Christopher Tomkinson Landscape Architecture Student Portfolio

ABOUT MEDESIGN PHILOSOPHY: I am most passionate about designing with a sustainable state of mind, beyond just ecological means, but holistic sustainability. I enjoy the challenge of thinking about how a design can improve the social quality, economic quality, and environmental quality of a space. My aesthetic approach is always site specific, I concern myself a great deal with how the looks of a space will make a person feel, and with what the potential users of a space really want.

BACKGROUND: I am a recent graduate from North Dakota State University with a bachelors in landscape architecture. My passion for the field of landscape architecture comes from growing up near a few of the parks associated with the Grand Rounds in Minneapolis designed in 1883 by H.W.S. Cleveland. The idea of spreading green space throughout the city and making the beneficial characteristics of nature more readily available to all inhabitants was one that resonated with me. Other landmarks I have visited through travels also inspire me, notable ones include millennium park in Chicago, specifically the planting design done by Piet Oudolf, Golden Gate Park, and urban planning successes like Market St. or the Ferry building in San Francisco, and the natural beauty of the north shore in Minnesota.

CONTACT INFO: Email: [email protected] Phone: (612)-812-3801 Address: 6300 Upton Ave. S. Richfield, MN, 55423

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OVERLOOKING THE GRAND CANYON

OF THE NORTHMINE AMENDMENTS

IN HIBBING, MN:

PG 23NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY:

RECLAMATION AND PLANTING DESIGN STUDIO - 2015

RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN:

BUILDING SMALL, THINKING BIG:

PG 31NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY:

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STUDIO - 2014

FIRE AND OIL: AMENDING THE BAKKEN NORTH DAKOTA:

PG 15NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY: ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING STUDIO - 2015

IN THE LOOP: MAKING HISTORICALLY CONSCIOUS PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS:

PG 3NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY: THESIS DESIGN STUDIO - 2016

CARDINAL MUENCH SEMINARY: AN ASSISTED LIVING REDEVELOPMENT:

PG 13NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY: SITE PLANNING STUDIO - 2013

TABL E OF CONTENT S

DETAILS & HAND RENDERING:

ANALOG//DIGITAL:

PG 29NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY

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LAKE HARRIET

TRAILS: PEDESTRIAN=2.75 MI.

BIKE=2.99 MI.

LAKE HARRIET


BIKE=2.99 MI.

LAKE CALHOUN


BIKE=3.19 MI.

LAKE CALHOUN


BIKE=3.19 MI.

LAKE OF THE ISLES


BIKE=2.76 MI.

LAKE OF THE ISLES


BIKE=2.76 MI.CEDAR LAKE

TRAILS: PEDESTRIAN=I.86 MI.

BIKE=1.68 MI.

CEDAR LAKE


BIKE=1.68 MI.

n

IN THE LOOP:MAKING HISTORICALLY CONSCIOUS PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONSNORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY: THESIS DESIGN STUDIO - 2016

The Chain of Lakes Regional Park in Minneapolis Minnesota currently suffers from significant pedestrian connectivity issues. This issue is most prevalent between Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles. A visitor can be in one of these lakes and be completely oblivious to the fact that there is more park just a stones throw away. This project aims to strengthen this connection while maintaining a sensitivity to the historical context to the park’s original design. The park was originally designed in 1883 by H.W.S. Cleveland, his design approach focused on being true to nature, and the picturesque aesthetic. He also aimed to emphasize elements of the native landscape, these two philosophies made up the approach to this project.

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LAKE HARRIET


BIKE=2.99 MI.

LAKE HARRIET


BIKE=2.99 MI.

LAKE CALHOUN


BIKE=3.19 MI.

LAKE CALHOUN


BIKE=3.19 MI.

LAKE OF THE ISLES


BIKE=2.76 MI.

LAKE OF THE ISLES


BIKE=2.76 MI.CEDAR LAKE


BIKE=1.68 MI.

