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INDIVIDUAL DESIGN

  • id3688y
  • Jan 8, 2025
  • 8 min read

Updated: May 26, 2025

TERM 1


Wider context

This is showing some of the factors that negatively impact birds surrounding the site. This includes: aeroplanes from London City Airport, skyscrapers in Canary Wharf, noise and air pollution within London boroughs and transport.


Sketches

Using procreate on my iPad, I sketched various elements that I wanted to highlight in my research: This includes a crane, underground sign,















































Base map research

This page shows the site at a closer scale, highlighting some of the key spaces surrounding our site that are used by birds and wildlife, as well as which birds can be found in each green space.  This is mainly looking at green spaces and mudflats.  It also takes some key features from my first research page to emphasise the issues that birds face in London. It also includes some statistics on bird biodiversity loss since the 1970s and some historical overlays of the North and South areas of our site to give an idea of what the landscape used to consist of.


Habitat research

I researched the various types of habitats that are used by birds and then using microsoft designer (AI image generator) I created some sketches to represent each type of habitat. I also created my own maps of London boroughs with research of noise and air pollution


Vision and manifesto:

This is my first iteration of the vision poster. It's quite messy, but it gave me a starting point with the elements that I wanted to include in my final piece.


This is the final vision and manifesto poster. I was aiming to show how the introduction of more spaces for birds and the protection of habitats can improve the health of the river and energise the key elements of Greenwich.


ECOLOGICAL HISTORY

Reconnecting the Greenwich Peninsula with its ecological past of submerged marshland and wetland, before it was drained for agricultural and industrial use. Reclamation and restoration of the marshlands and wetlands.


HABITAT PROTECTION

Protecting mudflat areas from the waves of the passing Thames Clipper boats, to preserve essential feeding grounds for wading birds


HABITAT CREATION

Creating vital spaces for the diverse range of species through the reclamation of industrial land and introduction of more grassland and wetland habitats.


GREEN CORRIDOR

Creating ecological corridors along the Thames Path and throughout Greenwich Peninsula between Bow Creek Ecological Park (just North of the river) and Greenwich Park (just south of the river), providing space for ecological, social and cultural interactions.


RECREATION

Providing areas where locals and visitors can be immersed in wildlife, where they can appreciate their surroundings and observe the range of species that use the site.


Masterplan

This is the first iteration of my masterplan. After working on this piece for a while, I decided that the more realistic textures of the grass and water did not work with the rest of my pages and I wanted to go with a more neutral/minimalist colour pallette. I also wanted to explore the use of the under-utilised spaces on the Peninsula, so I went back and did some more research on this and created a strategy diagram to show/explain the intentions of my design.


Industrial and under-utilised space

This page helped me to highlight the under-utilised and abandoned space that I could reclaim for my design and add interventions to. This included car parks and abandoned industrial sites. I also looked at the ruderal vegetation that had developed. This was very helpful in rethinking my masterplan and it was interesting to see how much of the land was impermeable and wasted.


Strategy diagram

This page helped me to develop my ideas of what I wanted to do with the site and what land I could use. It also explains a bit about each of my interventions that are further developed in my masterplan.


Masterplan 2.0

I changed my colour pallette to more neutral tones which I much prefer to my first iteration. I also added in more green spaces, taking the abandoned/disused spaces and car parks. The bridges allow access along the Thames Path, but giving people a different perspective and continuing the connection with the river where it is currently cut off by industrial space or buildings (such as when you have to walk behind the Trafalgar Tavern near the Cutty Sark to reach the next section of path that is actually next to the Thames. I also created inlets where mudflats can be protected from the river action and wetlands to attract a variety of birds, as well as provide breeding habitats and feeding grounds. The triangular layout of the sensory garden in the bottom area of this page is supposed to reflect the geometrical shapes of the residential and commercial buildings in the North of the peninsula by the O2 Arena. This will be planted with trees, shrubs and herbs that provide a range of textures, colours and scents.

The abandoned jetties and docks will be converted into shingle platforms that will provide nesting areas for common terns and black-headed gulls. The red area represents the park and ride drop-off and pick-up zone that will replace the need for car parks further into the Norht Greenwich Peninsula. Not only will this improve the noise and air quality in the area, but will also allow for the space currently used by car parks, to be transformed into permeable, green space for use of the public and wildlife.


Outcomes

Similar to the habitats page, I used Microsoft Designer to create sketches for the different aspects I hoped to achieve with my design. This was focused on recreation and improvements for wildlife. I also drew a map of the flood risk areas in London and a sketch of the phytoremediation process that could be used with reedbeds to improve water quality within the river, and used a map from GLA showing air temperature in London that needs to be reduced.


Websites used:





























INDIVIDUAL DESIGN - TERM 2


The focus of this project is on celebrating the Thames’ ecological and cultural significance, by designing a detailed site that enhances connectivity and creates vibrant, accessible spaces for public engagement. By integrating ecological, social, and historical elements, a waterfront will be formed that balances regeneration with sustainability, whilst fostering a deeper connection between Greenwich’s communities and the river Thames.


