WILDLIFE IN THE CITY ADAPTING THE URBAN FABRIC TO MEDIATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AND HUMANS by ANA CORDERO

1 WILDLIFE IN THE CITY

ADAPTING THE URBAN FABRIC TO MEDIATE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANIMALS AND HUMANS

by

ANA CORDERO

chair

BRADLEY WALTERS

co-chair

STEPHEN BELTON

A thesis presented to the University of Florida in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Architecture

Gainesville, Florida, USA, 2018

2 3 BREAKDOWN

7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

8 URBAN GROWTH AS A CATALYST

16 UNPACKING THE WILDLIFE THROUGH A TOOLKIT

34 DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHOSEN CONTEXT

40 REINTERPRETING CONCEPTS AS A MEANS OF DISCOVERING RELATIONSHIPS

58 CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS

76 VISUALIZING IDEAS WITHIN A FRAGMENT OF MANY

94 RECOGNIZING THE FRAGMENTS THAT CREATE THE NETWORK

100 WORKS CITED

102 IMAGES CITED

4 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

At the beginning of this journey, the only thing that I was sure about was my desire to develop a project around the subject of animals. Throughout my life I have had the op- portunity to be surrounded by different types of animals, whether it was at my Grandpar- ent’s farm in Costa Rica or in my own home with my amazing dog Pluma. I want to thank my family; my mom for teaching me compassion for animals and showing me that a little bit of love for them can go a long way, and especially for supporting me every step of the way and giving me advice no matter in what direction my dreams were headed. To Di- ego, my inspiring role model of a father, for always putting aside time to help me through the difficulties that I encountered in academia or in my life. To the rest of my family for encouraging me and volunteering themselves to be my first clients. And to Patrick, my architect in training, for all the advice and reassurance that you have given me, and most importantly for agreeing to rescue all the animals in need that my heart desires.

I couldn’t be more grateful to have been able to work under the guidance of my Profes- sors, Bradley Walters and Stephen Belton, who have both seen me and helped grow in this field throughout the past 6 years. Thank you for your critical insight and your will- ingness to allow me to explore my interests in this process. I hope to find mentors like you in my future endeavors.

I hope to continue my research and efforts in this topic and to one day make a difference in the world, which I am one step closer in achieving because of all of you, so Thank You.

6 7 URBAN GROWTH AS A CATALYST

8 9 URBANIZATION

With the inevitable rapid growth of urban territories throughout the world, wildlife in the As the natural and fabricated edges collide, it is unavoidable to acknowledge the un- surrounding areas is being negatively impacted. It is our responsibility to find ways in wanted relationship that arises with the fauna. Perception of wildlife can be designated which both humans and animals can coexist in the same space. Urbanization, creates into three categories, intruder, domesticate or resident. As a resident, both the animal problems such as habitat fragmentation, inbreeding, habitat loss and therefore a de- and human are aware of each other and recognize each other’s presence. As an intrud- crease in animal populations.1 Scattered habitat zones are being intersected by roads er, the animal is not welcomed, resulting in fear and irritation from its presence arising and developments that traverse through them. While these zones function as permanent from the surrounding community. Its presence can be harmful to other household an- homes for some species, they function as corridors utilized to connect and move across imals, nearby structures or to the homeowners. As a domesticate, the relationship of the urban fabric when scavenging for food or searching for habitat.2 the animal gradually becomes dependent on the human to a certain extent, growing more comfortable around the human presence.5 This is an outcome of actions such as The dispersal of animals in the city is largely as a result of the lack of accessibility to attempting to domesticate the animal by providing it with needed resource. The lack of their own resources, whether that is shelter or nourishment. Species such as fear is harmful to the animal as they belief every human to act in a similar manor and or have shown a highly adaptability to the urban conditions, becoming more thus lower their guard feeling more confident when entering our territory. Animals learn resilient and learning new skills, thus thriving more around the human population. In our behavior and can develop a relationship with us, which further demonstrates their some cases, food might be more readily available and the threat from predators might ability to adapt. not be as pertinent to their everyday life.3 While adaptability can increase their chances of survival, it also has negative impacts as their breeding habits, social dynamics, and While adaptation is important, independence is equally important. Creating an envi- diet are altered to survive.4 Other species are also forced to adapt but have not done so ronment in which the daily activities of humans and animals are parallel to each other successfully resulting in their diminishing populations. while being beneficial for both will help to ensure that animals can thrive independently. It is also interesting to imagine the situation from the animals’ perspective, where the humans are the intruders in their natural habitat, and how the relationship would then be affected. The scenario of humans being contained in their own territory would then become the organizing system. Vegetated areas would increase and transform the ur- ban concentrations into small zones.