CEDAR LAKE


BIKE=1.68 MI.

nT O M K I N S O N / / 4

I

INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS: PEDESTRIAN DESTINATIONS AND HISTORICAL CHARACTER

I. PEDESTRIAN DESTINATION INVENTORY: inventory was gathered on land uses within a mile radius of the park.

Land use inventory of office and retail (yellow), parks (green), and schools (blue) was taken of the areas around the park. These uses were chosen because of the high volume of pedestrian traffic they generate.

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PARK CIRCULATION

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ANALYSIS DRIVENPLANNING

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III. HISTORICAL QUANTIFICATION, existing historical character conditions around the site. This is achieved by identifying all of the historical characteristics present on sight, and identifying areas where the character is lacking. Illustrated on the map are only the areas that were determined to be lacking character, indicated with a red circle. Around the red circle are numbers that correspond to the elements of historical character present in the park based on characteristics of picturesque design or characteristics that emphasize the native landscape the color of the number illustrate what character they represent. Also illustrated are land uses, this is to represent areas where connections should be proposed and what history is present in those areas.

I. PARK CIRCULATION: an illustration of the existing circulation networks withing the park, red=car, yellow=bicycles, and blue=pedestrians.

II. ANALYSIS DRIVEN PLANNING: process sketch of graphic II (historical quantifi cation graphic).

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Because of the large scale of the project, the master plan manifested itself as a series of prototypical sections that represent amendments to existing trail conditions. Pictured above is a section of how a Maple Basswood plant community would add mid story plant material, and on the page to the right is a section of a wetland and boardwalk, these elements would be used where there is opportunity to increase pedestrian access to water and where shoreline conditions permit the implementation of a wetland.

The tricky part about using prototypical sections to defi ne a master plan that is a picturesque aesthetic was fi guring out how to create a section that communicated the picturesque character that I wanted repeated throughout the plan. The picturesque aesthetic requires all elements of the view shed be composed as though it were a painting, which is why the aim of the sections was to capture the essence of picturesque design using the proposed plant communities. Using the section graphics as a communicative tool and a precedent to illustrate how the elements can be composed and create a picturesque composition.

MASTER PLANNING: PROTOTYPICAL SECTIONS

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EXISTING CONNECTION PROPOSED CONNECTION

CONNECTION CONCEPTSCLOCK TOWER/ SCULPTURAL ARCH

CONCEPTS

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III

IV

Calhoun

Isles

II

CONNECTIONS AND CONCEPTS: DEVELOPMENT

I. EXISTING CONNECTION: there is no sense of connection between Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles, and the sense of safety from traffi c and bicyclists could be pushed more.

II. PROPOSED CONNECTION: creates a sense of unity, simplifi es the connection, removes pedestrian and bicycle crossings from street level, and removes all potentially dangerous pedestrian-bicycle intersections.

III. CLOCK TOWER / SCULPTURAL ARCH CONCEPTS: to connect the two lakes (visually and physically) a large gesture was necessary. A large busy 6 lane road separates the space between the two lakes blocking viewsheds and disrupting the sense of unity between the lakes. The large gesture utilizes a sculptural arch that acts as a rainbow leading the eye from one park space, over the road, and into the rest of the park. The arch visually connects the clock tower to the proposed boardwalk, connecting the two lakes. The arch and clock tower act as way fi nding elements attracting viewers from across the lake, and guiding the eye through the site (a).

IV. CONNECTION CONCEPTS: many forms were considered, eventually however the decision was made to follow the straight line created from the channel as this was the simplest path to follow.

a

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0’50’150’300’

SITE PLAN

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A’

B

A

B

Hand rendered plan of this garden

CARDINAL MUENCH SEMINARY:AN ASSISTED LIVING REDEVELOPMENT NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY: SITE PLANNING STUDIO - 2013

This project is a redevelopment proposal, the aim is to develop an assisted living campus on the ground of an existing abandoned seminary.

