urban site biographies / lar 551 f2014

University of Tennessee College of architecture and design

Landscape Architecture 551Design Studio IFall 2014

Vacant or abandoned urban areas are often overlooked, dis-missed, or condemned as blighted landscapes that should be razed and redeveloped to patch holes in the urban fabric. Utility easements, road rights-of-way, and other remnants of public space are necessary parts of urban infrastructure but are usually over-maintained, reducing their capacity for eco-logical potential.

When combined, these inconspicuous areas can contribute to urban ecological networks. Many vacant sites play host to opportunistic vegetative communities that are particular-ly well-adapted to harsh urban environments and are likely to become more significant in the face of increased urban-

University of Tennessee CoADLandscape Architecture 551Design Studio IFall 2014

Stream Synthesis Lindsey Bradley

Light Lures Darwin Carey

Recusant Ruins Natalie Graham

Ruderal Railroads Sarah Newton

Adaptive Alleys Erica Phannamvong

Metropolitan Meadows Ruxin Tao

Liminal LotsKenny Townsend

Culvert OperationsKyra Wu

ization and climate change (Del Tredici 2010). Open spaces that buffer infrastructure projects often provide large swaths of contiguous open space, an increasingly rare occurrence in urban areas.

This collection of urban site biographies was prepared by first year landscape architecture students to discover, document, and explore the types of ruderal and spontaneous ecologies that exploit vacant and remnant urban sites in Knoxville, TN.

Valerie S. Friedmann, Assoc. ASLAAdjunct Assistant Professor, Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of Tennessee College of Architecture and Design http://archdesign.utk.edu

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Animals and plants live all around us and exploit us when they can. -Tim Low, The New Nature

1

Stream SynthesisLindsey Bradley

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Stream Synthesis

3

Channelized StreamsStreams are a natural resource that have existed long before we did. As the US developed, people came up with ways to manipulate streams so they are out of the way by channelizing them instead of working with the movement of the streams. This ac-complished getting storm water off sites quickly and made space for more development. Although these may be positive things, there are also many nega-tive effects. These channelized streams are straight, deep, steep, and filled with concrete. This leaves little area for plants and animals to grow and thrive which can cause off balances in the water and the envi-ronment in general. These plants and animals have found ways to attach and live in little things that get pushed to the sides of the streams, such as trash. These organisms are adapting in these urban, chan-nelized streams even though it is very different from their natural environment.

Incidental

Adaptive

Conduit

Spontaneous

Resilient

Continuous

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Channelized Streams

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Grasses and other plants sprouting from the bag on the shoreline

Snails making a home inside and on top of the bag

The underwater portion of the bag is suitable for fish eggs

The sun beaming on the bag allows algae to grow

Bag EcosystemA bag that has been washed to the shoreline is normally thought of as trash or litter, but for these organisms it provides a home and shelter. The chan-nelized streams make it very difficult for organisms to live, but litter has become temporary, unlikely ecosytems.

The Water-Cycle in a BagA bag partly on the shoreline and partly in the water, produces a water-cycle in the bag itself. The water evaporates due to the sun and the humidity in the bag. Water rises to the top of the bag, forming dew, which then drops back into the water.

Adaptation

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P er cipitationCond

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sation

Evaporation

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Common freshwater snails are native to Tennessee. Their population is rapidly decreasing due to chan-nelize streams washing them away with each signifi-cant rain storm. The channeled streams do not have sediment build up like natural streams have to house these snail ecologies. In order for these snails to live and grow in an environment, they need cool water temperatures, algae as a food source, shelter for the snails and eggs, and water movement.

I devised a plan to develop an object to fulfill all of these element. My idea came from bags and cups of trash that had washed up on the shoreline that these snails made into a temporary home until a storm came and washed the trash and snails downstream. I needed to come up with a more permanent shelter for these snails. This angled funnel-shape allows for morning sun to enter the top portion to allow algae the grow. Inside there are a series of shells and pockets getting smaller all the way down on the back side. The small portion is for snail eggs, where the water will always be. The middle portion is for the snails to rest. The largest portion is for the algae where it will be moist and sunny, but rarely have water on it. There are holes that replicate the portions of the pockets and shelves to allow water flow and light to enter, but not too much to wash them away or heat up the water at an uncomfortable temperature for the snails.

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PrecipitationCond

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sation

Evaporation

Snail Homes

Natural Streams Channelized Streams

Food SourceShelter Water Source

AlgaeEggs Adult Snails Cool Temperature

Moisture Sunlight

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.75

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6.5 3.5

Material: Quarter inch hard plastic

Morning to mid -morning sun

Allows sunlight to enter

Allows snails to enter and exit

Keeps predators outTypical waterline

Waterline after rainfall

Evaporation

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Material:Quarter inch hard plastic

Pockets capturemoisture and allow algae growth

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sation

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Snail Homes




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Refuse Refugee

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X 50

Collect

Separate

Filter

Disperse

Collection

trap the trash from

SeparationFilled partly with sand to separate the oils from the stormwater

FilterTolerant native plants

clean the water from pollutants

DispersalDisperses the water to

promote groundwater

Concrete channelized stream Natural stream Hybrid: meandering streams with concrete bank system

In channelized streams there are virtually no per-manent ecosystems. The lives of snails made temporary ecosystems by clinging to garbage that can be washed away with even a small rain event. Channelized streams are largely used as a solution to prevent floodingwhich is vital in urban areas. However, these practices lead to a drastic decrease in urban stream habitat. Combining gray infrastruc-ture with a natural modified topography provides a hybrid solution to more than one problem that is caused by managing stormwater in urban areas; stormwater treatment, bank stabilization, and habi-tat creation. With a hybrid gray-green infrastructure, flood plains can be expanded, permanent ecosys-tems can be restored, and water quality can be in-creased in dense urban areas. Implementing hybrid infrastructure in areas that have the most stormwa-ter runoff and have the greatest chance of flood-ing in urban areas would provide bank stabilization, promote ground water infiltration, stormwater treat-ment, and restore ecologies while preventing flood-ing. It encourages human interaction and education to bring awareness to urban habitat, water quality and quantity issues by being in urban areas and near schools.

Colander Colony

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X 50

Collect

Separate

Filter

Disperse

Collection

trap the trash from

SeparationFilled partly with sand to separate the oils from the stormwater

FilterTolerant native plants

clean the water from pollutants

DispersalDisperses the water to

promote groundwater

Concrete channelized stream Natural stream Hybrid: meandering streams with concrete bank system

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Site Proposal

SiteOther SitesWaterwayCulverts

Buildings

Knox County

TN River

First Creek

First Creek Watershed

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Site Proposal

SiteOther SitesWaterwayCulverts

Buildings

Knox County

TN River

First Creek

First Creek Watershed

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Light LuresDarwin Carey

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Street lights are so common in the modern urban land-scape that most of the time they go unnoticed. Only when looking down from the window of a plane at night can one grasp the enormous role they play in our landscape. Humans need street lights to illuminate pathways, but other organisms have found another use for them. Bats, spiders, and frogs use these lights as bait for insects that are drawn to the glow. These organisms have exploited this human structure for many years, however scientist still do not know exactly why the prey is drawn to artifi-cial light, or if the predators seek areas with artificial light sources to hunt.

An organisms response to light with motion is known as phototaxis. Positively photatic species move towards light sources; this includes most insects that fly. The prevailing theory as to why these positively phototatic insects are at-tracted to light is that they use light for navigation. When they see artificial light clearly they know that there is an unobstructed pathway and they take it. When they arrive most will stay within four feet of the light source until it is turned off or they die. Bats, spiders, and frogs are nega-tively phototatic, but they fight their nature in order to take advantage of easy meals. Some scientist believe that spiders have evolved to actually seek lighted areas for a place to hunt but this in unproven. Regardless it is easy to examine the area around a high wattage light source and see that these opportunistic predators are taking full advantage of human engineering and technology.

Opportunistic

Palimpsest

Adaptive

Incidental

Fragmented

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The sites are located in downtown Knoxville because there is a strong concentration of street lights. In fact in a two mile stretch along a section of the Tennessee River and Second Creek, there are 143 street lights. Each light lures in both predators and prey.

Location

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The sites examined are in close proximity to the Tennessee River and its tributary Second Creek. These sites are ideal because they are very well lit and attract many insects.

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5 Range 20 Range 40 Range

Structure

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15 Focused Light

30 Scattered Light

Bowl/Shade

Maintenance Door

Lantern

Column ContainingElectrical Wiring

1000 watt High Pressure Sodium Bulb

Bracket

Subterranean Electrical Wiring

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ExploitativeEcology

People need street lights tosee at night

Spiders build their websnear lights

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Bats are nocturnal hunters and find food around street lights

Moths are extremely attracted to light

Frogs sit on street lightswhile hunting

Common insects become easy prey

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The Bat PodAs the project was refined the focus turned completely to bats. Bats are specialized preda-tors that use human infrastructure to create habitat and optimize hunting. Unfortunately bats have been hit hard by a fungus that cases White Nose Syndrome, a disease that disrupts the bats sleep cycle and eventually kills them. The losses have been significant and White Nose Syndrome is spreading rapidly. The bat pod is designed to house bats during nesting and hibernation providing ideal conditions for 150 to 200 pats per pod. The pods are made to hang under bridges spanning bodies of water which offer conditions that are crucial to all life food and water. Furthermore, a high wattage light built into the bottom of the center pod will attract insects to give the bats guaranteed success in hunting.

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Interior: Woodshingles providespaces for bats to squeeze intoand sleep

The space betweeneach shingle variesbetween 2 and 6 inches allowing forbats of all sizes.

Exterior: An aluminum exterior shellprovides shelter from the elements and predators

Each Shingle is scored to make climbing inside the pod very easy

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The Bat PierThe Bat Pier is design to inform and bring people closer to a fascinating and mysterious creature, the bat. Bats are very beneficial to humans all over the world. Eating insects that spread disease, such as mosquitoes, and in-sects that feast on crops, such as corn mites, is very use-ful to humans and is often overlooked. When bat popu-lations are healthy in a subtropical area, malaria is kept in check. Also a healthy bat population in an agricultural area can keep farmers from losing millions of dollars in crops. People need to understand how bats can help us so that we will want to help them. The bat pods and bat pier will educate people about our furry friends which will manufacture interest in helping them. This is very impor-tant because our nocturnal friends are dying by the thou-sands due to the disease White Nose Syndrome. This

disease spreads quickly and, while not effecting humans, it is devastating to bats. The pier and pods is one way that humans can help bats in their struggle.

The bat pier underneath the hanging bat pods will give people the opportunity to walk out over the water and en-joy views of the bats flying and feeding over the water. This experience will encourage spending time outdoors and promote empathy for the declining bat population. In the day the pier provides a place for people to sit and rest along the greenway. At dusk and dawn it provides a place to see the bats feed on insects over the water. Lights on the pier and hanging from the bridge will draw the insects in to feed the bats and provide a beautiful scene.

