the site through a day in the life of a banana peel, as it moves through the waste flows of our site.

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Community Store

Biofueler Station

2 Outdoor Event Space: A flex space for community events on the runway

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Remediation and Restoration Area

2

Outdoor Event Space

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Biofueler Station: One of a few stations located on site that provide biofuel for the golf cart transit fleet and other vehicles.

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Biodigester: One of several on site that processes the surrounding communities waste.

Functions also as a covered flex space.

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Biodigester

1

Outdoor Classroom and Research Lab

5 Community Store: Located inside an old Boeing building, the market serves as a shop for local goods and materials.

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River’s Edge Restoration Area: Located by a winding pedestrian path to the Duwamish River, the area hosts native wetland and scrub shrub species to mitigate flooding.

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

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02 | Memorial to Seattle’s Immigrant Histories Location: Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA

Histories

The inspiration for this project draws from the collective experiences of the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Coast Salish peoples who labored in industries of imperial expansion in the late 1800s in Washington. Their narratives and experiences are often missing in the retelling of Seattle’s history and the state’s colonial settlement. The extractive material industries in which they worked, such as timber, coal, DECONSTRUCTION and INTERNATIONAL railroads, demanded a transient DISTRICT existence, resulting in many of their experiences remaining unrecorded.

Context

THIRD AVE. S D ON

ET

RE

ST

N

LAYERING

SIO

EN

T EX

LIGHT/SHADOW

ORNAMENT

C SE

FIRST CHINESE SETTLEMENT

OPIUM WARS MIGRATORY

SECOND AVE. S

WATERFALL GARDEN

1860S CHINESE LABOR MIGRATION

IMPERIALISM

YESLER WAY

S JACKSON

S MAIN

FIRST AVE. S

OCCIDENTAL MALL

OCCIDENTAL PARK

OCCIDENTAL AVE. S

S WASHINGTON

YESLER WAY

EXTRACTIVE

EXCLUSIONARY

1853 YESLER MILL

1851 DENNY PARTY ARRIVAL

OPENING TO WESTERN TRADE

1860S COAL MINE DISCOVERED IN BELLINGHAM 1855 POINT ELLIOTT TREATY

1890s JAPANESE LABOR MIGRATION 1870 CONSTRUCTION OF N. PACIFIC RAILROAD

1882 CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR US ACQUIRES THE PHILLIPINES

1880 HOP INDUSTRY EXPERIENCES RAPID GROWTH

COAST SALISH PEOPLES 1900s FILIPINO LABOR MIGRATION

1889 GREAT SEATTLE FIRE

1886 ANTI CHINESE RIOTS

TI

1897 MT. BAKER GOLD RUSH 1907 GENTLEMENS AGREEMENT

1893 ECONOMIC PANIC

ME

IM M E M O RI

AL

1929 2ND AVE CUT

1939 WWII

1942 TRANSPORTATION OF JAPANESE AMERICANS TO INTERNMENT CAMPS

1924 1927 ASIAN MASS EXCLUSION DEPORTATION OF ACT FILIPINOS FROM YAKIMA

ALASKAN WAY

250’ 15’ FORMER LOCATION BALLAST ISLAND PROPOSED ALLEYWAYS PIONEER SQUARE BOUNDARY RAILWAYS & HIGHWAYS

PIER 48

BUILDINGS PARKS SITE OF PROPOSAL SITES OF NOTE

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

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conditions

inspired by historical and botanical motifs cast their shfiting shadows on those passing through.

Depending on season, color, light and shapes reveal and fade. The shadows cast are a metaphor for the transient existence of early migrant and Indigenous laborers.

02 | Memorial to Seattle’s Immigrant Histories

MOTIFS OF ORNAMENTAL FLOWERS OF SIGNIFICANCE

MOTIFS OF EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

Coal

Sphagnum Moss

Railroad

Rhododendrons

Salmon Nootka Rose cəkapaʔ (Lutshootseed)

Timber

Hops (Humulus lupulus)

culture

BRICK AND GRAVEL PATHWAY provides improved infrastructure for pedestrians and stormwater capture. Water captured can be used for street plantings.

