Deanna LuB.S. in Landscape Architecturedeannalu92@gmail.com732.599.0889 www.linkedin.com/in/deannalu92in

Storytelling through the LandscapeSalt River Bay, St. Croix (Spring 2013)

Rising to the Challenge: Levels of LivingUnion Beach, NJ (Fall 2013)

Additional Works3D Renderings

Résumé(2015)

Jardin de Esperanza Children’s GardenGardening the Garden State (Summer 2013)

Imaginary: Relaxed SpeedBerlin, Germany (Summer 2014)

Red Oak Lane Bus ShelterMaterial Tectonics (Spring 2014)

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STORYTELLING THROUGH THE LANDSCAPESalt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve

St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands | Spring 2013

Storytelling is an effective tradition used to con-vey ideas. Creative narrative is a form of delivery people are more inclined to spend time listening and understanding, and a thought is expressed successfully when an individual is able to remove him or herself from the present and become part of the tale. Because communication is a two way process, storytelling becomes a powerful tool that can facilitate conversation, the beginning step that can lead to mutual understanding. Though this method is most effective through human in-teraction, stimulating the senses and tapping into the imagination through interactive media is the best way to replicate the experience.

https://vimeo.com/105509019Scan the QR code or visit the link to watch the video of this project!

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1. Food Garden2. Experiential Trail - Hill/Kinetic Sculpture

3. Reforestation4. Overflow Parking

5. Parking6. Existing House

7. Experiential Trail - Enclosure8. Batey

9. Fort Sale10. Marina

11. Bioluminescence Boat Launch

1. Food Garden2. Experiential Trail - Hill/Kinetic Sculpture

3. Experiential Trail - Enclosure4. Batey

5. Fort Sale

Myth: YachuSense: Smell, Taste

Myth: GuabancexSense: Sound

Myth: Macocael, TonasSense: Sight Myth: Deminan Caracaracol, Bayamanaco

Sense: Sound

Myth: Guabancex, othersSense: Sight, Touch

This design aims to persuade the individual to think about the island and its history, a sensitive topic that is not normally discussed. Questioning the past of the island can lead to the question of self identity, a subject the residents of St. Croix struggle with. Once a person begins to think critically in response to the site, the storytelling technique has begun the two way discussion process.

1. Myth: Yachu (Agriculture) | Sense: Smell, Taste

3. Myth: Macocael (Protection) | Sense: Sight

2. Myth: Guabancex (Wind) | Sense: Sound

4. Myth: Tonas (Children) | Sense: Sight

“The Tainos pleaded to Yucahu Bagua Maorocoti, he who caused the crops to sprout, to grow, to flower, and bear fruit to save them from their roaring stomachs…”

“Late in returning to his night watch post beside the door of Cacibajagua, the sun caught Macocael and rematerialized him at his post. However, this time, he turned to stone…”

“Its weeping was mixed with heartrending shouts of “tona”, “tona”. Nothing could make their fathers console them, and they took the figure of frogs, since then denominated as Tona.”

“With her flanking forces, Guatauba who musters blus-tery winds and thunderous rainstorms and Coatrisquie who swells the rivers to flood, the hurricane goddess Guabancex wreaks havoc on the Antilles…”

5. Myth: Deminan Caracaracol (Water) | Sense: Sound

5. Myth: Deminan Caracaracol (Water) | Sense: Sound

7. Myth: Bayamanaco (Fire) | Sense: Sight

6. Myth: Guabancex (Wind), others | Sense: Various

“Putting his hand to his nose, Bayamanaco blew a wad of cohoba infused mucus at Deminan, a hallucinogen behiques used to alter their minds and thereby course through the spirit world.”