Inspired by the shape of the shingles inside the bat pod, the pier extends below the bridge allowing people to interact with the river and witness the bats feeding

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Broadleaf Cattail

American Sweetflag

Bushy BeardPlants provide habitat and breed-ing ground for insects

Water attractsinsects and hydrates the bats

Glass Railing

Walking Platform

Underbelly for plants

These three grasses will be grown in the underbelly of the bat pier

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Recusant Ruins Natalie Graham

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Recusant Ruins

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Abandoned Industrial The Candoro Marble Works is located in South Knoxvilles Vestal community along Candora Road, spanning most of the north side of the road between its Maryville Pike (State Route 33) and Spruce Road intersectionsw. The showroom is the easternmost building, lying adjacent to Maryville Pike, and is connected to Candora Road by an tree aligned alley. The large cutting facility lies to the west of the showroom and OIZIOM IVL \PM VQ[PQVO J]QTLQVO TQM[ QUUMLQI\MTa _M[\of the cutting facility. A smaller building housing the JWQTMZ[IVLKWUXIVaWNKM[[\IVL[QVNZWV\WN \PMVQ[PQVObuilding.A marble scrap yard lies across the street from the cutting facility. Behind the scrap yard lies one of the so-called Witherspoon sites, where radioactive materials from the K-25 plant in Oak Ridge were recycled in the 1960s and 1970s. The Witherspoon sites were at the heart an environmental controversy in the 1980s that led to a multi-million dollar cleanup effort by the Department of Energy.

Fragmented

Interstitial

Spontaneous

Adaptive

Recusant

Derelict

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Abandoned Industrial The Candoro Marble Works is located in South Knoxvilles Vestal community along Candora Road, spanning most of the north side of the road between its Maryville Pike (State Route 33) and Spruce Road intersectionsw. The showroom is the easternmost building, lying adjacent to Maryville Pike, and is connected to Candora Road by an tree aligned alley. The large cutting facility lies to the west of the showroom and OIZIOM IVL \PM VQ[PQVO J]QTLQVO TQM[ QUUMLQI\MTa _M[\of the cutting facility. A smaller building housing the JWQTMZ[IVLKWUXIVaWNKM[[\IVL[QVNZWV\WN \PMVQ[PQVObuilding.A marble scrap yard lies across the street from the cutting facility. Behind the scrap yard lies one of the so-called Witherspoon sites, where radioactive materials from the K-25 plant in Oak Ridge were recycled in the 1960s and 1970s. The Witherspoon sites were at the heart an environmental controversy in the 1980s that led to a multi-million dollar cleanup effort by the Department of Energy.

Fragmented

Interstitial

Spontaneous

Adaptive

Recusant

Derelict

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7,5(67$&.6(&7,21&87

'80367(56(&7,21&87

Galium boreale and Erigeron

8QFRPSDFWHGDQGULFKVRLO

Polygonum

Strong root system

7LUHVSURWHFWWKHSODQWOLIH Dumpster acts as a terrarium IRUSODQWOLIH

Structures

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7,5(67$&.6(&7,21&87

'80367(56(&7,21&87

Galium boreale and Erigeron

8QFRPSDFWHGDQGULFKVRLO

Polygonum

Strong root system

7LUHVSURWHFWWKHSODQWOLIH Dumpster acts as a terrarium IRUSODQWOLIH

Structures

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Recusant Roundabouts

PHASE 1

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

BASESECTION

LOWER MIDSECTION

UPPER MIDSECTION

TOPSECTION

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Recusant Roundabouts 4 x 6ftRECUSANT

ROUNDABOUT

Carbon Fiber

PRO

VIDE

S

Protected areas of growth for plants and designated areas of foragingPromotes abundant plant growth while providing shelter from predators

NEED

S.

Lush vegetation for food and shelterProtection from predatorsNesting areas

EASTERN COTTONTAIL

Sylvilagus Floridanus

1.8 - 4.4lbs

14 - 19in

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+ + =

Niche-ScapesThere exists the desire in all people to have a space they can claim as their own; a space upon which they can have an impact, and from which they can derive a deeper understanding of themselves. The landscape is the foundation upon which livelihoods are built, cultural heritage is begun, and future endeavors of a society are mapped out. Identity within the landscape and the built environment is the means by which one space or object is set apart from others; it provides a sense of individuality and distinction that makes that space unique. In this context, identity can be found at a multitude of scales by including the national, regional, and local. Niche-Scapes were designed with this concept in mind- for the members of the Vestal community and the animals that inhabit it. It seeks to harness the uniqueness and attractive obscurity of the Vestal community and build upon it; creating spaces that can be identified with by combining the science of ecology and the formal aspects of aesthetics.

PHASE 1

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

PHASE 4

Modifications to base shape:Manipulation of height and widthSplitting of object surface

Defining the object:Pattern overlay to create delicate spatial relationships

Redefining the structure:Simplification of designIncrease in scaleInclusion of plants, animals, and human beings

Selection of base shape: `TorusSelf supporting structureContinuous surfaceRepresents a process

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MAY

JUNJUL

AUG

SEP

AUG

NOV

SEP

OCT

DEC JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

+ +

Niche-Scapes HOW THE FORM WAS RESOLVEDTHE MAP: The Candoro Marble Factory site is located in South Knoxvilles Vestal community along Candora Road, spanning most of the north side of the road between its Maryville Pike and Spruce Road intersections. The factory was shut down in 1982 and since then the site has remained, for the most part, untouched. Abandoned machinery and materials are currently scattered throughout the site with a multitude of different plant species making these industrial remains their home; presenting an interesting relationship between the natural and anthropic worlds. The concept of this structure resembles this idea in terms of how it allows for the natural growth of vegetation that will eventually fully reclaim the structure.

HUMANS + ANIMALS + PLANTS: An important factor of this project was to incorporate both the animal and human uses into the design of the structure.

PROGRAM: The main driver through out the design was the site itself. I sought to adapt the site to its best potential to meet the needs of the Vestal community along with the needs of the Eastern Cotton Tail, without diminishing the sites existing social and cultural qualities.

