Landscape architecture portfolio | City without bias | Sijin Cheng

2020-2022 MLA Landscape Architecture Workbook-2 Sijin Cheng

City Without Bias -- civic-subnature George square in Gasgow

Contents

0 Intro Note to reader Design statement Glossary of terms Let's start!

03 04 05 07

1 Recalibrate What I'm still concerned about?

In the city of Glasgow Recontextualise

11 13 17

2 Dynamic Systems Possible scenario What happened to block C? How does it work?

23 25 29

3 Materiality Maintenance Split the George Square How do people feel?

33 35 39

4 Curation + Exhibit Previous attempts The possible last exhibition

45 47

References Appendix

50 52 56

0 Intro

Note to reader

This workbook is the sixth part of the whole portfolio as well as the integration of the first five parts. It includes all the works of the author in the course Landscape Architecture Design Exploration: Part 2 in the second semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. Besides all drawings, it also includes physical model documents, animation keyframes, exhibition layout, hand-drawn drafts and so on.

03

Design statement

Birds can only live in the corners of buildings, and will be expelled for polluting or damaging buildings; The human leftover is piled up in remote corners of cities, and it stinks, but it is still deliberately ignored ... These landscapes appear in trivial daily life, and we often forget to think about the causes of these scenes when we get used to it: the continuous expansion of buildings, the massive production of waste, etc., are all created or dominated by human beings. These troubles that we hate are all cumbersome issues that civilization has to deal with. Is it equitable to treat these urban lives derivative with such negative emotions? Is it because of our inherent bias that the situation keeps a vicious circle? One-sided information will lead to bias. If these subnature1 elements are discussed in a wider social and ecological system, will we still insist on the inherent bias?

Under the background of a multi-species flourishing world as the final target, this project takes birds, one of the most important cooperators of human beings, as the lens, and the string figures game as the basic model of methodology. Through extensive and in-depth research on subnatures, such as waste, pigeons, polluted soil, and crowds, which have a wide impact on Glasgow, and trying to find their value and relevance in order to coexist with them, and then transform them into sustainable landscapes, so as to weaken bias and create a more equitable landscape.

04

Glossary of terms

Subnature David Gissen(2009) defined the things produced by human beings and cities that are not accepted by the society or belong to the natural environment as subnature. it comes from the atmosphere, such as darkness, gas, smoke, exhaust; It comes from matter such as dust, mud, debris, puddles, and living organics such as weeds, inserts, pigeons, and crowds. Culture and habits make people regard these subnatures as public health problems.

Project specific defination: In the project, they are specified as: waste, pigeon, crowds, and polluted soil.

String figures It is an ancient game by manipulating string on, around, and using one's fingers or sometimes between the fingers of multiple people. It may also involve the use of the mouth, wrist and feet. It is well distributed all over the world and has rich cultural meanings. Donna Haraway(2016) compares it to a storytelling method, which changes the string circle through the physical operation of fingers and connects the formed characters into a story. String, history, circle, creation, story and back to circle.

Project specific defination: It is the basic methodological model to propel the whole project. Developed from the first semester Landscape architecture design exploration: Part 1.

05

Recalibrate [verb]

1. To make small changes to an instrument so that it measures accurately.

2. To change the way you do or think about something.

Project specific defination: Building on and advancing the theoretical methodology established during the first semester, determine the research field, redefine and propel the project.

Recontextualise [verb]

1. To contextualize (something) again.

Contextualise: To consider something or to help other people consider something in its context (= the situation within which it exists or happens)，which can help explain it.

Project specific defination: Re-investigate the more detailed surrounding environment of the site in order to propel design.

06

Let's start!

The 01 Intro animation is used to introduce the concept of the project and undertake the work of Landscape Architecture Design Exploration: Part 1 in the first semester.

07

Waste piled up in the corner of the city Huge and 'annoying' flocks of pigeon Chaotic crowds And polluted soil covered under concrete. ...

Why do humans hate these so-called 'subnature' while these are actually the natural products of civilized society?

We can hardly see the whole picture of things with only one eye One-sided information will lead to bias If these 'negative elements' are discussed in a wider social and ecological system and if we know where they come from, where they go, how the system works, what kind of value they have, and find that they can be transformed into commodities or landscapes.

Bias will naturally disappear So Glasgow will become a City without bias

08

1 Recalibrate

What I'm still concerned about?

