2024 MLA Portfolio

tessa wiley

portfolio 2024

BIO Hi, I’m Tessa!

I am a graduating 3rd year MLA student skilled in visual communication, creative problem solving and collaborative design with a strong orientation towards social equity, community engagement, and ecological resiliency. Motivated by my love of people and nature, I am a firm believer in the transformative power of public spaces to influence the health and well-being of current and future communities.

I enthusiastically face complex projects head on, seeking solutions through deep research and participatory design. My internship experiences at Urban Arena, Craft LA, and Kounkuey Design Initiative have prepared me with a wide range of skills for understanding diverse project types and scales. At Urban Arena I worked on projects ranging from business park plazas to planned community developments and sharpened my technical skills while sharing ideas and suggestions during team charettes. At Craft LA, I gained a better understanding of the construction phase as I visited project sites during various stages and helped make decisions on materials and planting. Currently in my position at Kounkuey Design Initiative, I help with planning community engagement events, producing public facing graphics, reports, and master plans. As I graduate, I am passionate about continuing to work in the public sphere on projects that positively impact disadvantaged communities and those who lack sufficient access to green space. It is my hope that this portfolio displays both my passion and my qualifications for a full-time job in landscape architecture.

“We are called to be architects of the future, not its victims.”

-R. Buckminster Fuller

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04 OUR RESILIENT RIO “...there have always been gardens in Bell Gardens.”

17 SENSORIUM “It would feel great to plant a seed and watch it grow into something positive.”

24 DWELLER’S PARK PROJECT “Forget the damned motor car and build the cities for lovers and friends.”

36 SKY, EARTH, & WATER “I enter a swamp as a sacred place, a sanctum sanctorum… I seemed to have reached a new world”

45 GRAPHICS & SKETCHES

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OUR RESILIENT RIO KO U N KU E Y D ES IG N IN IT IAT IVE YE A R : 2 0 23 PRO J ECT T Y P E: P U B L IC PAR K LO CAT ION : B EL L GAR D EN S, CAL IF O R NIA RO L E: D ES IG N P ROD U CT ION , G IS, CO MMUNIT Y E NGAG E ME NT, E VE NT P L A NNING T E A M M EM B ERS : L AU R EN EL AC HI (P R INCIPA L), DA NIE L D O MING UE Z (P RO J ECT M A NAG ER), AN D DAN IEL GARC IA (CO MMUNIT Y CO O R D INATO R)

Throughout the duration of my internship at KDI, I have been fortunate enough to join the Our Resilient Rio team and help bring community voices to life in a schematic level concept and vision plan. Our Resilient Rio is a several year long project focused on determining the viability and community desire to turn the Bell Gardens Golf Course into a public park. Strong relationships have been built with the Bell Gardens community and painstaking effort has been put in by the team to ensure that this space is used in a way that can benefit the maximum amount of people. My role in this project began with attending community meetings and documenting their preferences. I then helped ideate and sketch several concepts that we could present to the community for further feedback. We arrived at three concepts that highlighted different types of programming. I then began helping to establish a graphic identity for the project and applied that to our concept plans for print and digital uses. In all, I have helped with many facets of the project including the production of models, planning the Picnic in the Park event, gathering GIS data and creating maps, as well as designing the final vision plan report.

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PUTTING THE GARDEN BACK IN BELL GARDENS The city of Bell Gardens is a predominantly Hispanic community with a rich cultural history. Established in the early 20th century, it has evolved from it’s agricultural roots to become a thriving urban center known for its proximity to major highways and industrial zones. The “Gardens” in its name is derived from the Japanese vegetable gardens and rice fields established early in the cities history. The city is characterized by a blend of residential neighborhoods, commercial activity, and a commitment to community well-being. With ongoing efforts to address challenges and enhance livability, Bell Gardens continues to be a place where residents enjoy gathering together for recreation and celebration.

CITY OF BELL GARDENS

THE GATEWAY CITIES

This subregion is characterized by its proximity to major transportation corridors, including the intersection of major freeways and access to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. They are known for their industrial and commercial activities.

