Joshua Welsh: Sample Works

8/13/2019 Joshua Welsh: Sample Works

1/52

S A M P L E W O R K S


2/52

HELLO.

I am a design practitioner/researcher/educator working in the realms of

biophilia, human-centered design, and urban resilience planning. My project-

based experiences have demonstrated how to reconnect humans to one

another and to the broader world, helping places address the faces of climate

uncertainty, resource scarcity, and social isolation. My work fosters connections

between human systems and natural systems and supports a transdisciplinary

approach to problem solving to bring about positive societal change.

Since 2001, I have practiced as a professional designer. Since 2008, I have

been teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and working as

a designer and researcher throughout a range of disciplines. Of my 13 years ofprofessional experience, the enclosed series of international projects help to tell

my story. Thank you for taking the time to review these sample works.


3/52

I began my career as a multidisciplinary designer at a small consulting firm and rose quickly through

the ranks from staff designer to head of not only environmental graphic design but of product design as

well. This project marks one the pivotal works of my early career. It offers insight into my grasp of the

importance of the user experience.

With full regard of the engineering, architecture, materials, and location of one of the most iconicresidences ever constructed, I designed the exterior identity and wayfinding program for Frank Lloyd

Wrights Fallingwater. Like the house itself, the family of signage achieves a seamless, low-impact

integration with the natural surroundings. The entire program is built from three locally sourced materials:

sandstone, fossilized wood, and steel.

As visitors reach their destination after traveling through miles of rolling hills that are the Laurel

Highlands, they are greeted by the juxtaposition of two adjoined stones. One stone rests on grade

and in its natural state, while the other is hewn smooth, cantilevered, and inscribed with the only word

necessary to notify visitors that they have arrived.

Minimal information, displayed on thin slabs of steel, then modestly direct vehicular traffic through thewoods and to the visitors center. Here, patrons embark on foot past a pedestrian-scaled pylon created

from a piece of fossilized wood, and into the forest. Lastly, with the help of small stone plinth signs that

reverently end before reaching the residence, visitors then guide themselves along a series of wooded

trails to discover Fallingwater for themselves.

FALLINGWATERWestern Pennsylvania ConservancyMill Run, Pennsylvania, United States

Designer, Private Sector, 2003


4/52

Proposed Wayfinding Family


5/52


6/52

As a project manager and a multidisciplinary designer for this project, I contributed to several components

of this brownfield infill development. The scope of the project was multifaceted and encompassed the

design of pedestrian and vehicular wayfinding, hardscape and planting, and a pedestrian bridge to support

a diverse retail experience at the intersection of two Pittsburgh neighborhoods. To accommodate retailers

that typically require acres of parking, the typology of architecture helped create a hybrid solution. Eastside

accommodated the parking demands while minimizing the impact upon the two neighborhoods of East Libertyand Shadyside by creating a second level deck that managed severe grade changes and created new usable

space where there once was unusable airspace adjacent to a rail line.

The rail line marks a historic di vide of the two neighborhoods, which currently are home to opposing

demographics. This design responded to its urban context by maintaining a streetscape prioritized for

pedestrians and contextually extending the fabric of the adjacent districts. The pedestrian bridge offered a

new connection to the development by bridging the rail line and merging two vibrant commercial districts.

Envisioned by the reknowned artist Sheila Klein, the modest structure meets strict safety code set by the rail

company through whimsical expressions of commonplace materials. I was a member of the original design

team to help bring functionality and feasibility to her vision.

During the conceptual phase of design of the wayfinding and site furnishings, the head foreman of the project

tragically lost a son in a construction accident. In response, I was asked to consider the foremans son in the

design. Rising from the center of the site, and traveling upward and through both levels of parking, are three

monolithic tapered concrete spires. Atop the shortest is a blade sign to mark new districts name from 360

views. Nestled within the base of the three spires is a humble memorial to the fallen worker, reminding any

passersby of the dedication of the young man and those like him.

EASTSIDEMosites Development DivisionPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Project Manager/Designer, Public Sector, 2005-2007


7/52The Memorial The Wayfinding


8/52

The Pedestrian Bridge


9/52

As part of a multi-disciplinary team of biologists, zookeepers, writers, architects, and artists, I developed

the vision for this major exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. When there remained a debate

about global climate change in the national media, the zoo envisioned an exhibit that would take a

definitive stance against misinformation and on the side of the creatures suffering from the effects of

global climate change. The proposal I wrote and presented for this project won the work out of a field of

several international exhibit design teams.

As visitors enter the Waters Edge, they begin their journey in an indigenous Inuit village where they learn

the myths and traits of the polar bear and sea otter. At the time of the creation of this exhibit, these were

two of the creatures most directly effected by a changing climate. Therefore, the core themes adopted

their perspective and were woven throughout the visitor experience. Along their way through the outskirts

of a coastal fishing town, visitors learn about the mammals they will soon encounter. Educational

messaging took on forms that transcended traditional intperpretive signage and were instead embodied

by artifacts that concurrently created the exhibits sense of place.