HOW THE STRUCTURE FORM WAS RESOLVED

SCALING: Creating an inviting human scale while maintaining appropriate scale for cotton tail viability.

MULTIPLYING + OVERLAPPING: Constructing multiple spaces for public gathering and interaction that overlap one another to create rabbit niches.

PLEACHING: Weaving the branches of multiple trees and plants together so that they become one living unit.

MATERIALS: Carbon fiber- chosen for its high stiffness, light weight, high tensile strength, high chemical resistance, high temperature tolerance, and low thermal expansion properties.

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

PHASE 1

PHASE 2

PHASE 3

CORA

L HO

NEY

SUCK

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PASS

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FLO

WER

TRUM

PET

CREE

PER

WIST

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VIRG

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Fru

tesc

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uinq

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nice

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empe

rvire

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Pass

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Expansion of Reclamation

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Expansion of Reclamation

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Creating a connection between the existing territory

and Knoxvilles Urban Wilderness

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Ruderal RailroadsSarah Newton

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Seed Bank Mountain

Ruderal

Conduit

Recusant

Interstitial

Resilient

With populations and urbanization on the rise, biodiver-sity in our concrete jungle has never been more neces-sary. The built environment offers and removes much from the human ecosystem. Increasing the presence of plants will reduce erosion and stormwater, improve air and water quality, and provide habitats for pollinators and the wildlife that controls urban pests.

A mountain emerging from the intersection the Gay Street viaduct and West Jackson Avenue induces sub-lime emotion, blending the divide between organic and engineered. Rows of birdhouses lining the northern outer wall of the structure provide habitats for birds com-muning with the lush grassy meadow that blankets the urban mountain and then naturally spreads through the sloping topography. Seeds of these restorative grasses will be dispersed throughout the city, county, state, and beyond, promoting wide-spread healthy soils and plant communities that will be resilient to disturbance be-cause of their diversity and will thus provide ecosystem services for a healthy urban setting. Rail lines can serve as the conduit to build a network of wildlife corridors between cities, counties, and states, ultimately resulting in a healthier nation. For passersby, the urban mountain landscape will visualize succession of plant communities and the resulting biodiversity. The interior of the urban mountain will provide space for people that extends into the Knoxville underground and coordinates with the railroad, potentially serving as a depot for future passen-ger rail. This model can be deployed across the country, further supporting national dispersal of seeds and suc-cession of life.

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100

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NBirdhouse TowersThe initial structure developed in this project is the individual birdhouse. Created from a basic cube, the birdhouse will be stacked to create a birdhouse tower that will be placed in the environ-ment. It is intended for bird species commonly found in the urban setting and is tailored to their needs regarding height of nest or perch, dis-tance between nests, and size of nesting site. The birdhouse is also made to facilitate a connection with broomsedge, an important ruderal species in developing ecosystems that is found on railways in addition to other barren urban environments. Birds attracted to these birdhouse towers feed on the seeds of these grasses and use them for nest-ing material. The grasses also provide habitats for insects, which serve as food for the birds as well, and their roots systems help to create organic soil in which a new ecosystem can form. The birdhous-es are made of organic materials that will degrade over time, further contributing to the success of a new ecosystem. In order to protect the birds, the interior of the structure is made more durable.

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untreated wood

compostable plastic

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1512

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100

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Pedogenesis + Succession

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Pedogenesis is the formation of soil, which occurs through weathering, presence of organic mat-ter, and introduction of plants. Broomsedge and other ruderal species can create soil from inorganic matter like gravel or organic materials, such as the wooden rail ties of the railroad. Their roots perme-ate the ground or other materials, breaking them down into finer pieces. In this process, they begin to exchange nutrients with any existing organic material, introducing more nutrients to the soil and ultimately creating an organic soil that can host more species of plants. By doing so, a new habitat is created and more animal species can find their niche here. Thus, biodiversity increases and the urban environment will benefit from the ecosystem services that this new habitat will provide.

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Pedogenesis + Succession

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Urban DispersalThe original birdhouse structure was modified and enlarged to create a new structure for humans. The resulting experience is an urban mountain. The un-derlying goal is still ecological succession, but now, citizens of Knoxville are able to experience nature in the city in a new way. The mountain structure was shrunk down to the size of the original birdhouse and flocked onto the front of the mountain. This in addition to the birdhouse towers provides local habitats for the birds that will make ecological succession possible. On the adjacent page is an estimated timeline of succession at the mountain site and along the railways, which, due to their barren but continuous structure, provide a perfect conduit for a wildlife corridor. Succession will extend beyond railroads as broomsedge is a great colonizer.

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http://kiransarkar.com/yahoo_site_admin1/assets/images/even-at-sidewalk-2.35362634.jpg, http://i.gettysburgdaily.com/imgs/CycloramaParkingLot051911/CycloramaParkingLot05191110.jpg, http://www.ocfrealty.com/naked-philly/fishtown/vacant-lot-east-kensington-should-be-developed-soon, https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRM--8LEEGqkw9QgtK2VjmmGei0vB2y-RUemGcBMeeKAEZnZyqP8Q, http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2013/04/07/magazine/mag-07KeyBackyard-t_CA0/mag-07KeyBackyard-t_CA0-superJumbo.jpg, http://arwc.camp7.org/bearriver

stream/river banks

rights-of-way

backyardsabandoned rail

traveled rail

sidewalks

parking lots

vacant lots

time in years 3242 8 16

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Seed Mountain ExperienceThis seed bank mountain will extend from the edge of the railway at the intersection of N. Gay Street and W. Jackson Avenue, arching slightly over the N. Gay Street viaduct. The top of the mountain will be seeded with broomsedge which will then be dispersed by the birds that are attracted to the mountain. Knoxville citizens will enjoy beauti-ful views throughout the city and strolls through the grassy meadow. The mountain is positioned adjacent to the Knoxville underground, providing a unique entrance to this long forgotten relic of the city. With the art and culture of this area of down-town, the interior of the mountain can become an art gallery or event space. Adjacent to the railroad, it can provide a station for future passenger rail.