Unpacking the linkage between organisms The as an intruder and domesticate

The types of issues/relationships present The effects of human interaction/intervention on organisms The changing perception of space between organisms Finding a boundary and the gradient in between What is the value and what are the benefits Previous attempts at addressing the issues

10 11 Many cities across the globe have found ways to BOUNDARIES OR GRADIENT BETWEEN EDGES address the issues of mobility and lack of habitat. The city of Alberta in Canada has developed a sys- tem of wildlife crossings, each placed along the Objects or spatial boundaries that to humans are perceived simply as elements creat- main road at Banff National Park. The project focus- ing a boundary, have a different definition for some species living in the city. Common es on restoring the vegetative connectivity that had spatial boundaries that are a reoccurrence in highly developed areas may encompass been lost. The crossings were placed at highly fre- vegetated medians along highways or busy roads and the underutilized spaces below quented points according to the animals’ range and elevated roads and complex intersections. These in between spaces serve as stepping movement, this way the structures would be more stones to move between habitat fragments and sometimes are adopted as permanent likely to be used by the wildlife. The structures en- habitats. For other species, the systematic composition of boundaries such as lineal compass different scales and different points of ac- structures help them to navigate. This is especially true for animals that navigate using cess that accommodate a large range of species.6 echolocation such as bats.

Other cities like Austin, Texas, give more attention to the habitat component, providing a place of rest for bats. The South Congress bridge that connects ANIMALS AND HUMANS PERCEIVE the northern and southern parts of downtown has SAME SPACE successfully been the place of shelter for migrating Mexican bats. In this scenario, both the bats and the city have benefited as the bridge has become a destination for many, increasing the city’s appeal.7 Most of the animals that thrive in the urban context are considered opportunistic spe- The two scenarios raise questions about the kind cies. These species experience high rates of interaction that is present between human and of population as they are very resourceful, animal populations and what kind of relationship adopting unique diets to help them survive that interaction yields between both. The interac- and taking advantage of unlikely spaces to tion can go beyond simply providing mobility and use as habitat. Some of the spaces of their habitat and can initiate an operation that is able choice are spaces that from the perspec- to link the divide between both organisms. These tive of the human are not considered ideal operations develop by recognizing what it is that or might even be seen as a safety hazard. animals and humans share in terms of needs and An example of this is the areas along rail- interests. Water, which is crucial for both organ- road tracks. People think of the tracks as isms, can engage both sides in a dissimilar manner, simply infrastructure used as a mean of however it can also serve as the unifying factor be- transportation and perceived as a danger tween the two while generating outcomes that can and thus maintaining their distance from benefit both sides. them. For some animals, especially oppor- tunistic species such as coyotes, the tracks provide them with free travel that is usually undisturbed by people, and even creating LOCATION OF ANIMALS IN RELATION TO HUMANS connections to places that they would other wise not have access to. As a result, coy- otes have found safety in locating their dens Animals take shelter in places where they are protected from the elements yet are still in along the embankment of the tracks, away close proximity to valuable resources such as water. Depending on the species, they can from human traffic and along their move- be found anywhere from boroughs in the ground in small vegetated areas to crevices ment paths.8 found in structures. Human interactions can be limited since these places of shelter tend to be out of our reach or hidden from us in addition to the tendency of most animal to Analysis of the urban context forage at dusk/night.

12 13 The city of Los Angeles hosts one of the world’s most diverse ecosys- tems. The city is surrounded by mountain ranges and vegetated areas allowing to have approximately 28 designated Significant Ecological Areas. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, they are identified as having irreplaceable biological resourc- es. The areas consist of undisturbed and lightly undisturbed habitats that promote the movement of species along corridors.9

The Los Angeles River travels through many highly populated neighbor- hoods throughout the city. The river system includes three of the Signif- icant Ecological Areas (SEA), although all three are disconnected from the river corridor. One of the areas, Griffith Park, is one of the largest municipal parks in North America. The park is responsible for being a “corridor for any gene flow and species movement between the San- ta Monica, San Gabriel and Verdugo Mountains,” according to UCLA’s Educational Research Center.10 The close proximity to the river creates opportunities to connect, design and extend a circulation network for both animals and humans.

Recorded sightings in and around Griffith Park in 2016

Coyotes and mountain lions have been known to appear frequently in the city, especially along the river near Griffith Park and Elysian Park. There has been a constant high concentration of sightings for both for long periods of time. Deer, raccoons and bats are species that have also been found to have one of the highest populations and strongly felt pres- ence in Los Angeles. The four species will be the focus of the inves- tigation considering that they constitute different scales and introduce varying contextual issues. All four are also found in locations across the globe, allowing allowing for the project to be a model for other cities experiencing similar issues with the wildlife.

14 15 UNPACKING THE WILDLIFE THROUGH A TOOLKIT

The changing shelter The changing nourishment The chaning behavior Comparing success rate

16 17 COYOTE WILDLIFE

COYOTE; Canis latrans

The coyote is the most persecuted native carnivore in the United States, although, car strikes are the principle cause of death. They are a highly adaptable animal that can either travel in groups or solo. As their habitats are al- tered, their diet, breeding habits, social dynamics change to survive. Their average life span in the wild is around 14 years and they weigh approximately 20-30 lbs. The coyote is a mostly nocturnal animal, being mostly active at dusk and dawn. They are a territorial animal whose range is dependent on the abundance of food available; therefore, their range can vary from 2 -10 sq. miles. Due to their adaptability they can eat anything from fruit to small animals to deer to roadkill to trash in the urban setting. Coyotes seek wooded patches and areas near wetlands as shelter in urbanized areas. During pup season, they will seek a den, either hollow tree trunks or burrows in the ground. The absence of coyotes would cause the ex- tinction of other forms of life, a concept known as key- stone species, as they help to regulate the small animal predator populations.11