Once in townalong the waters edge, various buildings and faades were designed to incorporate

interactive features. One such feature included an industrial scale that modified to allow families to

compare their combined weight to that of such animals of the Arctic as the walrus. Another featurethe

Sound Seafoodmarketdisplays various species of fish to educate which are the most sustainable

choices for the dinner table. Throughout the exhibit, visitors are able interact with their surroundings to

learn directly how their decisions might allow creatures like the polar bear and sea otter to continue to

exist in the wild where the land and water meet.

WATERS EDGEThe Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG AquariumPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Designer, Private Sector, 2005-2006


10/52

Polar Bear Trap Interactive Scale

Sound Seafood Market


11/52

In attempts to broaden my scope and ability as a designer, and take human-centered design to a macro

level, I began to consider graduate school in landscape architecture in 2005. One of my informational

interviews led to a full-time hire as a multidisciplinary designer with the Pittsburgh-based landscape

architecture and planning firm, LaQuatra Bonci Associates. The Erie Art Museum was the first of several

landscape design projects prior to the eventual pursuit of my Masters of Advanced Studies in Landscape

Architecture degree.

The landscape of this award-winning renovat ion and expansion of the Erie Ar t Museum helped to redefine

the museums street presence as well as its life throughout all four seasons of its lakefront setting. The

expansion acts as the Museums new entry and is transparent to provide visual intrigue as the courtyard

nearly seamlessly becomes the foyer. Lines and elements of the grounds bisect various curtain walls of

its spaces, providing opportunity for ease of visual and physical transitions.

The grounds accommodate outdoor seating for the caf and an outdoor living room sculpture garden.

Further, passive green roofs, permeable paving, and rainwater harvesting all were incorporated in the

design to reduce operational expense and limit the buildings environmental deficit by considering its

lifecycle analysis.

ERIE ART MUSEUMErie Art MuseumErie, Pennsylvania, United States

Designer, Nonprofit Sector, 2006-2007


12/52Image by David Joseph Schematic Design

Image by EDGE Studio


13/52

The transformation of Pitt sburgh from it s industrial heritage into an innovation hub for brownfield

redevelopment and green building technologies began with its waterfront. Formed in 1999 to reclaim

the shoreline of the three rivers that bound the city, the nonprofit organization Riverlife began by

envisioning a 13-mile long interconnected riverfront trail system. The Monongahela Wharf Landingtransformed an essential parcel of land to help complete the revitalized riparian zone and connected

waterfront amenities for the city.

I played a design role with four of the projects integral to the completion of the riverfont trail system.

Two are part of the same north shorel ine of the Monongahela River. The linear park known as the

wharf landing, repurposed a 5-acre parking lot prone to seasonal flooding beneath a highway.

Today it is a successful component of the water front trail system and river access linkage that u tilizes

drought tolerant native riparian planting and infrastructural detailing to address flooding concerns.

The easternmos t transition to the str eet level of the downtown core is composed of the switchback.

Currently under construction, the Mon Wharf Switchback will provide universal access from city level

to the water. I was the form giver and lead designer for the switchback. Its design respectfully adjoins

the wharf landing with the historic arch bridge that spans the river to the south side of the city. With

the completion of the switchback and a cantilevered connector to Point State Park, another public

space amenity will be complete; it will mark the completion of the City of Pittsburghs portion of the

Great Allegheny Passage, a 350-mile pedestrian trail to and from Washington, D.C.

MONONGAHELA WHARFLANDING & SWITCHBACKRiverlifePittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Designer, Nonprofit & Public Sectors, 2008-2009


14/52

Rendering by Ed Dumont

Monongahela Wharf Landing


15/52

Following his design contributions with for the Monongahela Wharf Landing park and switchback, I played

a role with another key component to the 13-mile long interconnected trail system along the riverfront of

Pittsburgh. The Convention Center Riverfront Plaza is the riverside entry for the monolithic LEED Gold-

certified structure by Rafael Vinoly Architects. The design transforms a lost urban spacea 1:1 concreteslope devoid of life and water accessinto a series of spaces that completed the pedestrian network along

this shoreline of the Allegheny River in 2011.

The Convention Center River front Park incorporates paths, overlooks, and direct vert ical and subterranean

connections to the convention center. Further, it provides recreational boat access as well as docking

for water taxis and larger clipper boats. In keeping with the ethos of sustainability embodied by the

convention center, the largest green building in the world when constructed, the design followed with

similar ecological integrity. The plaza produces no point-source stormwater runoff from the site; existing

concrete was used on site for back-fill; indigenous planting was utilized to stabilize and reestablish the

riparian zone; and the overhang of the plazas platform structure provides shade and cold water habitatsfor spawning fish. I joined the project during its schematic design phase to contribute to the detailing and

design of the pedestrian experience throughout the site.

