Sophia Lui Landscape Architecture Portfolio

sophia lui landscape architecture portfolio

flower petal: sumi ink, watercolor, gel pen 2019

resume

1.

kind

4.

pollination paradise

7.

edsa internship

2.

sustainable cemeteries

5.

golden garden

table of contents

3.

hug

6.

jewel hunt!

1. [ kind ] an aesthetic experimental garden

Site North Riverfront.

Eugene, Oregon Studio Professor Michael Geffel, 2019 Project Description This project aims to revitalize the abandoned North Riverfront site in Eugene, Oregon, which is currently overgrown with undesirable invasive plants. My project is to create 10 experimental textural gardens through interconnected boardwalks.

Visitors are invited to record their observations and preferences, as well as rank their favorite gardens at dispersed survey stations on the boardwalk.

This experiment aims to discover human preferences for different kinds of texture through quantifying our aesthetic values, while creating pollinator gardens for our local insect population.

Why is this Imporant?

Creating spaces which ranks high on our aesthetic values will encourage more human activity in these areas.

By creating aesthetic spaces that people love and use, we can ensure that these spaces will be well-taken cared of.

What is this Experiment?

This experiment aims to change the perception of how humans categorize the good and bad-- in this case, the natives, naturalized, and invasives. rather than destroying all invasives due to fear of its origin, are we able to explore and discover how invasives can provide benefits to the landscape which it has settled in?

Furthermore, can the blending of native and non-native plants provide for complete, resilient habitats?

aesthetics monitoring citizen science survey

date:

drop in the box by the garden which you find most aesthetically pleasing. thank you!

garden name: adjectives

list and mark adjective(s) which describes garden

fluffy light airy flexible feathery

spiky heavy dense stiff rough

texture spectrum

circle one description which best describes the garden, and mark along the spectrum fine

medium

coarse

what makes you like this garden?

Visitors are invited to "vote" for their favorite textural garden by participating in a survey.

This survey will help better understand textural preferences.

Existing Basemap

any observations? (animals, weather, colors)

native to non-native plant ratio diagram ...% native ...% nonnative

A series of 10 experimental gardens are made up of different ratios of invasive and native plants, ranging from 10% native plants, to 100% native plants.

Visitors are encouraged to participate in a survey to record and describe their favorite experimental garden.

70% 30%

20% 80%

80% 20%

40% 60%

50% 50%

30% 70%

90% 10%

Proposed Plan

10% 90%

60% 40%

100% 00%

a

0

1

a

b

How does the intermingling of native and non-native plants affect the texture and habitat potential of the riverfront?

existing plant palette

proposed plant palette

1

b

a2

b

a3

b

a4

b

2

3

2

4

3

Planting Palette a2 - clumping grass a3 - blackberry Rubus sp.

Planting Palette b1 - peas Fabaceae b2 - fennel Foeniculum vulgare b3 - queen annes lace Daucus carota

a2 - stinking willie Senecio jacobaea a3 - beard tongue Penstemon sp. a4 - chicory Cichorium intybus

b

b

b

b

b

c

d

e

b1

c1

d1

e1

b2

c2

d2

e2

b3

c3

d3

e3

b4

c4

d4

e4

b1 - tufted hair grass Deschampsia cespitosa b2 - blue mountain prairie clover Dalea ornata b3 - yarrow Achillea millefolium b4 - globe mallows Sphaeralcea sp.

c1 - fleabane Erigeron sp. c2 - camas Camassia quamash c3 - checker mallow Sidalcea sp. c4 - slender rush Juncus tenuis

d1 - bird vetch Vicia cracca d2 - slender wild oat Avena barbata d3 - meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis d4 - garden fennel Foeniculum vulgare

e1 - buttercup Ranunculus sp. e2 - soft brome Bromus hordeaceus e3 - perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne e4 - red fescue Festuca rubra

Native : Non-native Ratio Plan

1:9 10% native

bird vetch Vicia cracca

beard tongue Penstemon sp.

2:8 20% native

soft brome Bromus hordeaceus

3:7 30% native

stinking willie Senecio jacobaea chicory Cichorium intybus

4:6 40% native

slender rush Juncus tenuis

5:5 50% native

globe mallows Sphaeralcea sp.

red fescue Festuca rubra blue mountain prairie clover Dalea ornata

6:4 60% native

7:3 70% native

buttercup Ranunculus sp.

8:2 80% native

camas Camassia quamash

yarrow Achillea millefolium

9:1 fleabane Erigeron sp.