Bricks excavated and reused and gravel from surrounding construction excess.

provides space for local arts organizations and community groups to coordinate changing mural installations by different local artists (artwork featured by Stevie Shao)

The rhododendron is a species of ornamental flower commonly found throughout Washington. While the Pacific rhododendron is native to WA state, there are many varieties found here which are native to countries such as Japan, China and the Philippines. While the rose is historically an ornamental motif of imperial gardens, the nootka rose is used for medicine, food and ceremony in many indigenous cultures.

Artists Mural (ex. Stevie Shao)

Mirrored Paneling

Brick excavated from site

Aggregate from ``surrounding construction

Proposal

The primary intention of the design is to provide a

w facingcommunity-centered North: Looking north,opportunity visitors see their reflections in the for creative expression. ored lenticular paneling. those living southartists of Yesler Lenticular panelsHistorically, act as canvases for local andwe organizations to paint or iterate specific mirrored visuals, fostering acized from the upper white class community.The panels sense of ownership identity the space. The ntionallya point south, reflecting and the people ofwithin the surrounding munity.ground plane consists of permeable pavers and gravel, Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

PAST

Foregrounding lost narratives

The GLASS CANOPY, inspired by historical and botanical motifs cast their shfiting shadows on those passing through.

Depending on season, color, light and shapes reveal and fade. The shadows cast are a metaphor for the transient existence of early migrant and Indigenous laborers.

PRESENT

Incorporating present conditions

NEW PERMEABLE BRICK AND GRAVEL PATHWAY provides improved infrastructure for pedestrians and stormwater capture. Water captured can be used for street plantings.

Bricks excavated and reused and gravel from surrounding construction excess.

FUTURE

Bringing in community and culture

MOTIFS OF ORNAMENTAL MOTIFS OF EXTRACTIVE but INDUSTRY not only filtering stormwater also symbolizing the FLOWERS OF SIGNIFICANCE Western Red Cedar Coal Railroad Rhododendrons View at(Thuja night: Pathways are lit up to make alleys more inviting deconstruction plicata)of the urban environment. Overhead and accessible those from working late shifts. coverings providefor shelter inclement weather while Salmon Sphagnum Moss reflecting shapes and colors into the space during Nootka Rose cəkapaʔ sunnier days, creating an ever-changing environment that (Lutshootseed) Timber Hops (Humulus lupulus) interacts with seasonal shifts.

Artists Mural (ex. Stevie Shao)

LENTICULAR PANELING provides space for local arts organizations and community groups to coordinate changing mural installations by different local artists (artwork featured by Stevie Shao)

The rhododendron is a species of ornamental flower commonly found throughout Washington. While the Pacific rhododendron is native to WA state, there are many varieties found here which are native to countries such as Japan, China and the Philippines. While the rose is historically an ornamental motif of imperial gardens, the nootka rose is used for medicine, food and ceremony in many indigenous cultures.

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03 | Nurturing Transitions: Rehabilitation Through Design Location: Washington Corrections Center for Women, Gig Harbor, WA This project centered on designing outdoor spaces for incarcerated individuals at the Washington Correctional Center for Women. Collaborating directly with residents, our team facilitated group discussions to envision and design more supportive outdoor environments. Our design integrated principles of attention restoration therapy, offering residents diverse spatial opportunities to enhance focus and agency. This specific design is intended for the maximum security unit, ensuring essential features like shade, improved pathways, seating, and adaptable areas for socializing, solitary reflection, and spiritual engagement. The site design is a gradient of passive and active opportunities for residents. Given the limited free time allotted to maximum security residents, we prioritized creating an interpretive and adaptable biophilic environment.

Key features included sensory gardens, open activity areas, water features, and habitats for local wildlife.

INDIVIDUAL MEDITATIVE SPACES 2 1 3 5

PASSIVE Attention restoration through fascination and extent

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GROUP GATHERING AREAS ACTIVE Attention restoration through compatibility.