THE CONVENTION CENTERRIVERFRONT PLAZASports & Exhibition AuthorityPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Designer, Nonprofit & Public Sectors, 2007-2009


16/52

Artist Rendering of The Plaza


17/52

Nestled in mature woodlands of western North Carolina is a residential community that compliments the

architectural and landscape legacy of original Biltmore Forest. The Ramble builds upon the century-old legacy

of expert craftsmanship and consists of a comprehensive framework of parks and public open spaces with a

majority of the 1,000-acres permanently preserved as pristine woodlands.

In keeping with the environmental ethos established by the adjacent Biltmore Estate, the largest private

estate in the United States, I worked with LaQuatra Bonci Associates to see that a substantial portion of

The Ramble remain as protected parks and greenways. Techniques were used to retain as much existing

flora and tree canopy as possible. Where not possible, trees and plants lost were either transplanted locally

or felled timber was used in future construction. The roadways, trails, greenways, and common spaces

are all designed as integral parts of the stormwater collection and conveyance system to help sustain the

functionality of forested landscape as it was first discovered.

To spread awareness of its unique design and preser vation techniques, I designed interpreti ve signage to

highlight various features of the development. Additionally, I contributed my skills as an industrial designer

with the creation of publicly and universally accessible features throughout the site, including open air

structures, a fire ring, and a community wellness center. Each of these elements used local materials and

craftsmanship with their creation and were designed to reinforce the ecology and natural aesthetic of the

native setting. My contributions to this project helped lead to additional public and private work throughout

this region of North Carolina. Consequently, LaQuatra Bonci Associates was able to open an Asheville-based

office of the firm to handle the new business.

THE RAMBLE BILTMORE FORESTBiltmore Farms, Inc.Asheville, North Carolina, United States

Designer, Public Sector, 2007-2008


18/52

Aerial View of The Ramble

Stormwater Management Detail


19/52

As the first new high-rise building in Downtown Pittsburgh in 20 years, PNC Financial Services Group,

Inc. erected a 23-story Gold LEED-certified structure. The building boasts office space, an upscale

hotel, luxury condominiums, restaurants, and retail, and remains to be one of the nations largest

mixed-use green buildings. Situated at its prominent front corner is a public park intended to connect

Pittsburghs Cultural District and primary square.

This project charac terizes the role I commonly held with LaQuatra Bonci As sociates. I was a member

of a small design team that contributed to the project in several capacities. My work was responsible

for the physical branding of the site, including the design of the site furniture, bus shelter, shade and

privacy structures, environmental graphics, as well as contributions to the schematic design of the park.

Located as a gateway into the urban core at the corner of the two primary arteries of Fifth and Liberty

Avenues, This pet-friendly passive park provides the public with respite and access to nature with ample

seating, shading, and various living and nonliving sound-dampening features. Drought-resistant native

plantings requiring no irrigation accompany the shade canopy and its integrated seating, constructed

from locally sourced steel. Their forms drive the design of the park, tracing its spine and segmenting its

formal and informal traits that welcome visitors to the entrance of the building.

The establishment of Thi s building and its park have helped to produce a catal ytic ef fect throughout

This district of Pi ttsburgh, encouraging adjacent revitalization projects to con tribute to a rise in the ci tys

expected quality of design of objects and spaces within the public realm.

THREE PNC PLAZAPNC Financial Services Group, Inc.Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States



20/52


21/52


22/52

A short distance from the town of Richmond, Virginia is the 1,400-acre planned community of

Roseland. This project was envisioned to be a traditional Virginian town with a mix of employment,

service, and residential uses. It consists of a series of connected neighborhoods woven together by

a continuous system of trails and parks. Running astride the existing waterways is a greenwaya

dedicated conservation area to preserve plant and wildlife habitats while creating a link to future

county-wide greenways.

The architec tural character of this new town draws upon the heritage of historic places such as Old

Town, Alexandria, and Georgetown. Roseland exemplifies this character with it s skinny walkable

streets, sidewalks, parks and trails, interconnected blocks, and diversity of housing types and mixed-

use structures. All landscape elements were set within an open rural character and were enhanced by

preserving 400 acres of land and its open pasture, woodlands, and waterways. Community centers

and neighborhood parks create distinct addresses integrated into the towns fabric and in turn help

drive the success of the pedestrian experience.

As my first of several charrette-based master planning projects, I worked as a landscape architect

and urban designer as a member of the team that developed the pattern book and landscape masterplan for Roseland. In addition, I helped to transition the scope from the projects planning stages to

conceptual and schematic design of phase one to help it become a built reality.

ROSELANDRoseland Conservation TrustChesterfield County, Virginia, United States



23/52

Charrette Renderings by David Csont

Community Center


24/52

Phase One Sales Center


25/52

After Hurricane Katrina caused widespread catastrophe along the Gulf coast, there was both a dire

need and an opportunity to help rebuild countless communities. Habitat for Humanity International

and The Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America asked Urban Design Associates to

assess the region and create a pattern book to help families and communities of the region build newhomes and lives, while aiming to preserve the regional architectural and open space vernacular.