18 19 COYOTE TOOLKIT

20 21 BAT WILDLIFE

CANYON BAT; Parastrellus hesperus

Bats are an important part of our ecosystem as they act as pollinators, help to reduce populations and their guano can serve as a natural fertilizer. Unfortunate- ly, they are often perceived as a pest and are often exter- minated. There are close to 1000 species of bats, but only 3 of those species feed on blood; 70% are insectivores and the rest are frugivores. The life span of a bat varies depending on the species but can be anywhere from 5 to 30 years, canyon bats have a life span of around 10-13 years. Bats are mostly active during nighttime to avoid competition with birds. While foraging, they travel long distances, up to 500 miles, and thus require two different types of habitats, a day roost and a night roost. Roost can vary between crevices, foliage, and man-made struc- tures, although prefer dark, tighter spaces for the day- time roosts. Bats have an extraordinary sense of hearing, making up for their poor vision, and use echolocation to navigate, preferring linear features such as hedgerows. Due to the long distances traveled, bats run the risk of dehydration, making it crucial to have a body of water nearby to survive.12

22 23 BAT TOOLKIT

24 25 RACCOON WILDLIFE

RACCOON; Procyon lotor

Raccoons are opportunistic animals that are highly adapt- able to their surroundings. Their average life span in the wild ranges from 2 to 3 years and they weigh anywhere between 14-23 lbs. They are capable of finding habitat anywhere, especially in the urban setting since they are very tolerable to human activity. They find shelter in hol- low trees, burrows in the ground, and small crawl spaces in man-made structures where they can protect them- selves from the elements and predators. They also bene- fit from having a body nearby, as raccoons tend to “wash” their food to feel for edible matter. Being such dexterous animals, also helps them thrive in our environment. Rac- coons are mostly nocturnal, coming out to forage during dusk and dawn. They have a varied diet that consist of rodents, small mammals such as rabbits and squirrels, , fruits, , grains, nuts, and trash, one of their main sources of nourishment in the city.13

26 27 RACCOON TOOLKIT

28 29 DEER WILDLIFE

MULE DEER; Odocoileus hemionus

Deer populations are in decline due to the destruction of their habitat. The average life span of a deer in the wild consists between 7 to 10 years and they weigh anywhere from 100-300 lbs. depending on the sex. Deer are most- ly nocturnal, active at dawn and dusk. They are consid- ered browsers rather than grazers and are herbivores. Their diet includes fruits, plants, leaves, nuts, twigs, fungi, and grass, although they are drawn to drought resistant plants. Deer can be found in wooded areas and parks and have the ability camouflage in the tree foliage for protec- tion. For shelter, they seek low sweeping branches or rock ledges that can double as caves, providing protection from the wind and direct sun.14

30 31 DEER TOOLKIT

32 33 DEVELOPING A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHOSEN CONTEXT

Local Water Urban Ecosystem Waste + Landfill Mobility + Transit

The goal for this project is for it to be able to be applied to cities around the world that are experiencing similar issues with wildlife in the urban context. However, to develop the project in the cho- sen context of Los Angeles it was important to understand the issues that are present in the city at all the different levels and scales; those being animal, human, and urban scale. To closely an- alyze the urban issues, the current 2018 Sustainable City Plan es- tablished by Mayor Eric Garcetti was introduced. The Sustainable City Plan is environmentally healthy, economically prosperous, and equitable in opportunity for all, focusing on both short-term results and long-term goals that will transform the city. The goals outlined in this section were selected to compliment the animal program of the project.

34 35 LOCAL WATER URBAN ECOSYSTEM SUSTAINABILITY PLAN - FUNCTION SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Los Angeles is facing a “new normal” of a persistent drought — California is now Research has shown that access to nature makes people mentally and physi- in its fourth straight year of severe drought. Capturing and cleaning storm wa- cally healthier. LA’s natural lands — our own “wild places” — and parks improve ter helps to significantly reduce the dependency on imported water, prepares environmental quality and increase the economic, physical, and social health of to bounce back from possible disasters, and keeps rivers and beaches clean, the City’s communities. Focusing efforts to revitalize urban ecosystems, helps to usable, and thriving with wildlife. These provisions ensure a strong future for our prioritize the City’s efforts to increase access to outdoor space and develop the growing economy. LA has long been — and continues to be — a leader in water richness of those spaces in terms of quality services, diverse ecosystems, and conservation, with Mayor Garcetti’s recent Executive Directive #5 setting a goal urban agriculture.16 of a 20% reduction in water use per capita by 2017.15

• Reduce average per capita potable water use by 20% and increase recycled water • LA is one of the top cities in terms of total park acreage, but according to the Trust for • Ensure safe, secure, and reliable drinking water supply and system Public Land, is one of the worst in the nation in terms of park access and playgrounds • Expand recycled water production, treatment, and distribution to incorporate Indirect • Implement LA River revitalization or Direct Potable Reuse (IPR/DPR) • Convert parkways and open lots to agriculture and gardening • Expand use of permeable pavement in large infrastructure projects • Encourage urban farming through City’s compost giveaway + distribution program, use of yard space for urban gardens and a pilot hydroponics/aquaponics program • Eliminate food deserts; ensure low-income Angelenos live within ½ mile of fresh food

Stormwater bursts through heavy steel gate valves and flows into the Los Angeles River in Long Beach Thirty-two-acre piece of land in downtown LA that has long been known as the “Cornfield.”