EXTENT Feel away by experiencing enclosure FASCINATION Watch wildlife and enjoy the sounds of rippling water

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

COMPATIBILITY Active space for social engagement

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03 | Nurturing Transitions: Rehabilitation Through Design

CHAPEL

CCU

RAISED BEDS & BEES

CIRCULATION SCALE = 1’-0” = 1/16”

Individual seating and design elements incorporated material reuse and opportunities for engagement with other programs at WCCW. Raised beds decorated with mosaics in partnership with the arts program gives residents more opportunities for ownership and shared responsibility with growing edible and medicinal plants. Modular benches made from dead trees on site give flexible use opportunities for residents looking for exercise activities.

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

feature: bird habitat and recycled concrete fountain promoting material reuse on site

feature: modular interpretive workout bench and concrete gabions made from cut trees on site and construction waste

feature: commmunity designed and made mosaic concrete planters

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04

| Community Activism and Shoreline Development in Hunter’s Point

Location: San Francisco, CA HEALTH CONCERNS asthma congestive heart failure hypertension cancer

Air Monitoring Stations Hazardous Waste

ELECTRICITY

SAN FRANCISCO

Superfund Site

COMMUNITY ACTION

Brownfield Site

steam turbine

BAYVIEW HUNTERS POINT

STEAM

RONMENTAL HEALTH S IN ENVI JUSTI ADER CE E L TY I N U M M CO

OUTPUT sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO2), mercury (Hg) hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), and other pollutants.

Marie Harrison

Kamillah Ealom Bayview Hunters Point Community Organizer/Program Coordinator

Huntersview Mothers Committee 1996 - present

Dr. Ahimsa Porter Sumchai

PG&E Power Plant (demolished) Remaining PG&E Substation

Blue Greenway

Hunters Point Shoreline Park India Basin Shoreline Park India Basin Mixed Use

The San Francisco Bay shoreline is a network of trails and parks, many of which are being redeveloped due to sea level rise from climate change and the “Blue Greenway” initiative. The parks in South San Francisco, particularly the Hunter’s Point neighborhood, are at the center of these developments. Hunter’s Point has long suffered from industrial and military pollution.

Sarah Chu Chu || Master Master of of Landscape Landscape Architecture, Architecture, University University of of Washington Washington Sarah

Bayview Hunters Point Environmental Justice Response Task Force

DE

40+ activations 13 signature events 7 everyday services 20 workshop/presentation 4 events by other

200+hours of programming 12,000 visitors to the site 20+ community partner co sponsors 5000 community members received goods services 300 job training recipients

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard

NOW Hunters Point

INP UT /

UT TP OU GN SI

COMBUSTION

INPUT coal oil gas

COM MU NIT Y

Marie Harrison Bayview Air Monitoring Network (2021)

This project visualizes Hunter’s Point by mapping its legacy of environmental racism, while also highlighting its history of community and environmental activism. It emphasizes the significant community input incorporated into large-scale park projects, such as the redesign of the PG&E Substation and India Basin Shoreline Park.

Hunters Point Biomonitoring Foundation (2019)

The mapping raises questions about how community engagement is both utilized and overlooked in the design process, and how it is rarely shared across design partners working on adjacent projects.

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04

| Community Activism and Shoreline Development in Hunter’s Point

Location: San Francisco, CA This graphic maps all shoreline parks and ongoing park developments along the San Francisco Bay, highlighting their respective municipal, governmental, and private owners, partners, and contractors.

My goal was to visualize the relationship between community demands, engagement, and community-led design, while gaining a deeper understanding of the complexity of adjacent city-scale projects developed by a network of firms and partners, all engaging with the same community.

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

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05

| Migrating Mosaics: Climate Adaptive Plant Communities at Pioneer Park

Location: San Francisco, CA

MIGRATING MOSAICS

The Design Futurist Students Award tasked students with reimagining the landscape of Pioneer Park surrounding the historic Coit Tower in San Francisco. Our design centered around themes of biodiversity, drought and fire resilience, climate adaptation and therapeutic design.

