Undergraduate Portfolio

Cassandra a. riCe

landsCape arChiteCtureplanning

urban designgraphiC CommuniCation

portfolio

2 Cassandra a. rice design portfolio

Cassandra a. riCe

design is an opportunity to Continue telling the

story, not just to sum everything up.

-tate linden

portfolio

Cassandra a. rice design portfolio 3

Healthy NeighborhoodsLandscape Architecture Undergraduate Thesis2011-2012

Stamping to ScholarsUrban Design Fall 2011

Ramses Square RedefinedUrban Design/Plaza DesignSpring 2009

Tillotson CommunityHousing and Community DevelopmentFall 2009

Dr. Seuss GardenPlanting DesignSpring 2009

USS Indianapolis MemorialPlanting DesignSpring 2009

Emerson Heights CharretteCommunity Based ProjectsFall 2011

White River Watershed PlanRegional PlanningFall 2010

CAPItalisField StudySummer 2010

Construction DocumentationEngineering Spring 2010

Example of Taskforce BriefInternshipSummer 2011

Cassandra a. rice design portfolio4

healthy neighborhoods:GUIDING THE REvITALIzATIoN oF THE UNITED NoRTHWEST AREA NEIGHBoRHooD USING PRINCIPLES oF URBAN DESIGN AND HEALTHy NEIGHBoRHooDS


healthy neighborhoods:GUIDING THE REvITALIzATIoN oF THE UNITED NoRTHWEST AREA NEIGHBoRHooD USING PRINCIPLES oF URBAN DESIGN AND HEALTHy NEIGHBoRHooDS

“health is the Combination of the

soCial, physiCal, and mental well-being of an

individual or a group.”

The purpose of this project is to use principles of healthy neighborhoods and urban design to guide the revitalization plan for the United Northwest Area Neighborhood in Indianapolis, Indiana. The United Northwest Neighborhood is a distressed, predominantly African American neighborhood that lies within the boundaries of 38th Street to the north, Interstate 65 and Martin Luther King Jr. Street to the east, 16th Street to the south, and the White River on the west. The 2.1 square mile neighborhood is the site for a neighborhood urban design framework plan. Following the completion of the urban design framework plan, the Upper Canal was the site for a revitalization master plan based around the framework.


According to the World Health organization, “health” is the combination of the social, physical, and mental well-being of an individual or group. Health is not simply the absence of infirmary. This project focuses on integrating principles of healthy neighborhoods and urban design to revitalize and improve the quality of life in the United Northwest Area Neighborhood.

This is accomplished by creating a sustainable, walkable neighborhood that provides connections within the neighborhood as well as connections to the greater Indianapolis area,

providing opportunities for physical activity and social connections, revitalizing brownfields, provide healthy eating environments, assuring safety, and reinvesting in the neighborhood.

Research about the construction and development of distressed neighborhoods provided insight on how the neighborhood in which one lives affects his or her behaviors, choices, and overall health at various stages of life. Case studies of urban design framework plans, sustainable neighborhoods, and active living guidelines provided insight on how to create a healthy

neighborhood. Finally, research on sustainable community design and revitalization methods was inter-related with principles of healthy environments to guide the design principles for the United Northwest Area Neighborhood.

After extensive analysis and research, five framework elements emerged. These can be viewed above. By creating new community hearts and focal points and developing design guidelines for street character the neighborhood has a clearer sense of place. And by connecting the neighborhood to itself and the Indianapolis region

urban design

framework

design prinCiples

Gateways, Hearts, and Edges

Neighborhood and Regional Connections

Street Character

Public Open Space Network

Land Use and Development

• Welcomes all icomes, ages, and races and has a clear identity and sense of place.

• offers the opportunity for physical activity through walking, biking, and recreation.

• Connected, both within the neighborhood and to the greater Indianapolis area.

• Has a mixture of land uses, encourages investment, fosters economic growth, and provides adequate services for residents.

• Offers a variety of social outlets and encourages networking and interaction between residents and visitors.

• A safe place, where residents feel free to walk, exercise, and socialize.

• Provides access to fresh food from both local producers and full service grocers.

through physical, social and economic means creates a more vibrant, livable environment.


