Water is a part of our everyday experience: we bathe in it, we drink it, we watch it rain. It is in this last experience that the focus of this project lies. We all see the water that falls from the sky, but once that rainfall hits the pavement, where it goes and what happens to it is as convoluted and misunderstood as the series of inlets, drains, and pipes that carry this water away from our presence.

Because of this disconnect, urban waterways in most cities are suffering. Entire urban areas may be thought of as point-source generators of pollution. Yet conventional stormwater systems are designed with a focus on the quantity of water moving away from a site, rather than the quality of this water once it reaches

cypress creek waterway Montgomery, AL

connecting people + water a tributary or body of water. The result is a decrease in the ecological activity of these natural waterways, as multiple types of pollution from stormwater systems lessen the ideal conditions for plant and animal life.

Such is the case in the city of Montgomery, Alabama. Cypress Creek Waterway has been degraded because of surrounding industrial development and poor stormwater management. Its location - north of the urban core and behind a large residential development - means the perilous conditions of Cypress Creek often go unnoticed. Yet, this same area has the potential to become a major corridor between urban and residential conditions. This project aims to use landscape and architectural interventions re-connect people and water in this area Montgomery, so that they may begin to see the value in stormwater and the ecological activities it supports.

cypress nature park

downtown montgomery

industrial area

residential developments

cypress creek

city MapExisting Structures

Existing Rail Lines

Piped Creek Flow

Filter Zone

City-Owned Properties

Open Creek Flow

New Bike/Ped. PathsStormwater Direction

100-yr Flood Zone

Even the city of Montgomery cannot fully answer this question, as they do not currently have an inventory of their own stormwater system. Empirical research shows, however, that much of this water flows into Cypress Creek, which has been greatly modified by traditional stormwater management practices over the past century. Piped stormwater enters the creek at various points, and the creek itself has been placed in pipes and culverts in several areas. This has altered the natural flow and path of the creek, causing severe stream bank erosion, which threatens the foundations of some buildings nearby.

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existing conditions: where does the water go?

overland flow

piped stormwater flow

potential sources of pollutants

highly vegetated areas piped creek flow

open creek flow

areas of concern1

Surrounding active and former industrial sites also contribute large amounts of pollutants during rain events. Industrial by-products deposited in the soil are carried by overland flow into the creek, increasing its pollutant levels, which inhibits the creek’s capacity for aquatic life and reduces its overall ecological quality. Without proper attention, this area will continue to decline and negatively affect the character of the northern part of downtown Montgomery.

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potential sources of pollutants

highly vegetated areas areas of interest

proposed pathways

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pathways: a new experienceThe proposed pathway system brings people from outlying neighborhoods into Cypress Nature Park [1 - 4] and then follows Cypress Creek [5] until it meets downtown Montgomery at North Hull Street [6].

This pathway would be attractive to both pedestrians and bicyclists because of the variety of new experiences it provides [pictured right], with dramatic views, unique environments, and seasonal changes. In the summertime, heavily vegetated areas [shown in green] provide ample amounts of shade along

the pathway, compared to most of the tree-less streets leading into downtown. In winter, tupelo and cypress trees are ablaze with bright yellow and rust foliage, setting them apart from the surrounding pines as seen from the ridge [1]. These places are very different from the typical urban realm.

By drawing people into the area, the pathway system allows residents to be exposed to the poor quality of Cypress Creek. However, this is an unmediated experience, and it will not necessarily make people aware of the causes of stormwater pollution or the value of clean stormwater for the creek.

pathway + pollution

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selected site for design intervention

area for intervention

potential sources of pollutants

highly vegetated areas

proposed pathways

new / remodeled community bldgs

Although the pathway system provides a means of access into the area, awareness of the value of stormwater and the issues the area faces requires a more engaging development.

