Bennett: GM-Landscape: 2011

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Monday, March 28, 2011

Testing Procedures

Introduction

The overall landscape for the Green Marina was tested.

The solution was intended to provide a seasonal, sustainable, pleasingly aesthetic landscape for the proposed Sandy Hook "Green Marina" to accommodate the runoff from rain and general clean up. The testing procedures consist of surveys taken by experts in their perspective fields, regarding the final design of the landscape and assessing the feasibility. The surveyors include Ms. Heuser, a National Park Service Ranger, and Ms. Ayers, a landscape architect.

Testing Procedures

There will be two types of tests: exploratory and validation. The exploratory test is a preliminary test to grasp feedback from the three potential solutions. The second test will ask the focus group and experts to comment or suggest ideas for the final solution. The final solution will then be revised and tailored to their needs. The design will be tested for aesthetics based on the expertise of a landscape architect. The design will also be tested on feasibility by a National Park Service expert. The student will administer the testing, by surveying the focus group through a written questionnaire while answering any questions the expert may have. The survey will take place in the workplaces of the experts.

Process

The actual test will follow these steps:

Explain directions to client(s).
Provide survey to client(s).
Collect survey.
Tally and document results.
Revise final design based on results.

Observation

During the final testing stage, the student met with her mentors to administer a final survey and begin review of her work. The testing process consists of presenting static drawings to an expert in a conference setting. One mentor, Heuser, stated that all the plants used in the design were viable and met the criteria of salt spray tolerance and ability to thrive in direct sunlight. The mentor also stated that all species listed were native to Sandy Hook, as stipulated in the project limitations. Ms. Ayers stated that the design was feasible for production and that none of the plants would hinder the growth of others, which was a main concern.

Results

Specifications:

Curb storm water runoff
Include a variety of plants
Include a welcome sign, flag pole and other ornamental objects
Adapt to soil condition and sun exposure
Consider staff and patron views
Be salt tolerant

Limitations:

Include only plants indigenous to Sandy Hook.
Implement eco-friendly methods and products.
Use solar lighting where lighting is needed.
Adhere to areas designated for runoff.

According to the student’s mentors, based on a preliminary and final review, the final design meets the specifications and limitations created. The surveys taken by the experts are attached to the testing procedures for review by the instructors.

Conclusion
The overall design has been reviewed by experts and has been declared feasible for production. The testing took place in the mentors’ places of work and consisted of a final validation survey to ensure the verisimilitude of the design. Also, the structure of the landscaping was intended to create an aesthetic effect on the environment of the marina and has provided that component as well. All plants and locations have been approved, and meet the requirements set forth by the specifications and limitations of the project.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Model

3D video tour of the landscape for a Green Marina on Sandy Hook.

Final Drawings

Final 2D

Final 3D

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

3D Parking

Small Ramp Parking

Medium Ramp Parking

Large Ramp Parking

General Parking Area

Thursday, February 3, 2011

MP3 Calendar

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Works Cited

Bioretention Section. Photograph. Sustainable Stormwater Management. Wordpress.com, 12 Dec. 2007. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. <http://stormwater.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/bioretention-section.jpg>.

"CalculateMe.com - Calculate the Area of a Triangle (Knowing Its Base and Height)." CalculateMe.com - Comprehensive Conversion Utility. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. <http://www.calculateme.com/cArea/AreaOfTriangleBaseHeight.htm>.

Ondra, Nancy J. "What’s in a Name? Form and Function." Gardening Gone Wild —. 19 Nov. 2010. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. <http://www.gardeninggonewild.com/?p=14647>.

Putting-Out System. Absolute Astronomy, 2011. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. <http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Putting-Out_system>.

Zimmerman, E. A. "OBN - Rain Barrels and Gardens - How to." Our Better Nature Home - Conservation and Environmental Protection. 19 Oct. 2007. Web. 20 Jan. 2011. <http://www.ourbetternature.org/rain.htm>.

STEMM

Introduction

The task at hand is to design a viable and appealing landscape for a new “green marina”. This marina would be located in the area that the Fort Hancock Chapel currently resides, on Sandy Hook. The landscaping must only include plants indigenous to Sandy Hook. The landscaping must take into account that the area is in direct sunlight as well as that the wild animals are present in the area. Lastly, the overall design must include measures taken to minimize storm water runoff.

