2013 PORTFOLIOAYAKA H. MATTHEWS

L A N D S C A P E A R C H I T E C T U R E

FOCUS

TIMELINEEDUCATION

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2010

WORK EXPERIENCEAWARD & HONOR

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I would like to focus on design spaces into places which address world issues between humans and nature in ecological dynamics, especially in regards to natural hazards. I agree and live by the with the idea, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world” as Mahatma Gandhi said, and I believe landscape architects can help facilitate this change in people through design that is restorative and responds to the need for the human-nature connection in order to build a better world for the future.

CONTENTS02 Brownfield Development

01 Sustainable Energy Park Development

03 Historic Preservation andTourism Enhancement

BUILDINGS CIRCULATION NEW ENERGY STORMWATER MANAGEMENT GREEN LINKAGE

Low Prairie

Biomass Planting

Bioswale

Proposed Highway

Road

Pedestrian Path

Trail

Solar Pannel

Wind Turbine

Existing Buildings

Proposed Buildings

Parking

Forest Restoration Area

Vellyfill and Pond

Bioretention Pond

Existing Builings Highway Solar Panels Vegetation Buffa or Bioswales Grass

Industrial Buildings Roads

Wind turbines

Bioswales& Bioretention Ponds Low Prairie

Public Buildings Pedestrian Paths

Biomass Plants

Biomass Plants

Native SpeciesCommercial Buildings Trails

Residential Buildings Forest Restoration

MASTER PLAN

0 100’ N

+ M A S T E R P L A N

0 50’ 100’ 200’ NNTS

Linear Park

New Energy Plaza

Coalfields E

xpressw

ay

King Coal Expressway

Stormwater Park

Central Community Park

Forest Restoration Area

Retention Pond

Bioswale

Wetland Restoration Area

Recreational Gateway Trail

Gateway Park

Residential Area

Sustainable Industrial Buildings

Museum and Heritage Park

Solar field

Biomass field

To Route 16

FCI McDowell

HEALING LANDSCAPE0 1 S U S T A I N A B L E E N E R G Y P A R K D E V E LO P M E N T

Project StatementThis pilot project recieving $550,000 award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by EPA, will develop a framework for the establishment of Sustainable Energy Parks (SEPs) on mine-scarred lands in Appalachia. SEPs will be beneficial to the environment and mining communities in many ways, as well as help meet several objectives of the EPA’s strategic plan. Beneficial outcomes of the project include the production of renewable energy, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, protection and restoration of water quality, restoration of degraded lands, diversification of our energy portfolio through the use of renewable energy resources and enhancement of the region’s economic competitiveness.

Consept StatementWhile reflecting on the past scars of the landscape, a successional hierarchy that bonds with community creates the energy to heal the landscape. The form of the design responds to the orderly frames of development, interrupted by the random chaos of biological patterns. This is recognized through natural processes such as stormwater movement and forest development.

MASTER PLAN

0 100’ N

8

4

13

12

7

3

2

2

914

11

6

5

1

10

8. Constructed Wetland

4. Bioswale

13. Boadwalks12. Forest Restoration Area

7. Museum

3. Parking2. Industorial Building

9. Overlook

14. Wetland Restoration Park

11. Vellyfill

6. Sculpture Garden5. New Energy Plaza

1. Liner Park

10. Crane Path

0 30’ NNTS

ORDER SUCCESSION

CHAOS ENERGY

SPRING

SUMMER

FALL

WINTER

- N e w E n e rg y P l a z a

- M u s e u m & H e r i t a g e Pa r k A re a

South North

BIORETENTION PONDBIORETENTION POND BIOSWALEBIOSWALE

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT DIAGRAM

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN DIAGRAM The valley fill ponds, reflect both historic vegetative forest cover and new orderly topographic tiers and

linear streams from mining operations.

Green infrastructure and open space areas heal the landscape and are linked through pedestrian greenways

creating connections that bond people to place.