LaQuatra Bonci Associates was asked to be a member of the design team that created the pattern

book publication which was distributed for free throughout the region. As a principal designer with this

firm for various community development projects, I was a key player in each phase of the creation of

several landscape master plans, design standards manuals, and pattern books. Each were unique, yet

this was the most rewarding.

WithA Pattern Book for Neighborly Houses, I was tasked primarily with the Sustainable Design

subsection. Here, specific techniques, devices, and materials were called out to promote sustainable

landscape design. Native planting to reduce watering, proper planting and home siting to make best

use of wind and solar yields, pervious paving to reduce loads upon stormwater systems, rainwater

harvesting and greywater recycling techniques to increase water conservation. Each of these elements

were integral to the Landscape Patterns section of the publication to provide both sources of

inspiration and instruction.

A PATTERN BOOK FORNEIGHBORLY HOUSESU.S. Area Office of Habitat for Humanity International&The Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical AmericaDesigner, Private & Nonprofit Sectors, 2007


26/52

Sample Pages from The Report

Final Report Cover


27/52

As a multifaceted designer, my abilities have enabled me to work throughout North America as well as in

Europe. For this project, I was a member of the design team that collaborated with The Princes Foundation

for the Built Environment that developed the master plan and open space framework for the expansion of the

town of Ellon, Scotland. The preservation of the agricultural and cultural heritage of the site was set as the

teams guiding design principle. To abide by it, the team designed within the boundaries of the sites ancient

stone walls. This maintained the projects infill status, while carefully manipulating the sites topographyto allow the stands of existing woodlands throughout the site to flourish. Study and emulation of the sites

drainage patterns enabled a neighborhood plan and agriculture and nature preserves whose existences are

dependent upon the successes of one another.

An integral component to this new development was its Sustainable Drainage System (SUDS) plan. I was

particularly tasked with developing the plan with the intent to manage all stormwater where it fell on site

through integrated design with natural systems. In particular, the stormwater management implemented in

Castleton was designed to slow, spread, soak, and harvest all stormwater that falls upon the site. The kit of

parts used included water butts, stone control devices, permeable surfacing, rain gardens, soakaways, and

infiltration trenches.

As with all good design, one thing should never do just one thing. In this spirit, the plan was designed to also

provide an amenity for the community by preserving its rural character with public open space characterized

by native, drought resistant, and easily maintainable landscape.

CASTLETONScotia HomesEllon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland



28/52

Precedence & Project Details

SUDS Schematic Plan

G rn t tr t 1 t l r

i tt u r h n n y lv n i 1 1

l : 1 . .

u i l r rc

r n 1 1

l : 1 1 1

r j c t

l li i r

l i r i i

h t i tl

i il

r nC l i nt

ti tt t tlCh c r v vir j ct u m r

t

cl

h t u m r

.

N T :

T hi r in i r u i n c u r n l

n r r nc h ul t C r nn r i n r l l c n t r uc ti n

t i l h ic h i l l t .

The Modeling CharretteSchematic Details Image of Region by James Buchan


29/52

Pack Square Renaissance is an urban park revitalization project with work spanning from 1999 to 2009

that focused primarily on restoring street vibrancy and access to the pedestrian. The final plan involved

the restoration of historic Pack Square, reestablishment of the street grid, and the creation of a new park

spanning two city blocks and totaling six acres. The new park is designed to attract everyday use while

celebrating Ashevilles heritage as a festival city with the provision of various public performance venues. In

addition, the square creates a unique address for needed commercial and residential infill.

The lowest terrace portion of the park consists of a great lawn. This sec tion boasts an amphitheater and a

central green to compliment the two architecturally significant civic buildings. The mid-block park serves as

a transition between the historic Pack Square and the central green. Gathering the majority of the parks

activity, it controls circulation and provides amenity with a terrace, an interactive water feature, and a multi-

use pavilion. The pavilion is designed to collect stormwater, which in turn is used for irrigation throughout the

park. From the adjacent promenade, the view corridor is enhanced to provide views of the green below and

the forested Appalachian Mountains beyond.

I contributed to this project throughout my tenure with LaQuatra Bonci Associates as a multidisciplinary

designer. My contribution to the hardscape design and physical branding of the space helped lead toadditional public and private work throughout this region of North Carolina. Consequently, LaQuatra Bonci

was able to open an Asheville-based office of the firm to handle the new business.

PACK SQUARE RENAISSANCEThe Pack Square ConservancyAsheville, North Carolina, United States

Designer, Public & Private Sectors, 2006-2009


30/52


31/52


32/52

Silvertipsits on the sunny side of the Bow Valley, nestled in the Canadian Rocky Mountains between Calgary

and Banff. In the 19th century the general public gained access to this pristine wilderness with the creation of

a transcontinental railway. Now, maintaining the very wilderness the railway sought to tame, has been deemed

just as important to preserve. Silver tip respect s the adjacent wilderness of the Banf f National Park by utilizing

high density similar to what is found with the famous mountaintop towns of Switzerland and Italy.