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Dense concentrations of industrial zones contributes to elevated levels of air and noise pollution. The proximity to major highways introduces additional challenges, including traffic congestion, safety concerns, and potential health risks.

Bell Gardens is also situated between two major rivers, one of which borders the project site. There are also a number of large golf courses within a 2 mile radius of the city and a handful of small parks.

CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE In the Gateway Cities, communities of color face a disproportionate risk of climate change impacts, compounded by existing health risks attributed to pollution and a scarcity of green spaces. The correlation between the absence of green spaces and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities is evident, contributing to heightened vulnerability. By restoring native ecosystems, communities can build resilience against climate change, mitigate pollution, and better withstand the challenges of droughts and floods. Simultaneously, green spaces create opportunities for more outdoor recreation, nature education, and community connection.

HISPANIC POPULATION

POVERTY RATES

POLLUTION BURDEN

Source: CalEnviroScreen 4.0, OEHHA

Source: CalEnviroScreen 4.0, OEHHA

Source: CalEnviroScreen 4.0, OEHHA

HISTORIC NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS

PRIORITY AREAS FOR RESTORATION

Source: LA County Parks Needs Assessment

Source: LA County Parks Needs Assessment

In restoring natural ecosystems in highly urbanized cities, it is crucial to understand the historic ecology at play and what unique factors have contributed to it. Bell Gardens was primarily made up of coastal sage scrub and riparian forests due to the proximity of two major rivers.

According to the LA County Park Needs Assessment, Bell Gardens is situated at the center of several large priority restoration areas. The city can be a connecting force in regional efforts to create more native habitat.

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PARKING LOT RESIDENTIAL

FORD PARK

CLUBHOUSE

PRIVATE NURSERY

MAINTENANCE YARD

BELL GARDENS GOLF COURSE

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RIO HONDO GOLF CLUB

A HOLE-IN-ONE FOR EVERYONE? The Bell Gardens Golf Course, established in 1976, is a par 3 course located near the Rio Hondo, Bell Gardens Sports Center, and Ford Park. The course features a closed clubhouse, restrooms, a chain-link and steel fence around its perimeter, and non-native trees. It is not open to the public and requires paid entry. This raises the question of whether this space would better serve the community as a public open space or park. There is a small but passionate group of people who feel a strong attachment to the golf course, making it a challenging design problem and creating the need for thorough community involvement in the site’s future. However, most of the people surveyed that want the site to remain a golf course are nonresidents, while residents tend to prefer that it become a park.

BELL GARDENS RESIDENTS

9%

NON-RESIDENTS

4%

10%

WHAT DOES YOUR HOUSEHOLD CARE MOST ABOUT?

1% 33%

28%

59% 56%

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IT SHOULD BE A PUBLIC PARK

IT SHOULD BE A PUBLIC PARK

IT SHOULD BE A GOLF COURSE

IT SHOULD BE A GOLF COURSE

IT DEPENDS

IT DEPENDS

NO RESPONSE

NO RESPONSE

164

EDUCATION

151

ARTS, CULTURE, AND HISTORY

120

WORKFORCE TRAINING & ASSISTANCE

88

RECREATION

81

FOOD SECURITY

75

ENVIRONMENT

70

SERVICES

40

HOUSING ASSISTANCE

results provided by

MAKING THE CASE Golf courses raise environmental concerns that stem from resource-intensive maintenance practices, habitat disruption, and potential pollution. These concerns include excessive water usage for irrigation, the use of pesticides and fertilizers, habitat destruction, and the creation of monoculture landscapes that lack biodiversity. Additionally, the expansive manicured lawns of golf courses contribute to the displacement of native vegetation. Transforming golf courses into parks presents a sustainable alternative. Parks can be designed to prioritize ecological balance, promote biodiversity, and reduce water consumption through the use of native and drought-resistant plantings. Converting golf courses into parks not only addresses environmental concerns but also opens up these spaces for community enjoyment, fostering recreational activities, and ensuring more equitable access to green spaces for a diverse range of residents.

