brittany swazas | a bla portfolio

B R I T T A N YS W A Z A SBLA portfolio of selected works

THE PLANT AND THE PATIENT

Springfield, OR. | Winter 2014 | Professor Robert Melnick

Springfield’s Sacred Heart Medical Center, a facility situated adjacent to the McKenzie River,

functions as a prime location for healing, yet lacks certain elements that can stimulate the healing process.

A large open space located between the hospital and the river provides great opportunity to be transformed

into a healing garden not only for patients, but for their families as well as the medical staff.

Sacred Heart would greatly benefit from a space where patients and staff can enjoy the restorative

powers of the natural surroundings. The end result ideally creates a space that is universally accessible and

accommodating to patients while simultaneously linking peace and the power of nature together to develop

a garden that assists in the healing process.

Color plays a prominent role throughout the design. We, as humans, have different responses to

different colors, which allow a variety of experiences or emotions. With a heavily planted gathering space on

the northern edge of the site, each season will provide an exciting transformation to the room. Spring brings

pops of cheerful pink and purple hues, while summer is brimming with the powerful fragrance of lavender. As

autumn approaches, shades of golden and crimson visibly transform the space with indication that winter is

ahead. Lastly, the architecture of plants and their skeletons take the lead throughout winter.

Through a variety of spatial rooms, users can occupy the garden according to their needs. A blend

of gathering spaces and quiet and intimate areas offers flexibility for multiple needs. A patient may have

family visiting, requiring a larger amount of space, and on the contrary, a surgeon may need a moment to

decompress from a strenuous operation.

With attention to detail, color and spatial relationships, this new garden will provide a dimension to

the recovery process that medicine cannot. As stated by Nancy Gerlach-Spriggs, “Medical treatment is to

take place in a hospital; healing often occurs elsewhere.”

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A HEALING RELATIONSHIP

DE S I G N I NG F O R T H E S E N S E S

PLANTS

SIGHT

HARDSCAPEMATERIALS

WATER

WILDLIFE

WIND

During the initial design exploration, certain elements typically found in a garden, either constructed or components of nature, were categorized into the five senses. In this case, however, the fifth sense of taste was disregarded. Patterns rose to the surface when certain elements could accommodate for multiple senses. Plants, for example, can be seen for their color or texture, heard with the assistance of wind, felt with the variety of textures, and can be smelled from their aromatic qualities. Each of the four elements chosen have been integrated into the design to create a welcoming and vibrant space for all visitors

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plant colors | texturesweathering steel

riverbees pollinating

wind movement through plants

AUDITORY TOUCH SMELL

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quaking aspen leaves tremblingwheelchairs on boardwalk

water featuresbirds chirping

chime art installations

fuzzy lamb’s earrough stone walls

water featuresinsects living among plants

cool breezes

sweet lavender

fresh rain

FAR LEFTThrough a variety of iterations, spatial

formations were tested using only color massings.

LEFTChosen from the various sketches,

two schemes were selected to implement within the garden design.

The top sketch is a concept for the planting plan, a more “naturalistic”

approach, such as from the works of Piet Oudolf or Gertrude Jeykell. The

bottom conceptualizes the spatial formation and the rooms created

throughout the site. The contrast of the two schemes creates a strong

juxtaposition and keeps the user captivated.

RIGHTThe site combines opportunity for

various gathering spaces, both public and private. As the site is dissected by

the main axis, a path that connects the hospital to the river, it is framed by the serpentine planting of trees.

Not only are the occupants in the site considered, but as are the occupants

remaining inside the hospital. Directly above where this path meets the

infrastructure is the cafeteria, and with such a framed view, it provides a view out to the river that is currently

otherwise obstructed by neglected riparian vegetation. Other than rooms

for users to utilize is a serpentine boardwalk that encompasses the

site, activating movement and choices rather than providing only a

stationary experience.

