Presidio Fort Scott Creek + Historic Garden
Design + Ecology In Practice ©2008
Presidio Fort Scott Creek + Historic Garden
©2008
Design + Ecology In Practice
Presidio Fort Scott Creek + Historic Garden
Produced by EDAW New York Office
Foreword On behalf of the Presidio Trust, I would like to express our gratitude for EDAW's excellent work on the Fort Scott Creek & Historic Gardens project. We were thrilled to have the Presidio selected as the focus of EDAW's "fusion" initiative for this year, and our expectations for both the design process and end product were more than exceeded. As managers of an incredibly complex landscape, we are continually challenged to strike a balance between competing demands -- from ensuring that the park's environmental and historic treasures endure to providing memorable opportunities for the public experience [of] the Presidio. It was refreshing to have such a talented and dedicated team come to the park and help us creatively explore new opportunities to balance and achieve these various mandates. It was a rigorous week, and we were all very impressed by the process and the outcome. In particular, I want to acknowledge the exceptional team that EDAW sent to the Presidio including Alma Du Solier, Alex Felson, Leo Edson, Debra Bishop, and Dawn Cunningham. They were an extremely dedicated and talented group of professionals. We very much enjoyed working [with] them and I continue to receive positive feedback from the many people who engaged with them over the course of the week. We deeply appreciate the contribution EDAW made in helping progress plans for the Presidio's future, and we look forward to working with your talented staff again. Sincerely, Micheal Boland Director of Planning and Park Projects Presidio Trust
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Acknowledgements Workshop -
Analysis and Book Production -
Analysis and Book Production -
The Team would like to express their
EDAW Multiple Office Participation
New York Office
Other Offices
appreciation to the Presidio Trust for the
Preparation and implementation of the
An interdisciplinary team in the EDAW
Fran Hegeler (Development Manager)
opportunity to work together to explore
workshop held at the Presidio occurred
New York office completed the post-
provided critical support and ongoing
the integration of ecology and design.
through a multi-office collaboration with
workshop analysis and book production.
funding for the production. We wish to
We are especially grateful to Michael
the Ecology and Design team including:
Alex Felson led the overall effort and
thank the C + P Initiative within EDAW
Boland (Chief of Planning and Design
Alex Felson (ecologist and landscape
content development, working alongside
for selecting our proposal and funding
at the Presidio Trust) and Allison Stone
architect, EDAW New York); Alma Du
environmental planner Brian Goldberg
this project. Other contributors to
(senior environmental planner at Presidio
Solier (landscape architect, EDAW San
with contributions from Renee Kaufman
the post-workshop analysis and book
Trust) as well as all of the workshop
Francisco); Leo Edson (wildlife biologist,
(designer). Anthony Blanco (graphic
production included Leo Edson, Alma du
participants. The time dedicated by the
EDAW Sacramento); Debra Bishop
designer), led the book layout and graphic
Solier, Debra Bishop, Curtis Alling, and
Presidio Trust staff was critical in helping
(environmental planning and restoration
design along with designers Hye Young
Liz Batchelder.
us understand the value of the existing
ecologist, EDAW Sacramento); and
Choi, Sean Cheng, Tim Terway, and Jaman
resources and the complexity of the
Dawn Cunningham (ecologist, EDAW
Pablo. Caitrin Higgins (designer) and
project site.
Sacramento). Other participants included:
Aaron Menkin (economic analyst) provided
Paul Tuttle, Aki Omi, Michelle Dubin, Curtis
additional research support.
Thanks to the Presidio Trust
Alling, David Blau, Steven Hanson, Chris Fitzer, David Lloyd, and Dixi Carillo.
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Table of Contents Introduction 1. Client + Practice Initiative: Design and Ecology p.12-p.27 Setting up the Client + Practice Initiative with the Presidio Benefits and Possible Outcomes of a Design + Ecology Practice Initiative Integrating Design and Ecology Contrasts between the Ecological Science and Design Professions Integrated Ecology and Design Approach: Opportunities for Fusion
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2.
3.
The Presidio: A Case Study in Integrating Ecology and Design
Finding a Middle Ground: Discoveries and Broader Implications from the Presidio Workshop
p.28-p.75
p.76-p.108
Presidio as a Pilot Study for Ecology and Design
Constructing a Middle Ground
Understanding the Presidio at Multiple Scales
Alternative Scenarios: Determining a Happy Medium
Interpreting the Presidio Trust Mission
Alternative Scenarios: Access: Wildlife Habitat and Public Use
Timeline Illustrating Evolving Land Use
Taking Advantage of the Multi-layered Park to Overlap Program and Activities
Existing Conditions: Community Gardens – Applying Historical Methods to Secure New Land Uses
Alternative Scenarios: Public Access
Existing Conditions: Restoration Ecology – Providing a Way to Align Stakeholders
Alternative Scenarios: Habitat Fragmentation/Wildlife Viewing
Existing Conditions: Historic Forest – an Ecological and Cultural Conundrum
Alternative Scenarios: Riparian Corridor
EDAW-Presidio Trust Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Alternative Scenarios: Ecological Restoration
Understanding the Stakeholders
Rendered Conceptual Plan
Day by Day Schedule
Rendered Conceptual Section
Day by Day Overview
Conclusion: Facilitating Collaboration between Designers and Ecologists
Lessons Learned: Site Visit Lessons Learned: Stakeholder Dialogue Lessons Learned: Design Charrette Lessons Learned: Design Process Lessons Learned: Presentation Insights into Setting Up the Workshop
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Introduction In November 2006, a week-long workshop focusing on both ecology and landscape design was conducted at the Presidio of San Francisco. The goal of the workshop was to develop conceptual design plans for the Fort Scott Creek + Historic Gardens project that would bridge the divide between ecology and design, and identify applied techniques for this approach in the future. We started with the assumption that designers and ecologists working together could produce better design solutions than those resulting from more independent work patterns. We discovered that our underlying disciplinary assumptions, the tendency to rely on what we do best, and limited opportunities for ecologists to participate in the design process, all create challenges for fusion among disciplines. At the conclusion of the workshop, the team was able to identify moments of successful integration as well as missed opportunities for collaboration and develop a diagram depicting the dynamic. This book presents findings about ways to facilitate interdisciplinary design and ecology work, describes the workshop collaboration and outcomes, and analyzes the process of designers and ecologists working together.