36 37 WASTE + LANDFILL MOBILITY + TRANSIT SUSTAINABILITY PLAN - FUNCTION SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

Every household and business in the city generates waste, and local landfills are Traffic and difficulty in moving around the city are an unfortunate part of Los -An filling up. By managing waste in a smarter way through recycling and reusing geles’s image and reality. Traffic also presents a significant economic challenge materials such as packaging, food waste, and old electronics, we can turn this and quality of life impact. As LA expects to add another 500,000 residents over problem into an opportunity. Embracing resource recovery will provide oppor- the next 20 years, it is critical that the city provides more options for Angelenos tunities for Los Angeles to use new technologies and methods, propelling us to move around and get to where they need to go. The focus will be on public toward a cradle-to-cradle future, where most waste is ultimately reused locally transit, bicycling, walking, and locating Angelenos’ residences near transit and rather than exported elsewhere. Recovering materials from the waste stream and the places they would want to travel.18 reusing them locally will decrease need for diminishing resources and stimulate green-job growth.17

• Expand local organic waste-collection program • Currently 16% of Angelenos walk, bike, take public transit on their daily work commute • Designate a site and project parameters for an anaerobic digestion facility with at • Improve pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure and other sustainable transport, em- least 50 tons of capacity to process local organic waste phasizing connections to mass transit

Stormwater bursts through heavy steel gate valves and flows into the Los Angeles River in Long Beach The Riverside Drive Bridge connects Cypress Park to Elysian Valley over the Los Angeles River with a protected lane for pedestrians and cyclists

38 39 REINTERPRETING CONCEPTS AS A MEANS OF DISCOVERING RELATIONSHIPS

The idea of the Toolkit Habitation Circulation Infrastructure

40 41 TOOLKIT

VALUE OF RELATIONSHIP -symbiotic realtionships-

The idea of a “toolkit” is a concept that was utilized through out the entirety of the project. It lends itself to be used as an organizing system, highlighting the utmost important goals to be addressed. As the project progressed, new categories were added to help in generating the connections amongst the different programs. The first revision of the toolkit consists of 5 categories, animals, func- tion, activity, contextual relationships, and symbiotic relationships. The category for animals includes deer, raccoons, coyotes, and bats, animals that have been found to have one of the highest populations in Los Angeles. The category for function was devel- oped from the goals outlined and selected from the Sustainability Plan. The topics chosen were those that have potential in having ideas that could help integrate human and animal programs. The activity category started to speculate on the possible programs that could arise from the combination of the function and animal categories. The category of symbiotic relationship introduces the possibility of creating a different type of relationship, one in which one or both subjects could benefit from the interaction or activity taking place. The last category explores strategies in which the intervention might begin interacting with the context.

With the introduction of case studies, the toolkit then presents a range of options to select from and begin creating and defining a new set of relationships. The case studies were placed into three categories, Habitat, Circulation, and Infrastructure. The main con- cepts from the case studies were analyzed and juxtaposed with ideas from the toolkit to reinterpret new possibilities.

42 43 HABITAT CASE STUDYCASE

SHADOWS OF THE SALTO / CRISTIAN PALMA RAMIREZ

A wooden cover and shade mesh structure that generate an airy foliage, light and dense. The structure seeks to unify 3 nearby ele- ments that come together for construction of a place of contemplation, rest immersed in STORM WATER - INFRASTRUCTURE / HABITATION - CIRCULATION existing rural stadium. The construction of the BAT CLOUD / JOYCE HWANG + STUDENTS structure is carried out by the unification of modular frames of wood that give rise to sta- “Bat Cloud is a great example of how humans ble cube pieces which when integrated with and other animal species, in this case one others build the total of the deck raised using previously considered a pest, can re-align tubular iron pillars in the form of inverted pyr- their relationship to develop new methods of amids. Shade is generated by square frames a coexistence.” covered with a double shade mesh. The sub- tle lines that construct the ground generate Habitation vessels are designed to allow bats the extension of the project to the surround- to enter by crawling up a ‘landing pad’ into ing context.19 the uppermost cavities, which are insulated with layers of thermal blanketing and foam insulation. The lower volume of each vessel is filled with soil and vegetation, which would be opportunistically fertilized by bat guano, PROGRAMMATIC POSSIBILITIES dropping from the spaces above.20

Both case studies introduce ideas about hab- itat explored in unconventional ways, placing the animal habitat overhead the human spac- es. This creates a unique way to interact with the animal, from a perspective that might not have been experienced before. Taking advan- tage of the verticality of the space and the sectional separation of programs, the ideas of rai water collection and gardens were also incorporated, ensuring that both subjects could benefit from both ideas. Since the con- text was unknown, the concepts were also considered at a larger scale and introduced larger scale animals. STORM WATER - FOOD DESERT / HABITATION

