DeSoto Park

Project 2.002 {site systems} - Abstract

The man-made levee system has disconnected the river from its natural flood plain while the isolated batture landscape provides an opportunity to participate in the active condition of the Mississippi River. Conditions of the river experienced by the landscape include fluctuating river levels, water quality, and sediment or materials carried by the river. Moments of landscape experience varied levels of impact of each condition. Amplifying characteristics of distinct segments of land will activate the experience of landscape through rising river water. Edge conditions actively engage river fluctuation through rigid edges or gentle slopes. Structure for public access is integrated into an embedded framework designed to facilitate research of the collection of materials carried by the river. Research analysis helps to illuminate the dynamic interaction of river and land, which can be translated into an education and experience of riparian ecology. The proposal explores the ability to manage positive and negative effects of the river through manipulation of its land building capabilities. Circulation is regulated by river level as spatial characteristics continue to evolve as sediment and materials deposit and erode throughout the inserted framework. Visitors are immersed in a cross-section of ecology from established public space through developing land building infrastructure and to the dynamic river’s edge, while gaining an understanding of the evolving condition of the Mississippi River.

Site: 0.006 {Riparian Zone Degradation}

The visit to the site for this observation was starkly different than any previous observations, even over the course of one week. The conditions along the riverbank have dramatically changed, as the water level has risen significantly, changing accessibility and character of spaces along the river’s edge. The location for site observation 0.005 was completely and surprisingly submerged and inaccessible. It was interesting to see how the site changes and is flexible to the seasonal forces of the river.

The initial purpose of the site observation was to identify habitats within the site and the characteristics of each. It proved difficult to define areas of specific habitat, though I was able to gain a general sense of where habitats exist and the conditions for their creation. At the site, the exercise was altered into documenting the conditions of key areas for analysis back at the lab.

The site observations looks at forces or reasons why a riparian zone suffers degradation - in both hydrological modifications and habitat alterations. It is important to know what forces the site will encounter and the impact of those forces on the health of a habitat. The site is directly impacted by seasonal river forces that must be accounted for. These are not problems to be corrected, but opportunities to be realized in order to create a habitat that reflects the unique character of the site.

The final portion of the observation details characteristics of a healthy habitat and how they exist within the site. The results of the exercise: 1) identifying which existing characteristics to amplify in the creation of an ecology that is unique to the site; and 2) awareness of the forces at play to create flexibility in the landscape.

Site : 0.006 {my . adventure}

Procedure

This observation will document specific moments of ecological habitat within the batture. The inventory will display spatial and material characteristics of diverse habitats as they exist while identifying key components for the formulation of each habitat.

The documentation will use photographs and annotation to record details of each type of habitat and the surrounding conditions that have created and continue to support its existence. Transition between habitats will be considered.

Site : 0.005 {observe . diagram . sketch . annotate}

Each site exists as a sum of its parts. It is important to understand, even on a small scale, what parts actually exist to compose the greater whole. Oftentimes it is easy to gloss over small important details and only see the site for what it appears to be, rather than all the functioning elements behind the scenes. Minor temporal changes can add up to a larger effect on the site - a collection of individual trees filtering sunlight creates total shade. You can observe the chain reaction effects at this scale - filtered light = mostly shade = lack of undergrowth / pioneer species on river bank = increased sediment erosion…

Remaining in one place for 2-3 hours allows one to see causes and effects of certain conditions, which can be applied to similar areas along the entire site. For example, the tugboat & barge movement created time-and-distance delayed wave action on the shore of DeSoto Park. It wouldn’t be possible to understand this direct cause and effect without observing both events in the context of one site. Also, it would not be understood if the observations were took micro-scale without observing other factors beyond, yet impacting the site. It is useful to understand a fixed force, like the wave action, and be able to compare observed effects at different site points - if effects are different, it will point to different micro- conditions.

The hierarchy of observations becomes closely related to the duration. More or less time spent observing the site may alter the true frequency of events in that time frame. Extrapolating events in a short time frame / small sample size may not show the true conditions of the place. The change of one ‘constant’ condition during one observation - clear, sunny weather in my case - to different weather conditions, can completely alter the character and conditions of the site.

Overall, I found this site observation a good exercise in observing what is actually happening at the site down to the details rather than basing my thoughts on the site on assumptions and broad themes.