Key Questions What takes precedence in a historic national park: ecosystem function or historic preservation? Can public use and recreation be integrated with both habitat enhancement and controlled visitation? What is more valuable in an urban park setting: public access to water or riparian wildlife habitat preservation and enhancement? How can one ensure that opposing stakeholders reach a winning consensus rather than everyone feeling that they have given up too much?
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BRIDGING CONCEPTS
1. Client + Practice Initiative: Design + Ecology
DESIGN
ECOLOGY ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT SUSTAINABILITY
LONG TERM PLANNING
WILDLIFE CORRIDORS LAND USE
REAL ESTATE
LEGACY HISTORY NATIVE COMMUNITY NICHES EDAW’s Client + Practice Initiative on Design and Ecology focused on building a dialogue between practitioners of different disciplines within the firm. After extensive
HISTORIC FEATURE
BIODIVERSITY
GARDEN
PERCEIVED NATURE
SCENERY
ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION
discussions on how ecology and design might be integrated (Fig. 1-1), the team sought either a client or a project that provided the right blend of circumstances to apply an integrative design approach. The team found this blend with the Presidio.
PHENOLOGY/SUCCESSION
DISTURBANCE
TEMPORALITY
SEASONALITY
PUBLIC USE
RECREATION
OPERATIONS
MAINTENANCE
SUCCESSION
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES METRICS
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
AESTHETIC
FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
ECOSYSTEM FUNCTION
GEOLOGY NATURAL HISTORY
SITE FEATURES
HETEROGENEITY
MULTI USE
PATCH DYNAMICS Figure 1-1 12
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Setting up the Client + Practice Initiative with the Presidio In the summer of 2006, two landscape
With the goal of exploring the dilemmas
architects, a wildlife biologist, and a
and opportunities of interdisciplinary
restoration ecologist from EDAW teamed
design, the team participated in a
together to form an initiative exploring
one-week site-based visionary and
the fusion of ecology and design. The
consensus-building workshop for the
EDAW team approached the Presidio Trust
Fort Scott Creek + Historic Gardens.
in search of a pilot project for the firm’s
Collaborating with the Presidio Trust,
Ecology and Design Initiative. EDAW has
EDAW sought to achieve a balance
viewed the fusion of ecology and design
between enhancing public uses
as a fundamental aspect of its work for
and conserving the park’s valuable
decades. This funded effort emerged from
environmental and historic resources.
SUN
MON Kick off Discussion Informal Site Visit Landuse Analysis
TUE Stakeholders Meeting Define Opportunities + Constraints
WED Design/Ecology Charrette
THU Visioning Discussion
FRI Final Presentation Collect Feedback
conversations between EDAW ecologists and designers seeking to elevate ecological
This partnership with the Presidio Trust
design to a higher level throughout the
enabled EDAW to explore the intricacies
firm – a level where meaningful ecological
of stakeholder differences and site
function and value is incorporated into the
constraints. Applying ecological and
design on multiple projects.
design lenses to the Presidio, the EDAW
Key Initial Discussions Ecology/Design
Scales of Thinking Discussions
team exposed a number of key challenges The Presidio Trust’s commitment to
in the integration of these two disciplines,
achieving a balance between the park’s
and facilitated a process of exploration for
environmental and historic treasures, and
resolving these conflicts.
OVERVIEW ECOLOGY/DESIGN
SCALE
Discussions Eco-restoration: To what point in time? Naturalistic?
RESTORATION
Discussions Ecological Vision and Design Vision Overlaps and Conflicts
SITE / VISION
How should ecologists contribute?
DESIGN PROCESS
Lessons Learned
SYNTHESIS
its past success in completing projects that incorporate meaningful restoration ecology
A key goal on our part was to facilitate
with public use and design elements. This
communication and idea exchange
bridging of ecology and design indicated
through planned discussions and
a natural fit for the initiative’s pilot project.
informal interactions such as site walks.
For the focus of the workshop, Presidio
We organized the week's schedule to
Trust staff proposed the Fort Scott Creek +
foster a continual dialogue between
Historic Gardens site. The site is slated to
the designers and ecologists (Fig. 1-2,
become a future “Center of Engagement”
Weekly Plan Chart).
focused on sustainability.
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DESIGNER
ECOLOGIST
Figure 1-2
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Benefits and Possible Outcomes of a Design + Ecology Practice Initiative EDAW’s Client + Practice Initiative
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Develop a proposal that responds
on Design and Ecology provided an
best to the many stakeholders, site
opportunity for employees to work
constraints, and client demands
towards excellence through innovation, creativity and collaboration across
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Produce a case study exploring
disciplines. The EDAW C+P Initiative
fusion of ecology and design into
identified the following as goals of the
a specialized niche that positions
increased integration of the design and
EDAW as a leader in providing
ecology practices at EDAW.
integrated services
1
Initiate an interdisciplinary team
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Initiate relationships with the
effort to cross-fertilize design with
Presidio Trust to develop the
ecology and lead to integrated
proposal as a built project
and comprehensive landbased solutions
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Add value to landscape solutions such that the whole inter-disciplinary
2
Create a forum for discovering
collaboration is greater than the sum
obstacles and opportunities
of the individual efforts
for facilitating interdisciplinary communication
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Further refine our understanding and application of sustainability on
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large park projects
Flag moments where fusion could occur
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Learn about the Presidio's land
Meld science and design to develop
use history and current land
solutions that are educational and
management practices
reintegrate ecological processes into urbanized parkland
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Integrating Design and Ecology primarily on plant, animal, water and
investigating cities face the difficult task
our ability to apply these insights to public
urban designs, green building, and
nutrient flows occurring in urban
of incorporating the physical, cultural,
policy and land management.”
green infrastructure requires a deeper
settings, while avoiding the challenge
economic, and political urban terrain
(Grimm et al., 2000).
ecological understanding of urban
of translating political, cultural, social
environments. While ecologists currently
and economic actions into ecological
contribute to the design and construction
terms. People and the city are viewed in
of cities as consultants on design teams, urban ecology remains a fledgling field
The increasing demand for sustainable
N H
requires not only grappling with a number
The ambiguity of "ecology" as it occurs
of variables never before dealt with in
in human-populated environments, and
these cases as external forces affecting
ecological research, but also developing a
the lack of terminology or ecological data
biological conditions.