1.4

park acres per 1,000 residents (1.9 acres lower than county average)

1,574 acres of land in

Bell Gardens

56 acres of parks in Bell Gardens 70% of population with a high need for park acres

2 miles of trails inside parks 0 miles of trails outside parks 250 acres

of Golf Courses within a 2 mile radius.

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CONCEPT 1: PARQUE DEL SOL This was the most voted for concept and will likely be the inspiration for the next phase of design. Parque Del Sol is a gathering space for community members to share important life moments and cultural celebrations in a natural surrounding. The design includes a large, sun-inspired amphitheater where you can watch folkloric dances, listen to local bands, and celebrate loved ones.

Throughout the park, natural spaces invite gatherings of all sizes amongst native gardens. Park-goers can play at the desert playground, attend a wedding, picnic in the shade, or watch a movie on the big screen with their neighbors.

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2 13

3 4

14 6

10 5

7 8 11 9

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1

Community Center

8

Dry Creek

2

Nature Center

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Wetland Lake

3

Mural

10 Sculpture Park

4

Ethnobotany Trail

11

Soccer Field

5

Sun Amphitheater

12

Native Meadow Trail

6

Shaded Picnic Space

13 Outdoor Fitness Zone

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Adventure Playground

14 Small & Large Dog Park

CONCEPT 2: LOS JARDINES This concept is an urban sanctuary where families can enjoy the beauty and abundance of nature.

The design will include a series of different gardens where parkgoers can wander, gather with friends, and learn more about their natural environment. Community members of all ages can play at the nature playground, learn how to grow plants, take a birdwatching class, play fetch with their dog, and explore peaceful trails.

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2 3

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CONCEPT 3: GOLF PARK

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In an attempt to provide a golf-park hybrid option, this design will keep the existing nine holes and add native planting, a community center, walking paths, and a linear park next to the Rio Hondo Bike Path. While people golf, the park will be closed to the general public, and vice versa. This hybrid design will allow the community to continue golfing while adding new outdoor amenities, increasing native planting, and creating more indoor community space.

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Community Center

8

Dry Creek

2

Nature Center

9

Wetland Lake

3

Mural

10 Arboretum

4

Interpretive Trail

11

Native Meadow Trail

5

Large Gathering Space

12

Outdoor Classrooms

6

Teaching Gardens

13 Outdoor Fitness Zone

7

Nature Playground

14 Small & Large Dog Park

2 4 5

3

7

6

1

Community Center

2

Mural/Art Piece

3

Existing 9-hole Golf Course

4

Outdoor Fitness Zone

5

Small & Large Dog Park

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Existing Trees

7

Linear Park & Bike Path Access

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A MODEL-MAKING EXPLORATION In order to create an easier way for the community to interact with and understand the different park designs, we created playful models with tactile materials and a combination of textures. The models were taken to various community events and paired with their respective site plans, while community members were asked to use sticky notes to discuss what they would like to change, add, or move. On the right you can see photos of people interacting with the models and how effective it was at providing a more personal scale.

los jardines concept model

parque del sol concept model 12

golf park concept model

Photo Credit: Rachel Kim, KDI

people interacting with the models, writing their thoughts on sticky notes

m e u s i n g t h e c o n c e pt p l a n s to a s k res i d e n ts w h a t t h ey ’d l i ke to s e e i n a p a r k

All Images Property of KDI

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PICNIC AT THE PARK Part celebration and part site-activation, the Picnic at the Park event provided an opportunity for long-time residents, who have never visited the golf course, to experience it as a public park. We used this event as an opportunity to give back to the community, with a festive meal, fun activities, and free gifts. One of the goals of this event was to also use it as an opportunity to educate people about native plants and animals. I created a series of materials that would engage people in thinking about the ecosystems around them in a fun and meaningful way.

brochure & coloring sheet

event signage

ACTIVITY STATIONS

We arranged three different activity stations around the golf course that would encourage people to walk around and explore the site. Each station had a different theme and people would receive a stamp for attending each one, after which they would win a prize. The brochure, which shared information about the project and a link to the community survey, also acted as a coloring book.

plant & animal matching game

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At one of the activity stations, community members could help themselves to free native wildflower seeds, bookmarks, and test their knowledge of local flora & fauna with this matching game that asks you to match animals with plants they depend on. The hope is that people start to see the connection between planting native plants and seeing more wildlife.