90% native

10:0 100% native

fennel Foeniculum vulgare

checker mallow Sidalcea sp.

slender wild oat Avena barbata

nt Combination Diagram

Legend native

non-native

Section A 1" = 50'

play mound

original path

60' interval survey dropbox

gather platform play mound

survey dropbox

interconnected boardwalk system

interconnected boardwalk original path

100% native garden

greenhouse gasses

fossil fuels

time loneliness

what are the issues with cemeteries today?

land scarcity

formaldehyde environmental impacts

cost

VISION This hybrid cemetery will include spaces for natural burial and other sustainable alternatives; this park-like cemetery will be an open-space for all to visit and enjoy.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Encourage People to Visit the Cemetery • create a human-scale environment • establish a park-like quality throughout the park • increase accessibility by bringing paths up to ada standards • improve signage and wayfinding Improve Ecology of the Site • plant phytoremediators to absorb toxins in the ground • incorporate sustainable alternatives such as natural burial • contribute to the urban forest

Provide Alternatives to Traditional Death-Care Practices • dedicate expansion areas to natural and sustainable death-care alternatives • plant trees for markers; using gis technology to identify exact locations of those who have passed • community tumulus for people to place recompose soil material

2. [ envisioning sustainable cemeteries ] comprehensive project

site lincoln memorial park and funeral home. portland, oregon studio professor liska chan, 2020 project description Cemeteries are usually expansive pieces of land, which are underutilized by the living. How many days in a year do we visit these places where we have placed our loved ones? Reflecting on my experiences of going to the cemetery has inspired me to try to change the uncomfortable emotions and experiences people have of cemeteries and death.

My comprehensive project proposes a transformation of an existing, typical cemetery, into one which offers a spectrum of emotions, including peace and comfort, as well as ecological benefits, including using green burial and natural organic reduction.

Including sustainable options and locations into the expansive territory, while establishing a park-like quality throughout the cemetery will encourage people to visit it.

As people visit the cemetery, they will be guided on an experience which is defined by three landmarks of the site-- the tumulus, water, and forest.

The two most common ways of handling death in the United States are traditional burial and cremation. Bodies are typically embalmed before the burial or cremation process to delay decomposition.

These two forms of death-care are concerning, due to its harmful environmental impacts.

Issues with Conventional Cremation burns fossil fuels process releases toxins into air

impacts of conventional burial: • wooden caskets: 30 million board feet of precious tro • concrete or steel-lined burial vaults: golden gate bridg

impacts of embalming: • formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, are pumped into the earth as the body and caskets eventually decompo • eight olympic sized swimming pools every year

toxins from embalmed body releases into the air

fossil fuels cremation process

toxins from emb rain back to t

embalmed body

opical hardwoods each year ge or highway from san francisco to portland

bodies– this chemical can later seep into ose

chemicals from cemeteries: paints and pigments, embalming, wood preservatives, protective finishes, and corrosion inhibators leach chemicals into the earth, including: arsenic, manganese, vanadium, cadmium, lead, nickel, copper, chromium, formaldehyde, barium, ammoniac, methyl, and xylene.

Traditional Burial

body

embalmed body

embalmed body placed in casket

balmed body the earth

40 years later...

embalmed body placed in casket, placed in burial vault

not much decomposition has occurred

perspective

tumulus mound - tumulus: monument to remember the dead. burial mounds during ancient times were made of earth and stone, and raised over graves historical purposes: • protecting the dead • honoring the dead • burying the dead together

plan

function and design theme: recompose tumulus nurtures the earth with nutrients, as it has done for us our entire lives. the tumulus represents community and togetherness; encourages bonding, joy addressing goal: • improving ecology of the site • provide alternatives to traditional death-care practices (green burial, recompose) Tumulus Precedents

section elevation

newgrange tumulus, ireland stone age-- 3,200 BC

noge-otsuka kofun tumulus, japan-- early fifth century

long barrow at all cannings, england-- 2014

grave creek mound (adena culture) west virginia-- 50 BCE

perspective

water significance of water in death: many cultures and religions around the world have a sacred relationship with water: purity, clarity, life, healing, renewal function and design theme: circular boardwalk in reservoir represents cycle of life; encourages reflection, healing, introspection, contemplation

plan

addressing goal: • improving ecology of the site • creating a scenic space for comfort Phytoremediating Plants pennywort Hydrocotyle umbellata • • • • •

cadmium (metal) chromium (metal) copper (metal) zinc (metal) sodium (metal)

water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes

section elevation

• • • • • •

cadmium (metal) chromium (metal) copper (metal) mercury (metal) lead (metal) selenium (non-metal) duckweed Lemna minor