position on what urban ecology includes
describing the ecology of buildings, urban
with weak theoretical underpinnings and
and excludes, and understanding to what
space, and other human constructed
a limited shared vocabulary.
degree human patterns are ecological
landscapes thwarts efforts to bridge
(see Fig. 1-3, Human-Nature Diagrams).
disciplines. To help define this fusion
Ecology of cities takes a more holistic view of human society and its interface
N
H
zone, a new vocabulary along with a
Most ecologists today avoid human-
with biological processes, looking at the
dominated environments, focusing
ecological implications of socio-cultural,
Fundamental conceptual questions
series of metrics based on viable empirical
instead on sites that are not primarily for
political, and economic urban patterns.
remain. Should humans be thought
data needs to be developed. Presently,
human use. Ecologists are happy if they
Various methods used to measure inputs
of (like other biological organisms)
the lack of definition or documentation
understand a system, while designers
and outputs of a city include system
as ecological factors? If so, can we
of the new ecological conditions created
aim to invent something new. When
metabolism at a variety of scales:
consider our manufactured systems
in urban environments make it difficult
(such as HVAC or zoning) ecological?
for designers to absorb ecological
What weight or value should human
understanding into the design process.
ecologists do get involved in design,
building, neighborhood, watershed, city,
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H
such as through restoration ecology,
or region. Urban ecology also examines
they typically employ a naturalistic design
the spatial distribution of these scales and
and biological influences that shape
aesthetic and work toward hiding any
the circulation of people and materials
urban spaces be given (see fig 1-4
In order to access a greater range of
evidence of the human hand. This
(Spirn 1984).
-- Mapping Urban Ecology)? Can natural
ecological approaches, designers need
areas remain functional as healthy
to go beyond environmentalism and
ecosystems while also allowing
prescriptive design techniques, and take
human uses?
greater advantage of ecological science.
“Without understanding interactions
While green design is becoming
contrasts with the goal of designers, who often want to make a project visible.
Unraveling the ecology of urban
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environments and translating people
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into their research and analysis. This
One key issue to address in defining
and culture into ecological terms may
urban ecology is what role people,
not be so easy. Unlike more natural
technology, and the political and socio-
environments, cities are the result of
and feedbacks between human and
increasingly important to government
economic aspects of human society play.
human design rather than the product
ecological systems, our view of
agencies, clients, investors, developers, and
Most existing quantitative research
of millions of years of evolutionary and
ecosystem dynamics both at local and
designers, all parties are still working with
investigates ecology in cities, focusing
biogeographic processes. Ecologists
global scales will be limited – as will be
limited knowledge of what actions will
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Figure1-3 Human-Nature Diagrams
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lead to sustainable development. Once
new frontier, not least because current
implemented, questions still remain on
theories that define cities and human
how to maintain and operate the systems
activities in ecological terms are relatively
to provide prolonged sustainability.
rare. Today, ecologists and designers
Ecologists also lack extensive, rigorously
have an opportunity to bridge the gap
tested research about the function
between ecological analysis and urban
of urban ecosystems -- including
design to reorient society towards a more
dense urban, suburban, exurban, and
sustainable future.
brownfield sites. Often, in the absence of sufficient information, designers must
Incorporating ecological research
make educated guesses. Given the
components into urban development is
uncertainty and difficulty of predicting
a crucial part of advancing sustainability.
future outcomes of different strategies,
Not only will it provide opportunities for
developing effective sustainable practices
a growing population of ecologists to
requires testing and monitoring to ensure
establish research sites.
accurate information about the success of systems being implemented. More
A key goal to this fusion effort is to
rigorous and long-term research of urban
develop enduring solutions. These
ecological processes and patterns is
vibrant and long-lasting designs could be
necessary to evaluate the ecological
evaluated for performance and adapted
impacts of the various developments
overtime for efficiency.
occurring in managed sites. Ecologists have the potential to make significant contributions to urban design practices. They have already been contributing to the design and construction of cities through their roles as consultants (applied or restoration ecologists and ecological engineers) on design teams. Still, addressing urban ecology remains a
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Figure1-4 Mapping Urban Ecology
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Contrasts between the Ecological Science and Design Professions While there is growing interest in
ecosystem processes as well as of the
bridging the gap between practices
physical, cultural, economic, political, and
to facilitate green design and urban
ecological complexities of urban systems.
ecology, designers and ecologists differ
Fig. 1-4 conceptually illustrates how high
in significant ways that could slow the
design and rigorous science might overlap
process. Designers and ecologists rely
to provide a fusion zone. Integration
on different skill sets, approaches, and
of these approaches requires a candid
techniques to explore and comprehend
dialogue where differences are exposed
complex sites. These differences lead to
and goals are revealed at the start.
a lack of dialogue or to communication
Collaboration and commitment to dialogue
breakdowns. While designers direct a
are essential. The fusion zone represents
creative energy towards realizing human
synergy, wherein all parties participate and
experiences of a landscape, ecologists
are prepared to discuss concerns or ideas
typically use a quantitative process for
freely at any point.
understanding specific environmental processes and patterns (Fig. 1-5).
Recognizing the need for an understanding of how to facilitate design and ecology
Despite the unique paradigms of these
collaboration, EDAW’s Client + Practice
two distinct professions, today’s land-
Initiative has provided support for a
based challenges require integrated
multidisciplinary group to team with a
approaches and inputs to solve complex
client and explore novel situations. The
problems. Solutions need to arise not
Presidio Trust’s need for consensus-
only from an overlapping of disciplines,
building among stakeholders provided
but from a consistently integrated
a perfect partnership opportunity for
dialogue between ecologists and
exploring how the synergy of design and
designers. This broadening scope of
ecology could help overcome obstacles to
opportunities demands new approaches
achieving interdisciplinary solutions.