44 45 HABITAT CASE STUDYCASE

BAT TOWER / JOYCE HWANG + STUDENTS

Vertical cave designed to house bats and raise awareness. It stands about 12 feet tall and is com- prised of five triangular cavities that simulate a cave. The bats can crawl into these tight narrow spaces to safely rest and sleep. Each section has a series of holes drilled in the plywood to help air circulate throughout the tower so the bats can breath. The ex- terior of the tower is covered in a dark rust stained cover that will help heat the interior to keep the bats warm.21

PROGRAMMATIC POSSIBILITIES

Both case studies introduce ideas about vertical habitat. Habitat from the Bat Tower doubles as a monument that highlights the existence of bats, hab- itat in the Pavilion doubles as a place to observe and connect with the animals inhabiting the structure. Since the space was designed for the use of both FOOD DESERT / OBSERVATION subjects, then the question of how can both subjects take advantage of each other’s presence arose. The concept in the development of the diagrams was to utilize the guano produced from the bats and a sys- tem of rain water collection to benefit a garden, all occurring within the same space.

PAVILIONS WONDERRYCK NATURA DOCET / STUDIO MAKKINK & BEY

Even though the pavilions look like wood- en houses for people, the new wooden structures are intended for animals and plants only, they were designed to help people experience the fauna and flora. Each play a specific role to enhance liv- ing conditions for local wildlife. The first structure houses a mixture of grasses and shrubs that will attract insects and act as a nesting place for birds and other small animals. In addition, the second structure serves to frame views of the surrounding landscape and the view of the water bel- low allows visitors to observe its life forms up close. The third structure is a kind of skyscraper for bees. Once the colony is grown, local honey farmers will be able to 22 use the site for honey tasting sessions. FOOD DESERT - INFRASTRUCTURE / CIRCULATION - OBSERVATION

46 47 CIRCULATION CASE STUDYCASE

PASSARELLE DE LA PAIX / DIETMAR FEICHTINGER ARCHITECTS

PROGRAMMATIC POSSIBILITIES

Bridge for pedestrians and cyclists over the The development of the diagrams from these Rhone in Lyon. The bridge spans over the river case studies consisted mainly in exploring with a free span of 157 meters. Two walkways distinct and unique ways in which animals that join in the middle lead to the riverbanks. and humans can move through the same The major one on top links the quay level, it space while still maintaining a relationship, ORGANIC WASTE / HABITATION is five meters large and divided into a bicycle whether physical or visual. The ideas from lane and a footpath facing towards the city.23 the Passarelle de la Paix, capture paths of circulation that can be separate yet at some points intersect and create different experi- ences. The idea from the Compost Chimney is to introduce a single object that can be accessed from various points depending on the subject. In the diagrams these concepts were developed further with the addition of the programs of gardens and composting.

COMPOST CHIMNEY / SARAH GUNAWAN

The Compost Chimney prosthetic seeks to productively employ raccoons in the con- version of organic waste to nutrient rich soil. Homeowners insert food waste from the kitchen into the composting chamber. An external gear wheel, which the raccoon can easily rotate, circulates a conveyor belt in- side which aerates and moves the compost. In exchange for their labour, the raccoon re- ceives a morsel of food dispensed from the Wage Tube. Meanwhile the upper volume of the Compost Chimney provides much need- ed habitat for chimney swifts. Affixing a Com- post Chimney prosthetic to any suburban home could provide chimney swifts with safe habitat while simultaneously managing food INFRASTRUCTURE / CIRCULATION waste and fortifying the suburban soil.24 48 49 CIRCULATION CASE STUDYCASE

SEOULLO SKYGARDEN / MVRDV

PROGRAMMATIC POSSIBILITIES A 983m long, 16m high elevated walk- way that aims to connect city dwell- ers with nature while at the same time Both case studies introduce ideas about developing offering opportunity of experiencing a network in an urban context. The Seoullo Sky- amazing views. Planted in containers garden incorporates moments of pause within the of different sizes placed throughout the circulation network. These moments serve to devel- walkway lead to surprising spatial com- op a connection, sometimes physical, sometimes vi- positions. The containers split the ele- sual, to other sectional levels in addition to introduc- vated park into variety of sections with ing other programs that develop out of the context different pkants offering differing iden- they are in. The Luchtsingel takes interest in access tities with respect to color, fragrance, points, exploring thresholds that occur at street level composition. The park also incorporates and thresholds that intersect and traverse through shops, galleries, tea houses, theater, in- existing constructs. The diagram then develops these formation centers, maintenance boots ideas by furthering investigating connection points and restaurants.25 and the relationships between the sectional levels and programs, those being habitat and circulation.