Project 1.002 {connect}

Review of project 1.002 was the most helpful review in the degree program thus far. After spending all those endless nights locked in my own design ideas it was helpful to hear another point of view and other directions the design could be taken. Having a real site with real design features also brought a frame of reference to real alternatives of design.

I find having a conversation with the jury is more valuable than explaining every detail of the project, since throughout the design process the site becomes an obvious read to you and therefore obvious to everyone else. Every group experienced what a different set of eyes brought to either their concept or in the representation of that concept.

Overall, I was happy with the project, learning how to add design features, and having to design around the repercussions of that design decision and so on down the line. One area of improvement will be to better articulate the key elements of the design to the jury and break down the argument for the design in a measured and direct way. I think there were many ideas we either didn’t develop fully to make an argument or some ideas implemented into the design that weren’t clearly communicated to the audience.

Either way, learning to apply new skills and forcing yourself to learn new ways of clear representation will only set us all up to be more successful, and above all hopefully more efficient.

I stand by my use of ‘tectonic signature’

Research: 0.00 {materials}

General building material research includes uses of construction aggregate, brick paving, asphalt, precast concrete pavers, cast-in-place concrete, metal, stone & wood. This research focuses on the construction process & functional use of cast-in-place concrete. While the research detailed below will be more academic, my research partner Ian Miller will post a description of how this research is put into practice.

Cast-in-Place Concrete

USES:

• foundations, slabs-on-ground
• walls, beams, columns, floors, roofs
• bridges, pavements, infrastructure

 

WHY:

• long-term durability & structural support
• structural support as beams & columns; floors, walls, & roofs

 

Considerations

mix – the designer specifies the concrete properties for the project & use, and an appropriate mix design is developed; mix design specifies the amount of cement materials, water & aggregate. Mixing, transporting, & handling of concrete are coordinated with placing & finishing instructions.

placement – concrete should not be placed more rapidly than it can be spread, struck off, & consolidated; should be deposited continuously as near as possible to its final position; concrete is usually placed in forms & consolidated – compacting fresh concrete to mold it within the forms around embedded items & reinforcement, eliminates stone pockets, honeycombing, & entrapped air (vibration); self-compacting concrete / self-consolidating concrete flows & consolidates under its own weight and requires no vibration 

curing – after placement, a satisfactory moisture content & temperature is required for concrete to develop adequate strength & durability (curing process); curing compounds / surface treatments prevent the rapid loss of moisture from the surface

finishing – exposed concrete surfaces require finishing if they will be visible; colors, textures, strikeoff or screeding (which removes excess concrete & evens out the exposed surface) to the proper contour & elevation; sawcut joints are made after the concrete is sufficiently hard & strong to prevent raveling (disintegration of the surface to leave loose or protruding aggregates) 

Sustainability During Construction

waste minimization – concrete is ordered & placed as needed without need for cut & trim after installation; wash water is collected & recycled for return to the concrete plant; extra concrete is used for jersey barriers, retaining wall blocks, or washed to recycle the coarse aggregate

local – materials are usually extracted and manufactured locally

recycled content – other materials can be partially substituted for cement and recycled aggregates can replace newly mined gravel

During Structure Life

energy performance & thermal mass – improves energy performance when properly insulated;  thickness 3-in+ concrete forms an air barrier 

durable – concrete withstands natural disasters, wind-driven rain,  moisture damage, & vermin; less replacement means reduced resource requirements

cool – using light- or natural-colored material helps reduce the heat island affect

low emitting – concrete has a low VOC emission & does not degrade indoor air quality

recyclable – concrete is commonly recycled in urban areas into fill & road base material at the end of service life

 

Site Visit - January 20, 2012

The initial impression of DeSoto Park is of a space disconnected from the surrounding area. The green space appears to provide no function directly correlating to Mississippi River access, the adjacent rail- and roadway, and least of all to the developed pedestrian space moving toward the Capitol grounds. Each of these levels acts as a barrier to accessing and experiencing a uniquely natural landscape along this stretch of riverbank. However, the space holds the important task of helping to protect downtown Baton Rouge from the annual swell of the Mississippi River. The challenge will be to understand the natural implications of this function and to develop a way for users to experience and understand the site without interfering with the cyclical processes.

I look forward to studying the site throughout the semester, with the ability to observe changes of a site in a real and measurable way. I expect the lessons in more abstract concepts of change will help guide the thought process in developing a response to both the static and changing realities of the site.