Canal master planAfter the development of the framework, the canal was chosen for the focus area master plan. The canal was the catalyst for the formation of the neighborhood and will be the catalyst for revitalization. This plan demonstrates how the guiding principles will be used to guide revitalization

wapahani trail connection

major development area

fall creek connection

downtown connections


Above: Neighborhood ParkMiddle: Central PlazaBelow: Wapahani Trail Connection

healthy plaCes

9Cassandra a. rice design portfolio

Above: Boat LaunchMiddle: Community GardenBelow: MLK and Canal Gateway Connection

healthy people


The Indianapolis General Motors Stamping Plant closed its doors permanently in 2011. Indianapolis lost jobs and gained a 100 acre site with a 2 million square foot vacant building that carried no future plans for development or economic opportunity. While the site has a variety of unique features it lacks a complete vision for its future. It is a riverfront property, close to downtown, the zoo, and White River State Park,and has access and visibility to and from I-70 which makes it an ideal place for development. However, what kind ofdevelopment was debatable until now. This project proposes thesite be made into a mixed-

stamping to sCholarsTRANSFoRMING THE GM PLAN INTo A voCATIoNAL EDUCATIoN AND CoMMERCIAL RETAIL CooP CENTER

infillsinglefamily housing

infillmulti-family housing

use retail, residential, and educational development. What was one an industrial economic generator can now generate incomes and educational opportunities.

Project OverviewProjected Population: 1054 people2x the density of Indianapolis

Built-open space ratio: 33% built 66% open

Educational Campus: 185,683 sq. ftPrograms offered: agribusiness, horticulture,forestry,automotive technology, industrial technology, businesseducation, natural resources, environmental science, zoology,cosmetology, child care, health careers, apparel design, computer programming, drafting, machine trades, printing

Urban Agriculture: 40 acresProvides 5% of site food needs

Community Shopping Center:278,329 sq. ftNumber of stores: 25-80Market Area Population: 30,000 peopleMarket Area Radius:5 milesUses: Drug stores/pharmacy, apparel, hardware, appliance, radio and television stores, eating and drinkingestablishments, furniture stores, food stores


proCess diagrams

master plan

student center plaza

transit stop

retail center plaza

oliver St.

community park

community garden


CharaCter of site

site seCtion

Top perspective: Student Center PlazaBottom perspective: Community Garden

community gardenretail center

Active edges, community spaces, andwalkability are the three key ideas for this proposal. The commercial corridors and educational campus offer an active atmosphere of retail and commercial uses such as a beautysalon, clothing store, post office, and grocery. According to the quality of life plan for West Indianapolis, the neighborhood has a day time population twice that of its night timeproviding an opportunity for investment and growth. Also, the neighborhood spends more for goods outside their community than they do purchasing services or goods inside the neighborhood. Their money goes towards retail, This development offers over 100,000 sq. ft. of retail space that can establish a third place for residents of West Indianapolis as well as a placefor lunch breaks or after-work shopping for those working in the neighborhood.


parkpath

Top perspecive: Farmers Market in the main retail plazaBottom perspective: Western half of the retail plaza


ramses square redefined

A DESIGN CoMPETITIoN PRoJECT FoR THE NATIoNAL CENTER FoR URBAN HARMoNy

station plazavendors plaza

labrynth


Ramses Square is one of three historic squares that define the Cairo Business District in Central Cairo, but currently, the conditions of the square are so fragmented, confusing, underutilized, and congested. A plan was needed to re-establish a sense of identity that would embrace the religious and historic culture of the space as well as improve its design and functionality and reconnect it to the rest of Cairo.

master plan

major development area


plaza Cross seCtion

Top perspective: Redevelopment area, Derek NaberBottom perspective: Entrance plaza, Derek Naber


CharaCter of site

The key features of our design included a large entry plaza in front of the train station, a smaller vendor’s plaza to the west of the station, a redevelopment zone northwest of the station, and a simplification of the road systems. As one of three landscape architecture students on the design team, my main role was the design development work for the large entry plaza and small vendor’s plaza. I also played a major role in the streetscape design and details.

Perspective:Tourist plaza near train station, myself


town Centre

redefining Community

“developing a unique Community that

integrates nature, the built environment, and

humankind.”

This progressive development possesses alternative energy and sustainable building and developing practices. It is designed to create a completely difference experience for both residents and visitors.

Three wind turbines power over one quarter of the homes in the community and serve to as part of a coop between Heath Farms and Ball State University--the owner of the land. Public gardens provide an opportunity for organic, home-grown produce that can be sold at the farmer’s market.

Constructed wetlands also aid this community in lessening its impact on nature. The homes themselves are oriented in a way that allows for the capture of summer winds and blockage of winter winds. This saves resident’s money and lessens the energy consumption.