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PROJECT TITLEC

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ISSUEscale

OPPORTUNITYspatial

hierarchy

human

human

intimate

intimate

gathering

gathering

current scale

current scale

LEFTVisitors take a decompressing stroll just outside of the emergency room. Angled planters reach height as they become closer to the building to create a barrier between the hospital, thus fading away the stress and anxiety that comes with an ER visit. Seeing as the ambulance drop off is just on the other side of these planters, it would significantly distract and take away from the users’ experience in the garden, however hedges, trees and shrubs create a buffer from the noise and unpleasant visuals.

heuchera ‘sugar berry’berberis thunbergii ‘atropurpurea’chaenomelesmagnolia soulangeanaerica carneaeuphorbia ‘griffithii’papaver orientalefothergilla gardeniiforsythia x intermediaprunus laurocerasusgalium odoratumhebe buxifoliathymus x citriodoruspolystichum munitum

prunus laurocerasus ‘mt. vernon’stachys byzantinapachysandra terminalispittosporum tobira ‘variegata’hosta ‘blue angel’myostis sylvaticahelictotrichon sempervirensliriope muscarisalvia officinalisiris tenaxsyringa vulgarisnepeta x faasseniiosmanthus delavayiiberis sempervirensviburnum plicatum tomentosumanemone x hybrida

spring summerheuchera ‘sugar berry’berberis thunbergii ‘atropurpurea’cotinus coggygriaechinacea purpureaeuphorbia ‘griffithii’papaver orientalerudbeckia hirtaprunus laurocerasusgalium odoratumhebe buxifoliathymus x citriodorusprunus laurocerasus ‘mt. vernon’stachys byzantinapachysandra terminalispolystichum munitum

pittosporum tobira ‘variegata’hosta ‘blue angel’myosotis sylvaticahelictotrichon sempervirensrosmarinus officanalisliriope muscarisalvia officinalisiris tenaxnepeta x faasseniisyringa vulgarislavandula angustifolia ‘hidcote’lavandula x intermedia ‘grosso’leucanthemum superbumanemone x hybrida

PLANTING PLAN

Because plants accommodate for each sense, they play crucial role in the garden, offering a vibrant experience for the user. Specifically and thoughtfully chosen are plants that will provide year-long color, emit sweet and bright scents and connect people with the power of nature through a tactile experience.

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autumnberberis thunbergii ‘atropurpurea’hydrangea quercifoliacornus stolonifera ‘kelseyi’euonymus alatusechinacea purpureapopulus tremuloidesacer palmatum ‘bonfire’fothergilla gardeniiprunus laurocerasus

galium odoratumhebe buxifoliathymus x citriodorusprunus laurocerasus ‘mt. vernon’pachysandra terminalispolystichum munitumpittosporum tobira ‘variegata’helictotrichon sempervirensliriope muscarisalvia officinalis

wintercornus stolonifera ‘kelseyi’erica carneadaphne odora ‘aureomarginata’hamamelis x intermediacorylopsis sinensisforsythia x intermediaprunus laurocerasusgalium odoratum

hebe buxifoliathymus x citriodorusprunus laurocerasus ‘mt. vernon’polystichum munitumpachysandra terminalispittosporum tobira ‘variegata’helictotrichon sempervirenssarcococca confusa

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Portland is looking for a new addition to the park system, and this

is it. Located at 9th and Glisan, and adjacent to the old post office, this site

will attract many users as it is just north of the current park blocks. With

current plans to transform the historically recognized building into the Pacific

Northwest College of Arts (PNCA), the possibilities to create a new site identity

remain endless.

Oregon and the forest go hand-in-hand. However, when one enters

a larger city such as Portland, the forest disappears. But why not blend the

two together and let the forest make an appearance within the city grid?

The proposal for this park attempts to harmoniously blend public and private

space through differentiated vegetation types found within Oregon landscape.

Not only will this park emulate a forest, but it will also act as an outdoor

museum space, displaying various sculptures made by Pacific Northwest-

based artists, with a proposed rotating agenda every few months. As school

systems are decreasing arts programs throughout the state, this provides an

opportunity for children to explore and appreciate art through a visual and

tactile experience.