11

Birds coexist with humans in a complex and diverse relationship on this planet. On the whole Glasgow city scale, they may be the living monitors of the ecological environment, a crucial node in a small landscape system, working partners of humans, or objects that are hated or need to be managed --for example, pigeons. Like pigeons, elements produced by the city but not accepted by society may also include waste, polluted soil, and crowded people.

12

This drawing shows the dynamic context of several key sites in the Glasgow city scale based on the recalibrated concept. Sites are derived from the research on the different types of relationships between birds and waste in the first semester .

13

In the city of Glasgow

14

15

In the city of Glasgow

With the passage of time, the plant patches are constantly improved, and the possible corridors formed by abandoned highways or car parks between patches will gradually become complete. By then, the green infrastructure of the whole city will be close to a string figures in shape...

16

Recontextualise

17

The bird

Past

Research process

Present

Site key elements

All this started with my interest in birds, and it is the first 'door' to my project target. The middle three boards tell the process of my research, which is actually a process of information superposition. What happened in the past will definitely affect the present, therefore, from the existing environment, the most sensitive points to the site can be found, and then propose solutions for these key points. At the same time, things continue to be interconnected, and a new and stronger network is launched.

Solution/Future

Zoom in to the George Square 1:1500

According to the analysis of sites on the city scale, George square is presumed to be one of the sites with great influence and urgent need to be revised because of its geographical location and historical factors. Therefore, I choose to continue to explore how to coexist with subnatures in this place full of human activities.

Combining with the opinions of the citizens, I recontextualised this challenging site.

The waste facility 1:500

The underground structure

I would like to propose a landscape that can all be connected. To quote a description from Elizabeth Meyer, it's a 'Systems Esthetic'. Waste comes from citizens who work and live around the square, then processed or recycled and fed back to the site.

Subnatures can actually be landscapes.

No boundaries, no bias.

The underground garden 1:200

18

1

2

3

1. From the bird to the George Square.

2. Waste comes from citizens who work and live around the square, and will be recycled and reused in the square.

3. The shape of the underground structure creates a fancy utopia for busy citizens.

19

Recontextualise

20

2 Dynamic Systems

Possible scenario

This is the initial stage of the design process. Waste, pigeons, crowds, and polluted soil are defined as dynamic variables. Based on the preliminary planning of Block C, some possible scenarios are put forward, which will affect the site in different time scales.

23

24

What happened to block C? This part shows how the changes of dynamic variables is applied to the site from the scale of Block C. From the existing situation of lack of vegetation, crowded people and old waste system, to the vision of 20 years after the vegetation system become rich and diverse, people flow is properly dispersed and the waste system is efficient.

25

26

What happened to block C? This is a very busy downtown square: surrounded by many important buildings, such as the city chamber and Queen Margaret station; It's the only place where citizens who work and live nearby can relax; Poor greening; A huge flock of pigeons unlimited fed by tourists... while there are so many problems, it is also an undisputed civic centre in the minds of citizens.

In order to respond to the civic centre function when dealing with the subnature problems, I choose to expand the space vertically. The underground part will mainly use to display subnature landscapes, while the ground floor still mostly assumes the functions of a downtown square.

27

28

How does it work?

The 04 Dynamic systems animation illustrates the possible construction process and the change of the 20-year time scale.

29

30

3 Materiality

Maintenance

33

34

Split the George Square The systems aiming at different problems work together and influence each other in the site, making George square a truly sustainable ideal place. If similar ideas can be applied to other sites in the city, a network where everything can be connected with each other and have a positive impact can be expected.

35

36

Split the George Square 'Civic-subnature' George Square

37

38

How do people feel?

39

40

How do people feel?

41

How do people feel?

Connecting the upper and lower floors is such a composting facility, which encourages nearby residents to throw food waste into the ground inlet. The waste is converted into fertilizer here to feed plants in the verticle planting pots in underground gardens and economical valued plants in the ground planting gardens.

42

4 Curation + Exhibit

Previous attempts

Sijin Cheng | Interim Review | 01. 03. 2022

45

Sijin Cheng | Final Review | 05. 04. 2022

46

The possible last exhibition

1

3 2

4

6 10 5

7 8

47

9

1. Recalibration -Human & Subnatures.

2. Fields -Key sites in Glasgow city scale.

3. Supporting drawings of the field drawing.

4. Maintenance and Materiality 5. Dynamic system -How will the block C change in 20 years?

6. Split the Qeorge square.

7. Visuals -The landscape that people feel.

8. The intro animation 9. The dynamic systems animation 10. Recontextualised model -From the concept to the design.

48

49

References Haraway, D. J. (2016) Staying with the trouble : making kin in the Chthulucene / Donna J. Haraway.