LaQuatra Bonci Associates and I joined the design team, including reknowned consultants such as Leon Krier,

to help develop the 582 acre master plan for Silvertip Village. The scope of work originally included the design

of the principal urban plaza and expanded into the design of other plazas, the resort entry and sequenced

experience as visitors climb the mountain, as well as the wayfinding master plan for the entire site. The design

and construction of this pedestrian-oriented community adopted The Natural Step, an internationally renowned

program that helps developing communities follow an ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable path.

Currently under construction, Silvertip embodies an iconic melding of luxurious living with and within nature.

SILVERTIPStone Creek PropertiesCanmore, Alberta, Canada



33/52

SilvertipTrail

SilvertipVillage

Destination

Destination

Street Name

Destination

Street Name

Street Name

Destination

Destination

Street Name

Destination

Street Name

Street Name

Schematic Design of The Village

Proposed Wayfinding Family


34/52

As a member of the Remaking Cities Institute at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), I was the

design team leader, researcher, and co-author of this community-wide wayfinding infrastructure

initiative. The primary focus of the project was to celebrate the Oakland community as an

international center of new technology and research innovation. Oakland, the educational and

medical heart of Pittsburgh, is the third largest downtown in Pennsylvania.

The result of this initiat ive combined progressive technologies, interaction and indust rial design,

and multi-layered community planning into a comprehensive wayfinding and transit infrastructure

initiative. Over 100,000 daily visitors, workers, and local residents were able to utilize analog and

digital information sharing made possible through a variety of physical and wireless data delivery

technologies developed as a result.

The initiative succeeded by highlighting Oaklands unique asset s while providing an array

of outcomes explored through stakeholder and public engagement processes. The various

challenges addressed by the projects diverse team included: addressing the visual clutter from

an overuse and redundancy of signage, managing wayfinding objectives without a net increase

of signage, and embodying the element of play throughout each project element. Analysis,design, and prototyping were made possible though collaboration with other groups within CMU,

including Heinz College, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, CyLab Mobility, and

Entertainment Technology Center.

INNOVATION OAKLANDOakland Task ForcePittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States

Project Manager/Principal Researcher, Nonprofit Sector, 2009-2010

I l ll l


35/52

l

l l

l l l

l

l I

l l

I l

I

l

l l

l l l

ll l

l

l l

l

l ll ll

l I

l ll l

l

l l l

l l

l

l

Information HubSmartphone WayfindingPublic Charrettes

l ll


36/52

l l l

l

l

l l

l ll

l l

l l

l

l l

l l l l

ll l

l l

l

l

l

l l

l l

l

l

l l

l l ll l

l l

l l

l l l

l l l l

l

l l

l l

I ll l

l

l ll l

l

l l l

l

l

l l

l ll

l l

l l

l

l l

l l l l

ll l

l l

l

l

l

l l

l l

l

l

l l

l l ll l

l l

l l

l l l

l l l l

l

l l

l l

I ll l

l

l ll l

l

Interactive Kiosk Prototype

The Website

Conceptual Wayfinding


37/52

Philadelphia is at the forefront of implementing green infrastructure in the United States to solve the

common problem cities have with combined sewer overflows and the pollution they bring. This project

dedicated an urban schoolyard to be the focus of re-imagining how natural and social systems have to

work together to create places that enhance all types of lifehuman, animal, and microbial life alike. I wasa member of the four-person team at OLIN that led the efforts to create a plan and schematic design for

the client stakeholder group. This group consisted of the primary school students, the teachers of Chester

A. Arthur School, Friends of Chester A. Arthur School, Philadelphia Water Department, Childrens Hospital

of Philadelphia, and South of South Neighborhood Association.

The robust program for the site, including play structures, outdoor classrooms, a multi-use sport court,

and edible gardens, are tied together with low-tech high-impact graphics, an exercise track to increase the

physical literacy amongst the children, and a rain garden that runs the length of the site.

Included in the program is stormwater capture and reuse for irrigation, photovoltaics on the roof to power

the cistern pump and exterior lights, and a waste to soil to food composting and food growing program.Trees and shade structures mitigate the urban heat island ef fect, and when school is not is session, the

schoolyard serves as a community park. The entire site is designed to created to benefit all who enter

from the sound of clean running water, the taste of fresh greens, the scents of blossoms, the touch of

things cool and soft, and the sight of bold colors and green growth.

