connect / collect

matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010building stimulus: revere beach, ma

fragmented habitats

boston logan

proposed site

Coastal saltmarshes such as the Rumney Marshes (Revere, MA) and the Bell Isle Marsh (Winthrop, MA) support hundreds of flora and fauna species, dozens of which are endangered or protected. These isolated fragments of habitat are remnants of what at one time characterixes the entire Massachusetts Bay region. A new connecting infrastructure between these isolated landscapes could reestablish important links for the migration of plants, animals, and people.

Habitat in the vicinity of urban development is characterized by fragmentation as opposed to connectivity. Core, support, and wetland habitats are confined topatches and corridors, frequently the remnants of the previous rural landscapes or new habitatsthat have been created or evolved within the urban matrix.

Massachusetts has 47 rare wetland-dependent species, such as the bald eagle, the Plymouth red-bellied turtle, and the piping plover. Of these rare species, 28 are animals and 19 are plants.

core habitat ACECs

species supported exclusively by state core habitats & wetlandsindividual animal species individual plant species

alewifeblueback herringsmeltbass

raccoonred foxmuskratmeadow vole

ribbed musselsoft-shell crabrazor crab

snowy egretgreat blue heronternglossy ibisbuffleheadblack duckplover

spike grassmarsh astersea lavendermarsh orachblack grass

salt hay grassnative reedglasswortcordgrasssaltmeadownarrowleaf cattail

alewifeblueback herringsmeltbass

raccoonopssumfield mousecoyotesnakered-bellied turtle

ribbed musselsoft-shell crabrazor crab

least ternploversnowy owl sandpipergoose

rumney marsh

belle isle marsh

manipulating the ecotone

ecotone 0 ecotone 1 ecotone 2

Core and critical habitats (depicted above) are separated by vast extends of urban development. This limits the capacity of these fragmented landscapes to support the diversity of species that they might if they were composed in a larger network. By manipulating the ecotone, or border regions, of these landscapes (core, critical, developed) it is possible to increase the interaction and migration of plant and animal species.

minimun border exposure, limited species interaction

increased border exposure, greater species interaction

overlapping border exposure, habitat pockets allow species interaction

distribution of fragmented habitatse

Habitat (and its associated benefits to biodiversity, storm water management and recreational use) can be linked by large features such as river corridors, woodland and other substantial tracts of semi-natural habitat. This planning is a large-scale view of landscape and urban infrastructure. These features should be connected to one another by preserving existing links or creating additional linkages in the landscape. Smaller features such ashedgerows, streams and treelines that are identified at the habitat-scale can form additional linkages.In order to do this, landscape and ecological features should be taken into account within the regionalframework of planning.

Isolated cores can become linked networks. Infrastructure supported corridors can link isolated cores, support and wetland zones into large-scale systems for habitat, water management, and human-use. These corridors can be designed to utilize existing natural and man-made features. Existing transportation infrastructure can link this network to the greater metro area in two key places OAK GROVE and WONDERLAND. These nodes can then become entry points for recreation and natural systems education.

habitat connectivity infrastructure

T

T

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matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010building stimulus: revere beach, ma

site program|componentssite ecotones

off-site

mbta hotel

offices

residences

community

off-site

beach

beach

path as connector/collector

pro

gra

m

pro

gra

m

pa

th

pro

gra

m

constructed wetlands

residential

office

hotel &retail services

mbta

regional path1/2 mile of path connects site to regional

pedestrian system/path surface and subsurface acts as

water collector

eastern county drainage1/2 mile drainage connects eastern revere to rumney marsh wetlands/

the drainage collects run-off for +50 acres of urban landscape

programmbta connects the site to the boston

metro area/hotel, retail, and new residential program

collects users at system hub

pervious groundcoverlandscape design connects habitats and

increases ecotone overlap/pervious groundcover and slope

manipulated to collect water resources

streets & parking

I

I

II

III

III

IIshared hardsurfaces connect traditional vehicle access with program and path/

were possible, these elements are integrated into water collection systems

residences

mbta hotel

0’ 50´ 100’ 200´

site planscale 1” = 100’

n

off-sitte

beach

beach

off-site

connect / collect

matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010building stimulus: revere beach, ma

10% 11%

12% 0% 2% 6%

13% 0%

0%6%

5%

3% 7% 2% 6%

5%1% 6%

1%

6%

0%

0%

2%

20

4

6

12

12

12

3

3

16

5 a-a

b-b

c-c

d-d

e-e

cfm

groundcover

woodland evergreen (.08n)

woodland deciduous (.11n)

dense riparian (.03n)

short native grasses (.025n)

constructed wetland (.02n)

sand dune (.02n) paved surface (.01n)

run-off flow rateslope (%)section

a

b

c

d

e

a

b

c

d

e

landscape and drainage sections | slope and ground cover vs. hardscape run-off rates