Therefore, an area was identified as a potential site for a landscape and architectural intervention, which would provide a clear connection between clean stormwater and a healthy habitat. This area serves as both a gateway into the Waterway, as well as an educational center, and an attraction in-and-of itself.

engagement + actionPublic awareness is key to the success of remediation and redevelopment of the area. As public attention is drawn to the Cypress Creek Waterway, this area also becomes a place to house groups interested in being active participants in the development of the Waterway project. At the “Cypress Creek Community Center,” public and private interests could come together for fundraising and development of plans for the reparation, remediation and redevelopment of the Waterway. In this way the needs of the community could be addressed, as well the requirements for an ecologically “healthy” Cypress Creek.

pathway + site

site selection + analysisThe selection of a site for the landscape and architectural intervention is crucial, as it serves as the main gateway into the Waterway, as well as home to the Cypress Creek Community Center. A series of citywide mapping analysis led to the selection of the site with the best location as a threshold between the urban fabric and former industrial area, as well as an important location relative to stormwater and Cypress Creek.

The site is located at the end of North Hull Street, which runs the entire North-South direction of the urban core. With its wide girth and mature street trees, Hull Street provides an ideal point of access for pedestrian and bicycle pathways. Two abandoned rail lines intersect near the site, providing the potential for light rail or rails-to-trails programs.

Topographic analysis reveals that a large portion of the stormwater that passes through the site flows toward Cypress Creek. This provides an opportunity for a landscape intervention that could have a direct impact on the quality of the creek. The site also has a series of warehouse structures, which could provide space for different community activities.

rails to trails

proposed pathways

topograpy + flow

The design intervention focuses on the intersection of built structures with constructed landscape systems, to create new social spaces for interaction with water, while revealing a process of collecting and filtering city stormwater.

A series of ponds, channels, and constructed wetlands engage with existing built structures, functioning both ecologically (as wetlands habitat and stormwater treatment) and spatially (as an organizing component for programmatic elements). This stormwater cleansing system becomes an intervention connected both visually and functionally to Cypress Creek: a path allows excess cleansed water to flow from the transparency pool down to the creek, creating a connection between the outcome of the cleansing process and its value to the quality of Cypress Creek.

Many of the existing structures on the site are retained and re-used to provide areas to support community activities, including the community center and a market. The market provides a place for affordable retail space for small local vendors, with the aim of becoming a daily attraction for residents to the site. The community center is housed in the most historic structure, and a series of bridges cross over the spout area into small gallery spaces for environmentally focused art installations. A transit stop completes the alternative transportation connection, allowing for pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit to be used interchangeable in the area.

design intervention

site plan

community centerfuture greenhouse

gallery / exhibition space

the market

stormwater cleansing system

public-transit stop

overflow to cypress creek

transparency pool

the market

stormwater cleansing system

gallery / exhibition space

cypress community center

rainwater collection

event space / future greenhouse

site plan

filter bridgesmoderate zone low zonehigh zone

stormwater cleansing system

The stormwater cleansing system is designed to both reveal the condition of city’s stormwater discharge, as well as showcase methods for filtering and removing pollutants from this water. Rainwater form the city’s stormwater system is diverted into the collection pond, and flows out of the spout, through the community center building, and into the filter bridges.

The filter bridges use porous gabion walls to remove large debris and sediment from the water, before it enters into the constructed wetlands. The wetlands use a combination of plants and topographic elements to remove a variety of pollutants from the water, before it is distributed into the transparency pool and out into Cypress Creek.

the spout collection pond

stormwater outlet

water system plan + section

zone 3: periodic inundation

zone 2: constant inundation

zone 1: likely submersionNelumbo lutea American LotusVallisneria americana American eelgrass

Carex crinita fringed sedgeIris virginica Southern blue flag irisJuncus effusus Common RushPontederia cordata pickerelweedSagittaria lancifolia bulltongue arrowheadSagittaria latifolia duck potatoSaururus cernuus lizard tailScirpus cyperinus woolgrassSparganium americanum bur-reed

Asclepias incarnata swamp milkweedCephalanthus occidentalis buttonbushConoclinium coelestinum mistflowerEupatoriadelphus fistulosis Joe pye weedFothergilla gardenii dwarf witch alderHelianthus angustifolius swamp sunflowerIlex decidua possumhawLindera benzoin spicebushMuhlenbergia capillaris muhly grassPanicum virgatum switchgrass

plant life

A number of plant species have been chosen for the constructed wetlands that can handle the dramatic change in conditions in this type of system. Specific species are planted on different levels, which correspond to the types of fluctuations in water level that occur naturally in wetlands.