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURECHARRETTEChester A. Arthur School Education FoundationPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Landscape Architect Intern/Researcher, Private, Public & Nonprofit Sectors, 2012

AN OPPORTUNITY SITE FOR INCREASING

i i


38/52

T . T T T T TT

SCHUYLKILLRIVERPARK

2

5

6

3

4

MAXsPRODUCE freshproduce

WHOLE FOODS 4blocksaway

SOMERTONTANKS FARM2blocksaway

7-ELEVEN cornerstore

CHEWPLAYGROUND

DONALD FINNEGANPLAYGROUNDMARIANANDERSONPARK

FAMILYDOLLARSTORE cornerstore

accessto fresh

produce

drinkingfountainsaccessto

exercise

accessto

junk food

1

1

2

3

SOUTH SQUARE MARKET freshproduce

WALGREENS

4

5

GOVINDAsGOURMETVEGETARIAN6

ASIA SUPERMARKETfreshproduce CAVA NIMGROCERYcornerstore12 18

RAYS cornerstore19

YMCA PATHMARK

NUNEZ GROCERYcornerstore

10

11 CHRISTIANFOODMARKETcornerstore

16

17

8

9

10 11

12

131415

16

17

18

7

8 14

159

13

19

7

LEGEND

CHESTERARTHURSCHOOL CATCHMENTAREA

The adjacent mapfocuses on health indicators for deter-

miningopportunitysites that would most inuence an

increase in physical health for residents. Three indicators

used were:

obesityrate

EPA air toxics assessment

heat related deaths

Again, Chester Arthur School sits in an area that cumu-

lates poor healthindicators: it is well placed to inuence

a large bodyof students on the benets of outdoor exer-

cise (200400 children)as well as generallyincrease

the air qualityand the canopy coverage of the area for

the benet of all.

AN OPPORTUNITY SITE FOR INCREASING

ACCESS TO HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

i i

l i i i

. i l

i i i

i i i i

i , i .

Priority areasfor encouraginghealthy eating+living

Chester Arthur School

mapfrom page49of Green2015byPhiladelphia ParksandRecreationandPennPraxis

N

Partial mappingof food, beverage, and exerciseamenitiesin Chester A. Arthur Schoolsneighborhood

18009000

T . T T T T TT

Since its founding in the late 19th century, Chester

A. Arthur School has gradually increased its footprint.

Originallyonly occupyingthe most eastern edge of the

block,the school has expanded bothits building footprint

and school yard over the past century. Gradually pushing

out the smaller grain rowhouses to the west, Chester A.

Arthur nowoccupies the entire one acre block. The entirety

of the yard is covered with asphalt, withthe exception of

the three small courtyards nested in the building, which

hold small planters and trees. More than a third of the

yard is occupied byvehicular parking.

This proposal encourages the communityto push back

into the school yard, from the western edge, and bring

back the neighborhood and human scale to the overpaved

yard.

Serving the catchment area between SouthStreet and

Washington Ave on the northand south, and 19th Street

and the Schuylkill River on the east and west respectively,

Chester A. Arthur School currently operates at half

capacitywith about 200students, of which22%require

special education. In a restructuring effort over the next

ve years, the City of Philadelphia is planningto close

64Philadelphia schools. Partiallydue to its successful

special educationprogram, Chester A. Arthur is scheduled

to remain open.

It is reasonable to assume that the capacity of 400

students will be reached in the near future as school

closures in the district force the consolidation of Chester

A. Arthur.

SITUATING THE SCHOOL

N

Limitofsite highlighted,includingChesterA. ArthurSchooland itsankingstreets

CHESTER A. ARTHUR SCHOOL

WEBSTERST.

1889

1958

1967

2012

2015community takeback?

CATHERINEST.

21

stST

.

20

thST

.

Sample Mapping and Diagramming from Final Document

, , ,

, ,

, , , , , ,

, , ,

, ,

, , , , ,

1 1 , ,

, ,

The Existing Playground

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 101


39/52

2021222325272829323334

35

36

263031 24

10 11 12 13

14151618 1720

19

A NEIGHBORHOOD VENUE

A PLAYFUL AND HEALTHY YARD

OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS

ENVIRONMENTALLY PERFORMATIVE GROUNDS

2 Civic Neighborhood Entry Plaza & Fountain

4 Stoop Seating

10 Existing Playground with New Seating

19 New Playground Entry

28 The Long Table

30 Garden Shed

32 Community Garden

33 Lawn with gazebo

35 Curved Wall Bench Seating

3 Multipurpose Ball Court

6 Rubberized Mounds

7 Concrete Half-Sphere Mound

8 + 14 Elastomeric Paint Graphics

23 Rubberized Partial Mound27 Mast Net Playstructure

9 The Green Carpet

11 Sensory Courtyard

15 Recycling & Composting Courtyard

16 Storytelling Courtyard

26 Edible Forest & Visible Irrigation

29 Teaching Garden & Fountain

31 Primary Composting Station

1 + 5 + 36 Street Stormwater Curb Inlet & Channel

12 Upper Green Roof

13 Lower Green Roof

17 Roof Surface Available for Solar Panel Array

18 Growing Wall

20 Overfow Raingarden

21 Grate Over Raingarden22 Meadow Mound

23 Rain Garden

34 Primary Rain Garden

Final Schematic Plan


40/52

The Metropoli tan Museum of Art hired OLIN as the landscape architect to lead the first renovation of the

museums Fifth Avenue street presence in forty years. I joined OLIN during the construction documentation

phase and contributed to creating details and the specifications manual for the project. The comprehensive

renovation envisions a transformation of the museums primary entrance faade from its vehicular orientation

into a four-block long pedestrian-oriented plaza. The design maintains the iconic front steps as a prominent

public seating amenity while improving universal access to the museum, as well as adding interactivefountains, substantial planting, updated lighting, and various advancements in the museums contributions to

environmental sustainability.

