Christopher Cabezas. Portfolio LANDSCAPE DESIGNER. selected works

Transcription

1 Christopher Cabezas Portfolio LANDSCAPE DESIGNER selected works

2 CREATE SUSTAIN INSPIRE SELECTED WORKS [Design] is not simply about space and form, but also about event, action, and what happens in space Bernard Tschumi Remediating the RURAL WETLAND Bahia de Jobos Puerto Rico Reclaiming the URBAN POND Española Way Miami Beach Construction DOCUMENTS AutoCAD Drawing LANDSCAPES Analog Digital LANDSCAPES Digital Curriculum Vitae Contact Christopher Cabezas LANDSCAPE DESIGNER a. 320 S. Ocean Blvd U-R Delray Beach, FL c e. chriscabezas@yahoo.com w. christophercabezas.com

3 PUERTO RICO 1 Remediating the RURAL WETLAND Bahia de Jobos is a region in southern Puerto Rico rich in history and culture, but quickly losing its identity and pristine natural quality. Problems range from groundwater extraction to high nitrate levels due to agriculture, industry and residential uses. Other concerns include habitat encroachment, untreated sewage and septic outflow. The extensive canal systems that once fed the large sugar industry have dried up and the once thriving wetland region has deteriorated due to a diminishing use of the canal. This loss of natural habitat matches the loss of identity being experienced in the region. With the loss of the very important sugar mill industry, the agriculturally dependent regions sugar cane plantations quickly where abandoned. This has caused the abandonment of many houses in Central Aguirre, as well as a prominent hotel and other structures. Bahia de Jobos Bahia de Jobos Puerto Rico Masters Project Aguirre Aguirre Guyama Central Aguirre

4 PUERTO RICO Salt Water Intrusion The diagram shows the ground water flow toward the upper coastal area north-west of Central Aguirre as well as areas of salt water intrusion that are effecting the mangroves. Nitrate Deposits After the closing of the last sugar plant in 1991, the local community has suffered. The remaining industries such as agriculture and poultry farms that cause pollution are shown. Watershed + Contamination Diagram Contaminated Area Nitrate Overload Sites Flood Zones Urban Footprint Watershed Surficial Geology The alluvial fan-delta deposits to the south are a unique feature in the region. Cretaceous volcaniclastic rocks are found in the area and can be attributed to the high nitrate infiltration.

5 PUERTO RICO The trails and roads that traverse the wetland bioretension fields act not only as connections through the space, adjacent communities and region, but also act as a filtration devise that helps slow the movement of water in order to more effectively allow the absorption and collection of nitrates to be filtered. Nitrate absorbing vegetation, along with the natural plant and wildlife that frequent the region will inhabit the site and new wet + dry land habitats. Visitors can walk and bike the trials or grasslands, while vehicles can drive through the new roadway and park near the terraced slope garden Community Connection Model ft Wetland + Botanical Park Site Plan 1 northern access to wetland + park 2 first stage overflow fields + existing stream 3 wetland deck + observation tower 4 proposed walk + bike trail 5 new access point from adjacent community 6 second stage vehicular overpass + filter wall 7 new trail + access points 8 third stage overflow fields 9 fourth stage large capacity detention pond 10 scenic viewing area + vehicular overpass 11 main entry access point 12 open grassland 13 parking area 14 terraced slope garden 15 hill top visitor structure 16 community access point 17 bioswale + grey water collection canals 18 community recreation field

6 PUERTO RICO wetland grass overlook bordering community gravel terraced trails observation deck recycled sugarmill tower botanical garden Terraced Botanical Garden The terraced and sloping formations are carved into an existing excavation mound that currently rises 180ft above the adjacent land and measures 1000ft x 400ft across. The fractal design aesthetic gives a prominence and hierarchy to the space as a destination for the region. Grass patches and gravel paths are given form by a series of concrete retaining braces that crisscross the entire slope. The wet + dry land park is designed with the idea of landscape as resource, landscape as connection, landscape as healing, and landscape as movement. This park area is the focus of the regional proposal with a particular interest in the surrounding communities and environmental health. This system is comprised of a five stage process in which the water flows through and is absorbed and filtered with selected vegetation and materials. Terraced Garden Concept Sketches

7 PUERTO RICO +70ft +65ft STAGE 1 collection field +60ft STAGE 3 large grey water detention pond + absorption field STAGE 4 agricultural irrigation pond STAGE 2 nitrate absorption +40ft +43ft +47ft +45ft +55ft +50ft Strategy Diagram Wetland Network ft Wetland Water Flow Diagram Stage 1 raised decking + observation tower water enters from upland stream water moves slowly through absorption field Stage 2 lower elevation ground level elevated roadway with filtration base Stage 3 elevated trail with permeable base adjacent community connection Stage 4 collection field for farm land irrigation

8 PUERTO RICO This proposal seeks to use landscape as a means to create new capacities to cleanse the water and soil, but also to create new shared spaces that act as a connecting tissue between a fragmented community. New cultural exchanges can occur and a connection can be made once again with the land. The surficial gradients run deep and link a diverse yet historically rich region. Landscape becomes the medium for transformation. Landscape becomes a resource, a healer, a connection, a landmark and a new identity for the region and its people.