• • • • •

cadmium (metal) chromium (metal) copper (metal) zinc (metal) atrazine (pesticide)

perspective

forest symbolism: life, growth, death, rebirth, transition function and design theme: forest of phytoremediator trees are planted in-between existing grave markers to absorb toxic metals and chemicals in the ground

plan

trees represent the continuation of life, allowing families to continue to care for their loved ones addressing goal: improving ecology of the site, creating a scenic space for comfort Phytoremediating Trees and Plants cadmium • • • •

section elevation

willow tree (Salix vinimalis) viola flower (Viola baoshanesis) mouse-ear cress flower (Arabidopsis thaliana) norway maple (Acer platanoides) pesticides

• • •

hybrid poplar trees: Populus deltoides x nigra imperial carolina poplar (Populus x canadensis ‘Imperial’) zinc

• • •

little-leaf linden (tilia cordata) mouse-ear cress flower (arabidopsis thaliana) norway maple (acer platanoides) norway maple*

additional metals which this tree can absorb include: • arsenic • copper • thallium • lead

Phytoremediator Spacing Diagram

The Ritual Experience Procession

3. [ hug ] indigenous spaces: housing for urban native americans

Site West Eugene, Oregon Studio Professor Javier Bonnin, 2019 Architecture Studio Project Description The goal of this studio project is to translate the caring relationship indigenous people have with the land back to Amazon Creek, while simultaneously creating safe and welcoming spaces for the urban Native American community in Eugene, Oregon. This studio delves deeply into Native American culture and traditions, and incorporates the guidance and knowledge from members of the Native American community, including Native American architect, Johnpaul Jones.

The site of this project is a block which cuts through Amazon Creek. Amazon Creek has gone through many changes over the years; once a healthy and dynamic riparian ecosystem has slowly been stripped away and converted into a lifeless, rigid water container. The goal of this project is to translate the caring relationship the indigenous Kalapuya people have with the land back to Amazon Creek.

Conceptual Diagram: Restoring Amazon Creek

1.

Get rid of channelized creek. Adapt to flood flows.

4.

Increase riparian plantings to stabilize bank and to provide habitat for native animals.

2.

Daylight the creek: Create a complex channel system to restore the natural channel structure. Add gravel bars.

5.

Create an urban forest to increase biological diversity.

3.

Create habitat complexity. Add large downed wood and boulders.

6.

Hug the creek!

Contextual Plan

General Site Plan

The residential and commercial (market) buildings respond to the meandering curves of a restored Amazon Creek. The residential buildings are for the urban Native American community, and aims to reconnect the intimate relationship one has with the landscape.

The northeastern portion of the block is primari portion of the block is intended for Native Amer room is achieved through large, structural conif outdoor space dedicated for Native American c

urban forest

riparian trees and plantings for bank stabilization

groundwater recharge

ily for public use. The southwestern rican use. An outdoor landscape fers. This portion of the site is an ceremonies and gatherings.

large downed wood and boulders for habitat

4. [ pollination paradise ] design conceptualization

Site University of Oregon Eugene, Oregon Studio Professor Mark Eischeid, 2018 Project Description Historically, the Women’s Memorial Quadrangle was a space dedicated to a woman’s lifestyle and daily activities. Today, this space exists as an open lawn with trees. The only element which strongly references its historical context is of the Pioneer Mother statue, centered in front of a brick retaining wall.

For my studio project, I redesigned the existing Women’s Memorial Quadrangle to create a stronger sense of female identity for women on campus.

I have chosen to use the lotus flower and butterfly as inspiration for the design. These motifs are symbols for women and femininity. Both motifs represent how women can thrive and become influential members in a male-dominated society.

As well as preserving the historical significance of the site, the resdesign also aims to bring in monarch butterflies and other pollinators by incorporating milkweed and varying grasses into the space.

Perspective Collage

Plan

Form Analysis Parti

Circulation

Inspiration

Perspective Collage

5. [ golden garden ] planting plan design conceptualization

Site West Eugene, Oregon Studio Professor Arica Duhrkoop-Galas, 2017 Project Description The Golden Garden planting plan conveys a modernist, minimalist, and soothing garden through planting design and selections.

During the winter time, a strong evergreen structure of sculptural, feathery-textured pine trees serves as a backdrop for light colored plants, including pale grasses, snowberries, and Aspen tree trunks.