“Deminan Caracaracol was careless, and the vessel came crashing to the floor, its watery contents pouring endlessly onto the world. It was so that the ocean came to be…”

“Yuchau told Guabauex to cease, but the wind goddess continued to howl in rage…”

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE: LEVELS OF LIVINGHousing and Open Space Studio | Living with Water

Contributors: Joshua Mieloch, Sara Yildirim | Union Beach, NJ | Fall 2013

Union Beach was one of many towns detrimentally effected by Hurricane Sandy. Many homes were de-stroyed, and others were heavily damaged. Regard-less of the devastation, many people refused to re-locate and were determined to stay in the town they loved. The citizens came together and began rebuild-ing their homes and shops, forming a strong com-munity bond vital to the resiliency of Union Beach. The fall 2013 senior studio worked closely with the residents of Union Beach and various specialists to develop various long term strategies for the town. The objective was to balance the need for security from future storms and to create accessible open space while keeping in mind the quality of life of the locals and business owners.

Photo credit: Sara Yildirim

Circulation does not accomodate pedestrian and cyclist use and there is

minimal public transportation.1. Pedestrian cyclist friendly

2. Public transportation

Housing does not safely accomodate residents.

1. Housing typology2. Respect recent investments

Site lacks communal open space.1. Size of space

2. Proximity to neighborhoods

Lack of adequate parking for residents and visitors.

1. Accessibility to home2. Respect recent investments

3. Parking size

Lack of protection from rising sea levels and storm events.

1. Proximity to water2. Size/area

Vegetation is fragmented and in poor condition - not suited for region and

climate.1. Integration to neighborhoods

2. Planting mass3. Connect vegetation

CIRCULATION

Existing:Does not accomodate pedestrian and cyclist use and there is minimal public transportation

Desirables: 1. Pedestrian cyclist friendly2. Public transportation

HOUSING

Existing:Does not safely accomo-date residents

Desirables: 1. Housing typology2. Respect recent invest-ments

OPEN SPACE

Existing:Lacks communal open space

Desirables: 1. Size of space2. Proximity to neighbor-hoods

PARKING

Existing:Lack of adequate parking for residents and visitors

Desirables: 1. Accessibility to home2. Respect recent invest-ments3. Parking size

FLOODING

Existing:Lack of protection from rising sea levels and storm events

Desirables: 1. Proximity to water2. Size/area

VEGETATION

Existing:Fragmented and in poor condition - not suited for region and climate

Desirables: 1. Integration to neighbor-hoods2. Planting mass3. Connected vegetation

MORPHOLOGICAL BOX

The morphological box was used to help each group brainstorm different scenarios. By mapping out the ex-isting conditions and sketching out every possible solution on trace paper, various design solutions could be expressed by overlapping desirable characteristics, forming multiple conceptual plans.

400’0’ 800’ 1600’Feet

2050 4’ Sea Level Rise

2100 6’ Sea Level Rise

According to NOAA calculations, there will be a 4 foot sea level rise in 2050 and a 6 foot sea level rise in 2100. According to the special flood hazard information predicted by the NJfloodmapper.org tool produced in collaboration with CRSSA, JCNEER, and NOAA CSC, most of Union Beach will be flooded in 2100. Though these numbers are based on the worst case scenario, the se-nior studio based all designs on the highest water level predictions in order to explore new innovative ideas.

Plan 2

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200’

400’Feet

0’ 20’ 40’ 80’Feet

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Always Dry

Susceptible to Inundation

Section A-A: House

Section B-B: Recreational Space

(2050) 4’ SLR

(2050) 4’ SLR

Sea Level Rise

High TideFlooding

(2050) 9.5’ High Tide

(2050) 9.5’ High Tide

Private Home

Private Porch

Public Walkway

Public Greenway

Public Garden

Public Floodable PlaygroundPublic Garden

Perspective A-A: House Perspective C-C: Floodable Playground

IMAGINARY : RELAXED SPEEDGesundbrunnen Station | Berlin, Germany

Contributors: Samantha Saydak, Carolin Gallacher| Summer 2013

In the summer of 2013, 13 Rutgers undergraduates had the opportunity to study abroad in Germany for 5 weeks. This design workshop focused on the space located between Gesundrunnen station, Gesundrun-nen Center, and Mauerpark. Currently an empty, 1500 square feet concrete lot, this desolate space is unat-tractive, underutilized, and extremely hot due to the lack of vegetation.