ORDER SUCCESSION

CHAOS ENERGY

MARBLE WETLANDS

RECREATION

WATERPLAY

GATHER

Design Concept

Design Elements

TRAILGREENWATER

CAFE

RESTAURANT MARINA

GREATLAWN

WETLAND

MEDOWPLAZA PLAYGROUND

MARBLE DECKS

A

A’

H i k e & B i k e Tr a i l sPi c n i c A re a & G re a t La w n

C a n o e & K a y a k Re n t a l sWa t e r S p o r t s O p p o r t u n i t i e s

R i v e r s i d e Re t a i l C o m p l e xRe s t a u r a n t , B a r , a n d D e l i

M a r i n a & Pi e r sF i s h i n g S t o re

We t l a n d & B o rd w a l k sN a t u re C e n t e r

M o u n t a i n B i k e Tr a i l sB M X Pa r k

C o m m u n i t y C a f eB i k e Re n t a l & S t o re

050

100

200

500

SC

ALE

: 1”

= 2

00’

N

+ M a s t e r P l a n

Facility Details

Parking Lots Total : 87 Spots)Boat TrailerParking : 10 Spots + 2 General SpotsRetail Parking : 15 Spots General Parking : 60 Spots (15 Spots x 4 Parkings)

Retail Dimensions Casual Dining : 30 ft x 40 ft (18 tables, 72 chairs)Deli & Ice Cream Shop : 30 ft x 20 ftBar : 30 ft x 20 ftCafe : 30 ft x 15 ftBike Rental & Store : 40 ft x 20 ft

0 2 B R O W N F E I L D D E V E LO P M E N TAGATE MARBLE PARK

MARBLE LIGHTINGS

MARBLE SCULPTURES

The Agate Marble Park (Little Kanawha River Redevelopment Project) along the Little Kanawha River (LKR) in Parkersburg, West Virginia, has an industrial past that will not be forgotten in its new design. The former marble factory left footprints and remnants to be incorporated into the new park, which will acknowledge and commemorate the past. Just as the industries utlized the river for transportation reasons, the park embraces the river by becoming a destination for water recreation opportunities and activities. The paths throughout Agate Marble Park take you on an educational journey of not only the historic past, but of how sustainable landscapes enhance and develop stronger ecosystems. An existing wetland becomes the core for a nature center, while other stormwater management practices are seen throughout the entire site.

1. Marble Nature Playground Area

1. Marble Nature Playground Project Statement

1

2

A A’

50

+ M a s t e r P l a n

Parking Lots Total : 87 Spots)Boat TrailerParking : 10 Spots + 2 General SpotsRetail Parking : 15 Spots General Parking : 60 Spots (15 Spots x 4 Parkings)

Retail Dimensions Casual Dining : 30 ft x 40 ft (18 tables, 72 chairs)Deli & Ice Cream Shop : 30 ft x 20 ftBar : 30 ft x 20 ftCafe : 30 ft x 15 ftBike Rental & Store : 40 ft x 20 ft

CLOUD, a rain catcher, collects stormwater and brings it into each constructed wetland marbles area. It provides not only roof and shade for people, but also educational opportunity to learn stormwater management and wetland ecosystems. The unique look-alike clouds will be loved by children.

The Boardwalks flow through the Nature Park with different sizes of constructed wetland marbles. It provides seating as well as the opportunity to be close to the wetlands.

Constructed Wetland Marbles reduce stormwater runoff, sediments and pollutants such as heavy metals from the water. Each constructed wetland marble has different wildlife and species due to the size of the wetland, locations, microclimate such as sunshine, heat, soil, wind and so on. Children shall learn bio-diversity through these marbles, and it will inspire childrens’ creativity.

LITTLE KIDS MARBLE(age0-2)

MIDDLE AGE KIDS MARBLE(age3-5)

OLDER KIDS MARBLE(age6-15)

NATURE ART MARBLE

The Nature Playground / Marble shooting area is composed of four marble shape spaces with different sizes depending on age groups and uses. This design is able to provide comfortable and joyful spaces to each age group for play. Each marble space is connected by a linkage of paths, boardwalks, and green spaces, and it creates gradual flow between each space. Each of them has decks or benches, which allows their parents to sit and watch their children. The Nature Art Marble has natural materials such as stones or branches for art creation and also round paving stones for playing marbles. Little kids’ marble area which is for age 0-2, is a small closed comfortable space where parents and their children spend time as if they were at home. The other two marble areas are for more vigorous activities for older children. Slides, swings, tree houses, and all of the play equipment are made of natural materials.