Left, top: WetlandLeft, bottom:Community Garden


master plan

retail center

community park

orchard

student apartments

community garden

farmers market

constructed wetlands

wind turbines

civic center

grocery


As Dr. Seuss has entertained American families and children for over 60 years, this garden will entertain all visitors lucky enough to journey through it whimsical surroundings. Seuss’s bright, colorful books serve as the inspiration for the garden, taking visitors through the pages and settings of books like The Lorax and oh, the Places you will Go!

dr. seuss garden

Left: 1=10’ model of garden

master plan


The USS Indianapolis monument was raised to commemorate the lives lost when the carrier sank July 30th, 1945. The design places the original monument in a setting that tells the other untold stories; those of the ship, its survivors, and its infamous captain.

The path zigzags through the site is wound in a zigzag symbolizing the route ships take in an attempt to avoid torpedo attacks. It was due to a lack of zigzagging that Captain Mcvay was eventually accused and found guilty of negligence, though most see this accusation as unjust.

As the path zigzags, it gradually descends, representing the sinkingof the ship. As it descends, the walls lining the path tell the story of the ship, from its repairs in San Francisco after a kamikaze attack to the transportation of the materials for the atomic bomb to its sinking to its

final resting place.

The path finally ascends through a corridor of water, symbolizing the rescued sailors ascending from the Pacific. This fountain lists the names of the survivors.

This design calls for the remembrance of this tragedy, honor for those

lost, and a tribute to those who survived. It was completed on a three-person team.

Below: 1=20’ model of memorial

Right: view of the ascending water feature symbolizing the rescued sailors rising from the waters of the Pacific.

uss indianapolis memorial

i hope the young people wake up and realize that

the freedom they have today didn’t Come Cheap.

there was an awful priCe paid for it.” -paul murphey


site plan

original memorial

remembrance plaza

seating

waterfall

upper plazadisplays a quote by Paul Murphy describing the impact of the Indianapolis

displays survivors names under a sheet of water

displays names of those who lost their lives

displays the story of the final journey

movable seating and planters

displays the complete story of the Indianapolis

Right: Rosemary, Little Leaf Linden, California Poppy “White Linen”, Poppy Flash Rose, Hosta “Clovely”, Autumn Cherry Tree

story path


3) TIL-C

1) TIL-C

1) PRU-AR

15) ROS-HC

15) ECS-M10) ROS-PF 1) PRU-AR

1) ROS-HC

300) ESC-M201) ROS-PF

4) TIL-C

1) ROS-HC

1) TIL-C

8) ROS-HC

4) PRU-AR5) ROS-HC

19) HOS-C

11) ROS-HC

1) PRU-AR

9) HOS-C

93) ESC-M61) ROS-PF

7) TSU-C

3) TIL-C

115) ECS-M78) ROS-PF

201) ECS-M133) ROS-PF

14) HOS-C

8) ROS-HC

10) HOS-C

5) HOS-C

2) ROS-HC

5)ROS-HC

67) ESC-M44) ROS-PF

19) HOS-C

24) HOS-C1) PRU-AR

10) ROS-HC481) ESC-M319) ROS-PF

19) HOS-C

15) ROS-HC

planting plan

plant listTiliia cordata, Little Leaf Linden

Prunus subhirtella Autumnalis Rosea, Autumn Cherry Tree

Tsuga canadensis, Eastern Hemlock

Hosta “Clovelly”, Hosta “Clovelly”

Rosmarinus officianlis, Rosemary

Eschscholzia californica var. White Linen, California Poppy “White Linen”

Rosa “Poppy Flash”, Poppy Flash Rose


This charrette was held in partnership with the Emerson Heights Community organization and with the support of Community Health Network and Indy-east Asset Development. The charrette explored the ideas, issues, and opportunities confronting

the Emerson Heights neighborhood in Indianapolis, Indiana.

I participated on the seven-member village center development and revitalization team. our focus was on creating a vibrant, walkable pedestrian center.

emerson heights Charrette

retail Center master plan


Delaware County encompasses 395 square miles of land with a population density of 292.2 per spare mile. The region was once known for its booming glass, steel and automobile manufacturing industries, but is now best known as the home to Ball State University. The plan, developed by a four-person team, addressed the projected population growth, job opportunities and economic growth, ecological systems, and quality of life.

white river watershed regional plan

regional plan

analysis

“attraCting new investments and people to the region

through redevelopment and revitalization.”


As part of a four-week field study, these sketches and photographs were produced as I traveled through Italy, Greece, and France. We travelled through Santorini, Athens, Tuscany, Paris, and many more European cities studying the historic architecture, landscape architecture and urban spaces.

Capitaliaitaly, greeCe, franCe

All sketches were produced with a regular ball point pen and sketchbook while photographs were taken with a Kodak EasyShare and edited with Photoshop.