Splitting into groups of three, the class spent a week with landscape architecture students from the Techni-cal University of Berlin designing a plaza space that would transform the concrete lot into an enjoyable gathering place.

PROCESS

APATHY (Deanna Lu)

Unmaintained, underutilized, and lacking shade, some areas felt uncomfortable and unwelcoming. Erratic lines and sloppy shapes were used to describe the lack of interest in specific areas and the feeling of frustra-tion due to heat.

Each group spent a day walking around the project site, documenting significant physi-cal, social, and abstract phenomena that shaped the experience. From the site visit, each group chose three words describing the walk and drew the spatial characteristic in an abstract form. These abstractions were then transformed into a long section, merg-ing the sense of time and the experience into one. From these sections, each student found shapes and lines that could be used in a diagram by tracing over the section and over-lapping shapes and forms. These diagrams eventually became the basis for the plan, transforming the complex experience into an organized design.

LABYRINTH (Samantha Saydak)

In contrast, some areas were lush with vegetation and far away from pedestrian and vehicular traffic, creating a peaceful atmosphere. Smooth curves and continuous lines mixed with cool colors mimicked the feeling of tranquility found in these hidden spaces.

COMMUNITY/STRUCTURE (Carolin Gallacher)

Throughout the walk, there were signs of community, either it be in small parks or from decorating the base of a sidewalk tree. Warm colors were used to represent the feeling of human connection, and straight edges were used to describe the structure found within a community.

Textured paving is set perpendicular between the Gesundbrunnen Center and town, drawing people to and from the mall and city. In contrast, these lines become parallel to the station, creating a “slowing down” effect as pedestrians enter the plaza from the train. Planters run parallel to the center and act like speed bumps, directing the flow of traffic and allowing people to meander through the space. Shaded gath-ering areas with benches are found throughout the space and are slightly raised to give a sense of hierar-chy. The edges of the space are left unblocked, provid-ing direct access from one area to another if people do not wish to traverse within the plaza.

Gathering Area

TRAIN TRACKS

GESUNDBRUNNEN STATIONGE

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Textured Paving

Planting Beds

Photo Credit: Wolfram Hoefer

RED OAK LANE BUS SHELTERRutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Material Tectonics | Spring 2014

Fostering collaboration and innovation, students explored material properties through design-based research and fabrication. The class designed and built a new bus shelter prototype using donated, recycled, or reclaimed materials and integrated Arduino sen-sors to monitor runoff. The shelter was displayed dur-ing Rutgers Day and was then relocated to the New Brunswick Community Garden.

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GENEROUSLY DONATED BY: R U T G E R S C O O P E R A T I V E

E X T E N S I O N W A T E R R E S O U R C E S P R O G R A M !

REPURPOSED 55 GALLON BARREL, ORIGINALLY USED FOR PICKLING VEGETABLES

RECLAIMED FLOORBOARDS

ABANDONED AGRICULTURE EXPERIMENT LABORATORY

FALLEN SHOOTS FROM THE BAMBOO FOREST

CORREGATED ALUMINUM

GENEROUSLY DONATED BY:C R E A T I V E B U I L D I N G S U P P L Y !

ONE MAN’S TRASH, ANOTHER MAN’S FABRICATION: MATERIALS DIAGRAM

FALLEN SHOOTS FROM THE BAMBOO FOREST

GENEROUSLY DONATED BY:RUTGERS COOPERATIVE

EXTENSION WATERRESOURCES PROGRAM!

GENEROUSLY DONATED BY:CREATIVE BUILDING SUPPLY!