Ecologists have traditionally avoided
Designers modify the environment to
human-inhabited environments.
cater to human needs.
and input provided by interdisciplinary teams. In particular, the study of urban areas and other human-modified landscapes requires knowledge of
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Figure 1-5
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Applied Ecologists’ Approach Process Grounded in Scientific Method: As a science-based practice, ecologists attempt to adhere to a more objective approach, combining statistics, math, and computer modeling with biology, natural history, Designers
Ecologist
experimental research, and observation. Scale Individuals to Population or System: From micro-organisms to populations,
Environmentalism
communities, and landscapes, ecologists work at a broad range of scales in seeking to understand ecological dynamics. Scales are in part determined by where
Ecology
ecologists can identify and interpret boundaries. The ecologist’s scale of work has traditionally been limited to the extent of the system or population studied. In
Scientific Objective
addition, ecologists are often financially constrained or limited by the logistics of setting up large-scale experiments. Product Findings/Conclusions: The output of the scientific method is findings or conclusions which negate or support a hypothesis based on the initial research question. Researchers’ conclusions are generally
Figure 1-6A 24
stated to specifically answer the question
and address the hypothesis. Interpretation
and environmental scientists are generally
designers work. A large project for a
and applicability of these findings to other
interested in maintaining ecosystem
landscape architect may a large-scale project
scenarios requires scientists to step outside
function and processes. Traditionally,
for an ecologist (Fig. 1-7).
of replicating experiments and to accept a
ecosystem health and sustained operation
level of uncertainty. Due to the funding and
of plant, wildlife, water, and atmospheric
Product
time constraints of conducting research,
systems has been a defining goal of
Representation: Design is a representation-
ecologists must often predict and render
ecological efforts. Increasingly, human
based approach, where designers utilize
judgment about likely outcomes
systems and behaviors are being integrated
various forms of diagramming, sections,
and conclusions.
into the ecology process.
plans, computer modeling, and model-
Designers
Ecologist
making to analyze, explore, develop, and Designers’ Approach
Form
build human-related spaces and buildings. The exact and definite concept evolves
Driven by Science: Form is based on statistical data and efficiency. Experimental
Process
through the design process into a real form.
strategies developed over time that identify
Making Concepts a Reality: Designs
A designer’s ability to adapt a concept to
boundaries framing complex systems, such
emerge through a process of understanding
meet the applied challenge is essential.
as watersheds. Experiments typically use
the site. Through a creative exploration of
Aesthetics
potential site experiences, constraints, and
Form
opportunities, designers produce solutions
Art/Design/Dialogue: Form captures
that are realized in drawings, images, and
representative and symbolic interventions
examples where ecologists make design
montages. Many scientists have difficulty
influenced by culture, history, politics,
decisions. Often the default approach is to
understanding the value behind these
environment, and social elements of a
Design
design methods, due to the use of
site. Form is also driven by a designer’s
Process
subjective language, a focus on aesthetics,
education and mentors as well as
and the design process (Fig. 1-6B).
interaction with various design dialogues.
Also, understanding the latest ecological
Scale
Function
theories and finding ways of integrating
A Parcel, Building, Park, or Regional Area:
User Experience: Designers bring a
the scientific objective into design can be
The land-based, surficial scale of work is
creative energy that is generally directed
complicated (Fig. 1-6A).
dependent on the size and defined boundary
towards achieving a desired human
of land to be planned or designed. The
experience of a particular landscape.
Function
scales at which applied ecologists work
Landscapes can also be designed to
Ecosystem Health: Applied ecologists
can differ widely from the scales at which
encourage particular processes.
inexpensive materials with the simplest processes for capturing desired data. Restoration ecology is one of the few
design in a naturalistic manner. Designers tend to view the naturalistic design and
Language subjectivity
strong environmental stances as obstacles to bridging the divide between the practices.
Figure 1-6B
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Integrated Ecology and Design Approach: Opportunities for Fusion
L
Process
Constraints are very often the impetus
cultural, functional, and aesthetic urban
Function
of designers’ ability to synthesize
Ecologists are increasingly interested
for innovation. Obstacles provide
framework. Restoration projects could
Utilizing designers’ creativity and
multiple complex factors into cohesive
in experimentation, conservation, and
opportunities for designers to facilitate
benefit from ecologists questioning the
understanding of city composition,
physical forms. This could in turn make
restoration on urban sites, expanding from
the progress of a team through design
naturalistic design forms that are the
evolution, form, and function, ecologists
ecological research more public, visible,
their traditional presence in less human-
challenges. Thus, designers fulfill a
default in most scenarios. Designers
could begin to grapple with the ecological
and aesthetically ambitious, infusing
dominated landscapes.
fundamental role in building research into
have an opportunity to explore new
implications of urban space and culture
experiments with cultural meaning.
urban sites and into social consciousness.
forms for research projects, and to
in their research. By unifying traditional
establish diverse aesthetic approaches
ecological research methods with urban
to urban environments.
design, ecologists could take advantage
Ecologists are broadening definitions
L
M
of ecosystems, and (recognizing that
Scale
ecological systems are continually being
As cities become the subject of ecological
influenced by disturbances) revising
research, more opportunities arise for
traditional vegetation theory to include
designers and ecologists to communicate.
multiple processes, human influences,
M
S
S
Designer Ecologist
and spatial heterogeneity. Ecologists have
There is an increasing need for designers
also moved from considering populations
and ecologists to work at multiple scales
and ecosystems as relatively closed or
to address the zone of fusion between
autonomous systems, independent of their
their disciplines. Ecologists understand
surroundings, to viewing both populations
complex systems, and can provide
and ecosystems as “open” and strongly
multiple levels of analysis for designers.
influenced by input and output of material
Practitioners should search for scales that
and individuals across system borders.
complement one another.