Site visit:

During the site visit, the inconsistency within the landscape was very apparent - particularly with the materials used. There was also a severe lack of character, with a dull colour palette along the route. It was also very quiet on every occasion that I visisted the site, despite the hustle and bustle of the area surrounding The O2 Arena (adjacent to the site) and the functionality of the Clipper Pier.


Site analysis

This page looked at a variety of aspects on site, including; Contours, bathymetrics, tide levels, built-up areas, green spaces, existing vegetation, and connectivity/transport. This was valauble in gaining an understanding of the site and how it's currently used, as well as what areas/aspects need to be highlighted or enhanced.


Precedents

South Docks, Cork - Exterior Architecture

This project focuses on integrating historic remnants and materiality in relation to resilient green and blue infrastructure, that functions as a recreational experience as well as future proofing the site. The landscape provides green links and connections through the site, strengthening connectivity for users, vegetation, and biodiversity with flexible and adaptive space integrating ecologically focused planting palettes.


  • Retaining traces of the industrial use of the site provides a soft transition between the dockside and urban development to the south. This linking strategy is replicated in the accessibility between buildings and the surrounding landscape.

  • This project created a destination with an emphasis on connectivity and landmark features in the form of gatewyas, community hubs, and activities connecting land with water.

  • Creation of a dynamic and creative space that incorporates the industrial heritage of the site within its materials.

  • The design makes use of under-utilised space, by regenerating derelict and abandoned buildings/ structures.

  • Cycle and pedestrian paths have been integrated into a design of the waterfront that fosters a connection with the river.


Purfleet Centre Regeneration, Essex - Exterior Architecture

This masterplan re-imagines Purfleet through development of a vibrant and creative town centre, an active river frontage, and neighbourhoods with identifiable character reflecting the site’s heritage with an extensive and integrated open space network.

  • Ecology was well integrated into the project.

  • Various wildlife organisations collaborated on the project to ensure a valuable and safe space could be created for wildlife and people.

  • The levels created with the riverfront and boardwalk provide different experiences and links with the landscape for people to engage with.


Startup Village, Amsterdam - Carl Turner Architects

This project provides a low budget, temporary space for young companies in the middle of Amsterdam Science Park. The containers form a central square where communal and open-air events can take place.

  • Containers are portable, stackable and are widely available.

  • The closeness of the units creates a community of startups that inspire creativity.

  • Up-cycling is encouraged with the re-use of the shipping containers.


Habitat strategy

This page looks into the habitats that will be introduced, protected, or enhanced with the regeneration of the area, and the wildlife that will be attracted to the site.


Zoning

This page reveals the different activities/programs that will occur in each zone to make up a cohesive, engaging masterplan.


Sections, scenes and axonometric

These pages use a variety of visualisation techniques to reveal how the spaces will be used in a more experiential way than the masterplan - giving an idea of how the space will feel, as well as how it functions.


REVISITING TERM 1 WORK


Trying out QGIS

I decided to redo my wider context map from term 1, as it didn't really fit with the aesthetics of the rest of my portfolio and didn't have the impact I was hoping. To do this, I tried out a software I had never used before (QGIS). I followed some youtube tutorials for the basics to use the software, and created a base map showing light pollution in London. I was then able to overlay the layers from my previous map showing noise pollution, transport, and London City Airport flight paths - to create a more visually appealing and striking page that represented my analysis. (The original map was moved to the appendix).


History

With the focus on history for the second project, I wanted to display some of my historical research about Greenwich within the first section of my portfolio - to better highlight the narrative and link between the two projects. I focused on Greenwich's history of maritime, navigation, time, transport, ecology, and piers/jetties.


Site analysis

With cloudpoint data (taken with a LiDAR Scanner) of the North Greenwich Peninsula waterfont, I was able to take sections along the route of the site. These gave me a great insight to the changes in the landscape along the Thames Path, and also the landmarks/features along the way. I really enjoyed this aspect of the site analysis, again trying out some different softwares/techniques for representing the site.


Mapping the site for more context

I also used QGIS to create a figure-ground map of the area, which I could add a layer of zoning analysis to - showing residential, industrial, commercial, and green spaces.


Bathymetric data and flood risk

I looked into bathymetric data of the River Thames, to get an idea of what proposals could be added to the shoreline and how they would be impacted by the river depth and tides. I also looked at the local flood risk due to excess surface water during rainfall, to see what areas of the site needed improving regarding drainage/use of water.


Activity booklet

As part of the programs introduced with the masterplan, I produced an example of a children's activity book with a dot to dot, crossword, word search, stamp points, and questions about the history of the area - all with a Greenwich theme. This aims to make the route more interactive.








 
 
 

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