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COMMUNITY QUILT ACTIVITY For this activity, participants were given large squares of paper, magazines, markers, scissors, and colored pencils and asked very broadly to fill the paper with things they love about Bell Gardens and what they would like to see in the park. At the end we tied together each piece, creating a quilt of the communities artistic expression and aspirations.

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SENSORIUM

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SENSORIUM S E M E ST ER : S P R IN G 2 0 23 PRO J ECT T Y P E: WOM EN ’S STAT E P R ISO N LO CAT ION : CAL IF OR N IA IN ST IT U T IO N FO R WO ME N - CH INO, CA CL ASS : L A 61 2 1 L - P ROF ES S ORS CL A IR E L ATA NÉ & A D R IA N TE NNE Y RO L E: S IT E AN ALYS IS, C OM M U N IT Y E NGAG E ME NT, SCH E MATIC D E SIG N G RO U P M EM B ERS : M EGAN L AS S E N, J UL IA N FE R NA ND E Z, TO NY O L E A , & CH IP E RWIN

“I believe the intentional act of planting and growing something beautiful or useful will help us connect to the fact that we are good, and capable of doing great things.” -CIW Resident Who deserves beauty? Can beautiful landscapes be a tool for transformation and rehabilitation?

Sensorium reimagines the prison environment through a restorative justice lens, using sensorial healing landscapes to aid reformation and recovery. The environment of prisons play a significant role in the rehabilitation process. Research has shown that access to green spaces, gardens, and sensory experiences can positively impact inmates’ mental and emotional well-being, behavior, and overall rehabilitation outcomes. The California Institution for Women, like many correctional facilities, lacks stimulating outdoor environments for residents, staff, and visitors. Our community engagement process, which included surveys from staff and inmates, helped us better understand the needs of all who live, work, and visit CIW. When designing prison landscapes, it’s crucial to consider challenges such as lack of funding, resources, and maintenance. Engaging the residents in the design, construction, and maintenance of the gardens offers an affordable solution that fosters long-term investment and provides them with marketable skills for future careers.

This project prioritizes the rights and well-being of staff and inmates, creating transformative spaces for emotional and physical well-being, education, healing, and dignity. Final proposals for the site include healing gardens, diverse sensory experiences, outdoor activities, immersive walking trails, and resilient planting palettes. For many inmates, being incarcerated means being cut off from the outside world. Nature serves as a connection to the beauty and possibilities that exist beyond prison walls. This project is a starting point in imagining the role landscape architecture can play within the prison context, especially as we begin to rethink carceral systems as a whole.

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N dirt area s flood in the rainy season a nd kick u p dust in the dry s eason

empty la nd in the front en is green try after ra infall bu dry dirt t is most of the year

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areas are outdoor visitor dirt and y b d surrounde double fencing

FOCUS AREAS

While the scope of this project was to think about the institution as a whole, I decided to focus on these areas upon receiving feedback from our community engagement. These areas are mostly shared by staff, visitors and inmates and are in severe need of improvements.

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500 ft

A MENTAL HEALTH CRISES

SURVEY RESULTS

The United States has one of the highest rates of women’s incarceration in the world, which has increased by 525% between 1980 and 2021. 1 in 3 women in prisons report experiencing symptoms of serious psychological distress – more than twice the rate of men. Prison staff also endure significant stress in their work environment with a 39% higher risk of suicide than the rest of the working population. We felt it was important to focus our engagement efforts on both staff and inmates to find areas of high concern and identify problems that impact mental health on the site. In our findings, there was a consistent desire for more nature and gardens, better quality outdoor spaces, and a need for more spaces of refuge, especially for staff.

Surveys were distributed and collected from over 70 members of the CIW staff and inmate population asking about their preferences.

