Memory's Replay - Landscape Architecture Portfolio

University

BY YICHEN JIANG

of New South Wales

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

I would like to start by acknowledging the traditional custodians of Gadigal Land of Eora Nation where my studies of Landscape Architecture are based.

I would like to pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We thank them for their endeavour to protect, connect with the Country, and sharing of values and knowledges of Australian Landscape.

As a Landscape Architect, I recognise my basic role in advocating First Nation Peoples leadership of engagement, planning, and management of this land as the base of any design movements.

And I recognise that First Nation Peoples sovereignty has never been ceded.

A photo of me during the internship of landscape construction.

I am a third-year undergraduate international student at UNSW based in Hangzhou, China. To me, the various designs are the basics to benefit one’s life. It is even more special to me that my hometown Hangzhou is the place with the abundant scenery of precious land and water. Therefore, the landscape architecture became the main theme I always come across as the part of my life.

Therefore, out of numbers of design subjects, I went with landscape architecture. I commenced my study at UNSW, where I can discover the breath-taking scenery of sandstone coastline and historical parks and heritages.

In these 3 years, I have accumulated numbers of knowledges and skills to analyse and plan the landscape architecture regarding the needs and expectation of my virtual users and clients. And I learnt to humble myself before the knowledge of traditional custodians of land. And I believe that my willingness to obey & learn and attention to details would make me an excellent candidate.

In my career life, I aim to understand the deeper knowledge of landscape industry. I will pay my genuine attentions to the details and standards of it to deliver a vibrant project that performed correctly and effectively. And I will pay my respect and learn my most precious lessons by working with traditional leaders of the land. And I will advocate the design approaches connect with the Country. In addition, I will focus on the sustainable and wellbeing-beneficial projects.

Work Experience

Bushcare volunteer, Randwick City Council (January 2022 - Present)

-Worked as a volunteer in bushcare for my industrial placement.

-Acquired basic knowledge of weeds and planting & caring of native plants.

Restaurant waiter, Albee’s Kitchen Kingsford, Kingsford (January 2021 - Present)

-Trained in paying the attention to customised orders.

-Trained in communication skills .

-Worked to ensure the maintenance of restaurant sanitation and compliance with all safety regulations.

-Effectively coordinated daily restaurant management operations, resulting in greater productivity and higher levels of customer satisfaction.

-Worked as a team member with other restaurant professionals to ensure satisifed customers.

Landscaper internship, Blue Oak Property Solution, Campbelltown (January 2021 - April 2022)

-Worked as an apprentice in Landscaping for my industrial placement. -Acquired basic knowledge of construction process for residential projects.

Education

Bachelor in Landscape Architecture, UNSW, Sydney (February 2020 — November 2023)

-I have finished the undergraduate first year in Landscape Architecture and acquired the elementary knowledge of Planting design and management and landscape design.

Foundation Program, UNSW, Kensington, Sydney (January 2019 — November 2019)

-I have successfully completed my foundation program at UNSW with a GPA of 8.7 in 2019.

Award

-2021 Undergraduate Dean’s Merit List

Hobby

-I am Christian. By the power of faith, I can manage my time and life well. -Sketching.

-Jogging along the Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk -Cycling in Centennial Park.

Food deliveries , Ubereats, Sydney, Australia (August 2020-2021)

-Acquired the skill to take care of orders with different delivery requirement.

Location: Moore Park Golf Course, Moore Park NSW 2021

Project detail: The Mount of Splendor features the unique approach of reintroducing diverse cultural and social activities specific to three cities: Surry Hills, Redfern and Waterloo on Mount Steele. It is to explore the future opportunities of these programs that are to be applied in Moore Park Golf Course. The users of this design include indigenous and non-indigenous artists, musician and residents.

“Gallery Wall” (Corten steel gallery exhibition edge)

“Amphitheatre” (Seating benches) Viewing

“Restored Garden” (ESBS garden)

“Art on Land” (Sculptures & land arts area)

“Restored Heritage” (ESBS and introduced species)

“Our Time” (BBQ and gathering area)

Section A - Slope

“Amphitheatre” (Seating benches)

“Gallery Wall” (Corten steel exhibition edge) “Restored Garden” (ESBS garden)

“Art on Land” (Sculptures & land arts area)

“Restored Garden” (ESBS garden)

Mini stage (Sandstone pavement)

Foundation of Unity

More than just planned programs, the place is also designed to gather visitors for socialisation and other events. “Our Time” is a small platform on the top of Mount Steele with designed BBQ area and a small stage. It ought to bear this role to bring people closer to each other.

“Our Time”

Viewing platform Wire fencing

Unhindered Tour

Universal access is explicitly important in this design as more people can be gathered to enjoy socially and culturally inclusive life. The ramp shown here has its grading lower than 1:20 to ensure smooth access for all people.

Mountain Top

The perspective here has shown the appearance of mini sandstone stage, BBQ area and proposed decking with a breath-taking vista as the background. Visitors will enjoy a wonderful day here with the support from food trucks and mobile coffee shops.

