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.
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| 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.
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| 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
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| 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.
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| Figure 4- Mast Lake |
Technology
Bioretention
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| 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
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| Figure 6- Goldenrod |
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| 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).
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| 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)
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| 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.