Landscape architects have begun to take
Product
on a larger role in understanding and
Integrated projects that incorporate design
developing urban ecological systems.
and ecology will be long-lasting, dynamic,
They are beginning to appreciate an
and intimately tied to human society.
ecological process-based understanding
Figure 1-7 26
of landscapes and environmental concerns,
Form
and learning to access and incorporate
A designer’s creativity and exploration
ecological knowledge into their design
plays a unique and critical role in situating
processes (See Fig. 1-8).
ecological research and analysis within a
- art driven - metrics =
“success is being provocative, profound, memorable”
high design
design world
- site interpretation - site design - grading and drainage - planting plan - visualization - engineering - plans and specs - cost estimates -construction management
Figure 1-8
- science driven - metrics
aesthetic appeal people use and enjoyment
fusion zone
ecology world
? KEY EDAW VALUES create enduring solutions seek cultural and environmental fit foster positive change advocate collaborative exchange of ideas
ecological health of natural ecosystem sustainability
“success is when the hand of man is not evident”
high science
? innovation identity usability adaptability form function
=
restoration regeneration rehabilitation enhancement preservation management
- soils - hydrology - water quality - geomorphology - plant ecology - wildlife ecology - human ecology
Adapted from David Blau, 2001
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2. The Presidio: A Case Study in Integrating Ecology and Design
Through a combination of presentations and site visits, the workshop began with a crash course in the history and existing conditions of the site. The foundation being set, the workshop progressed quickly from discussions of interdisciplinary work, site analysis, visioning with stakeholders, and design charrettes, to the creation of a conceptual plan. Along the way lessons were learned about the integration of design and ecology, although some were only apparent with the benefit of hindsight. This chapter seeks to take readers on our design and ecology integration journey.
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Presidio as a Pilot Study for Ecology and Design with limited diversity that replaced native
together towards a common cause.
ecology, design, and history with public
park located at the Golden Gate Bridge,
dunes, coastal prairie, and coastal scrub
The Presidio Trust envisions the project
space (Fig. 2-1B).
provides a rich context for exploring the
communities. A highly charged discussion
site becoming an important destination for
collaboration between designers and
on this topic has been ongoing for years.
The Presidio of San Francisco, a 1,490-acre
ecologists. The Presidio is a distinct park
PUBLIC USE
Key Requests from Client:
buildings may be used for conferences
1. Develop a 21st-century approach that
site located at the center of the world's
Located in a highly urbanized center, the
and other events that could draw people
is sustainable, integrates state-of-the-art
largest urban national park, Golden Gate
vast green spaces at the Presidio seem to
with a common interest in addressing
technology, and is respectful of the site’s
National Recreation Area (75,500 acres).
be prime opportunities for diverse public
environmental and social issues. Historic
historic character.
The Presidio’s mixture of land uses and
uses. However, historic designations
competing stakeholder demands within
and stakeholders' interests often create
are yet to be restored, are common in and
an urban area has created a variety of
opposing demands. For example, the
around adjacent historic gardens. From
Creek and determine what role it might
obstacles to reaching consensus on land
Presidio's buildings encompass 6 million
the gardens, a small spring-fed creek
play in relation to other riparian corridors,
use decisions.
square feet. Many of the houses that
emerges and meanders along a valley that
as well as the historic landscapes.
ECOLOGY
DESIGN
A. Initial Framework
structures and artifacts, many of which 2. Develop the restoration of Fort Scott
were once occupied by military families
is itself being restored to provide important
In use as an active military post from
are now occupied by civilian families; there
ecological functions and values. Planned
1776 to 1994, the Presidio was folded into
are nearly 3,000 people currently living in
native plant restoration will enhance
historic garden and community garden to
the boundaries of Golden Gate National
these homes. These long-term site users
opportunities for park visitors to view
the ideas of sustainability and stewardship.
Recreation Area in 1972 after being
comprise a group of private stakeholders
designated a National Historic Landmark
inhabiting space within a public park.
3. Knit the district together, and tie the
wildlife along Fort Scott Creek. PUBLIC USE
4. Create an educational landscape with The Presidio Trust challenged EDAW to work
District in 1962. Congress established The
evolving experiences.
in a collaborative fashion with their technical
Presidio Trust in 1996 as a leadership body,
Additional issues at the Presidio arise in
and charged the Trust with preserving and
relation to other land management visions,
enhancing the Presidio as an "enduring
such as environmental restoration. These
plan, which enhances, interprets, and
issues and creates opportunities for
resource for the American public."
projects prompt a series of questions.
integrates the unique features of the project
people moving through the site.
The park’s 300-acre Historic Forest is a designated historic landmark. The forest is
HISTORY
DESIGN
ECOLOGY
What is the goal of restoration projects in
30
park visitors. Ultimately, the nearby historic
experts to develop a conceptual design
5. Develop a landscape design that solves
site. The initiative was originally focused on
an urban context? Which is more important:
developing designs that incorporate ecology
to restore a land’s native ecosystem, or to
and design into public use, education
a place where children in the Bay Area can
and interpretation (Fig. 2-1A). As EDAW
enjoy a meaningful outdoor experience.
B. Outcomes: History emerges
6. Children’s activities are key. Make this
recognized by many as a cultural landscape,
cater to human needs and try to allow for
shaped by the U.S. Army more than 100
some environmental value as well? In the
years ago, that significantly contributes to
case of the Presidio, there are a number of
it became increasingly apparent that
the Presidio’s historic identity. Others view
examples where restoration ecology proved
historic factors were a major influence. The
throughout the site to provide a sense of
the forest as a created, artificial community
a useful tool in bringing dissenting voices
working model was expanded to integrate
contact and intimacy with nature.
as a Key Component.
Figure 2-1
prepared and participated in the charrette, 7. Get people close to natural resources
31
Understanding the Presidio at Multiple Scales The Presidio functions at multiple scales: as part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and as a local park for San Francisco urbanites.
Regional Scale
City Scale
Overall Site Scale
Detailed Site Scale
Detailed Site Scale
Golden Gate National
San Francisco
The Presidio
Fort Scott
Dragonfly Creek
Recreation Area
Park connection
1,490 acre urban parkland combines a mix
Former officer’s quarters
Stewardship and sustainability Center
Historic sites
of Engagement
of land uses typical to a public park in a High-end real estate users
small city
Existing plant nursery
Population of 12 million in Bay Area
Long history of military use
Future tactical retreat center
Native American inhabitation
Historic buildings and landscapes
Pre-existing freshwater creek
Tying the San Francisco Bay together World's largest national park in an urban area
Historic forest and historic garden
Linkages from park to city
Land use plan Historic forest
Figure 2-2 32
33
Interpreting the Presidio Trust Mission
the natural, cultural, scenic, and recreational resources of the Presidio for public use. These efforts encompass the natural areas, wildlife, and native habitats of the park, as well as the historic structures and designed landscapes that make the park a National Historic Landmark District. The Presidio Trust is dedicated to ensuring that visitors to this spectacular place will have the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the Presidio, its place in American history, and the plants and wildlife which once thrived throughout the region.”