dragonflies / damselflies

frogs

turtles

salamandersmole salamanderspotted dusky salamandermarbled salamandersouthern two-lined salamanderslimy salamander

chorus frogeastern spadefootsouthern chorus frogsouthern leopard frog

blue dashercommon whitetaileastern pondhawkfragile forktail damselflywidow skimmer yellow-sided skimmer

eastern box turtlesnapping turtle

animal life

The Cypress Nature Park master plan includes an inventory of local animal species that have been sighted in the area. This list was analyzed and used to best predict what type of wildlife would be attracted to the constructed wetlands. The species identified on this page are those whose life-cycle depends on the conditions of ephemeral wetlands.

As an example, the female marbled salamander lays its eggs in a depression, and waits until rain fills the depression and triggers the eggs to hatch. If the rain never comes, then the eggs have the ability to over winter until spring to hatch.

wetlands - high rainfall

wetlands - average rainfall

wetlands - low rainfall

wetlands - low rainfall

the marketAt the intersection of landscape and architecture lies the market. This area is the nexus of activity and engagement with water. Market buildings are design to be very simple structures to allow for affordable low-rent spaces. This provides a place for community members to sell their goods and creates an attraction for users passing through the site.

As users visit the market, they experience a new type of space – one that is neither completely indoors nor completely out. Channels bring wetlands plants and animals directly though the market, creating the potential for new experiences between people, water, and the life that it supports.

The importance of clean sources of water is key in an arid climate such as that of Albuquerque, New Mexico. In low-income developments, landscaping is often the first area to be cut because of water requirements. This project uses a series of filtration tanks to store household grey water to feed individual gardens in front of each building. Each garden serves as a border, defining a “front porch” for residents, who usually forgo plots of land in front of their houses in favor of small backyards. By bringing people to the front, the area becomes safer with more “eyes on the street.”

perforMative landscapes|livable coMMunities Albuquerque, NM

water resources + low income A crushed stone pavement forms a continuous surface from the front door to the center of the site - a simple solution to expensive concrete and asphalt installation, as well as a semi-pervious surface that avoids drainage issues during periods of rain. This surface increases the amount of space that can be used for parking and driveways, in contrast to the current layout.

Providing public squares and flexible parking allows for larger gatherings and gives residents a greater sense of community. Using simple materials and an adaptable design, this project creates a safer, more engaging environment for the residents of this low-income area.

existing condition

Site PlanScale: 1” = 30’ - 0”

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site plan

Enlarged Site SectionScale: 1/4” = 1’ - 0”

Slow Sand FilterConsists of four levels of filtration

Sand•Pea Gravel•Medium Gravel•Stone •

Mixed Media FilterConsists of six levels of filtration

Wood Chips•Medium Stones•Coarse Sand•Fine Sand•Pea Gravel•Stone•

PavingStabilized Crushed Stone Surface

Stabilized Crushed Stone •Screenings Top CourseBase Course [DOT Standard]•Compacted Subgrade•

Rain GardenConsists of four levels of filtration

Drought-tolerant species•Topsoil / Pooling Area•Detention / Filtration Zone•Retention / Recharge Zone•

Site SectionScale: 1/8” = 1’ - 0”

site section

detailed section

Enlarged Site SectionScale: 1/4” = 1’ - 0”

Slow Sand FilterConsists of four levels of filtration

Sand•Pea Gravel•Medium Gravel•Stone •

Mixed Media FilterConsists of six levels of filtration

Wood Chips•Medium Stones•Coarse Sand•Fine Sand•Pea Gravel•Stone•

PavingStabilized Crushed Stone Surface

Stabilized Crushed Stone •Screenings Top CourseBase Course [DOT Standard]•Compacted Subgrade•

Rain GardenConsists of four levels of filtration

Drought-tolerant species•Topsoil / Pooling Area•Detention / Filtration Zone•Retention / Recharge Zone•

Site SectionScale: 1/8” = 1’ - 0”

Enlarged Site SectionScale: 1” = 10’ - 0”

large scale plan

ideogram