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Adaptive AlleysErica Phannamvong

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Adaptive Alleys

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Alley JungleUrban environments are not what many think of as ideal settings for vegetation. When we think of the urban jungle, we often imagine just the concrete and man-made surroundings that fill every city. Among all of the grey landscape however, are small communities of plants that refuse to let a little concrete get in their way. The con-ditions among these different areas vary and one of those unique settings are the alleyways in between the decaying buildings of any historical city. Plants, insects, and sometimes even animals have come to exploit the opportunities that alleys present to them. Alleys do not get as much sunlight as the rest of the city and retain mois-ture for much longer. This presents a chance for moss to grow in the areas with little to no sunlight. From moss towards the bottom, to trees towards the top, the climate of alleys support a range of life forms and harbors a diverse ecology.

Recusant

Translocation

Ruderal

Adaptive

Convergent

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Alleys in Knoxville

Location for proposal

Market Square

Locations

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Ecology

Princess Tree: Paulownia tomentosa As the buildings age, the infrastructure begins to crumble and crack. This allows for seeds to fall in be-tween the buildings. Trees are able to take root.

MossThis damp climate and the porous materials make an ideal habitat for moss.

Virginia Creeper: Parthenocissus quinquefoliaVines have taken over the sides of the buildings.

Due to the damp nature of these sites, many grasses, weeds, and vines have taken over the sides of the buildings and in crevasses within the building walls and asphalt.

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Frog Pods

EggsEggs are laid at the waters surface in small masses of 30 or 40, usually attached to vegetation.

TadpolesTadpoles transform in about six to nine weeks. Shelter and coverage from predators is needed. Tadpoles feed off of algae.

AdultsThis species may grow up to 2 inches and length. Their typical habitat is high among the trees in the south-eastern region.

Breeding Frogs typically migrate to temporary bodies of water to breed.

Urban alleyways set up unique microclimates that can cater to species that normally wouldnt be seen in the city. Alleys already provide the type of damp environment that frogs are seen to live in. These pods can be mounted to the walls of the alleys and will create an attractive habitat for the Copes Grey Tree Frog.

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Adult Shelter Tadpole Habitat Vegetation Ledge

This wide opening serves as an entrance and al-lows sunlight.

Overflow prevention

12

10

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On a micro scale, moss has taken advantage of the porous materi-als and increasing surface area caused by the aging buildings.

Processes

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Progression over time:Different species have moved into the space as the alleys have aged.

Much like with the walls, moss will eventually begin to exploit the concrete material of the pods.

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Strategies:Augment and Converge

Deployment PossibilitiesA balance of the natural and the manufactured is possible. In order to bring attention to my urban alleyways, my pods will be multiplied by hundreds, possibly thousands - to the point that the shapes overlap and build upon one another. The pods will be multiplied and scaled into various sizes and to give them all different purposes. Some will still serve the purpose of hosting the Copes Grey Frog, others will light up as a captive audience meanders through the alley, and the large pods will serve as seating for those who wish to occupy the space longer. The intent is to initiate conversation, spark imagination, and challenge the tradition use or disuse of these urban spaces.

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Metropolitan Meadow Ruxin Tao

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Metropolitan Meadow

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Fragmented

Interstitial

Adaptive

Ruderal

Translocation

Opportunistic

Resilient

Bs in Vacant Lots Just like hummingbirds need a habitat for a rest during their migration, Knoxvilles human population also needs a place to stop while using the urban gre-enway. This project creates an area to grow wildlife habitat with a series of structures that promote urban meadow establishment while providing rest and shelter for greenway users.

There are about 4,200 acres of vacant land in urban Knoxville and 2/3 of this land is open meadows. These open meadows are scattered with a total of 86 miles of the Knoxville city green ways. Many people passing by these vacant lots see only weeds, where as the wildlife sees the meadows as their habitat. This project creates a wayfinding system with captivating designs that draw people into vacant lots and allow them to see the benefits of these urban habitats.

The Bird Wing Nest is a huge 20 tall structure for bird nesting and vining plants that will guide people nearby into the site. The Bus Stop is 2/3 the size of the Bird Wing Nest and will serve as the welcome spot for people entering the area. Benches pro-vide seating but also define the space between the meadow and the lawn area with the site.

All 3 Bs will be constructed with a slat system, like domino pieces, that still provide accessibility for the wild animals to move within different areas. The material used will mainly be paperstone, which is made by compressing paper to the degree that it is as hard as stone. It is non-toxic, very resistant for decomposition and has the warm feel like wood. This long-lasting material will provide not only structural and aesthetic support for the site but also be a key element for create a harmonious environment for both human and wildlife.

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Bs in Vacant Lots

65

Site Ecology

Vacant Lots

Knoxville Urban Area

Knox County Area

Suthe

rland

Ave.

9940 acres of vacant lots in Knox County

4224 acres of vacant lots in Knoxville urban area

3816 Sutherland Ave. Knoxville, TN

355640 N 835857 EArea: 0.62 Acre Elevation: 944 ft

Urban meadow habitats are naturally occurring in some vacant lot site in Knoxville. They are the key source of food and living environment for wildlife, such as Rufous Hummingbird, during migration.