Illustrated here is one of two proposed therapeutic gardens, this garden is for the able minded and bodied residents who don’t need care with them. The major themes present in this design are water and sun, because of the therapeutic properties these fundamental elements of nature have. Water is introduced through the use of the dry creek bed (a) and a water fountain (b). The sun is present through manipulation of shade and a more literally with a wall decoration (c). The planting plan also hints at fl uidity and brings the theme of change over time to the mind as different plants come into bloom and the garden changes form.

b

c

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A

B’

A’

B’

T O M K I N S O N / /1 4

a

b

FIRE AND OIL:AMENDING THE BAKKEN NORTH DAKOTANORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY: ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING STUDIO - 2015

In western North Dakota, there is a geological formation that produces a wealth of petroleum, this formation is called the Bakken. In this studio students were tasked with first, identifying an issue that could be remedied with sustainable design (social, economic, or environmental). Preliminary inventory was conducted to identify these problems (the graphics on this spread are the product of this investigation). Next we were assigned a 1,000 acre tile of the Bakken to conduct inventory and analysis.

To the right is a graphic depicts the volume of oil being pumped by the 5 largest oil companies in North Dakota. All oil fields in McKenzie county are inventoried (a), Also illustrated is a breakdown of where the money from the oil industry goes (b).

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INFOGRAPHIC DEVELOPMENT

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II

I

SECTIONS: VIEWSHEDS AND FUNCTIONALITY

1,000 ACRE TILE: THIS SPREAD BEGINS THE INVENTORY & ANALYSIS ON PHASE 2 OF THE PROJECT I. FISH AND WATER: Illustration of the

causes of nutrient overloads in the Missouri River, an understanding of where the problem areas are and what chemicals they

release helps to begin to understand what a solution could look like.

II. TRAVEL INVENTORY: The distances oil well workers need to travel to get to town and to get to work from the housing developments constructed for the workers.

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SECTIONS & INVENTORY

I. PHYSICAL FEATURES, & VIEWSHED INVESTIGATION: Representation of geological forms present in the Bakken and infrastructure from the oil industry that negatively impact viewsheds.

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III

II

II. & III. INVENTORY // ANALYSIS (SYSTEMS MAPPING): Both of these images map inventory and overlay and analyze inventory.

II. This image places elements that promote desirable viewsheds along side some mining industry to see what relationship the two industries have.

III. This image has a lot of info, the left map places transportation, and towns watersheds to illustrate their spatial relationship. The right map illustrates the locations of non farm properties (higher density housing), areas of cultural significance, and oil wells. From this map we learn that oil wells tend to pop up where the oil is and not respond much to other land uses.

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existing soil conditions, the boundary of the watersheds to the river were used because these are the fi elds that directly affect the river.

II. GOLDEN EAGLE NESTING HABITAT, & ROADS: Illustration of areas that foster

nesting conditions for the Golden Eagle, and the existing roads and rail systems. The combination of these elements let us see where humans are most the eagle nesting habitat. Also illustrated are grasslands and shrublands, these are the environments Golden Eagles prefer to nest in.

II

I

ANALYSIS: FINDING THE PROBLEM

I. WATERSHEDS, & CROP DATA: Illustration of what crops call for what nutrients in the

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ANALYSIS:

III. HABITAT, ROADS, & CROP DATA: Farmlands are invasive to wild turkey habitat because prefer dense forest with frequent clearings. Fields and roads are fragmenting the habitat of the wild turkey in the Bakken.

III

I. GOLDEN EAGLE NESTING HABITAT & SURFACE GEOLOGY: illustrated are the geological conditions that foster nesting habitat for the Golden Eagle (yellow = river, it erodes the steep cliffs) and where the Golden Eagles currently nest (white). Tribal lands are also represented by the hatched area.

II. COAL MINES, WILD TURKEYS, AND TRIBAL LANDS: One byproduct the coal mining industry is fl y ash. This is a substance that has potential to be reused in concrete, soil stabilization, and grout (potential for locally sourced material).