During the fall time, the garden turns into a brilliant gold color. Ribbons of golden leaves from Ginkgo, Linden, and Aspen trees transforms the place into a majestic garden.

winter

spring

fall plant palette

6. [ jewel hunt! ] difficult landscapes overlook field school

Site Waverly, Pennsylvania Fuller Center for Productive Landscapes Professors and Resident Art Instructors Michael Geffel, Gwen Cohen, Isaac Cohen, 2019 Project Description The Overlook Field School offers selected students the unique opportunity to live and study at Overlook, a 400-acre property originally designed by the Olmsted brothers.

This historical estate has evolved into a cultural landscape, serving as an ideal location for students to learn and explore the connections between landscape and culture.

The theme of the 2019 Overlook Field School was Difficult Landscapes. Oftentimes, these are landscapes which people struggle to manage, design, understand, and appreciate. Through my explorations at Overlook, I noticed that the “difficult” parts of the site-- characterized by heavy curtains of mosquitos, and rocky and muddy terrain-were oftentimes places of unnoticed ephemeral beauty.

Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), a delicate, small, bright-orange cone-shaped flower decorate these difficult landscapes. Although this plant is ubiquitous, many people fail to notice its gentle beauty, as they rush through these difficult areas.

Through drawings, temporary installations, and instruments, I have have attempted to distill the beauty and essence of the Jewelweed plant, and abstracted its relationship with places we believe to be difficult landscapes.

Abstraction and Observation Drawings I visited my 1 acre site, The Spring, several times a day throughout the week to record my observations and difficulties experienced. After synthesizing my observations and new findings, we were tasked with drawing out our chosen “difficulty of focus” at multiple scales. My drawings include the Jewelweed petals at a microscale, the human scale, and lastly, the Jewelweed plant concentrations at a site scale.

Materials: Watercolor, Sumi Ink, Gold Foil, Chalk Pastel, Charcoal, Graphite, Wintergreen Transfer, Micron Pens, Pencil, White Gel Pen

Temporary Landscape Installation: Jewel Hunt!

My landscape installation, Jewel Hunt!, is situated above a small spring located on my site. Small square mirrors are scattered underneath Jewelweed patches, reflecting back an image of the orange flower. These small mirrors represent the underside of the Jewelweed leaf when submerged underwater. The centerpiece of my installation is a bright orange traffic cone which sits on top of a long rectangular mirror above the spring water. The centerpiece is an abstraction of the relationship between water and the Jewelweed plant, while also serving as a reminder for people to stop and notice the beauty of Jewelweed around them.

Materials: Traffic Cone, Mirrors, Plastic Orange Mesh

Instrument: The Hygromirror

The Overlook Field School concludes with a showcase of instruments which students have created to interpret the difficulties of their site to a larger audience.

Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) is a common plant which often grows in moist, semi-shady forested areas. Jewelweed is easily recognizable by its bright orange, droopy cone-shaped flowers. The underside of its leaves beautifully glimmer silver under water.

Located in the Northern tip of Lily Lake is The Spring of the Overlook Farm. Jewelweed is extremely prevalent in this area of the property, especially where there are water sources. Due to its intense need for hydration, Jewelweed oftentimes is found in high moisture areas. My instrument, The Hygromirror, is an interpretation and abstraction of the relationship between water and the plant.

The Hygromirror is used to measure the humidity of a place; modeling a greenhouse, the orange mirrors are used to reflect heat, and capture condensation. The trapped moisture from the air will drip down the sides of the mirror, into a glass flower-shaped funnel and onto a piece of watercolored paper.

The dilution of watercolor underneath the funnel is used as a visual measurement to see how much humidity is in the air.

Materials: Orange Spray Paint, Wooden Picture Frame, 2x2 Wood Posts, 1x1’ Mirrors, 1x1’ Glass, Fishing Line, Eye Hooks, Glass Funnel Light Fixture, Watercolored Paper

Lumion Rendering Iterations

7. [ edsa ] internship work Location Fort Lauderdale, Florida Duration June 1, 2021 to January 31, 2022 Teams I worked with two teams during my internship: USNE (US Northeast) and the China team. I maintained constant communication between both teams to identify areas where I could assist for maximum group efficiency to meet deadlines.

Tasks Diagrams, modeling, rendering mockups, section mock-ups, CAD drafting and revisions, area takeoffs, case studies, photoshop masterplans, indesign deliverables Programs Rhino, Lumion, Enscape, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign

Enscape Rendering Iterations

Case Study

Site Diagram

CAD Section Revision

Photoshop Section Mock-Up

Diagrams

thank you