5. Perspective Drawing - “Our Time”

Food trucks & mobile coffee shops area

Location: Marsden Park North, NSW 2765

Project detail: The “Connection & Resilience” discovers the potential of development in Marsden Park North (Angus) under the threat of natural natural disaster (flooding). The planning features the flood preventaion berms to allow more availiable development areas. The planning also features an enhanced vegetation connection, increased numbers of green spaces, protected wildlife areas and well-arranged commerical and medical services.

1. Masterplan of Marsden Park North in 50 Years

Commercial Centres

Distributed across the site to answer the needs of residents in all regions of the development.

Bioswales & rain gardens

Distributed at the start of catchments to mitigate the flooding issue.

Flood Berm

To extend the land for more development opportunities.

Wetland Bufferzone

To protect immigrant species.

Patch Connection

To enhance the local ecology.

Green & sport fields

Distributed across the site to ensure convenient access and provide a healthy lifestyle for residents.

Detailed Design Features

Protect Nature and Protected by Nature

A corner of the planning is shown on this page. It has revealed the carefully designed structures: flood prevention berm and the rain garden behinds it. These two structures are critical to ensure a safe residential life in flooding seasons. Bufferzone of Riverstone Wetland and vegetation corridor connection have highlighted the design principle of local ecology preservation and enhancement. Verge plantings and protected cycling track are also introduced to encourage eco-friendly travels and ground level interactions.

“Wheels and Blooming History”

Location: Havnebussen River, Copenhagen, Denmark

Project detail: The “Wheels & Blooming History” features a particular approach to discover the artistic styles of both Renaissance and Modernism and culture of cycling in Copenhagen, Denmark. A bridge is proposed across Havnebussen River as a new cultural hub for experiencing the charm of mountain bike, BMX and road bike in the style of two different eras.

Renaissance Club

A BMX park is planned with Renaissance style elements to draw players in.

Pump tracks have provided a thrilling ride, whereas the “Renaissance ruins” (the area with playful elements at the centre of the area) hold its own quality to bring a brand new feeling of BMX over a historical style.

“Dimensions” “Material and Finishes”

“Burning Pebbles”

Location: Cockatoo Island

Project detail: The project “Burning Pebbles” features a delicate landscape design inside of the coal bunker on Cokatoo Island. It is to reveal its rich history and site quality of industrial era when coal bunker was always filled with coals to corporate with heavy cranes and machineries.

Involvement: Handdrawn Model making

Adobe Indesign

1. Cardboard Model Making

Light up The History

The black pebbles are used to represent coal gathered in the coal bunker during the Industrial era. The transparent glass seats are installed on retaining wall to reveal what it looks like behind it. The only plant species in this design is Banksia marginata. The fruit of this species looks burned while matured. Which is to represent the sensation of heat. Rectangular slits are applied on the wall to let in the exterior light.

Light & Space Study

A cardboard model is made for this project to study the application of exterior light and to understand how the space works in the coal bunker.

2. Section and 3D Perspective Drawings

Perspective view toward eastern corner

Annotated Section views

Glass seat on retaining wall

Perspective view toward entrance 2

Annotated perspective view toward south corner

Other Works (Extracurricular)

“Cabin in The Forest”

Cabin in The Forest is one of my extracurricular exercise with my architecture design skill, model building technique and rendering technique. It features a delicate triangular 2-storey cabin designed by me. It is located in the midst of forest with Shou-sugiban as its exterior material.

Involvement: Sketchup Lumion Autocad

“Cabin in The Forest”

“Cabin in The Forest”

Design Commission: Private Garden

Garden Design, Residential Project, Gledswood Hills

Location: 19 Providence Dr, Gledswood Hills NSW 2557

Project detail: Front yard, backyard and sidewalks design for my client’s house (Drawings modified on the architectural base plan provided by McDonald Jones Homes)

Involvement:

Autocad Adobe Photoshop Sketchup

Client Brief

This is my first real-life project. My client invited me to design the landscape of the ground level for his new house.

To understand what is his dream garden. I visited him regularly to record both of his and his mother’s ideas. He likes a garden that flows with Japanese vibe, which is different to his mother’s idea of having more things in garden. So I will have to make a compromise between him and his mother.

The final design features an organic shaped lawn, with Japanese style white pebbles belt at its edge. Gardens are extruded off the ground with a grey retaining wall. Plants are chosen according to the development handbook of the property with additional Japanese maples.

Front yard design has experienced a number of iterations due to its steep grading from street level. Nevertheless, I have solved all issues on time, and my design has been built.

For My Friend’s House

Hand Drawn Grading Exercise

In this exercise, I have learnt the basic rules of grading with its elements, such as spot level, existing and proposed contour and gradient fall direction. This exercise has enhanced my ability to hand drawing precision and logical planning. And it has trained my ability to grade my future designs more fluently.

Involvement: Handdrawn

By Jason Jiang z5254426