Durham ;: Duke University Press.

Gissen, D., 2012. Subnature. New York, NY: Princeton Architectural Press.

Meyer, E. (1997), ‘The Expanded Field of Landscape Architec- ture’, in G. Thompson and F. Steiner (eds.), Ecological Design and Planning (New York: John Wiley & Sons), 45–79.

Ruby, A. and Durandin, B., 2004. Spoiled climate. Basel: Birkhäuser.

Lokman, K., 2017. Cyborg landscapes: Choreographing resilient interactions between infrastructure, ecology, and society. Journal of Landscape Architecture, 12(1), pp.60-73.

George-square.com. 2022. George Square. [online] Available at: <https://www.george-square.com/ today> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Ourplaceglasgow.com. 2022. Our Place Glasgow - Previous Engagement. [online] Available at: <https://www.ourplaceglasgow.com/previous-engagement> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Glasgow.gov.uk. 2022. Findings of George Square Conversation released - Glasgow City Council. [online] Available at: <https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/article/25523/Findings-of-George-SquareConversation-released> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Froelich, A., 2022. This company wants to turn food waste into building materials — here’s how. [online] Inhabitat - Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building | Green design & innovation for a better world. Available at: <https://inhabitat.com/this-company-wants-to-turnfood-waste-into-building-materials-heres-how/> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Divisare. 2022. F.A.T. · V O I D. [online] Available at: <https://divisare.com/projects/340471-f-a-t-vo-i-d> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Hiddenglasgow.com. 2022. The Hidden Glasgow Forums • View topic - Possible Nuclear Bunker?. [online] Available at: <http://www.hiddenglasgow.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=72&start=15> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Schulz, D. and Schulz, D., 2022. Lowline team releases official proposal for $83M underground park | 6sqft. [online] 6sqft. Available at: <https://www.6sqft.com/lowline-team-releases-officialproposal-for-83m-underground-park/> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Landezine. 2022. Jardin des Joyeux by Wagon-landscaping. [online] Available at: <https://landezine. com/jardin-des-joyeux-by-wagon-landscaping/> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk. 2022. An Incredible Herbal – our index of herbs | Incredible Edible Todmorden | Herbs. [online] Available at: <https://www.incredible-edible-todmorden.co.uk/ apothecary/herbalintro> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Urban Omnibus. 2022. Pneumatic Tubes for One New York’s Trash - Urban Omnibus. [online] Available at: <https://urbanomnibus.net/2015/08/pneumatic-tubes-for-one-new-yorks-trash/> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Environment.gov.scot. 2022. Waste and resources | Scotland's environment web. [online] Available at: <https://www.environment.gov.scot/our-environment/people-and-the-environment/wasteand-resources/> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Ebird.org. 2022. Explore Hotspots - eBird. [online] Available at: <https://ebird.org/hotspots?env. minX=-4.35680399999995&env.minY=55.784554&env.maxX=-4.06987699999996&env. maxY=55.916131&yr=all&m=> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

NRDC. 2022. Keystone Species 101. [online] Available at: <https://www.nrdc.org/stories/keystonespecies-101> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

Audubon. 2022. What Do Birds Do for Us?. [online] Available at: <https://www.audubon.org/news/ what-do-birds-do-us> [Accessed 25 April 2022].

50

51

Appendix

52

Appendix

53

Appendix

54

55

This paragraph indicates that this year-long project is coming to an end. No matter the result or the future, this is indeed a project that I have devoted lots of effort to and love very much. During this time, I have received a great deal of support and assistance.

I would first like to thank the course organizer, Anna Rhodes, who has always given me great help and support with her professional knowledge and insightful feedback since the initial stage of my project a year ago.

I would like to acknowledge my tutor Norman Villeroux. It seems that there is a whole amazing universe in your brain. Your rich creativity and patient explanations have benefited me a lot. There won't be this project without you.

Thanks to the academic staff team and workshop technician team, with your patient help, I have these 'messy' models.

I would also like to thank my parents. You are always supporting me no matter what I want to do even during the difficult pandemic. Thanks to my ‘noisy’ and happy friends, you may not know how important you are to me. Thank you, Wang Yin, you were there every step of the way. Finally, thank my boyfriend. I never thought I could get such selfless love and support.

I'm really a lucky person because of all of you.

56