9 MIAMI BEACH 2 Reclaiming the URBAN POND The design proposal takes the idea of landscape as resource. Using water as a datum, the street becomes a shallow foot pool that pedestrians can walk through and directly engage this important Florida resource. A mangrove nursery recalls Miami Beach s natural past and native bird wildlife can inhabit the site once again. Stormwater collection tanks on nearby roofs and alleys clean and store water for the pond and new vegetation. Washington Ave Miami Beach, Florida Urban Design Studio Española Way The design proposes an alternative social practice that challenges the expected use values of a street corridor or of an urban condition Washington Ave Española Way Washington Ave

10 MIAMI BEACH COLLINS AVE 1 Adjacency Diagram Lincoln Road 2 Espanola Way 6 Washington Ave Collins Avenue Ocean Drive 4 5 Public Activity Hubs Cultural Open Space Context + Major Access Routes 1 Eastern Access + Extended Deck 2 Alley Water Purifi cation System 3 Western Access 4 Pedestrain Only Walkthough 5 Mangrove Linear Garden 6 Green roof + Rooftop Rain Collector 3 WASHINGTON AVE Dimensional Study Model Site Plan East Española Way

11 MIAMI BEACH Neighborhood Abstraction Diagram Elevation facing north Elevation facing east Site Analysis Washington Ave

12 MIAMI BEACH Space is shaped by the solids, but is defined and used through the void. The void is where experiences occur and where changes take place. Light, heat, movement + dance happen in these spaces

13 MIAMI BEACH

14 AUTOCAD 3 Construction DOCUMENTATION

15 ANALOG 34 Drawing LANDSCAPES Beloose Hand Graphics Workshop

16 ANALOG Concept Bubble Diagram Beloose Hand Graphics Workshop

17 DIGITAL 5 Digital LANDSCAPES Maya + Photoshop

18 CURRICULUM VITAE EMPLOYMENT FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Graduate Assistant Assisted in the research, writing and design of departmental projects including the modeling of Coral Gables, FL and the mapping + analysis of Havana, Cuba. Acted as an ambassador to visiting professionals and educators. Provided critical feedback to student work as a midterm critic. Assisted in the highly successful accreditation process of FIU s LA program. Jun - Aug 2013 URBAN DESIGN KILDAY STUDIOS Summer Intern Collaborated on a wide range of projects ranging from small scale urban interventions to large scale private communities. Developed illustrative renderings, sections, 3D models, diagrams, spreadsheets, planting plans and construction documents. Contributed to the design of parking lots, major retail development, and commercial centers. Met with community members, architects, planners, engineers, city commissioners, and country club associations LIONS NURSERY COMPANY Plant Manager + Crew Leader Responsible for 7.5 acre plant nursery operations, inventory, marketing and sales. Created fertilization, watering, herbicide and employee schedules. Received training on design and installation principles of residential landscaping. Gained substaintial knowledge of sub-tropical plants and environments. EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY Masters of Landscape Architecture Magna Cum Laude/GPA: 3.77 UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA Bachelors of Science in Business Administration Management/GPA: 3.4 President FIU ASLA Student Chapter + FLASLA ExCom Member President Tau Sigma Delta Honors Society FIU Campus Master Plan Landscape Design Guidelines Committee [LA]BASH Conference Leader, Expo + Fund-raising Treasurer FIU ASLA Student Chapter 6 VITAE AutoCAD Sketch Up Maya Land F/X GIS Hand Graphics Photoshop Illustrator InDesign Microsoft Office Windows Mac OS English Spanish Curriculum PROFESSIONAL SKILLS Average PERSONAL SKILLS Average AWARDS + HONORS Good Good Skilled Skilled University Olmsted Scholar Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF), 2012 Award of Merit Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (FLASLA), 2011 Faculty Award Excellence in Analysis + Planning, Landscape Architecture Department (FIU), 2013 Honors Society Tau Sigma Delta FIU Student Chapter Inductee, 2013 FIU Scholarly Forum 1st Prize in Politics and Administration (FIU), 2012 CELA Annual Meeting Presented academic paper at the Council for Educators in Landscape Architecture Annual Conference (CELA), th European Biennal Project selected for international exhibition in Barcelona, 2012 Parks for the People Van Alen Institute Design Competition, Finalist Team, 2012 City of Miami Design Charrette Chosen to participate in re-envisioning Calle Ocho for the City Planning Department, 2013

19 GET IN TOUCH a. 320 S. Ocean Blvd U-R Delray Beach, FL c e. w. christophercabezas.com Christopher Cabezas LANDSCAPE DESIGNER