The Presidio Trust’s mission (Fig. 2-3)
PARK
appointees and the Secretary of the
illustrates the inherent challenges of
Interior, or his/her designee, sit on the
planning, programming, and designing the
Board of Directors and set the direction
site. “Natural areas, wildlife, and native
and policies for the ongoing transformation
habitat” are identified as key resources
of this historic military post.
of the site which should be preserved
ENVIRONMENTAL
PRESERVE NATURAL AREAS
and enhanced for public use. “Historic The Trust is charged with making the
structures” and “designed landscapes”
Presidio financially self-sustaining. After
are also considered key resources to be
2012, the Trust will not receive annual
preserved for the public. Ideally there
appropriations, and is required to fund the
will be diversity in the types of locations
Presidio’s operations, maintenance, and
preserved at Presidio: both natural areas
ongoing upgrades with income earned
and designed landscapes. However, a
from rehabilitating and reusing the park’s
process for reaching consensus is required
buildings. The Presidio is sustaining itself
for to achieve this delicate balance.
like every healthy community – earning,
Given site constraints, accommodating
saving, and investing in the future. This
stakeholder demands will be challenging.
MAINTAIN WILDLIFE
ENHANCE NATIVE HABITATS + PLANTS
SCENERY
Figure 2-4 illustrates the overlapping and
park and will ensure its preservation.
competing interests in the Presidio as a
DESIGNED LANDSCAPES
RECREATIONAL
EDUCATIONAL
HISTORIC FOREST
national urban park. In particular, the role As the largest urban national park in
HISTORIC STRUCTURE
CULTURAL
simple economy generates the capital that is making the Presidio a great national
DESIGNED
PR
of preservation is embedded.
E ES
RV
U SE
“To preserve and enhance
the American people. Six presidential
ENT
environmental restoration.
the Presidio as an enduring resource for
NCEM
Trust’s mission is to preserve and enhance
AN DE N HA
historic preservation, recreation, and
AT IO N
Created by Congress in 1996, the Presidio
the world, nested within the Bay Area (population 12 million), the Presidio requires a unique resource management
P
model, which blends competing local
C LI B U
interests and needs with the broader, Figure 2-3 34
national constituencies supporting
Figure 2-4
35
Timeline Illustrating Evolving Land Use A military presence can be traced to the
the site. The US Army established a
parkland with non-military residents. These
Presidio as early as 1776. In spite of this
military post at the Presidio in 1846.
changes have had profound effects on the
human occupation of the site, until the
In the 1890s, a decision was made to
types of uses stakeholders seek from the
early 1800s the Presidio featured extensive
modify the existing landscape in order to
Presidio Land.
sand dunes and coastal scrub extending
mitigate harsh winds, stabilize shifting
across the coastal bluffs (see Fig. 2-5).
sands, and complement the natural
In particular, the transfer of the Presidio
beauty of the land.
from military to public parkland management has led to an increased
Parts of the Presidio were also grazed
c.700
especially during the Spanish occupation,
Over time, the demands on the land have
demand from Presidio residents and
leading to erosion and wind-blown sand,
evolved with the site’s transformation
adjacent homeowners for access to
which was carried and deposited across
from a military base into a public national
lands for gardening.
1776
1822
1846
Spanish Army
Mexican Army
Spanish colonists from northern Mexican frontier outpost Mexico establish El Presidio, a frontier fort, and build the first structure on the site of the Officers’ Club.
Mexican frontier outpost
1850
1883
1962
1972
U.S. Army Forested
Native Condition of Coastal Scrub Dune Scrub and Serpentine Grassland with early inhabitants including Native Americans
Figure 2-5 36
President Millard Fillmore reserves the Presidio for the U.S. Army.
Large variety of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs. Blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pine, Monterey cypress, and blackwood acacia are planted as part of the management plan.
Designated as a National Historic Landmark District
Incorporated within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
1994
The U.S. Sixth Army departs and the Presidio officially transfers to the National Park Service (NPS). Congress mandates that The Presidio Trust manage the site.
2002
New Forest ManagementPlan is adopted by The Presidio Trust
37
Existing Conditions: Community Gardens Community Gardens: Applying
including a victory garden and agricultural
Historical Methods to Secure
gardens used to grow food for the war
New Land Uses
effort. The community gardens available
The debates surrounding community
at the Presidio today include one historic
gardens at the Presidio are an apt
garden covering roughly a one-acre parcel
illustration of the conflicting demands and
of land. The well-established Presidio
expectations placed on the land.
Native Plant Nursery also employs a
The Presidio’s role as a community where
significant number of volunteers, providing
people live and work, as a national park
avenue for community members to work
at the edge of a highly urbanized area,
the land. The limited community garden
and its designation as a National Historic
space at the Presidio does not satisfy
Landmark District lead to inevitable
existing public demand. There is a long
conflicts. While community gardens are
waiting list for users seeking garden plots.
uncommon in national parks, they are a
Opportunities to expand the amount
wonderful public use component of many
of space for cultivation by community
urban parklands. They provide a venue
gardeners are constrained by strict
for community members to invest in the
guidelines and controls on the number of
land, they create habitat for insects and
gardens allowed to ensure maintenance of
birds, and they can provide a means for
an historic character. A variety of factors
maintaining the land (although management
including the Presidio’s historic district
requirements may increase). The National
designation which governs landscape
Park System acts as a stakeholder at the
changes contribute to the limited gardens.
Presidio, often finding its agenda in conflict
Competing land uses and the limited
with the surrounding homeowners, Presidio
availability of non-forested level land are
inhabitants, and historic preservationists.
also factors.
Historically, the site was established as a pleasure garden for officers and
38
their wives along with the Fort Scott
Figure 2-6 Aerial Photographs, 1948
Creek area. Other gardens existed at
of the historic garden which has been
the Presidio during its military period,
transformed into a community garden
39
In spite of these constraints, the
Historic preservation of the landscape
recreational needs and achieve a
development of the current community
makes increased public access and
beautiful landscape. The nursery’s role
garden in the mid 1990s is a great
public gardening interests difficult to
in providing land use opportunities,
example of a way to move forward in
achieve. Some might view the lack of
which satisfy urban residents’ demands
spite of stakeholder conflict. Eager to
community gardens as a lost public
for community gardening while meeting
establish garden plots, the community
benefit. Historic preservation limits
historic preservation constraints, is an
gardeners became historians by digging
the realization of what many view as
example of programming that can enable
out old aerials and images from the
an optimal land use allocation for public
additional public accessibility to the site.
historical library to identify possible
involvement. The Presidio Native Plant
locations across the Presidio that had
Nursery does provide some volunteer
once been used as pleasure gardens.
opportunities to actively restore sites.
