Architecture, Conceptual
Design for a Future EcoDistrict
Reconnecting the Layers of Lents
Reconnecting the Layers of Lents was completed with guidance from Associate Professor Brook Muller, who led the Intermediate Design Studio at the University of Oregon.
A future EcoDistrict in Portland, Oregon.
A collaborative effort between architecture and landscape architecture students, this studio investigated improvements upon the Portland Sustainability Institute’s EcoDistrict pilot program, now known as simply, EcoDistricts. Of the five pilot districts, the Lents District, in Portland’s southeast corner, was selected for study because it presents particular challenges to the development of an EcoDistrict: its proximity to Interstate 205, its high poverty rate, and the flood risk associated with Johnson Creek.
Context Plan
The Lents District, in Portland’s southeast corner, was selected for study because it presents particular challenges to the development of an EcoDistricts: its proximity to Interstate 205, its high poverty rate, and the flood risk associated with Johnson Creek.
What is an EcoDistrict? And, why might they be a good idea?
The theory behind EcoDistricts is that by aggregating resource flows, large-scale changes can be implemented that benefit not only human habitats, but also those of animals and larger ecological systems. Where EcoDistricts have fallen short has been in the realization of creative and considerate design.
Site Section
Flood management and water treatment are approached through infrastructure improvements and a large, constructed wetland park on the south end of the site.
Phasing Years 1-5: Green Infrastructure & Adaptive Reuse
Interventions Include: bioswale-embedded parking, ecological remediation, flood mitigation through constructed wetlands, and targeted adaptive reuse.
Phasing Years 1-5: Green Infrastructure & Adaptive Reuse
Interventions Include: bioswale-embedded parking, ecological remediation, flood mitigation through constructed wetlands, and targeted adaptive reuse.
Phasing Years 3-15: Arboreal Additions & New Construction
Interventions Include: targeted new construction, “living street” to slow traffic, increased habitat corridor, and native tree planting.
Phasing Years 3-15: Arboreal Additions & New Construction
Interventions Include: targeted new construction, “living street” to slow traffic, increased habitat corridor, and native tree planting.
Phasing Years 10+ : Long-Term Residential Density
Interventions Include: urban and springwater node development, preservation of legacy trees and existing building stock, selective action to support the master plan.
Phasing Years 10+ : Long-Term Residential Density
Interventions Include: urban and springwater node development, preservation of legacy trees and existing building stock, selective action to support the master plan.
Phased implementation to benefit the site.
A great deal of attention was paid to the proper phasing of the implementation of design strategies that benefit the site economically, socially, and ecologically.
Site Plan with Site Section
The final proposal includes the formation of a town square at the north end of the site, community-supported agriculture alongside increased housing density at the heart of the site, and the adaptive reuse of an industrial site, and a constructed wetland park at the site’s southern end.
Production process for the team.
With design work complete, a cohesive final presentation was produced by matching each team-member with tasks that suited his or her particular talents. Diana Molina hand-sketched and illustrated all the landscaping, which would later be scanned. Charles Deese built the Revit model, and exported plans, sections, and elevations. And, Blake did all the post-processing, graphic design, and layout to meld the elements into one, large-format presentation poster.
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