THE LUCHTSINGEL (AIR CANAL) / ZUS ARCHITECTS

A 400m long pedestrian bridge runs through a build- ing and across roads and railways to connect 3 previ- ously disconnected areas, creating a 3D dimensional cityscape. The project used the city’s evolutionary character and existing forms as a starting point with 18 interventions all connected by one continuous STORM WATER - INFRASTRUCTURE / HABITATION - CIRCULATION route. The varied and new public spaces (rooftop garden, new parks), above and below, return former heart of city back to being green and liveable with bridge running throughout as a unifying factor ensur- ing synergy between the various sites. At its center, various pathways converge at a circular viewing plat- form with built in seating.26

50 51 INFRASTRUCTURE CASE STUDYCASE

QUILOTOA SHALALA OVERLOOK / JAVIER ANDRADE BENITEZ + JAVIER MERA LUNA + DANIEL MORENO FLORES

PROGRAMMATIC POSSIBILITIES A structure which is composed of an upper platform and, directly underneath, bleachers that follow the natural slope where users have the opportunity to Both case studies introduce ideas about rest and enjoy the natural landscape. The overlook infrastructural components whose main focuses on creating opportunities for the visitor to program is to create moments of pause see the landscape in different ways. The experience and observation. Besides the main pro- of the user is enriched through the creation of a plat- gram, both projects have another layer form that extends from the edge of the crater over of activity that aides in further under- the cliff looking to give the visitor the opportunity to standing the context. The Quilotoa Sha- “fly” over the landscape producing an almost vertigo lala Overlook separates the project into like sensation. At the same time, a space for passive two different types of experience, one viewing is created, where the user is protected from space allows the person to float above the elements and is able to have a moment of con- the landscape, whereas the other space templation and introspection.27 allows the person to be in the landscape and reflect. Monte Specie Lookout subtly touches the ground, creating secondary spaces that wildlife could take advantage of. In the development of the diagram, the ideas of circulation and moments of pause were combined with the programs of observation, habitat, and garden.

MONTE SPECIE LOOKOUT / MESSNER ARCHITECTS

The main idea is to create an info-struc- ture with a very strong connection to its context. By raising the soil the top of the platform is created, which partly floats FOOD DESERT - INFRASTRUCTURE / OBSERVATION - HABITATION - DIVISION above the ground. A small canyon leads to a circular opening in the center of the platform, where informations is stored. The outer perimeter is made of steel, filled with rubble/material from the site which help blur the constraints between building and context.28

52 53 INFRASTRUCTURE CASE STUDYCASE

MANY SMALL CUBES / SOU FUJIMOTO

PROGRAMMATIC POSSIBILITIES

A structure composed of suspended/stacked metal Both case studies introduce ideas cubes – some filled with plants and small trees – that are about infrastructural components, connected either just on one corner or one edge with however, their programs vary. Many seemingly random cantilevers and openings. Small Cubes aims to create a mon- umental piece in the city that would A void in the centre represents the “living area”, with additionally help to green the con- formal entrances at either side and lots of other access text in which it is located. CCCloud, pointspartly as an architectural intervention and partly as a wall system whose main function a sculpture. is to create a visual separation, has the ability to transform with the “The floating masses of Many Small Cubes create a new movement of natural light due to experience of space, a rhythm of flickering shadows and the way in which it was designed. lights, as being under the trees,” said Fujimoto. “The ar- Even though their programs vary, chitecture forms one unified element whose balance the systematic design of both lends and stability are carefully designed: the position of each itself to many other possibilities in cube and each tree participates to the overall stability, yet program. In the development of reaching a random-like feeling, bringing the whole archi- the diagram the ideas of boundary, tecture closer to nature.”29 garden and habitat were integrated into one design.

CCCLOUD / KENGO KUMA

A monument that divides the space of a round- about transversally, engaging visitors to the site in a way that is unexpected at a traffic circle. The orientation of the monument places it in line with the road, making it disappear as cars and their passengers approach it from either end of the roundabout. The ceramic tiles create an FOOD DESERT / HABITATION - DIVISION ephemeral play of light, water and material. The subtle translucency of the monument and re- flections that appear on the surfaces of each tile allows it to interact with the weather and time of day. Kengo Kuma says of the project: “We want- ed to avoid creating a monument that stands in the middle of the site: we wanted it to become part of the site.”30 54 55 An Imagined field as the temporary context allowing the initial interplay between concept, animal, and human

56 57 CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS

From the large scale of the Los Angeles urban fabric to the intimate zones of different neighborhoods of the city.

Dense Public Area Residential Open Space Body of Water

58 59 The city of Los Angeles is located in the midst of various ecological areas, bringing large numbers of wildlife to the region. This makes it an ideal site for attempting to resolve the issues involving wild animals in the city. Because this project is aiming to work with three different scales, one of those being the urban scale, it was important to select a location LA that would help in improving the city. The city is composed of a mixture of types of neighborhoods and zones that have a large amount of underutilized spaces such as empty lots, industrial areas, alleys and areas along the Los Angeles River. The river travels through zones with very different characters, allowing for pro- grams along the river to change and adjust ac- cordingly. Due to the fact that the river forms such a large component of the city, there are numerous amounts of ongoing projects aiming to activate the riverbank. The sector of the river directly be- low Elysian Park is one of the few where no work has been started, and thus it became the area of interest for the project.

The investigation into this sector began at a zoomed-out scale in order to grasp the circulation networks already in place and to identify areas of interest amongst the different established zones of the city. The first step was to identify the exist- ing connections across the river followed by iden- tifying areas that would be of interest for both an- imals and humans. These areas were determined in accordance to places were animals would be likely to frequent depending on their needs, and places were there would be a large flow of peo- ple on a daily basis. This step was taken to assure that the targeted areas would realistically be ef- fective in achieving the goals intended. The next step zoomed in further into some of the selected areas and analyzed potential paths of circulation and access and crossing points for both subjects. Once these points were connected, a small ver- sion of a network was established.