Figure 2-7A (right): historical garden at Fort
The original gardens within Fort Scott
In several cases, the restoration
Scott Creek, circa 1944.
were identified so that they could be
approaches may circumnavigate historic
Figure 2-7B-D (below): historical
revived as gardens for the public.
preservation in order to both satisfy
photograph with bridge, current garden.
40
41
Existing Conditions: Restoration Ecology
Fort Scott Creek
Crissy Field Marsh
The creek is a natural spring targeted for restoration
Crissy Field is a former salt marsh and subsequent
Initiatives: Riparian initiative
military airfield/Restoration Background: Extensive debates on the importance of public access versus habitat value related to marsh creation
Site of native plant center
Restoration Ecology: Providing a Way
historical, educational, aesthetic,
to Align Stakeholders
and spiritual.
Planned sustainability center
Multiple restoration projects have been undertaken since the U.S. Army’s
Restoration ecology at the Presidio reveals
closure of the Presidio base in 1994. A
the challenges posed by conflicting
review of these projects reveals the
interests and incompatible uses. It
planning and design challenges posed by
raises the question: how can ecologically
conflicting and incompatible land uses,
appropriate restoration be compatible with
precedent land management decisions,
cultural and historic preservation interests?
evolving disciplinary, preservation, and
In addition, it can be difficult to change
conservation approaches.
prevailing public perceptions of ecological restoration. The public often views
In 1994, The Army transferred the land
restoration as replacing a park-like setting
to the National Park Service, and with its
with a less user-friendly environment.
mission of “preserving unimpaired the
Mature trees are understandably a much-
natural and cultural resources and values
loved component of parks, and restoring
of the National Park System,” the Park
areas of mature parkland to coast scrub or
Service began a fairly broad restoration
grasslands, for example, may not always
effort (Fig. 2-8). In 1996, approximately
mesh with the desires of urban residents in
80% of the Presidio was transferred
need of respite.
Coastal 20 miles of “social trails” Restoration initiative to replace these with one beautiful public trail
Neighborhood Restoration
Tennessee Hollow
Restoration initiatives have included:
The Hollow is the largest watershed in the Presidio, supporting a valuable wildlife habitat
Replacing lawn w/ native habitat
Restoration initiatives have included:
Phasing plan w/ buildings to be removed
Daylighting the buried creek Creating a new creek-side trail
to the Presidio Trust. Restoration can
42
be viewed as a fundamental tool for
The establishment of the Presidio Native
satisfying both the National Park System’s
Plant Nursery provides a way for Presidio
and the Presidio’s mission of enhancing
Trust, community volunteer and ecological
natural areas as enduring resources for
goals to align. The Presidio Native Plant
the public. The Natural Areas Program is
Nursery supports habitat restoration,
a program designed to preserve, restore,
creates a connection between the
and enhance San Francisco’s natural
park and the community, and helps
ecology and to develop community-
people understand the importance of
based site stewardship. The purposes of
environmental sustainability, restoration,
Natural Areas stewardship are ecological,
and parklands stewardship. Staff and
Restored Lake
Scale 1:12000 0
500
1000
1500
2000
Restoration initiatives have included: Development as a passive recreation area
Inspiration Point
Site of Chinese religious ceremony -- release of invasive Asian turtles, resulting in carp die-out; outcry and response with restoration
Site consists of rare native serpentine grassland. In the 1880s the Army planted, adjacent to this bluff, non-native Monterey pines as a windbreak
Removal of trail down to the water to reduce foot traffic Public participation in restoration effort, more than 2,000 volunteer hours spent in 2005 for removal of non-native plants and underbrush clearance
Figure 2-8 Background on ecological restoration projects at the Presidio
Used restoration as a tool to convince public to support the removal of the pines and the reintroduction of historically dominant serpentine grasslands
43
volunteers grow 60,000 native plants annually for habitat and forest restoration
to uphold its mission of providing resources for public use. Extensive participation
restore a land’s native ecosystem? Or
can often be driven more by a desire
maintained are naturalistic as opposed to
such projects more difficult to fund.
is it more essential to cater to human
to establish historical conditions than to
geometric in form.
Additionally, because much of the projects'
projects throughout the Presidio, collect
by volunteers in restoration projects is
needs, and allow for some environmental
instate a biological system that functions
seeds, care for plants, and construct
further evidence of public acceptance of
value gained through public access to
under current conditions. What form
Somewhat predictably, ecologists and
educate the public about the site
compost piles. There also exists in our
ecological restoration.
natural areas? In the case of the Presidio,
should a restoration project take?
designers have divergent views on
are curtailed.
there are a number of examples where
Ecologists typically view nature as a model
the forms that restoration should take.
society a general lack of public knowledge
systems are hidden, opportunities to
about the ecological merit of various
Restoration at the Presidio provides an
restoration ecology brought dissenting
for developing restoration projects, and yet
Generally, ecologists want to create
Because this approach minimizes the role
landscapes. Together these historic and
interesting case study of the intersection of
voices together towards a common cause.
the process of construction, maintenance,
something that looks like nature and does
of visible design, it discourages many
cultural factors position some stakeholders
planning, design, public use, ecology, and
and even the locations of many of these
not stand out, whereas designers want
designers from exploring configurations
history. In several cases at the Presidio,
Establishing restoration projects on-site
projects are far from natural. Naturalistic
to reveal the human hand. Naturalistic
and approaches that might have greater
design, by definition, brings little attention
ecosystem function. An approach to the
against ecological restoration. The Presidio’s highly urban context results in significant
ecological restoration circumnavigated
attracts a substantial volunteer contingent
design approaches may also be more
social demands on the land: for example,
historic preservation to satisfy recreational
to help demolish, grade, and re-plant the
expensive. Many building materials are
to itself. As a result, the public tends not
built forms of restoration ecology that does
residents want jogging trails and desirable
criteria and public use. For the community
landscape. Public acceptance of and
sold in geometric units; construction and
to recognize restoration projects, and
not always default to the naturalistic would
views from houses. From a different
garden and other restoration sites,
participation in restoration projects can also
maintenance can consume more time and
not to understand their place in human-
promote a more dynamic relationship
perspective, historians value the Presidio
gardeners and ecologists act as historians
generate a sense of community ownership
money when the forms to be created and
constructed environments. This can make
between designers and ecologists.