To maintain a series of distict sections of slope and groundcover (which together manipulate run-off rates emptying into the site drainage) low, minimal retaining walls are situated in the landscape. These corten, weathered steel walls segment the landscape into drainage channels. The walls formally organize the landscape into a variety of zones and contribute to site stormwater management and collection.

section I | community access

existing residential drainage and path planted slope street beach

storm drain from street catchbasin

street drainage catchbasin

landscape drains to path retention tank/swale street drains to landscape

concrete drain pad drain to municpal infrastructure

erosion prevention geotextile concrete sidewalk

street/landscape drainageAs an infrastructure scale project, the site strategy focuses on integrating new landscape design and path services with existing infrastructure to improve performance and sustainability. The section (above right) across the site attempts to show that the landscape is actually a component of the site drainage and path system. In fact, careful consideration is given to the process of water run-off, drainage, and collection from the street (detail at left)down to the management system and finally out to the local wetlands.

street/landscape drainageswale/path systemscale 1/32” = 1’

scale 1/2” = 1’

typical land-use and run-offevapotranspiration & infiltration run-off

forests and wetlands

streets, rural areas

commercial sites

urban development

Impervious surface cover (75%-100% in dense urban areas) is linked to regioal surface water-quality and aquafier replenishment as well as infrastructure waste water issues. Core habitat and wetlands help manage stormwater run-off but are also subjected to the negative effects of run-off from adjacent large, impervious surface cover.

connect / collect

matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010building stimulus: revere beach, ma

swale drain to wetlands catchbasin/maintenance

surface flow collected from landscape

retaining wall with surface drain

12” dia. concrete pier

24”x24” porous concrete pavers

5mm permeable geotextile w/planting grid

24”x24” porous concrete pavers

non-compacted soil mix

overflow drainsseating

sump drain to grey water reuse

drain footingplumbing to building greywater pump plumbing from path retention cell

overflow drain to wetlands

6”-8” non- compacted soil mix

retention cell

maintenace sump

storm level

normal level

to residential grey water distribution

hardwood deck

wetlands swale

5 mm permeable geotextile

6”-8” compacted gravel

structural, cellular retention tank (9000 US Gal)

steel frame

overflow drain to wetlands

swale/path water management systemscale 1/2” = 1’

scale 1/2” = 1’

hardwood deck

catch basin/maintenence access

2’x2’ porous concrete pavers

overflow drain to swale

local drainage to wetlands

grey water distribution to residential

steel frame

6”-8” non-compacted gravel

5mm permeable geotextile

structural cellular water retention grid

6”-8” compacted gravel

12” concrete pier

native wetlands vegetation

porous basin on geotextile fabric allows

plant growth

swale drains to wetlands

retention tank supplies residential grey water

upslope vegetaion filters run-off water

prior to collection

connect/collect

stormwater retention at proposed residential

swale and path system components

The path itself is the main architectural feature of the regional strategy. Given such a prominent role, it is clear that there is an opportunity for the path to be something more than just a surface to travel on. The path plays a double role: 1) it connects people and places on-site and on a regional scale and 2) it collects a valuable resource, water, for a variety of functions. These functions range from run-off detention to on-site storage and treament. and vary based on program needs and site location.

The detail and diagrams (top and right) show the functional relationship between the landscape, the path, and the wetlands swale which drains the entire site (and much of the north half of Revere).

One function for on-site water retention is grey water collection and re-distribution. For the proposed residential, the path and swale collect stormwater as a resource for use in the buildings’ grey water systems. Grey water can be used to save 5-36% of clean water consumption per household. The typical American family uses as much as 400 gallons of freshwater per day. Grey water can be used for lawn irrigation and toilets. Installing a grey water system for the entire residential project reduces the system installation cost per resident, making it an affordable and sustainable feature.

connect / collect

matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010building stimulus: revere beach, ma

storm level

normal level

section II | event plaza/garagescale 1/32” = 1’

scale 1/4” = 1’

scale 1/32” = 1’

The section at the event plaza and covered garage show the relationship between proposed residential spaces, the path, and site parking which is covered by a functional program element. The garage roof serves as a collector of rainwater and human activity. The intended program for the event plaza is outdoor concerts and and community activities. The plaza is another form of topography that invites exploration and serves as a large surface area for water collection. The path surface sits on a concrete/metal deck which acts to deliver rain water to the path collector below the lower event plaza deck.