As a result of this process, four reoccurring areas were identified, Dense Public Areas, areas near Open Spaces, areas near Bodies of Water, and Residential areas. Each of these was further de- veloped in the form of axonometric drawings, in- tegrating ideas of program and function from the revisited toolkit.

60 61 62 63 64 65 REVISITED TOOLKIT

As the project advanced, old categories in the toolkit were clarified and new categorized were added. An important addition was category of infrastructure. The question asked is what role the infrastructure is playing in the overall program of the intervention. Is the aim to redirect animal traffic from point A to point B within the selected site? Or is the aim to create and adapt spaces for gathering and habitat? Or is it about both ideas?

66 67 DENSE PUBLIC AREA SITE

A concept from each of the three different scales targeted in the toolkit, urban, human, and animal, was selected to be further elab- orated in the context of a dense public area. For this site juxtaposing ideas of leisure with the already existing program of work would create areas of relief in this busy at- mosphere. In selecting the programs, there was an interest in programs that would seem unlikely for the site, adding a layer of excitement. The program of a pool would be unique and aide in providing animals with a needed resource. The concept of a pool would also integrate ideas of rain water collection. The other program explored in the site was a skate park, which would be adapted to provide habitat for the animals that approach the intervention.

Perishing Square in downtown Los Angeles

68 69 RESIDENTIAL AREA SITE

A concept from each of the three different scales targeted in the toolkit, urban, human, and animal, was selected to be further elab- orated in the context of a residential area. A residential area would benefit the most from a program that can be enjoyed by all its residents. The program of vegetable gar- dens throughout the neighborhood would engage the residents while introducing the concept of composting, which could create areas of interest for the animals. Compost- ing areas would help to nourish the gar- dens and supply animals with nourishment. Since the site is located at the edge of an ecological area, the role of the infrastructure heavily relies on creating connections to and from green fragments. The idea of fabri- cating a green fragment was also examined through the use of a framework, that could hold distinct programs, and would allow na- ture to attach itself to the framework.

Residential area surrounded by park space

70 71 AREA NEAR OPEN SPACE SITE

A concept from each of the three different scales targeted in the toolkit, urban, hu- man, and animal, was selected to be further elaborated in the context of an open space. This area is influenced by the activities from the school that is located on the site. The addition of a pool nearby would comple- ment the program and activities that the school brings forth. The pool would also help to integrate the program of rainwater collection. Since the site is at the edge of Elysian Park, the main role of the infrastruc- ture is to create a connection from the park to other green areas. In the exploration of this concept, the structure of the circulation network was designed having double func- tions, serving not only as the structure but as habitat and an exercise park as well.

School area on the edge of Elysian Park

72 73 AREA NEAR BODY OF WATER SITE

A concept from each of the three different scales targeted in the toolkit, urban, human, and animal, was selected to be further elab- orated in the context of an area near a body of water. Taking advantage of being by the water a series of animal habitats were devel- oped. As a way to attract animals to the site, composting points were added, serving to integrate the concept of gardens since both programs benefit from one another. The role of the infrastructure was mainly to provide habitat in addition to creating connection across the river.

Industrial area on the edge of the Los Angeles River

74 75 VISUALIZING IDEAS WITHIN A FRAGMENT OF MANY

Local Water Urban Ecosystem Waste + Landfill Mobility + Transit

The site near an open body of water was selected as the testing site for the model. The site has an industrial atmosphere with an active program. There is a winery, restaurants, and an artist compound that hosts festivals throughout the years, making the site a point of interest for visitors all year round. Across the river is a residential area near a school district which adds to the number of potential visitors. Its close proximity to the water helps to further assure that it is a zone that animals are more likely to be attracted to.

76 77 In terms of the intervention, it was critical for it to have a light impact on the site and leave as much of the site as possible untouched. The use of the framework idea from the axonomet- ric studies was reintroduced to achieve the impression of lightness. The framework com- plemented the use of the toolkits and the idea that this project serves as a model for other cities. The framework provides the intervention with a constant while allowing the programs within it to be flexible and adapt to the condi- tions and requirements of the context. In this manner, the project is open to the possibility of being divided into components that can then be placed together as needed or separated and be placed in other areas. To continue with the idea of lightness, the intervention was di- vided into three different components, utilizing access points, views and the different habitats for the animals as factors.

78 79 INTERVENTION COMPONENT

An Imagined field as the temporary context allowing the initial interplay between concept, animal, and human

80 81 HYDROPONIC - BAT WALL COMPONENT

The main part of this component is the hydroponic greenhouse, which takes advantage of being located on the river. The garden utilizes water from the river that has been pu- rified through a solar still system. Through this system the water is collected and stored in a large tank ransfered to another tank where the water evaporates and condenses, dripping down onto another container containing the purified water. Below the green- house is a hollow wall that functions as a day roost for bats. Bats fly long distances when foraging and become dehydrated quickly. There structure underneath the greenhouse doubles as night roosts for the foraging bats at night. The series of vertical elements on teh water line up with the wall, helping to guide the bats to the habitat. Guano is col- lected through a vacuum system from the wall into the greenhouse, which can then be used as fertilizer for the plants. The entire structure is raised above the water, making it possible for people on the water to move through the bat habitat and listen to them, cre- ating a type of relationship. When the bats do fly out at dusk, viewing platforms branch out from the circulation paths to allow for better viewing and create a visual relationship.