Figure 1- Witch Hazel (Seasonal)

The finished design must meet all of the related specifications. The plants will thrive in direct sunlight and salt spray from the bay. The landscaping will have blooming plants (ex. Witch Hazel Fig. 1) during all seasons, ensuring a year-round aesthetic environment with vibrant colors that complement the surrounding environment. The landscape will also take into account the restrictions of the rain garden and help to minimize pollution from storm water runoff. The landscape will consist of only native plant species to promote wildlife biodiversity while ensuring that the ecological balance remains intact. The final design has been under construction and has approximately 40% work completed, as shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 2- Partial Final Design

Systems Engineering

Engineering

The final solution is an innovation because it combines artistic quality and function, by creating an aesthetically pleasing color palette for year-round enjoyment. The design is a component involved with 9 other parts in the “green marina” system. However it is closely tied to the storm water management component, designed by MRay, in that the rain gardens are a combined effort on both parts. Agricultural engineering is heavily involved in the design. It is a discipline that applies engineering technology and agricultural processes to innovate. It compiles animal and plant biology as well as multiple types of engineering, including chemical, to create agricultural machinery and structures.

Manufacturing

The putting-out system is necessary in the chosen solution. The putting out system, also known as the workshop system, involves a leader hiring subcontractors to complete individual tasks in their own facilities using their own materials. The final solution also incorporates construction and industrial design processes. It uses construction through assembling an infrastructure. Industrial construction requires a team of individuals to complete a successful project, and is being utilized throughout the green marina design team. Industrial design integrates aesthetics, ergonomics and usability into designs to make them functional and marketable to consumers.

Science

Figure 3- Rain Garden

The scientific concept used in the chosen solution is the “rain garden”. The rain garden was invented by Dick Brinker in 1990, who worked with the Maryland Department of Environmental Resources. A rain garden is a shallow depression in the ground with plants, that serves as a small bioretention and filtration basin that helps manage storm water runoff. They require less watering and fertilizer, as opposed to a regular lawn or garden, and provide a natural habitat for local wildlife. For example, at the University of Connecticut has a rain garden located next to a dining hall that reduces runoff from a nearby parking area (Fig. 3). There is also a small rain garden located at the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, which was created to minimize “MAST Lake”, a large pool of water extending several feet (Fig. 4). The rain garden has noticeably reduced the amount of water pooled there as well.

Figure 4- Mast Lake

Technology

Bioretention

Figure 5- Bioretention

Bioretention is a process in which sediment and pollutants are removed from storm water runoff. Storm water collects into an area and gradually evapotranspires or infiltrates the ground over a varying period of time (Fig. 5). Bioretention assists greatly with storm water management and helps to reduce runoff. Phytoremediation

Figure 6- Goldenrod

Figure 7- Sunflower

Phytoremediation is a technology that mitigates concentrated pollutants in water, air and soil. It involves certain species of plants, called hyper accumulators, which have the capability to degrade or render harmless contaminants like metals, pesticides and crude oil. Some of the plants able to complete this process have been incorporated into the final solution. Examples include Solidago sempervirens (seaside golden rod, Fig. 6) and Helianthus annus (sunflower, Fig. 7).

Figure 8- Triangle

Mathematics

The math used in the computation of the final design is mainly simple arithmetic, such as multiplication and calculating area of land to landscape.

A=1/2bh (area of a triangle)

A=.5x75x46=1725ft2

A= .5x34x40=680ft2 (2 areas) x2

A= .5x56x17=476ft2 (3 areas) x3

A=hw (area of a rectangle)

Figure 9- Rectangle

A=153x12.5=1912.5ft2

A=.5x44.5x66=1468.5ft2

A=222x6.5=1443ft2

Conclusion

The landscaping design is an innovation that combines aesthetics and functionality. It compounds agricultural engineering as well as the putting-out system of manufacturing. The final design will implement construction and industrial design. The final design is a combination of plants, indigenous to Sandy Hook, placed in strategic locations that have the ability to thrive in direct sunlight and salt spray. The design concept includes multiple rain gardens around the site, which enables bioretention and phytoremediation. The mathematics involved in the chosen solution use multiplication and area calculations. In conclusion, the landscape is an incredibly vital aspect to the “green” concept in the green marina.