I II

TOMKINSON//20

PROPOSAL:ECOSINO, A CONTEXTUALLY SENSITIVE CASINO

This concept is phased in, initially generating revenue from a casino on site, the facade from the casino would create these vertical nesting environments for the Golden Eagles, and recycle the fl y ash produced at nearby coal mines. The large monoliths that fl ank the main entrance would act in the same way, and are inspired by the forms of the badlands. Creating a sense of power and intimacy they guide the user down a turning path to the casino. The following phases would create wetlands to treat nutrient overloads from agricultural land uses, and a forest to foster wild turkey habitat.

I. Section graphic exploring the vertical relationship between the pedestrian paths and the top of the large artifi cial cliff faces that fl ank the approach.

II. Concept sketch including the casino, and the proposed wetland development.

III. The approach to the casino, shown are the pedestrian paths, rain garden, and large cliff faces that foster Golden Eagle habitat.

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III

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OVERLOOKING THE GRAND CANYON OF THE NORTH:MINE AMENDMENTS IN HIBBING, MNNORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY: RECLAMATION AND PLANTING DESIGN STUDIO - 2015

The Boeing mine in Hibbing, MN is the selected location for this remediation project. Students were tasked with fi nding a landscape in need of remediation, this is why a mine was a great candidate for this project. The site is a former mine that has been mined to its extents and currently functions as a wate rock pile. The site sits just south of a much larger mine, the “Hull Rust Mahoning Mine” nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of the north”.

Research into contaminants in the waist rock revealed that there were not too many contaminants necessary for removal beyond minor petro chemical pollution. The more pressing issues are erosion and drawing users to the site.

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T O M K I N S O N//24

CONCEPT:

I. FULL SPREAD CONCEPT RENDERING: The site is a large hill with two peaks, there is a large peak to the east side and a smaller peak to the west. Conceptual development focused on contrast between these two side of the hill using formal and rustic programming elements. Things like viewing gardens (a), retention ponds, and an amphitheater(b) are used on the west peak which is treated very formally. A visitors center (c) is placed between the two peaks with strolling gardens (d) leading to the west peak. To the east is a more rustic and natural approach with biking (e) and hiking (f) paths, and views of the city and mines.

I

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III. ELEVATION INVENTORY: Isometric view of contours to the waste rock pile. The solid red paths indicate the existing roads used by the mining companies to dump rock. The striped areas are fl at areas with strong potential for development. The peak closest to the bottom of the image is where the amphitheater is proposed (a), the middle platform is where the visitors center is proposed (b) and the tallest peak is where the natural aesthetic is utilized (c).

I. &II. SECTIONS OF AMPHITHEATER PROPOSAL: I sections A, & B, section A cuts through the seating terraces, and B cuts through the retaining wall. The wall has outlets at the bottom where fi ltered runoff runs down into wetland conditions. II section C cuts through both retaining walls that fl ank the amphitheater to illustrate the elevation change.elevation change.

III. ELEVATION INVENTORY: Isometric view of contours to the waste view of contours to the waste view of contours to the waste rock pile. The solid red paths rock pile. The solid red paths indicate the existing roads used indicate the existing roads used indicate the existing roads used by the mining companies to by the mining companies to by the mining companies to dump rock. The striped areas are dump rock. The striped areas are dump rock. The striped areas are fl at areas with strong potential for fl at areas with strong potential for fl at areas with strong potential for development. The peak closest to development. The peak closest to development. The peak closest to

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b

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T O M K I N S O N //26

IT O M K I N S O N / /2 7

I. The final master plan for the amphitheater area, this design faces the audience north at the “Gran Canyon of the north” (Hull Rust Mine) and places a large retaining wall behind them to reflect and amplify sound. The amphitheater uses a method of hybrid terracing, the first few rows are narrow and fit one row of people, and the upper terraces are wide and can fit a few rows of removable seating.

II. Perspective of the amphitheater, the hybrid terracing method can be seen with the more narrow rows (a) towards the bottom and wider terraces (b) towards the top. Located at the top is the large concrete retaining wall (c) designed to reflect sound back towards the audience. Also seen here are the sedimentation pools (d), designed to filter sediment from runoff.