82 83 COMPOST - RACCOON DEN COMPONENT

The main parts of this component are the compost container spaces. There are three different compost spaces having different access points depending on the user. The compost designated for the use of the greenhouse is accessed directly through the gardens. The compost designed for the use of the raccoons is raised off the ground to limit the access to other animals and protect the rac- coons from predators. The access points are through a series of hollow struc- tures that open up into the container. The hollow structures are reminiscent of hollow trees, one of the most common choices for dens for raccoons. The third container is located at ground level and intersects the coyote habitat, where the entry point can be found. The containers are enclosed partly with glass to allow views of the animals while inside. All the containers are have a rotation system incorporated in order to ventilate the different layers of the compost and keep it from smelling and rotting. There is also a viewing platform into the raccoons’ habitat along the greenhouse.

84 85 GREEN CLOUD - COYOTE BURROW COMPONENT

The main part of this component is the coyote habitat which is located in between the two natural rock walls. All the animal spaces in the intervention were constructed with natural rock elements to contrast the animal spaces with those spaces for humans. Inside the habitat, coyotes have access inside one of the walls acting as a cave. The ac- cess is through and under a series of cylindrical volumes that function as skylights and observation points into the habitat. These observation areas can be reached through a net surface running the entire length of the intervention. The net allows the user to ex- perience the intervention from a different perspective, at some points hovering over the animal spaces. There is not much activity above the net spaces, which allows nature to grow on the network and eventually transforming these spaces into green clouds. The green clouds would then add another layer of habitat for other animals in the city such as birds and squirrels

86 87 An Imagined field as the temporary context allowing the initial interplay between concept, animal, and human

88 89 90 91 92 93 RECOGNIZING THE FRAGMENTS THAT CREATE THE NETWORK

Local Water Urban Ecosystem Waste + Landfill Mobility + Transit

94 95 One of the main goals of the project was to ensure that every program and subject within each fragment would be able to thrive independently. It is of high difficulty to guarantee that animals will in fact utilize the spaces designed for them, therefore if the programs work separately from one another, then even without the appearance of the animals, the intervention will still be enjoyable and vice versa.

It is important to recognize that the fragment developed is just a fragment forming part of a larger, growing network. Taking the previous ideas about site based on the proba- bility of the flow of people and animals in the context analysis exercise, a network was assembled. The developed fragment was then placed in this larger analysis to begin to understand ideas about connectivity. By placing a series of fragments throughout Los Angeles, it is possible to start to direct the movement patterns of animals into specified areas, while avoiding other areas.

96 97 THE CONTINUATION OF THE NETWORK...

The next phase of the project would consist in developing other fragments and components to expand the network along different parts of the city as needed.

98 99 WORKS CITED

1 Schwab, Ethan. “Cities Are for Wildlife: An Interview with Camilla Fox, Founder and 18 http://plan.lamayor.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/the-plan.pdf Executive Director of Project Coyote.” Biophilic Cities, biophiliccities.org/cities-are-for-wildlife-an- interview-with-camilla-fox-founder-and-executive-director-of-project-coyote/. 19 “Sombras Del Salto / Cristián Palma Ramírez.” Plataforma Arquitectura, 15 July 2015, www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/cl/770305/sombras-del-salto-cristian-palma-ramirez. 2 “San Diego Canyons Mix Coyotes and House Cats.” UrbanEcology.org, 20 Apr. 2018, www.urbanecology.org/san-diego-canyons-mix-coyotes-house-cats/. 20 “Bat Cloud.” The Expanded Environment, www.animalarchitecture.org/bat-cloud-2/.

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12 Crotus, Mac. Bats Northwest, www.batsnorthwest.org/pihe_gallery.html. 28 “Monte Specie 2305m A.s.l. Lookout / MESSNER Architects.” ArchDaily, 6 Aug. 2015, www.archdaily.com/771394/monte-specie-2305m-asl-lookout-messner-architects. 13 Sartore, Joel. “Raccoon.” National Geographic, 11 Nov. 2010, www.nationalgeographic. com/animals/mammals/r/raccoon/. 29 Winston, Anna. “Sou Fujimoto Stacks Aluminium Boxes for ‘Nomadic House’ In- stallation.” Dezeen, Dezeen, 2 Nov. 2016, www.dezeen.com/2014/10/22/sou-fujimoto-ma- 14 “Mule Deer Facts – Mule Deer Foundation.” Mule Deer Foundation, muledeer.org/ ny-small-cubes-installation-paris-jardins-des-tuileries-fiac-art-fair. hunting/mule-deer-facts/. 30 “CCCloud / Kengo Kuma.” ArchDaily, 29 Oct. 2010, www.archdaily.com/85221/ 15 http://plan.lamayor.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/the-plan.pdf cccloud-kengo-kuma.

16 http://plan.lamayor.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/the-plan.pdf

17 http://plan.lamayor.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/the-plan.pdf

100 101 IMAGES CITED

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