Matching the symmetry of the granite fountains are bosques also flanking the main entrance. The design doubles

the tree count of the plaza and includes 100 new London Plane trees to provide shade for the alles running

beneath them. Scattered throughout will be moveable chairs, much like those found in New York Citys Bryant

Park, another OLIN project from years prior. Such seating provides patrons with infinite viewing opportunities

as they sit and enjoy the plaza. To offer a safe and more appealing evening presence, the new lighting program

employs a diffused system of LED lights. The hierarchy of the system provides wayfinding and offers visual

appeal focused upon the architecture of the museum and the fountains and bosques of the plaza.

Regarding the plazas support of environmental sustainability, it concurrently manages stormwater while reducing

the heat island effect of its hardscaping. The increase of shade trees supports a reduction of 25 Fahrenheit

and a reduction of stormwater runoff by upwards of 1390 gallons per tree. Additionally, the plaza implements

suspended permeable paving that allows for subsurface storage for runoff. This stormwater receives some

treatment from planters and tree pits, and is then directed into storage and released slowly back into the Citys

infrastructure to help reduce polluted events of combined sewage overflow. All of this is achieved out of site of

patrons and without detracting from the formality of plaza or the museums historic landmark status.

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ARTThe Metropolitan Museum of ArtNew York, NY, United States

Designer, Nonprofit Sector, 2012


41/52

Final Renderings for The New Plaza


42/52

As a graduate student, I was chosen to be a Greenest City Scholar and was contracted to perform research

to help activate Vancouvers Greenest City Action Plan. The plan provides the framework for The City to

become thegreenestcity of the developed world by the year 2020.

In the report, I demonstrated the work of seven international cities leading in water conservation to

implement and incentivize rainwater harvesting and grey water reuse policy and community action.

Collectively, the case studies provided the necessary insights to answer the guiding research question for

the report: What combination of programs utilizing primarily rainwater harvesting and water reuse would be

necessary to achieve the desirable 12% gap in the 33% reduction of per capita water consumption by 2020?

The documentat ion collected through my research provided a diverse sampling of policy drivers and

corresponding incentives to set precedent for Vancouver. Subsequently, the interdepartmental interviews

I performed and information I gathered told both the qualitative and quantitative stories for Vancouver.

Subsequently, it illustrated the remaining work necessary to support rainwater harvesting and greywater

reuse citywide. To move Vancouver forward and overcome the Vancouverite belief in the myth of infinite water,as well as other barriers to full utilization of these sources, the report concluded with a series of 18 informed

recommendations help reach the water conservation goal. All are under consideration and a few have since

been implemented by the City.

CLOSING THE GAP WITHRAINWATER HARVESTINGCity of Vancouver Greenest City Action TeamVancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Research Consultant, Public Sector, 2011

Methodology


43/52

The Inspiration: Protected Headwaters of The Coquitlam Reservoir

Greenest City Action TeamGoal 8: Closing the GapWith

Rainwater HarvestingJuly 29th, 2011

1

Methodology

Before initiating research for this report, the following question was posed: Whatcombination of programs utilizing primarily rainwater harvesting and waterreuse would be necessary to achieve the des irable 12% reduction of per capitawater consumption by 2020?To produce supporting documentation, it wasdetermined a report involving several case studies of international municipalities withrainwater harvesting (RWH) and greywater reuse (GWR), the two non-potable watersources with the safest and most widespread use, be created. Aliterature review froma range of publications highlighted that the stories of both water-starved regions aswell as those with similar weather and precipitation patterns as Vancouver beexplained. The result provided a diverse sampling of policy drivers and correspondingincentives from other municipalities before the story of Vancouver was explored. Tolearn this story, a series of interviews with several key individuals from various Cityand Metro Vancouver departments were carried out to discuss what efforts have beenmade regarding this topic. The result is the Greenest City 2020 International WaterHarvesting Case Study Report. It provides a comprehensive survey of relative bestpractices to help inform Vancouver of high level and local level RWH and GWR policiesand incentive mechanisms.

Case Studies

To reach the GCAT targets pertaining to water, a well planned strategy is needed toensure that resources are allocated effectively. Because water quality already meetsstringent standards, efforts will focus primarily on reducing city water consumptionand promoting water conservation. The following sections outline various programsgleaned from related international case studies that will aid Vancouver towardsreaching its water goals by providing precedent and guidance. The selected cities are

as follows:

Tucson, Arizona, USA Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Bangalore, Karnataka, India Portland, Oregon, USA Seoul, Seoul National Capital Area, South Korea Guelph, Ontario, Canada Seattle, Washington, USA

6 Regional Watershed Mapping


44/52

The Orchard Garden is a collabora tive project bet ween the faculties of Education, Land & Food Systems,

and Landscape Architecture at the University of British Columbia (UBC). It aims to cultivate a living outdoor

classroom that invites learners across disciplines to explore and connect theory to practice through the

relationships between teaching, learning, and growing organic food.

As a researcher and designer, I applied my expertise with allotment garden layout and site furnishings design

to help transform the satellite garden of the UBC Farm into an outdoor classroom. My work ranged from laborer

and fabricator to creator of the gardens 5-year master plan. The primary goal of the project was to provide

collaborative and experiential learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff, as well as for primary

education teachers from across the greater community. The team undertook pedagogical research to provide

direction and opportunities for testing several designs of space.

Of the guiding principles for the design of the site are the following:

Recognize a sense of urgency regarding our current global social and ecological crises.

Honor a playful, exploratory attitude toward teaching and learning.

Provide a space for innovative landscape design, curriculum and pedagogy.

Support and transform teacher education.

Recognize and explore the relationships between land, food and healthy communities.

Acknowledge the complex social and ecological history of the land.

Create an interdisciplinary space for teaching, learning and research.

Build on and complement successes at the UBC Farm, Centre for Sustainable Food Systems by creating

an urban-scale, land-based outdoor classroom.

Create an inviting space through active community participation at all stages of the project.

THE ORCHARD GARDENThe University of British ColumbiaVancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Graduate Research Assistant/Lead Designer, Nonprofit Sector, 2011


45/52

Teaching Local Teachers How to Teach Outside


46/52

Created to help progress dialogue efforts within the community and increase the outreach with

the School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia, I directed,

shot, edited, and produced a short film to address the controversial issues surrounding affordable

housing in Vancouvers Chinatown. It transcends the topic of housing to consider the question ofhome by telling the story of three iconic individuals. Since its debut, the film continues to inspire

groups working with housing issues in the diverse and rapidly-changing community.

Since 2005, Chinatown has been the focus of a different kind of development strategy

revitalization. The main strategy for achieving This economic goal is the introduction of a substantial

increase in market housing to the neighborhood. Having your home in Chinatown is on the cusp of

meaning something entirely new for the neighborhood. What now does housing and having a home

in Chinatown mean?

This film is meant to be a tool for dialogue between any parties steeped in negotiation, discussion,

or, simply an interest in the topic of the revitalization of Chinatown and the current contentiousissues regarding affordable housing in Vancouver. Through the film, three stories about the

neighborhood will come to light. Chinatown as it once existed, where it is currently, and how it might

particularly be shaped for the futureThis film attempts to communicate, with nuance, subtlety, and

humanity, the story of the Chinatowns housing past, present, and future.

To view the film, visit: http://vimeo.com/22144826

CHINATOWN:THREE STORIES OF HOMEVancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area SocietyVancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Filmmaker, Nonprofit Sector, 2011
http://vimeo.com/22144826http://vimeo.com/22144826


47/52


48/52

To continue my work with the City of Vancouver helping it to achieve it s desiredgreenest citystatus, I

was selected to be a member of the first ever CityStudio Cohort. The program is a collaboration between

post-secondary institutions and the City to transform Vancouver into the classroom and a living lab. Having

already researched the role of municipalities to progress urban sustainability, I joined CityStudio to explore

community engagement and activation.

Each of the city staff who identified needs to help implement the Greenest City Action Plan also

identified a strong need to connect with community stakeholders. The goals, my team learned, could

not be achieved without the involvement of the residents of Vancouver and their contributions towards

implementation. Therefore, rather than work towards a singular goal, I helped to build a portable 30

table from a salvaged downed park tree, and developed programming to help deliver each of the goals to

communities and to help them in turn deliver ideas to the City.

The pilot event addressed the objective of reducing per capi ta water consumption by 33% by 2020. The

Long Table Series brought a community together, provided a process by which one could obtain and have

help installing a rain barrel, and offered guest lectures to contextualize the use of a rain barrel with the

larger story of urban water. Most importantly, the event built community around the implementation of thegoals by people getting together in a space, talking about sustainability, participating in idea creation, and

building relationships with one other. To date, The Long Table continues to live on with dialogue events

throughout the city.

THE LONG TABLEThe City of Vancouver & CityStudio VancouverVancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Researcher/Project Director, Public & Nonprofit Sectors, 2011-2012


49/52

DO YOU WANT A

RAIN BARREL?

Come get one and see how it works on Saturday December 3!

Get a rain barrel

Installation Demos

Water Taste TestsLost Streams Maps

Puddle Jumping

12:00 - 6:00 pm

Saturday,December 03, 2011

1800 Spyglass PlaceFalse Creek Sea Wall

Under south side Cambie Bridge

Members of the Mount Pleasant

community are invited to gather

around The Long Table to talk aboutwater in your neighbourhood and in

your city!

TheLongTableSeriesarepubliceventsthatbringneighbourstogether tomeet,learn,andcollaboratearound practicalopportunities for engagingthe GreenestCitygoals.


50/52

Story Sharing by Community Stakeholders


51/52


52/52

1.778.847.5441 | [email protected]

Documents

Joshua Welsh: Sample Works