Knox County

BreedingMigration Winter

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Urban Meadow Habitat

Nitrogen cycle

Compacted and Contaminated Soil

Erosion and Road Salt Run-off

Storm water

Plants

Human Activities

Sun & ShadeTemperature

Climate

Early Spring

After mowing several times

Late Summer

Soil

Water

Forming Fact

ors

Problems Solving

Form

ing

Fact

ors

Utility structure prevent mower to cut the plants to the ground, help creating the meadow habitat for wildlife

Site Ecology

67

Design Process

A series of notable and functional structures draws people into the site, provides space for gathering, and rest from exercises, and calls attention to the potential for habitat in the urban landscape. People can inter-act with urban wildlife and be educated about a healthy and more diverse urban ecological environment and provided by vacant lots.

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Design Process

Urban Meadow Habitat

Nitrogen cycle

Compacted and Contaminated Soil

Erosion and Road Salt Run-off

Storm water

Plants

Human Activities

Sun & ShadeTemperature

Climate

Early Spring

After mowing several times

Late Summer

Soil

Water

Forming Fact

ors

Problems Solving

Form

ing

Fact

ors

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Structures 20 Bird Wing Nest

13 Bus Stop

18 Bench

Concrete Footing

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Structures Slatted structure provide accessibility for wildlife move from different areas. The 3 Bs perform mimic the function of the original utility struc-tures in the site to prevent mowing, in order to keep the urban meadow habitat.

Bird Wing Nest (right) can support vining plants and bird nesting. It is tall and noticeable to draw people into the site.

Bus stop (up) serve as welcome point for people from other area.

Bench (Right) provide sitting and also define the space between meadow and lawn

Bird Wing Nest

Bus Stop

Bench71

Territory Proposal

Building Footprint

Vacant lots and parks

Greenway

Major Roads

Bird Wing Nest

Bus Stop

Bench

Tennessee River

Kings

ton Pi

ke

Alco

a Hw

y

Cumb

erland

Ave

Suthe

rland

Ave

It is proposed to build the 3 Bs in vacant lots and parks along the Bearden and Third Creek Greenway system. It will be Totally 12 Bird Wing Nests, hundreds of Benches and replacing all the Bus Stops along Sutherland Avenue and Kingston Pike in that area. Es-timate to create about 200 acres of urban meadow habitat for wildlife.

72

Territory Proposal

Building Footprint

Vacant lots and parks

Greenway

Major Roads

Bird Wing Nest

Bus Stop

Bench

Tennessee River

Kings

ton Pi

ke

Alco

a Hw

y

Cumb

erland

Ave

Suthe

rland

Ave

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Liminal LotsKenny Townsend

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Liminal Lots

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Ecologies of ParkingSurface parking lots possess a liminality that is unique in urban settings. It is a liminality that they have created themselves by separating vegetation and structured cityscapes. They have forcefully taken on the role of transitional spaces by initially pushing vegetation out and acting as the door-steps to our buildings and public spaces. Vegeta-tion looks to regain its place but is relegated to the edges of these surfaces. Observing how vegeta-tion is opportunistic and exploits the micro ecolo-gies of these types of sites gives interesting lessons in sustainable thinking. It is in these opportunistic cracks, breaks, crevices, and refuse that seed find a medium to survive. Vehicles keep tender plants on the periphery finding refuge along fence rows, curbs, utility poles as well as along and on build-ings. Resilient species that can absorb vehicular and pedestrian traffic exploit the available real estate in cracked concrete and asphalt. The dexter-ous properties of the different types of vegetation is a display of sustainable practices biomimeticaly. Permeable surface, living walls, bio-swales, natural habitat and food sources are all represented in these areas.

CONDUIT

OPPORTUNISTIC

PALIMPSEST

RESILIENT

INTERSTITIAL

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Ecologies of Parking

77

Location

78

City of Knoxville345,840,386 sqft of parking

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Length: 16.9 - 19.7 in Wingspan: 39 - 43.3 inWeight: 16.6 - 37 oz

Food sources include small rodents, other birds, rabbits, amphibians, fish, reptiles as well as ground foraging.

Nesting occurs 20-40 feet high. A potential nesting site may be prospected for close to a year before it is used.

Nesting occurs 20-40 feet high. A potential nesting site may be prospected for close to a year before it is used.

Whoooo cooks for you?Who cooks for you is the distinct and classic call of the eastern barred owl. The question can now be asked who cooks for the barred owl. With mass deforestation due to urban growth the habitat for the eastern barred owl is being diminished drasti-cally. This has caused a movement west as they seek shelter and food sources. This movement has now created competition with the endangered and rare spotted owl of the southwest and west coast. To help eliminate this competition and protect this endangered species it is important that we counter the problem of deforestation to protect the natural habitats of these animals. Another measure that can be taken is to provide habitat. The barred owl is one species that has tried to adapt to our urban conditions by finding homes along the forest edge as well as in abandoned buildings. An area that can be taken advantage of are parking lots. With habi-tats that can be mounted on the sides of building or on utility poles the barred owl can take advantage of fence rows and dumpster areas that attract small rodents. This option creates home for this species and locates it near potential food sources.

HABITAT

HUNTING

NESTING

RESILIENT

80

1900

2003

1934

1943

1965

TYPICAL INSTALLATION

Whoooo cooks for you?