Through the new proposal of the PNCA, an implementation of

vegetative types, and locally-based artists, the Pacific Northwest lights up this

currently gloomy site.

URBAN FORESTA SCULPTURE PARK FOR PORTLANDPortland, OR. | Spring 2013 | Professor Robert Melnick

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solomon’s seal

douglas firredwood sorrel

redtwig dogwood

snowberry

vine maple

western sword fern

camas

oregon white oak

maidenhair fern

prairie grasses

red floweringcurrant

LEFT1. Lee Kelly sculpture2. food carts3. switchback trails4. bike racks5. public open space

RIGHTSwitchback trails meander through the northern edge of the site, allowing a hide and reveal for artwork around each corner. Plants act as a soft backdrop to enhance the sculptures implemented throughout.

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Memory 99 LEE KELLYCorten Steel132” x 276” x 75”1ArielNANCY CLOUGHBronze7’Portland

2Contact No. 1ALISA A. LOONEYRecycled SteelPortland3Staff of LifeDENISE SIRCHIEMosaicPortland4

Quantum ManJUlIAN VOSS-ANDREAE126” x 55” x 25”Portland5

SeaHorse BEN DYEOld Oil Tanks12’ x 44” x 44”Oregon City, OR

6Kerfed Plank 6 PAUL VEXLERMahogony, Marble84” x 6” x 1”Snohomish, WA

7Cyclist ROBERT GIGLIOTTIBronze8FamiliaFRANCISCO SALGADOPainted Steel10’ x 15’ x15’Portland

9Tree Trunk TangleALISA F. ROECorten | Stainless Steel10

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As a project requirement, the sculpture “Memory 99,” produced

by artist Lee Kelly, was to remain on site. From there sprang

the concept of creating an outdoor art museum. Since

the proposed plan for the historic building adjacent would

transform into the new PNCA, art would play an already

prominent role on site. I conducted research on local artists

in the states of Oregon and Washington whose works could

possibly be implemented throughout the site, and strategically

placed each where optimal viewing could occur. As part of a

program, artists would have a rotating agenda, allowing the

opportunity for new work to be displayed throughout the year.

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Evidently, Oregon is covered with various forest types.

Selected from GIS data provided by Oregon Forest

Resources Institute, Douglas Fir and Mixed Conifer

forests have been chosen to be replicated in the park.

Because the park is divided into three segments, a

gradient of forest types occurs as one moves through

the site. Starting from the southern edge, a deciduous

forest of Oregon White Oaks blends into a mixed conifer

forest which eventually bleeds into the Douglas Fir zone.

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RIGHT Visitors of every

kind will fill this park; students of PNCA,

families with children eager to explore and

play, or even just pedestrians strolling

through the city.

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DIMENSIONA DYNAMIC EXPERIENCE OF THE DE STIJLSpringfield, OR. | Fall 2012 | Professor Irene Curullicollaboration with Eric Bechler and Moses Drygalov

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What was once a productive lumber mill in the early 1900s now is notoriously known to

the city of Springfield as Booth Kelly, a run down and derelict site that possesses great potential

to bring wealth and a sense community back into the town. As it currently stands, there lie two

structures which would be stripped down to their frames for use as the new Academy of Arts and

Academics and a native plant nursery.

The exclusive use of primary colors was a hallmark of Mondrian compositions. With that,

I chose to display color as a seasonal feature. As the seasons change, so does the color of the

vegetation witnessed by the occupants of the site. During summer, the reds and yellow hues are

almost entirely absent, However, as autumn approaches and the leaves begin to change, a flame of

color will erupt among the site.

The double allee of Himalayan Birches lining the quad of the new Academy of Arts and

Academics will glow golden in the setting sun while a simultaneous burst of red from the Red

Maples in the adjacent parking lot ignites the space. The heady mixture of such a medley of color

will bring the chromatic experience of the DeStijl style to its highest. As autumn finds its way to an

end with winter following closely behind, the bark of the Himalayan Birch trees will glow white in

the weak winter sun. As spring draws near, the experience of the De Stijl will begin to diminish and

will continue to do so through summer until the next autumn arrives and the cycle begins anew.

