isles of mud (Landscape Urbanism)

Island Plan at 1:2500 scale

Glowing Urban Model

Glowing Urban Model

by Leif Estrada and Matthew Gindlesperger Animated video for STU1212: MLA Core IV Final Review Under the instruction of Bradley Cantrell

Featured on SuperArchitects and NextTopArchitects

Under the Instruction of Bradley Cantrell  |  Spring 2015

Jamaica Bay, New York, NY

In collaboration with Matthew Gindlesperger, BArch '10, MLA '16
— 
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s devastating impact on Jamaica Bay in 2012, public discourse has shifted toward the urgent need for infrastructure capable of mitigating future storm surges. Coastal resilience is now a primary concern for habitation along the water’s edge, particularly as 123.3 million people globally reside in coastal cities. The threats of inundation and rising sea levels demand a new approach to urban form—one that is not only resilient but also responsive to a changing environment.

Using Jamaica Bay as a site of intervention, this proposal identifies the current three-year dredging cycle as a strategic "hinge-point" for island creation. While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers currently transports dredge material 15 miles out to sea, this strategy suggests local deposition to expand existing islands. By utilizing a "cut and fill" process, the depth of the dredge is determined by water transit needs, with the displaced material used to build land area perpendicular to the channels. These new landmasses, reinforced by groves of barrier forests, will act as a natural armor against future surges while accommodating projected population growth.

Longitudinal Section across the proposed island design

Enlarged Sections:

Jamaica Bay island + dredge plan

Jamaica Bay island + dredge plan

Urban/Neighborhood Plan

Urban/Neighborhood Plan

Aerial Perspective of a proposed island

Aerial Perspective of a proposed island

Perspective from the Barrier Forest

Perspective from the Barrier Forest

Perspective from the Urban Form

Perspective from the Urban Form

Proposed Plant Species

Grading Plan (Mid Review Development/Landform)

Grading Plan (Mid Review Development/Landform)

Proposed Details:

Presentation Models:

Conceptual Diagrams + Analyses:

by Leif Estrada + Matthew Gindlesperger Under the instruction of Bradley Cantrell STU1212: MLA Core IV Studio | Harvard University-Graduate School of Design | Spring 2015 Fog is a phenomenon (usually) occurring when cold water and warm air comes into contact with each other and produces cloud of particles, which materialize at dew point (usually a temperature different between 80 and 60 degrees-Fahrenheit. This particularly phenomenon is known as advection fog. Other types of the phenomenon include sea smoke (commonly: steam), when cold air comes into contact with warm water and radiation fog when moist soil is warmed up by solar radiation. The phenomenological processes were then used as a strategy for developing the initial research of the project. *Medium: Grasshopper for Rhino, Realflow, Adobe After Effects, Photoshop and Illustrator

Mid Review Conceptual Analysis + Proposal:

Animated video for STU1212: MLA Core IV Mid Review Under the instruction of Bradley Cantrell
Isles of Mud Final Review Presentation, as featured on the Harvard GSD webpage

Isles of Mud Final Review Presentation, as featured on the Harvard GSD webpage

Final Review Presentation: