michael blank landscape architecture portfolio
DESCRIPTION
Michael Blank's Undergraduate Landscape Architecture portfolio from North Dakota State UniversityTRANSCRIPT
Landscape ArchitecturePortfolio
ichael Blank
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Biography
This portfolio is a collection of my work while I pursued my Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Bachelor of Science: Environmental Design at North Dakota State University.
Table of Contents
Mesabi Falls
Fargo Peace Park
White Earth Cliffs
Mayo Gardens
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A mine reclamation project in the heart of the “Iron Range”
A small scale design embracing the Fargo winds and capturing the essence of peace
Environmental planning project mapping Bakken oil wells and focused on protecting Golden Eagle habit in the White Earth Valley
Statue of Liberty Park
An urban design project focusing on ‘urban healing’ in the context of the Mayo Clinic in downtown Rochester
A small scale design project in Fargo, ND that focuses on site detailing.
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9-12
13-16
17-18
19-24
Virginia Babbit
EvelethHibbing
Mesabi RangeDigital Elevation ModelsChisholm
VirginiaExisting Site
Missabe Mountain Mine
Franklin Pit
Mesabi FallsTypology: Mine ReclamationLocation: Virginia, Minnesota
M e s a b iThe term ‘MESABI’ comes from the word misaabe which means sleeping giant. The Ojibwe derived the Mesabi Range from looking into the night sky and discovering the striking resemblence between the constellation of Orion’s Belt and the Mesabi Range.
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Mesabi RangeDigital Elevation Models
Franklin Pit
M e s a b iThe term ‘MESABI’ comes from the word misaabe which means sleeping giant. The Ojibwe derived the Mesabi Range from looking into the night sky and discovering the striking resemblence between the constellation of Orion’s Belt and the Mesabi Range.
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June
May
Sunset
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v e g e t a t i o n
h y d r o l o g y
r o a d s
June
May
Analysis
The site is located in the heart of the Mesabi Range. Surrounded by steep slopes and contaminated water these abandoned mines are in need of reclaiming. The slope analysis gathered from GIS
illustrates large depressions in the landscape. The relationship of vegetation and hydrological movement supports introducing a
wetland ecosystem.
Optimal Star Gazing
April
March
F
ebruar
y
J
anua
ry
June
May
September
August
July
December
October
November
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun JUl Aug Sep Oct Nov
Moon phases affect night sky viewing. The Nights of crescent and new moons offer the best times for stargaze.
1st 9th 24th15th 31st
Optimal Viewing Optimal Viewing
There are several variable conditions that directly affect stargazing:
+ Humidity
+ Temperature
+ Wind
+ Moon Phases
+ Cloud Cover
Sunris
e
Sunset
Most Dark
Least Dark
Sky Darkness
24:0012:00 MidnightNoon
Michael Blank LA 590 Jason Kost
Spring Equinox
15 hours of Darkness
Darkest time of night is halfway between sunrise and sunset
15 hours of Darkness
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
8 hours of Darkness
Fall Equinox
January 2014
New Moon Waxing Crescent Waning CrescentWaxing Gibbous Waning Gibbous New MoonFull Moon
Planet VisibilityA planets visibility depends on the orbital
positions of the planet and the earth in relation to the sun. Planets undergo a
regular appearence cycle known as an apparition. A planets apparition
begins when it emerges from the sun’s glare.
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April
March
February
January
June
May
September
August
July
December
October
November
Jan Feb Mar Apr May12:00
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Optimal Star Gazing
Most Dark
Least Dark
Sky Darkness
April
March
June
May
September
August
July
December
October
November
May Jun JUl Aug Sep Oct Nov 24:00 Midnight
Spring Equinox
Darkest time of night is halfway between sunrise and sunset
15 hours of Darkness
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Fall Equinox new moon waxing crescent
optimal viewing time optimal viewing time
waxing gibbous Full moon waning gibbous waning crescent new moon
This perspective facing south west embraces the vast views of the Mesabi Range. This design intrigues people to stargaze and discover the roots of the Mesabi Range much like the native Ojibwe people. This infographic shows optimal viewing time for the stars and certain planets.
Factors that directly effect stargazing
Humidity Wind
Temperature Cloud Cover
Moon Phases
Optimal Star Gazing
April
March
F
ebruar
y
J
anua
ry
June
May
September
August
July
December
October
November
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun JUl Aug Sep Oct Nov
Moon phases affect night sky viewing. The Nights of crescent and new moons offer the best times for stargaze.
1st 9th 24th15th 31st
Optimal Viewing Optimal Viewing
There are several variable conditions that directly affect stargazing:
+ Humidity
+ Temperature
+ Wind
+ Moon Phases
+ Cloud Cover
Sunris
e
Sunset
Most Dark
Least Dark
Sky Darkness
24:0012:00 MidnightNoon
Michael Blank LA 590 Jason Kost
Spring Equinox
15 hours of Darkness
Darkest time of night is halfway between sunrise and sunset
15 hours of Darkness
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
8 hours of Darkness
Fall Equinox
January 2014
New Moon Waxing Crescent Waning CrescentWaxing Gibbous Waning Gibbous New MoonFull Moon
Planet VisibilityA planets visibility depends on the orbital
positions of the planet and the earth in relation to the sun. Planets undergo a
regular appearence cycle known as an apparition. A planets apparition
begins when it emerges from the sun’s glare.
8
Fargo Peace ParkTypology: Urban ParkLocation: Fargo, North Dakota
June
May
December
October
November
Sunris
e
The Fargo Peace Park is a design embracing the winds of North Dakota. This swirling form was the inspiration for an inward focused design. Leading people inwards are these curving walls that have the affect of rising out of the earth. This integration into the landscape makes for a cohesive design that intrigues people to explore. These walls allow for inspiring peace quotes and captures the essence of peace.
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5
June
May
December
October
November
15 hours of Darkness
8 hours of Darkness
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Seasonal use
Fargo often has long winters which can seem never ending at times. Bringing people outdoors can be a design challenge that is often neglected in this region. In order to bring people outside in the winter months I made the center of my design a dynamic space that has different functions throughout the year. In the winter months this space becomes a small ice skating location and a much more active space to help keep users warm. However as the season’s change the space changes with it. The center area becomes a passive space that allows users to relax and self-reflect. 12
7% Unaffected Golden Eagle Habitat Loss
54% Affected by Oil39% affected by Coal
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White Earth CliffsTypology: Environmental Planning
Location: Western North Dakota
Golden Eagle Habitat Loss
54% Affected by Oil
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Bakken Oil Wells27,332 Wells drilled in North Dakota
GIS Mapping
Williston Dickinson
Minot
My Sector
Lake Sakakawea
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GIS Statistics
North Dakota = 27,322North Dakota = 1926
My Sector = 53
Oil WellsCoal Mines
My Sector = 3,258
Golden Eagle Habitat Affected Unaffected
20,224 acres
17,554 acres
2752acres
Link Unaffected Areas
Oil Wells + Coal Mines + Golden Eagle Habitat16
My sector is located 50 miles east of Williston, ND which is the epicen-ter for oil activity in western North Dakota. This sector is consid-ered to be critical breed-ing grounds for the Golden Eagle.
Statue of Liberty ParkTypology: Urban ParkLocation: Fargo, North Dakota
Statue of Liberty Park is a site along the Red River in Fargo, ND proposing a public performance area. This project is focused on construction detailing several phases of the project.
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This design is an amphitheater overlooking a public performance space. The primary objective of the design is to capture the scenic views of the Red River.
Context
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Mayo GardensTypology: Urban HealingLocation: Rochester, MN
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Cafeteria
subway Tunnel
Secondary Ramp
Secondary Ramp
Gatheringspace
Key Transition space
Matthew’s Dome
Bridge
GondaMayo
Entrances
Private
Private
Private
Public
Public
Public
Matthew’s Dome
Annenberg Plaza
Siebens Building
Marriot Hotel
South Entry
Mayo Building
Design Process
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Matthew’s Dome
Annenberg Plaza
Siebens Building
Marriot Hotel
Kahler Hotel
North Entry
South Entry
East Entry
Mayo BuildingGonda Building
Sink Down to connect to Sublevel
Beginning of ramp
Connect to Cafeteria
15’ below ground level
Mayo Gardens is an urban design project in the context of downtown Rochester. Rochester is home to the world renowned Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic’s downtown setting offers many challenges for designers to create an environment that is conducive to healing. The Mayo Gardens utilizes biophilic design principles to connect users to the natural environment. The use of curving forms, natural materials, green space, and water creates a space that could potentially help patients heal faster and make their stay at the clinic more enjoyable.
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Distr
icts
green
Spa
ce
Sink Down to connect to Sublevel
Beginning of ramp
Connect to Cafeteria
15’ below ground level
Mayo Gardens is an urban design project in the context of downtown Rochester. Rochester is home to the world renowned Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic’s downtown setting offers many challenges for designers to create an environment that is conducive to healing. The Mayo Gardens utilizes biophilic design principles to connect users to the natural environment. The use of curving forms, natural materials, green space, and water creates a space that could potentially help patients heal faster and make their stay at the clinic more enjoyable.
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Gonda Building
90’ 45’ 30’
Open Lawn
Upper Level Access
Existing Sidewalk
Legend
Existing Terracing
Spot Elevation
0’= Ground Level
BG= Below Ground
Mid-level NodeRamp Access Rubberized Concrete
Gonda Entry
Central Open space
Sky Light
Upper Level Access/North Entry
Water Feature
Lower level Access
Mid-Level Access
Kahler Entry
Water FallGlass Panels mimicking the Gonda Building
15’
0’
0’
BG
15’
BG
7.5’
BG
7.5’
BG
0’
Main Plaza AtriumGarden Terracing23
Kahler Hotel
260’
Lower Level Node
Kahler EntryMid-Level Node
Ramp Access
Existing Light Feature
Glass slat railings
Existing Light Features
Upper Level Gathering space
Kahler/Marriot skywalk
‘Hers’ Entry
Stainless Steel accenting Rim
‘Lasker Jewelers’ Entry
Ramp Access/ East EntryWater Feature and Seating
0’
0’
7.5’
BG
Primary Ramp 24