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FAR LEFTPlan of the new Booth Kelly. The millrace dissects the site with a newly enhanced riparian buffer providing a wildlife habitat.LEFTInitial sketches for implementing a Mondrian parti. BOTTOMSite section displaying fall colorRIGHTAs part of my group contribution, I was asked to create a well-designed parking zone complete with efficient storm water strategies.

high speedrail

plantingbuffer

parking Academy of Arts and Academics Mondrian plaza

plan n.t.s

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two-way accesstwo-way access parking spaceparking space parking space pathpedestrian crossing

pedestrian crossing

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25’ 18’ 10’ 18’ 25’ 18’ 8’ 10’

millrace riparian corridor Springfield community garden native plant nursery access road

HAND MEDIAMARKERS

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HAND MEDIAPENCIL

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CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

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collaboration with Eric Bechler

EUGENE FARMERS’ MARKETEugene, OR. | Winter 2013 | Professor Ron Lovingerand Brad Stangeland

Tech studio is a term of understanding and preparing a full set of construction documents. We were given a design which we could manipulate to our liking and from there, create a set of drawings used in construction. Working in teams of two, an eighteen page set was completed. Shown to the immediate right are three details from the set, and on the opposite page is as a completed planting plan.

Not only did this studio come with a new skill set, but with it came an understanding that this is a profession in which I will be learning something new everyday. Good designers are constantly learning and will continue to do so throughout his or her career.

INTERNSHIP WORKGO WITH THE FLOW

The Prefontaine is an apartment complex located just south of the University of Oregon’s campus on 18 and University. The project’s goal was to collect rainwater at the roof and direct it to the surrounding planters at ground level to filter before entering storm water drains.

My role as an intern was to create digital graphics for the project including a plan, an exploded axon and diagramming water flow. These were used to submit to ASLA awards and will be used to show future clientele.

Eugene, OR. | Summer 2013 | Stangeland & Associates

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plan n.t.s

projectphotos

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RIGHTDiagram of building’s water flow. Beginning from the roof garden, it is directed to the ground, flowing through a series of planters as the elevation changes, and filtering as it circulates to the end of the course and into storm water drains.

INTERNSHIP WORK

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PRIVATE RESIDENCEEugene, OR. | Summer 2013 Stangeland & A ssociates

What was once a house on a barren lot, is now a breathtaking alpine garden, located in Eugene, Oregon. The transformation inspires curiosity of passersby with its bold colors, and lush vegetation. As an intern, I produced a presentation slideshow on this already completed project, created an ASLA award board submittal and designed a new plan through digital tools. Adobe Photoshop and InDesign were the primary programs used to generate the plan seen on the opposite page. Since the project is greatly detail oriented, the plan should evoke those same qualities.

RIGHTOriginal schematic plan drawn by office staff which I then transformed into a digital rendering.

LEFTBefore and After of project

CURRENT WORK

REGISTER GUARD | MAY 18, 2014CURRENT CONDITIONS

Orchid Health is a startup health care clinic in Oakridge, Oregon, created by two entrepreneurial business majors from the University of Oregon.

I met with them to discuss options to spruce up the current conditions. Currently, the building stands as a run-down, neglected facility that has been vacant for months. However, the space has potential for a fresh look, with various schemes I created, seen below, ending with the final decision a welcoming and calm green, clean trim and some basic landscaping to soften the edges.

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CURRENT CONDITIONS

scheme 1 scheme 2

ORCHID HEALTH

scheme 3

Ultimately, we wanted the building to avoid resembling a standard health care facility,

which lead to a final decision of a deep green with crisp trim. Rather than a health

care facitily, it will now look friendly and inviting.

scheme 4

END PRODUCT

[email protected] . 803 . 4413

brittany swazas | a bla portfolio

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