948

RESIDENTS

1100 STAFF

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HUMANIZING THE INHUMANE Through a restorative justice lens, this project aims to design spaces that facilitate emotional and physical well-being, education, active participation, healing and dignity. Improved spatial design has the potential to positively impact individual transformation, fostering better staff-inmate relations, happier families, increased career opportunities, and ultimately contributing to healthier cities. Healing gardens, specifically designed for the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of incarcerated individuals, support recovery from substance abuse and trauma by humanizing the environment and enhancing opportunities for connection to oneself, peers, and the natural world.

1.

Improve mental health, self-esteem, and quality of life.

2.

Foster better relationships among staff, inmates, and family.

OUTDOOR VISITOR AREA

texture

art & color

movement

seasonality

mindfulness

wildlife

frag ra n c e

exploration

music

3.

Ignite a sense of hope, wonder, and curiosity about the world.

The visitor area of CIW is one of the most underlooked spaces on the site. While the outdoor area has benches and a new playground, it lacks a sense of comfort and vibrancy. Given that a large portion of CIW residents are mothers, it is crucial to provide visitation experiences that minimize trauma for children. There are plenty of low-budget ways to transform this small space into a space of reconnection for family members. Murals and colorful fence decorations offset the hostile surroundings while lush planting and bird baths encourage visits from buzzing wildlife.

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THE YARD

The yard is a space where inmates can reconnect with friends, interact with nature, play music, and find moments for reflection. Elements proposed in the yard include a meditation pond, a meadow maze with fragrant garden boxes, oversized windchimes and tree stump seating, a guitar circle for socializing and playing music, a spiral garden for solo time, a rainbow pavilion that projects colorful light, and an amphitheater for activities and events.

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Windchime Way is a small seating area that plays with the wind to create soothing sounds.

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Polychrome Path is part shade-structure part sculpture that captures light and projects it onto the pathways.

F o rg i ve n e s s La n e is a stone pathway painted and placed by inmates to remind them to forgive themselves and others

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FRONTERA PARK & REC FIELD

Frontera Park is a multi-purpose recreational space that facilitates interaction with nature while encouraging team sports and physical fitness. In order to prevent boredom and keep the space engaging, multiple elements have been included that range from sports fields, to nature trails, to fitness zones.

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FROM VACANT LOT TO STAFF PARK

One of the biggest concerns that came up during discussions with the staff members was the lack of break rooms and staff-only areas. Most of their day is spent sharing the same spaces as inmates and this provides barriers to relaxation and recovery. The current vacant lot that sits in the front entrance of the prison holds a lot of potential to provide staff and visitors with much needed seating, lunch areas, and walking paths. A shaded amphitheater provides a place to hold community and staff events while fountains provide peaceful sound therapy.

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DWELLER’S PARK PROJECT

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DWELLER’S PARK PROJECT YE AR: FALL 202 2 PROJECT T YPE: PUBLIC PARK LOCATION: LOS ANGELES, CA CL ASS: L A 6111 - STUDIO ROLE: ANALYSIS, DESIGN & VISUALIZ ATION

Through a process of intentional community collaboration and activism Dweller’s Park aims to act as an agent of the people, a vision of a healthy and bountiful future, and a living breathing garden for all to dwell within. Positioned in the heart of LA’s most vibrant, diverse, and disenfranchised core, this park will act as a force against gentrification, fighting the tireless fight against encroaching development. This park is first and foremost a backyard for its surrounding neighborhoods and should not aim to attract or serve anyone other than those who need it most.

For this project we were tasked with re-imagining MacArthur Park in downtown Los Angeles, a park that has existed for over a hundred years, experiencing both the heights of luxury and lows of decay. It’s reputation daunted me as I approached the park for my first site visit. But I was met with an overwhelming sense of life and community that I had seen missing from so many parks and neighborhoods in “clean suburban towns”. MacArthur Park is an image of what a truly loved and truly needed park looks like. It’s a place where people can just be, whether you’re an unsheltered individual looking for safety or live in a tiny apartment with no yard or walk by on your daily commute to work. This is what prompted me to replace the term “park users” with “dwellers”. Dwelling is what humans have done since our very beginning and it is what we continue to do no matter how small our spaces may be. The concept behind this park is rooted in the unity of neighboring communities. In all directions there exists cultural and ethnic enclaves where people have built long standing communities from the ground up. These informal yet highly complex “societies” find ways to meet the needs of their people without any real assistance from the greater systems at play. This is the power I sought to harness with the design of my park. This patch of public space can be a central hub for community organizing and empowerment and the more engaged people are in the space the longer it can live on to fight back against development.