1900

2003

1934

1943

1965

EASTERN BARRED OWL MOVEMENT

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Para(site)izeSoulless, fake, charmless and empty architecture creates the parasitic sprawl that has spread across our landscapes. Its nature is to seek, infect, spread, and devour. Digested landscape plots, left as empty box stores, strip centers, mono-functional highways and vast parking lots, deteriorate along its path. Municipalities allow the sacrifice of our natural areas and processes as they permit build-ing just for building sake. Sprawl and pollution are also an impairment to the functioning ecosystem networks that provide habi-tat for a wide range of fauna including the eastern barred owl. Habitat destruction for this species has extended to the base of our Great Smoky Moun-tains, forcing this adaptable animal to make its way across the country to seek food and shelter. The consequences have now also put the spotted owl at risk as the barred owl encroaches into its habitat and begun to hybridize. Landscape Architecture can act as a quantitative parasitology to bring to light how deep the infection runs. Landscape architecture can also become the epiparasite that feeds on sprawl and the landscapes, reclaiming these parcels of lost urban fabric.

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DEPLOYMENTOPERATIONS

BIG BOX STORES

OVERSIZED PARKING LOTS

SINGLE USE INFRASTRUCTURE

TARGET TERRITORIES

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Culvert OperationsKyra Wu

84

Continuous

Adaptive

Conduit

Translocation

Opportunistic

Resilient

Culverts are integral infrastructure elements within the urban environment that allow water to flow under railways and roads. Though usually hidden from sight, they can be used to form bridges that carry heavy traffic and are often installed in close proximity to populated areas of impermeable surfaces such as parking lots and buildings. There are many classifications of culverts, and the materi-als from which they are constructed vary according to the specifications of the site. The first study was done near Worlds Fair Park on a metal pipe arch culvert that consists of a corrugated aluminum plate under cast-in-place concrete. This culvert helps transit Knoxvilles Second Creek under high-way and railroad towards the Tennessee River.

Culverts change the behavior and natural flow of water, resulting in a dynamic ecosystem that shifts with increased rainfall and urban population density. The regular availability of water makes these locations seemingly habitable for all wild-life; however, closer inspection into these micro-ecosystems reveals a skew towards non-native and invasive plant species that are actually detrimental to the native community. With higher seed fecun-dity (fertility), quicker maturity, and denser shade production, these non-natives outcompete the less rigorous natives that prefer to grow synergistically with one another. This kind of regularly disturbed landscape favors the more exotic, phenotypically-adaptable species. The creek then becomes a conduit that carries seed and herbaceous frag-ments further down to the river, increasing the overall propagule pressure of the invasive plants to other locations within Tennessee. These over-looked landscapes become the breeding grounds of non-native flora that further solidify the species footprint on the local ecology.

Sites: 1. Arch culvert near Worlds Fair Park 2. Box culvert near Neyland Greenway

Culvert Operations

86

Site s12

First Cr eek

Second Cr eek

Locations

88

Aerial

Lateral

1. Arch Culvert

2. Box Culvert

Topo

Tennessee Riv

er

Site Location

1. Arch Culvert

2. Box Culvert

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Existing Flora

1

2

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

Adapted to disturbance

Cultural preference

Dense root mass production

Drought resistant

Habitat value

High fecundity

High propagule pressure

Historical identity

Predator susceptability

Pest absence

Phenotypic plasticity

Quick maturity

Rapid foliage shading

Seasonal lifecycle

Seed longevity

Synergistic ecosystem

3

17

18

19

20

1. Ailanthus altissima

2. Albizia julibrissin

3. Betula nigra

4. Catalpa speciosa

5. Celastrus orbiculatus

6. Cercis canadensis

7. Hedera helix

8. Impatiens capensis

9. Ligustrum sinense

10. Lonicera spp.

11. Morus rubra

12. Parthenocissus quinquefolia

13. Paulownia tomentosa

14. Phytolacca americana

15. Platanus occidentalis

16. Polygonum cuspidatum

17. Pueraria montana var. lobata

18. Pyrus calleryana

19. Smilax spp.

20. Vitis spp.

Characteristics

Native

Invasive

4

90

Herbaceous Exploits

91

Target Fauna

Physical Characteristics:Length: 5-25mm-usually green in color-paired ventrical gills-fully scleritized dorsum

Habitat Requirements:-fresh, owing water-organic detritus-stable substrate-loose sediment

Environmental Role:Typically the longest stage of development in the life of a Hydropsychidae species, larval netspinners are the key target population. They construct xed retreats by spinning silk threads and attaching passing herbaceous material or loose sediment onto the side of a stable substrate. Thus, they are a consistent food source for predators living underwater, lter the river of organic material, and also contribute to benecial episodic sedimenta-tion .

Larva

Pupa

Adult

Order: TrichopteraFamily: HydropsychidaeCommon name: netspinning caddisy Process Model Iterations:

Initial primitive shape

Truncate & Twist

Flip + Bore + Twist

Bore + Mirror

Half + Truncate

for close ttings & tesselations

for greater surface area

for organic surface texture

for tight nestling with air ow

for support and housing

Order: TrichopteraFamily: HydropsychidaeCommon name: netspinning caddisfly

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Structural-Intention Detail

1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4

Adults

Egg Hatchlings

Larvae Instars

Pupae

egg laying & settlement

instar growth & development

rigorous feeding & shelter development

Organism Movement

Bio Specs Target Goals

Rep

rodu

ctio

nF

oo

d

Shelte

r/Hab

itat

M

ateria

l

Orien

tation Scale

Angle

5.2

3"