path

kiosks/services

event plaza/garage

hotel/mbta

street

street kiosks streetstreet

beachnew residential/swale

retail/mbta parking

event/garagelower event/pathresidential swale

lower event plaza

section at garage/hotel/service kiosks

upper event plaza/garage

parking garage roof & event plaza

2’ steel drain cover

non-compacted gravel

overflow drain to wetlands

to proposed residential grey water distribution

lighting

sufrace drains to path

concrete on metal deck

steel frame

concrete retaining wall

street drains to surface landscape

surface drain from street

landscaped slope beyond

concrete retaining wall

12” dia. concrete pier

scale 1/4” = 1’

to hotel/mbta storage and treatment

scale 1/8” = 1’kiosk and water storage section

The kiosks hold program and serve as large water collectors. The sloped entry ramp (each kiosk is depressed 18” below path grade) is ideal for channelling water into two retention cells each having a 10,000 gallon capacity. The kiosks’ proximity to the hotel and MBTA allow water storage for treatment and subsequent use in the larger site facilities. Ideally, the hotel and MBTA complex would be capable to treat large quantities on grey water on-site for use in mechanical and plumbing systems.

storm level

storm level

normal level

normal level

maintenance sump catchbasin concrete/metal deck on steel frame

lighting

2 x 10,000 u.s. gallon water retention cells

hotel storage/treatment tanks hardwood deck

entry 18’ below path grade

deck mounted on concrete tank

phase 2 | 2015 phase 3 | 2020 phase 4 | 2030hubs paths connect collectIdeal hubs offer three specific criteria: ADJACENCY TO CORE/SUPPORT HABITATS, ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT and SPECIFIC PROGRAM NEEDS. The four proposed hubs (below) meet all of these criteria. The distinct habitats of each of these hubs can be linked by the proposed path

brownfield site

run-off management

water contaminants

Phase 2 includes the extension of the paths into adjacent core and support habitats maintaining a light ecological footprint. The goal in this phase is to create access to habitat and green space for the purposes of awareness, education, and recreation.

The overall goal of this regional strategy is to connect fragmented habitats to provide lanes for species migration and human use. Phase 3 connects the identified hubs to complete an alternative and reparative network. Where possible, brownfields adjacent to the hubs are regenerated.

Besides the path itself, the service kiosk is the architectural element that will be repeated at each proposed hub in the new network. The kiosk will be the recognizable symbol to users that they have encountered an important node along the path. Each hub can offer services tailored for the site program. Here, the kiosks offer a variety of beach services as well as services oriented to exploring the path and its destinations.

Top right: A key element of the path program (which fosters greater access to the Revere site via the path network) is the electric bicycle rental program. A kiosk at each hub will rent electric bicycles which can be returned to any kiosk along the route. This allows one-way rather than round-trip journies on the path. The electric bicycle will allow users to travel greater distances along the path network, turning it into a legitimate alternative mobility network.

Middle right: The kiosk courtyard is the main collection point for the entire strategy.

Right: The kiosk courtyard is the one portion of the path that refuses linearity. Like the embedded ecotones, the kiosks interrupt the linear flow of traffic and generate unprescribed circulation patterns and interactions.

Once the regional hubs are connected by the path and its associated landscape interventions, the path iself can begin to branch out into the urban fabric and core/support habitats alike. The path becomes a collector of human users, fauna, flora, and previously disintegrated habitats.

system which includes biodiversity lanes. For human use, the connection of these hubs via path offers an alternative pedestrian link between neighborhoods that currently does not exist. Phase 1 sets the site program and connects the site to adjacencies via the path-habitat system.

phase 1 | 2010

kiosk elevations

program kiosk | beach services

regional strategy

connect / collect

matthew schexnyder|05|14|2010building stimulus: revere beach, ma

suffolk downs

wonderland

oak grove

fells reservation

rumney marsh

mystic river reservation

belle isle

wellington

development

forest habitat

wetlands habitat

hikers wildlife

studentsresidential

residential public transit

public transit

public transit

public transit

athletes

commuters

estuary habitat

river habitat

public showers/lockers

cafe

kayak and gear rental

path information traversable roof

finished floor 18” below path surface

allows seating

roof appears to peal away from path

surface

glazed facade on tracks for natural

ventilation

open plan for program flexibility

retail

electric bicycle rental

retail

path lift shelter

kiosk as path and shelter

scale 1/8”= 1’