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LA’S BACKYARD preserving what’s sacred A critical part of the design process for Dweller’s Park was putting aside my presumptions of what was needed to see what was already thriving. Since MacArthur Park is only one of a few parks in the area, it acts as a “backyard” for the local residents who may not have backyards of their own. Alongside the perimeter of the park there exists a bustling informal economy that can be bolstered to improve the economic conditions of the neighborhood. People hold church services on the grassy hills and play games on concrete tables. Things like this as well as sports fields, playgrounds, nature areas, and event spaces are sacred to the community and remain at the center of my design.

SPORTS & RECREATION

INFORMAL ECONOMY

soccer fields, fishing access points, playgrounds

street vendors, swap meets, farmers markets SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS LITTLE TOKYO ECHO PARK DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN

WESTLAKE

⋆ MACARTHUR PARK

ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE

WILDLIFE & HABITAT

levitt pavilion, community center, public art, memorials

lake, trees, nesting islands

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A BEACON OF HOPE opportunities + constraints

DENSITY OF UNSHELTERED POPULATIONS

Approximately 4,000 unhoused individuals residing in Westlake neighborhood.

Westlake is centered in a culturally & historically diverse hub with museums, town centers, parks, and libraries all within walking distance.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Westlake is the 5th most walkable neighborhood in Los Angeles.

WALKABILITY INDEX SCORE

Violent crime is 190% higher than the national average in Westlake neighborhood.

PERCEPTION OF WALKING SAFETY

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UNDERSTANDING MACARTHUR PARK site analysis + inventory

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FORM + FUNCTION INSPIRED BY NATURE design concept

CELLS — Adapting & Evolving The building blocks of all life, cells are structured yet flexible, permeable yet protective. Each is a powerhouse of growth and evolution. Cells in this design represent the natural form.

CIRCLES — Collecting & Connecting Circles act as a symbol of unity, connectivity, cyclic movement, and wholeness. Circles in this design represent the human-built form.

Stages of Community 1. Peripheral Interest aware of park’s presence, may walk through occasionally 2. Engagement participates in park activities, attends events , frequently uses the space 3. Investment plays an active role in planning events, advocates for the park and surrounding community 4. Belonging has an intergenerational relationship with the park and community, deep sense of stewardship and home

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SITE PLAN

3

1

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2 5 7 6 8 9

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15

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13

0

200

400

SCALE: 1” = 200’

30

1

Levitt Grove

6

Shade Structures

11

Bird Nesting Islands

2

Earthen Amphitheater

7

Community Marketplace

12

Flex Field

3

Community Center

8

The Core

13

Graffiti Garden

4

Playground & Garden

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The Refuge

14

Restroom & Wash Area

5

Discovery Shore

10 Birder’s Boardwalk

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Arbor & Peace Garden

VIGNETTES

Since the Levitt Pavilion is one of the most historic elements in the park, it was necessary to keep it relatively untouched. In order to tie it in with the rest of the design I decided to create a “green roof” over it and build it into the topography of the area. This also allows for people to walk on the roof an gain a different view of the city.

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Forest Seating

2

Earthen Amphitheater

Discovery Shore provides a space for kids and adults to explore a “rocky shore” full of plants and wildlife but also acts as a flood allowance for rainy years. During heavy rain events the lake fills up leaving just the stone walkway for access to The Core. Any additional overflow is routed under pathways to the neighboring rain cell gardens..

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Birder’s Boardwalk

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Discovery Shore

The Graffiti Garden is a public art installation that provides large areas of blank concrete walls that allow people from the community to add their own art.