[Eco]ncrete 55

Water flow

Construction Detail

adults attracted to

calmer water within hatchlings protected

until more mobile

net developmentscatch detritus

larvae begin feedin

g

on larger prey

spac

es be

twee

n obje

cts

allow

safe

net e

states

pupa

e fo

llow

twist

ed

surf

ace

to c

limb

up

General Application to Other Culverts

water ow

93

Deployment

Fast current of fresh water

Concentrated organic matter

Inhospitable to predators

Environmental indicator

Sediment restructuring

Increased downstream food value

Inputs

Out

puts

System Analysis

Box Culvert Site Location

Structural Function

Increased biodiversity

Water filtration

Public awareness

The caddisy is an order of approximately 12,000 species of macroinvertebrate that live within the vigors of freshwater streams. Lacking the tasty grandeur of the craysh or the toothy strength of the beaver, it is an overlooked natural architect within stream ecology. Knoxville, Tennessee answers this oversight with the installation of the new Neyland pedestrian bridge that celebrates the structural habitat-cases and spun-nets of the Common Caddisy (Hydropsychidae). Gossamer cables inspired by the caddisy webs built to catch detritus mimic the movement of trailing algae in a fast stream. The bridge supports are laced with lattice piers that will house dense plantings of native aquatic

plants, providing further ltration of the creek waters and additional habitat for all species inhabiting the river. The entrance that dips into the large box culvert of First Creek will act as an observation deck from which humans can observe the natural processes of river dependent species. Scaled variants of the bridge line the mouth of the culvert, providing ideal habitats for these water-moths. Thus, transforming the culvert into a kinetic ecosystem versus a latent passage of contaminated creek water. The resulting site will be a bridge of regenerative design that transforms the culvert into a lively hub of cultural and environmental health.

The caddisfly is an order of approximately 12,000 species of macroinvertebrate that live within the vigors of fresh-water streams. Lacking the tasty grandeur of the crayfish or the toothy strength of the beaver, it is an overlooked natural architect within stream ecology. Knoxville, Tennes-see answers this oversight with the installation of the new Neyland pedestrian bridge that celebrates the structural habitat-cases and spun-nets of the Common Caddisfly (Hydropsychidae). Gossamer cables inspired by the cad-disfly webs built to catch detritus mimic the movement of trailing algae in a fast stream. The bridge supports are laced with lattice piers that will house dense plantings of

native aquatic plants, providing further filtration of the creek waters and additional habitat for all species inhab-iting the river. The entrance that dips into the large box culvert of First Creek will act as an observation deck from which humans can observe the natural processes of river dependent species. Scaled variants of the bridge line the mouth of the culvert, providing ideal habitats for these water-moths. Thus, transforming the culvert into a kinetic ecosystem versus a latent passage of contaminated creek water. The resulting site will be a bridge of regenerative design that transforms the culvert into a lively hub of cul-tural and environmental health.

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Water LevelWater Level

W etland Plant Substrate

95

Lindsey has always been a Tennessean: born in Memphis, grew up in Nashville, and went off to college in Knox-ville. She became curious about landscape architecture through her interests in graphic design, general design of space, and environmental concerns. In her free time she loves anything involving people, outside, new places, and her dog, Lena. She has been called a pessimist, but she likes to think of it as being a realist.

My name is Darwin Carey, I am 24 years old, and I am from Arlington Virginia. I am a graduate student, an intern at Tennessee Solar Energy Association, and a part time worker for Action Environmental Services Inc. When Im not working I enjoy playing basketball, tennis, golfing, sailing, and skiing.

A native Memphian, Natalie came to Knoxville with the intention of studying Interior Design. However, her interests in environmental conservation and green prac-tices led her to pursue a degree in Sustainability. During that time she interned with the Tennessee Clean Water Network, the City of Farraguts Office of Sustainability, and volunteered at Beardsley Community Farm on a regular basis. As a student in the Masters of Science in Landscape Architecture program, Natalie hopes to apply her knowl-edge of sustainable practices to explore creative and resilient solutions to issues facing urban design.

Sarah Newton found landscape architecture through a love for science, art, and the environment. Her favorite computer program is Rhino and her favorite hotkey is ALT while clicking. When shes not in the studio, she loves to be outside with her dog and her husband.

Lindsey Bradley

Darwin Carey

NatalieGraham

Sarah Newton

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Erica is a first year MLA student originally from the Chicagoland area. She obtained her bachelors degree in Economics from Middle Tennessee State University. Her interests in social equity, economic development, public space, and design, led her to Landscape Architecture and her love of the moun-tains brought her to UT. She enjoys night walks, sleeping, and sitting at other peoples desks.

Ruxin is a UT MLA Candidate. He is originally from China, and studied in Singapore for 8 years before transferring to UT. He received his Bachelor of Plant Sciences at UT in 2014 and decided to further his education in the UT MLA program the same year.

Kenny Townsend is a 1st year MLA candidate from Johnson City, TN. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in Plant Sciences and Landscape Design. Before returning to pursue his first professional degree, Kenny worked in the green industry as part of a de-sign build firm and the wholesale nursery trade. His professional interests include, regional and urban planning, multi-modal and transit oriented design, as well as ecological restoration and preservation to name a few. He also enjoys photography, hiking, kayaking, basketball, writing and a good book.

Kyra is reading + design + cats + pajamas

EricaPhannamvong

RuxinTao

KennyTownsend

KyraWu

97

Continuous

Fragmented

Interstitial

Convergent

Incidental

Space

Spontaneous

Ruderal

Adaptive

Ephemeral

Time

Conduit

Recusant

Translocation

Opportunistic

Function Perception

Sublime

Palimpsest

Derelict

Resilient

Uninterrupted connections

Broken into parts, spread throughout

Forming or occurring in the spaces between

Coming together; merging

Happening or resulting in connection withexisting conditions

Growing without cultivation; unconstrained

Growing in disturbed or altered waste spaces

Being able to conform to new environmentalconditions

Only lasting a short time; brief

A means of transmitting or distributing

Refusing to submit, comply

A movement from one position or place to another

Exploiting chances offered by immediate circumstances

Impressing the mind with a sense power,wonder, veneration

Showing evidence of change through time

In a very poor condition as a result of disuse and neglect

Thrives despite the conditions

urban site biographies / lar 551 f2014

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