ConstruCtion doCuments exCerpts from

engineering ConstruCtion doCuments

grading plan



swale profile

piping profile


ConstruCtion details


indyrezoneexample of taskforCe brief

Completed for indianapolis department of metropolitan

development internship

Alternative energy sources such as wind turbines arenotspecificallyaddressedintheordinances.

Consequently, they are treated as typical accessory structures,whichisnotappropriateinmanysituations.

INDUSTRIAL AND CoMMERCIAL ISSUE:

APPLICABLE CoDENot directly addressed in the current zoning ordinance

thoughtheindustrialordinanceshaveheightlimits.

BACKGRoUND – Treating alternative energy sources as a typical accessory structure means they are subject to the same height limitations and location restrictions included in the development standards that may not be appropriate for the alternative energy system. Proper sizing of an alternative energy structure (e.g. wind turbine) might require a height that exceeds what is permitted for an accessory structure or a larger minimum setback requirement. Including standards for alternative energy sources in the zoning ordinance could encourage more widespread use of these alternatives.

WIND ENERGyWind energy has can potentially reduce Co2 emissions, saves water, reduces our reliance on vital freshwater resources. A single megawatt (MW) of power can produce

enough electricity to power 225 to 300 US households (Purdue). As of 2010, Indiana has over 800 wind turbines producing up to 1,339.2 MW of energy (in.gov). In addition to these turbines, there are 12 planned wind energy developments for 11 counties (in.gov).

The US Department of Energy produced an analysis of the expected impacts of 1000 MW of wind power in Indiana in 2008. Not only would Indiana save over 3.1 million tons of Co2 and 1,684 million gallons of water, but the wind power would also produce direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts.

Direct benefits include jobs, land lease payments and increased tax revenue, while indirect benefits include benefits to business supporting wind farm


development such as those involved in the construction or operational phases of the farms. Induced benefits result from additional spending on goods and services in the areas surrounding the wind farm such as retail, restaurant businesses, or child care (US Dept. of Energy). Indiana has already exceeded 1,000 MW of power and has 2,257 turbines that will produce 4,056 MW of power in the planning stages (IN.gov).

In order to legitimize the development of wind energy ordinances in Marion County, the potential for wind energy development must be present. Wind is classified according to wind power classes based on typical wind speeds and range between class 1 and class 7. While at 50m the wind potential is low, at 80m wind energy potential increases. Maps showing wind energy potential at

these heights can be seen at the bottom left of the article. According to the US Department of Energy, areas with annual average wind speeds around 6.5 m/s and greater than 80m in height are considered to have suitable wind energy resources for wind development. This is the dark brown area on the map. The option of wind development at 100m is also viable.

There are two types of turbines commercially available in the US—horizontal axis or vertical axis turbines. Turbines are produced in three scales—residential, industrial, and utility. The image to the left shows the various turbine sizes/scales, components, the average amount of energy produced by a single turbine, and what the energy is intended to be used for. There is no set standard for hub height or maximum tip height, but in general, turbine hub heights are approximately 1 to 1.4 times the rotor diameter. Size of wind turbines is also most commonly discussed in the amount of energy produced (in kW, GW, or MW) rather than the dimensional height.

wind teChnology

• Definitions for all apparatuses • Required distance for setbacks and location on site.• Is wind energy appropriate at a utility or industrial scale? Single site scale?• Required distance from adjacent buildings or residential property • Design and installation guidelines (height, clearances, distance from another turbine, density, etc)• Allowances or restrictions on placing them on top of buildings• Appearance, color, finish• Access • Noise Standards• Lighting• Zoning areas• “Shadow Flicker”• Drainage requirements • Method for determining compensation to land owners and farmers. • Determination of how payments will be allocated to landowners• Application for a permit• Process of evaluation and understanding of infrastructure needs• Noise standards for utility-scale wind turbines that properly integrate turbines with residential property• Decommissioning arrangements

Right: Indiana annual average wind speed map at 80mFar Right: Indiana annual average wind speed map at 50m

However, while these maps are extremely helpful in determining wind energy potential, they should not be the sole source of data. They are generated using historical weather data and computer modeling. In order to determine wind resources in an area of interests, meteorological towers need to collect site-specific wind data. There are specific areas

issues to Consider when developing a wind energy ordinanCe:

of the county that must be excluded including environmental lands from the National Park and Fish and Wildlife Services, wildlife, wilderness, and recreational areas designated on federal land, state and private environmental lands, urban areas, airports, wetlands, and water bodies, slopes greater than 20% and 3 kilometer buffers around urban and environmental lands.

Documents

Undergraduate Portfolio