It will be in a constant state of change as people continue to add new work over time. The chess tables site under a curving arbor that provides shade. People can play chess while looking out over the sports field.

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Graffiti Garden

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Chess Tables

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SITE SECTIONS

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Levitt Grove building community through music

The Core building community through exploration

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SITE SECTIONS

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Fútbol Plaza building community through recreation

The Market building community through autonomy

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SKY, EARTH, & WATER: DECONSTRUCTED

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SKY, EARTH, & WATER: DECONSTRUCTED YE AR: SPRING 202 2 PROJECT T YPE: WETL AND RESTOR ATION LOCATION: HUNTINGTON BE ACH, CA CL ASS: L A 512 1 - STUDIO ROLE: DESIGN, MODEL MAKING & VISUALIZ ATION (GROUP PROJECT)

It all began with a random, but evenly distributed array of 181 ‘points’. Hours of seemingly abstract dots and lines were created in AutoCAD and it wasn’t until deep into the semester that we would know what they were for. Week after week these ‘points’ were built upon, slowly establishing what would soon become our topographical information for the 5.25 acre project site. The ephemeral nature of wetland sites meant we didn’t have a solid set of data to build our model, it was all starting to make sense. Each week new information was revealed to us until we finally arrived at Bolsa Chica wetlands one morning for class and were handed a 5-page document listing out an extensive and specific set of programming requirements and limitations. Our group quickly began exploring the context of the site, doing extensive research and developing bubble diagrams that explored the best use of the space. One of the greatest challenges of this project was confronting the question of whether we should be building on this fragile wetland site at all. This led us to making low-impact design choices that would bring people into the space for educational purposes without disrupting the fragile ecosystems.

After our first review we quickly realized that much of our programming should be combined in order to leave more room for regeneration. During this group project, I realized the immense benefits of team collaboration and found myself pushed in new directions I never would have gone by myself. Each of us took on different roles but all played a part in the big decision making and crafting of our story.

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FROM TONGVA LAND TO TIN CAN BEACH a complicated history Bolsa Chica, which means ‘Little Pocket’ in Spanish, is a saltwater marsh just off the Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, California. It is bustling with life, both animal and human. The experience of entering the space removes you from the surrounding highways, noisy beaches, rusty oil wells, and residential expansion. It is a birders paradise and a joggers dream. But the site becomes even more dynamic when you begin to unravel its history. This delicate yet resilient marshland is just a fraction of what used to exist and sadly has been in a constant state of misuse since the moment it was stolen from indigenous communities. The land remains sacred to the Tongva and Acjachemen people and it’s preservation and restoration is more important than ever.

TONGVA & ACJACHEMEN LAND The estuary was home to indigenous tribes for over 9,000 years. 150+ cog stones were uncovered here but little is known about how they were used.

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SPANISH COLONIZATION In the 1700’s Spanish settlers colonized the California coast and began forcibly removing indigenous groups from their land to build Missions. Bolsa Chica was gifted to and named by son of Spanish soldier Manuel Nieto in 1804.

THE BOLSA CHICA GUN CLUB In 1895 a portion of Bolsa Chica was sold to a group of American businessmen to be used as a duck hunting preserve. The misuse and damming of the marshland devastated the natural ecology.

OIL DISCOVERY In 1895 a portion of Bolsa Chica was sold to a group of American businessmen to be used as a duck hunting preserve. The misuse and damming of the marshland devastated the natural ecology.

TIN CAN BEACH In the 1950’s Bolsa Chica State Beach got a bad reputation after 300 tons of trash was improperly discarded and left on the beach. It wasn’t cleaned up until 1961 when the beach was bought by the state.

SKY EARTH WATER The overarching narrative of our design was “Sky, Earth, & Water: Deconstructed”. Our hope was to provide a multidimensional experience of Bolsa Chica with elevated views from above, embedded views on the ground and an immersive look underwater. Through this approach we hoped to evoke a deeper understanding and connection to the diverse inner-workings of a wetland. To the left you can see the beautiful diversity of the Bolsa Chica wetlands. Our goal was to dedicate at least half of the site to full wetland restoration, meaning human access was limited to research and maintenance only. In order to maintain the integrity and delicate balance of the ecosystem we opted to build mostly stilted pathways and structures with the exception of our cultural center and research facilities.