Amidst a changing climate, we focused on incorporating

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

three ecotypes into our planting proposal - oak woodland, California grasslands, and chaparral - our design mirrors a mosaic supporting diverse flora and fauna. Including native species like coast live oak, goldenrod, and manzanita as keystone organisms, our design fosters learning and engagement with biodiversity and drought resilience.

Embracing an experimental approach, we include species from as far south as Baja, adapting to shifting environmental conditions. Our planting design bridges the past and future, showcasing California’s ecological heritage while envisioning healthier landscapes for generations to come.

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06 | Quilted Ecologies: Increasing Biodiversity at Union Bay Natural Area Location: Union Bay Natural Area, Seattle, WA

3-10 years smaller ponds implemented in already emergent areas

UBNA Boundary Side Sewers Buildings

Existing Ponds Existing Paths New Ponds Emergent stream

10 ft. Contours Existing Paths Water Non-Palustrine Palustrine Forested Palustrine Riparian beavers create dams, which help to slow water flow and create smaller streams.

Palustrine Emergent Palustrine Aquatic

30 years streams emerge between implemented ponds

This collaborative project addressed the lack of biodiversity, connectivity, and shoreline habitat at Union Bay Natural Area by supporting four different threatened or endangered species and introducing climate migratory plants. Formerly a landfill and now a restoration area, Union Bay Natural Area plays a vital role in providing a Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

variety of palustrine wetlands. Our design interventions aimed to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as more intense, shorter rain periods and drought conditions, through connectivity, expansion, and buffering, with the goal of enhancing current biodiversity. Inspired by Richard Forman’s ecological theories on patch shapes, and

precedents such as Magnuson Park, we explored how form can encourage interior and exterior forces or processes to promote ecological diversity. Introducing climate migratory plantings along edges of ecotones, creates more adaptive habitats for the endangered species we sought to support.

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06 | Quilted Ecologies: Increasing Biodiversity at Union Bay Natural Area western red cedar

douglas fir himalayan blackberry red flowering currant

red osier dogwood

pacific willow

scotch broom cooley’s hedge

tufted hairgrass

PRESENT

beaked sedge skunk cabbage yellow iris canary reed daggerleaf

LANDFILL

WATER LINE FORESTED western red cedar

douglas fir

ponderosa pine

RIPARIAN

EMERGENT

AQUATIC

EMERGENT

EMERGENT

RIPARIAN

AQUATIC

oregon white oak

himalayan blackberry

oregon ash swamp white oak

toyon oleander

red flowering currant

pacific willow

cooley’s hedge

coyote willow

red osier dogwood

skunk cabbage beaked sedge canary reed

tufted hairgrass

yellow iris daggerleaf

3-10 YEARS

great yellow pond-lily

FORESTED Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

RIPARIAN

EMERGENT

AQUATIC

EMERGENT

RIPARIAN

EMERGENT

AQUATIC

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07 | Utilizing Design for Community Equity and Engagement

Work for Just Circular Communities Collaborative, a collaborative organization focused on regenerative and circular economies lead by the University of Washington College of the Built Environments, in partnership with the Duwamish Valley Sustainability Association.

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

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08 | Textile Design: Experimental

A showcase of previous explorations in textiles, and translations from hand to fabric through digital manipulation. Images on left portray Jacquard weavings created on a TC-2 loom, translating ink drawings into pixel and then into computer code, created at the Jacquard Center in Hendersonville, NC. Images on right are handwoven, natural dyed pieces created at the Iceland Textile Center.

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

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08 | Textile Design: Commercial

Brand visioning and print design for Nordstrom Product Group’s Young Adult brand, B.P. From left to right: Original designs and campaign shots for Nordstrom BP. x WildFang, original designs and campaign shots for Nordstrom BP. Be Proud Pride Campaign, and textile designs and product shots for B.P. Spring 2020.

Sarah Chu | Master of Landscape Architecture, University of Washington

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