III. Perspective of the approach to the amphitheater. The top of the hill is where there is parking and a drop off (a), which leads to a planted approach to the amphitheater (b). The approach is terraced (c), and the sides are flanked with arborvitaes (d) to enclose the space and create a sense of intimacy.

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a

a

b

b

c

c

d

d

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DETAILS & HAND RENDERING: ANALOG//DIGITALNORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY: AUG. 2011-MAY 2016

These details don’t relate to this sketch or any other project represented in this portfolio, this page is simply intended to showcase Auto CAD skills and hand rendering skills.

I. Plan detial of a boardwalk to concrete walk intersection.

II. Section of boardwalk to concrete walk intersection.

III. Brick masonry wall section detail.

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II

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TOMKINSON//30

RESIDENTIAL LANDSCAPE DESIGN: BUILDING SMALL, THINKING BIGNORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STUDIO - 2014

Minimizing water consumption and making a small property as functional as possible were the main goals of this project. Water is conserved by reducing the surface area of turf grass as much as possible, turf grass requires more water to maintain than almost any other plant material. To reduce the area of turf grass the role of planter beds are reversed, the planter beds become negative space and the grass becomes the positive space.

To make the space feel as big as possible an open fl oor plan in the house and landscape is used so a viewer can see from end to end of the property, paths and walkways push the user through the space while shifting their perspective through the viewsheds.

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CONCEPTS: HOUSE DEVELOPMENT

IV. Next a tilted cylinder was considered that would be angled to be perpendicular to sun rays, as to reflect as little light as possible. This structure would rotate on it’s z axis to follow the path of the sun to be as efficient as possible.

V. Detail of the rotating element mentioned in the previous figure.

I. A detail of windows, looking into the green house area from the pergola covered porch. The goal is to reduce support elements to reduce interruptions in the view of the landscape.

II. Curved cast concrete bench, located in back yard under the ornamental tree. Provides convenient resting & socializing place in the shade.

III. Concept 1: the first form considered for the house opened up the house to the south west corner of the building. This is to allow for optimum solar heating efficiency in the winter and sun exposure for greenhouse conditions.

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CONCEPTS: LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT

III. An attempt to create a strong sense of connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces was made to help make the space feel larger, this is achieved with paving patterns that extend into the floor of the house, large windows, and an open concept floor plan. The property had no garage so I used the opportunity to use a rain garden filtration system, and permeable pavers to allow for as much treatment of petro chemical treatment as possible in the small space provided.

I. Conceptual development of the outdoor kitchen/living space. Behind the table and chairs, a counter space (a), grill (b), a compartment that could function as storage or a chicken coupe (c), with a green roof for herb planting (d) can be seen.

II. The final design solution for back yard. Because there is no garage on site a permeable paver driveway (a) and a rain garden (b) are used to treat runoff from the car. There are gaps in garden space where turf grass can connect the yard to neighbors to encourage social activity (c). The path winds around the kitchen space making it feel more open and large (d).

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I. After further development the house began to take shape, with a curved glass corner on the south west corner for solar effi ciency, and greenhouse conditions. The 2nd fl oor of the south west corner (a) functions like a green house, this is to further strengthen the indoor outdoor relationship by bringing more nature and landscape elements into the living space. Removable awnings (b) for shade are being explored in this image.

II. Dusk rendering of the back yard. Behind the patio furniture a fi re table (a), and hole in the fence (b) are seen. The hole in the fence allows for social activity between neighbors, and for travel between yards. And at the rear of the property a pergola for car parking (c) is seen, this element is a room saving substitute for a garage.

III. Master plan: this graphic illustrates the fl ow throughout the site. It shows how residents would walk through the site, with paths always looking at viewsheds and large windows or doors looking the same direction, bringing the views into the house. Also seen is the relationship of the outdoor kitchen and eating area. The ornamental tree placed between the two areas ties the two spaces together and provides shade in hot summer days.

IV. Another work in progress perspective of the front of the house, this time from a more direct angle showing the front of the house, and the 2nd fl oor balcony can be seen.

III

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Christopher Tomkinson Landscape Architecture Student Portfolio

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