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CONTEXT MAP

COASTAL STRAND

Coastal sand dunes are fragile habitats with harsh conditions of salt spray and strong winds that dry out plants.

Plants have adapted to form low-growing, spreading mats with shallow root systems.

SALT MARSH

Flooding of low-lying areas at high tide by salt water from the ocean, primarily consists of salt tolerant plants. The ecosystem is largely dependent on decomposers with dead plants and animals at the base of the food pyramid.

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THE EFFECTS OF OIL saving our shrinking marshlands It’s ecological services are perhaps one of Bolsa Chica Wetland’s most valuable assets. It provides nesting grounds for birds, spawning habitat for fish, flood control, groundwater recharge, and carbon sequestration. For years conservationists have worked to preserve this delicate habitat and prevent the threat of sand accumulation in the tidal inlet. But there is another omnipresent threat: oil. Views looking out over the lush green mudflats are interrupted by big rusty oil wells. Oil drilling has been active in Huntington Beach since the 1920’s and has played a large role in the desecration of the lowlands with the construction of raised service roads which are still there today. California is no stranger to oil spills, as we saw with the 2021 Orange County oil spill. These spills pose an incredible threat to wildlife and their habitat and Bolsa Chica is home to 23 species listed as either endangered or at-risk.

RIPARIAN WOODLAND

This habitat includes plants that grow along freshwater streams and require more water than other scrubland plants. Riparian habitat is rapidly disappearing due to stream channelization.

COASTAL SAGE SCRUB

Plants in the coastal sage scrub community are adapted to dry, south-facing slopes near the coast.

The fog along the coast keeps temperatures cool enough to prevent it from being a desert.

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SITE PLAN 1 10

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7

6

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4 2 5

9 3 8

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Berm/Bike Path

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Cog Stone Bench Seats

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GIS Research Center

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Sky Walk

AL SC

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Amphitheater

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Immersive Path

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Overlook/Cultural Center 20

0’

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Observation Decks

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Aviary/Bird Rehab Center

4

Patio Seating

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Pinniped Rescue Center

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Floating Dock + Skiff

5

Playground

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Bird Nesting Islands

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E: 1

0 20

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10 Native Plant Nursery

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Overlook/Cultural Center

Immersive Path

Aviary

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PUBLIC ART FOR RECYCLING BINS San Diego State University

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This project was submitted as part of a “Recycling is Beautiful” competition at SDSU in my senior year of undergrad in 2018. My work, which features prominent women in environmental activism, was chosen by the University Sustainability Commission to be featured on dozens of recycling bins around central campus. The art has remained on campus now for over 5 years.

GRAPHICS + SKETCHES As a graphic designer and artist, visual communication has been one of my strongest assets in my career so far in landscape architecture. My existing knowledge of software and ability to quickly learn new tools has allowed me to excel in communicating processes and design ideas. But software can only get you so far, visual communication requires quick problem solving, creativity, and sometimes extensive research. I have found that being able to quickly sketch a concept or mock something up in Photoshop is especially useful when working with a team. This is what allows everyone to get on the same page and quickly make decisions about how to move forward. Landscape architecture, unlike graphic design, also requires an understanding of complex systems happening at multiple scales and varying dimensions. The skillset I’ve loved exploring is how to get creative when showing these systems. In many cases we are required to act as liaisons between those with highly specialized knowledge and the general public, which means condensing big ideas into digestible bite-sized pieces. I am excited to continue sharpening this skillset and explore ways to make the landscape more legible and increase public appreciation for earth’s natural systems.

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PLANT JOURNALS LA6441 Plants + Ecology

These journals are a record of class field trips around Los Angeles where we observed a variety of plants and how they interacted with the landscape. These journals were put together each week to show a map of our walking path and where each plant was observed as well as to highlight a plant of our choice.

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SKETCHES

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twiley@cpp.edu www.issuu.com/tessanwiley @tessanwiley