REPURPOSED 55 GALLONBARREL, ORIGINALLY USEDFOR PICKING VEGETABLES

ABANDONED AGRICULTUREEXPERIMENT LABORATORY

RECLAIMED FLOORBOARDS

CORREGATED ALUMINUM

SENSOR BOX

SOIL SENSORS

PLANTINGBED

BAMBOO

CORREGATED ALUMINUM

PING SENSOR

ELECTRIC VALVE

LED PANEL

INSTRUCTOR: Kate Higgans

STUDENTS:Andrew Blackburn

Rebecca CookMarlon Davis

Alexandra DuroGwen Heerschap

Deanna LuJoshua MielockJustin Morgan

Areli PerezJack Peters

Samantha SaydakMichael Ticker

Crystal VegaAlyssa Viani

Sara Yildirim

Class Collaboration:

IMAGE CREDIT:

D, H, Materials Diagram

B, C, E, I, L, M, N, O

JAG, KCover

F, P

3D Rhino Images

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JARDIN DE ESPERANZA CHILDREN’S GARDENGardening the Garden State | New Brunswick, NJ

Contributors: Krissy Kopia, Chantae Moore, Hanife Vardi Topal | Summer 2013

Photo Credit: Chantate Moore

Gardening the Garden State is a research project focusing on the social and spatial qualities found in New Jersey’s community gardens and urban agriculture. Led by Laura Lawson and Luke Drake, four interns collaborated with the community gardeners to help create a more inviting space and to improve the existing children’s garden.

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1. Children’s Garden2. Vegetated Border

3. Green Space4. Farmers Market

5. Loading/Unloading Area6. Greenhouse7. Picnic Area

8. Community Garden - Public Plots9. Community Garden - Individual Plots

With a large, empty lawn and a recessed pavilion for the farmers market, the space felt uninviting and intimidating. The children’s garden located near the garden plots was enthusiastically used by children, but was also underdeveloped. Working as a team, all four interns collaborated together with the gardeners to create an overall concept. Breaking into individual designs, each intern then focused on one of three areas: improving the children’s garden, expanding the garden plots, and designing a welcoming entrance.

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1. Grass Teepee2. Visual Room3. Heights Room

INSPIRATIONAL PHOTOS FOR CHILDREN’S GARDEN

Grass Structures Visual Room

Sound Room Entrance Path Borders

Heights Room

4. Grass Tunnel5. Sound Room6. Touch Room

7. Smell Room

Photo Credit: Chantate Moore Photo Credit: Luke Drake

Photo Credit: Chantate MoorePhoto Credit: Chantate Moore

ADDITIONAL WORKSThree-dimensional Renderings

As a modeling exercise, students were asked to recreate their bedroom using Rhino 3D. The Flamingo plug-in was used to add texture to the materials.

The front of Blake Hall is a special space for the land-scape architecture students at Rutgers University. Using Rhino 3D and Photoshop, students were asked to rede-sign the entrance to be more user friendly.

Top photo: Rhino 3DBottom photo: Rhino 3D + Photoshop

Using AutoCAD, students designed and modeled a chair to submit to the “Draw Up a Chair” competition hosted by The Battery Park Conservancy.

Top photo: AutoCAD sectionsMiddle photos: AutoCAD 3DBottom photo: AutoCAD 3D + Photoshop

Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyBachelors of Science in Landscape Architecture, May 2014

EDUCATION |

Gardening the Garden State | Student Intern | Summer 2013Analyzed and evaluated existing site conditions Interviewed gardeners to discuss improvements needed Contributed in planting bed and bench construction and implementation to help improve social interaction within the community gardenCollaborated with the community to design a children’s garden

James Rose Center for Landscape Architectural Research and Design | Student Intern | Summer 2012

Responsible for the maintenance, rehabilitation, and preservation of the propertyEducated the public about James Rose, coordinate facilities, and planned organized tours with limited manager oversightWent through documents and sorted in an organized manner, increased efficiency of the retrieval of information, and collected and organized all correspondences of James Rose and attempted to extrapolate a time line for historical research purposes

EXPERIENCE |

ASLA MemberSigma Lambda Alpha Honor Society – Upsilon Chapter

ORGANIZATIONS |

SKILLS | Languages |

Digital |

EnglishMandarin

AutoCAD 2D/3DRhinoceros 5.0Microsoft OfficeArcGIS

Physical | Hand Drawing/RenderingDraftingModel buildingConstruction documentation

AWARDS | NJASLA Student Chapter Award (2015)NJASLA Student Honor Award (2014)ANJEC Honorable Mention (2012)

DEANNALUdeannalu92@gmail.com

(732) 599-0889

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