1. Marble Nature Playground Area

1. Marble Nature Playground

Storm Water Catcher : CLOUD

A nature playground is inspired from the marble concept, where different areas will be joined for various age groups. Here children can explore and use their imaginations in a natural environment. Naturally, a few marble shooting areas will be incorporated, too!

2. Wetland & Nature Center Area

The Nature Center is an educational destination for all ages. Visitors will learn about wetland ecology and explore along the series of boardwalks. An adjacent seating area becomes a gathering place as well as an outdoor classroom laboratory. Spray fountains sprinkle the ground for interactive fun creating an enjoyable environment.

Thurmond, established in the 1880s, used to be one of the most flourished towns as the center of commercials and the railroad connection in the New River area. Some original houses and the commercial buildings are restored and preserved well in the town as historic heritages. The project site including the Thurmond town hall is located between the restored commercial buildings and the residential area. This open space will become a pocket park which provides a recreational space for the community, as well as telling the history of this unique town in the New River area to visitors.

Thurmond Historic Park Tour on Prezihttp://prezi.com/6np1oxp-n5ri/thurmond-historic-park/

Concept Statement

Reusing the original foundation of the building and restoring the brick walls to 4’ – 5’ tall, the space integrated with the design elements of ruins will be created as a unique rest area with historic atmosphere. The brick pavement with some crakes with vegetation and the pergola with wisteria crowing up, are some of the design features of ruins. This half-closed opened space will be a place for visitors to relax or think of the past, as well as an outdoor class room for educational purpose.

The winding path along the brick wall represents the New River, and the map of the New River area is shown on the concrete pavement. The brick walls on the back are 2’-3’ and they are usable as benches. This space will allow visitors to explore the map on the pavement, or enjoy the view from here to the coaling tower and mountains on the other side of the river.

The design intention of this area is not only for recreation purpose but also to make visitors to feel the sign of life, and sense of community in Thurmond. Some old tools are hanged on the wall like as they have been used still now, and flowers are blooming next to the set of a table and chairs. All of these things will be the device to make people to think there are still some people in this town. The history as knowledge could become an experience for visitors by feeling the atmosphere of this connection between the past and the present.

The contrast from the dark closed space to this opened bright space will allow visitors to find themselves in the present world now after going through the history of a few periods. Brilliant flourish grass, and walls of abandoned buildings covered with grass will be in their sights. The town once thrived is now going back to the nature. This is the how the relation has been between human and nature since the ancient time. For representing the idea, the number of footprints is getting less and the path is getting narrower in the end by invasion of grass.

THURMOND HISTORIC PARK0 3 H I S T O R I C P R E S E RV A T I O N & T O U R I S M E N H A N C E M E N T

2. HUMAN AND NATURE PATH3. FOUNDATION GARDEN4.NEW RIVER PATH5. THURMOND COMMUNITY PLAZA- Think of the relationship between Human and Nature - - Enjoy the Design of Ruins -- Explore the New River Area -- Feel the Sign of life and Sense of Community

The pergola which imitates railroad track allows visitors to feel and experience the history of Thurmond. This dimly‐lit space closed by the pergola has exhibition boards on the history of Thurmond on a timeline, and footprints of shoes are stamped all over on the pavement of the path and piles of coal are places along the path to show the contrast between the past and the present of Thurmond.

The contrast from the dark closed space to this opened bright space will allow visitors to find themselves in the present world now after going through the history of a few periods. Brilliant flourish grass, and walls of abandoned buildings covered with grass will be in their sights. The town once thrived is now going back to the nature. This is the how the relation has been between human and nature since the ancient time. For representing the idea, the number of footprints is getting less and the path is getting narrower in the end by invasion of grass.

0 10’ 20’ 30’ 50’ NNTS

1. THURMOND HISTORY TELLING PATH

- Feel and Experience the history of Thurmond -

2. HUMAN AND NATURE PATH- Think of the relationship between Human and Nature -

THANK YOU.