landscape as historical documentation of
or geographers, teasing apart the history
and investment. While many restoration
the past military presence.
of the site through local knowledge, old
projects at the Presidio have concentrated
photographs, maps and knowledge of
on providing habitat for endangered plant
Still, many environmentalists are calling
what was once in the area. Ecologists
species such as Clarkia franciscana and
for the complete removal of the non-
mine the evolutionary past to identify
Arabis blepharophylla, provisions have also
native Historic Forest planted on site and
a prior landscape condition deemed
been made for public use, access, and
its replacement with what was originally
appropriate for restoration. Because of
viewsheds. Thus, restoration has benefited
there, including sand dunes, coastal scrub
the urban nature of the park, the resultant
diverse interests, including historic
communities, and riparian habitats. The
built product may be a compromise
preservation, the natural environment, and
riparian habitat restoration has more
between an early landscape condition
public access.
easily garnered public acceptance, and
and the needs of the present.
indeed there are now several successful
There are a number of concerns about
examples of Presidio restoration projects
The battles at the Presidio reveal a larger
restoration ecology as an applied science.
that include coastal wetlands and creek
issue linked to environmental restoration:
How does a practitioner decide which
daylighting. The Presidio Trust also sees
what is the goal of a restoration project
historical landscape is most appropriate
value in ecological restoration as a strategy
in an urban context? Should one aim to
to reconstruct? The goals of restoration
44
45
Existing Condition: Historic Forest The Historic Forest: an Ecological and
of species with the planned thinning
Cultural Conundrum
of stands to encourage diversity and
The 300-acre Historic Forest is composed
re-growth. Unfortunately, this follow-up
primarily of single-species groves
did not occur, and the forest matured
(eucalyptus trees, Monterey cypress, and Monterey pine) planted in regiments
A
Foredune
B
Dune Scrub
C
Bluff Scrub, Coastal Scrub, and Serpentine Scrub
D
Coastal Prairie and Coastal Scrub
E
Coastal Prairie
F
Coastal Salt Marsh
G
Serpentine Grassland and Serpentine Scrub
H
Freshwater Marsh
I
Arroyo Willow Riparian Forest and Live Oak Riparian Forest
J
Live Oak Woodland and Coastal Scrub
K
Open Water
across the landscape. Today, this planted forest has matured, creating a dense canopy that inhibits the emergence of understory vegetation. A deeper understanding of the forest and its history illustrates how it has been shaped by preceding land management decisions and historical preservation. New ecological ideas are being explored and tested to possibly retrofit or enhance the Historic Forest for improved ecosystem function. Major William A. Jones’ “Plan for the Cultivation of Trees upon the Presidio Reservation” (1883), one of the largest landscape plans of its time, called for thousands of eucalyptus, pine, and cypress groves to be planted in rows, representative of military order. The plantings were envisioned to accentuate
A C
D C
D
plan, based on contemporary ecological understanding, called for a mixture
46
D
D
G
I
E
A
B
E
D I
the post’s size and create a clear visual distinction from the surrounding city. The
F
H
J
G G
B
Scale 1:12000 0
500
1000
1500
2000
K
Figure 2-9 ecosystems at Presidio
47
into a dense canopy with little sunlight or
landscape that has supplanted the native
native, diverse plantings (see Fig. 2-10).
space for understory vegetation -- Jones’
habitats. They note that any ecological
Further discussion of reforestation can
original vision never fully materialized.
value the Historic Forest might have is
be found in the “Restoration Ecology”
diminished by the fact that only 10 percent
section of Chapter 3.
Forest plantings were initiated on the
of the Presidio’s land supports the native
dunes in the 1890s and mostly completed
plant community that existed prior to
by 1906, but continued sporadically
landscape modifications. Over time, the
over a 55-year period, ending in the early
planting of non-native, limited-species tree
1940s. The straight rows of trees planted
stands has resulted in significant native
in groups have created a unique forest
habitat and wildlife losses. Consequently,
of mature single-species growth with
many ecologists and environmentalists are
a high canopy and minimal understory.
calling for portions of the Historic Forest to
This planted forest is celebrated as a
be modified and converted into a
cultural symbol of the Presidio’s military
native landscape.
past. The high canopy, which allows extended views across the shaded forest
Nonetheless, the existing forest does
floor, is championed by pedestrians,
have some significant ecological merit,
recreationists, and dog-walkers. Even
as it supports nearly 200 bird species and
some environmentalists view the forest
contains a few mixed tree species stands.
as a special place, a green respite within
It is also notable that a significant portion
the city. The National Historic Landmark
of public users view this forest as a natural
District designation granted to the Presidio
respite in the city. This perception, and the
in 1996 solidified the Historic Forest as a
value that people find within the woods as
key landscape feature.
a natural amenity, gives the Historic Forest inherent worth regardless of its actual value
Despite the intentions of the Army and
as an ecosystem.
Major Jones to use the forest plantation as an environmental management technique,
A 2001 vegetation management plan called
many ecologists and environmentalists
for changes to portions of the Forest by
currently argue that the forest is a symbol
removing some mature stands in danger
of an invasive and manipulated Presidio
of wind-fall and replacing the stands with
48
HISTORIC FOREST (18% of total area approx. 247 acres) Preserve and rehabilitate the historic forest to the historic boundary Remove nonnative plants and restore native vegetation NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES ZONE (36% of total area approx. 501 acres) Preserve and enhance existing native plant communities Remove nonnative plants and restore native vegetation LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT ZONES (46% of total area approx. 652 acres) Preserve and rehabilitate historic landscape vegetation Ensure conformance of new plantings SPECIAL MANAGEMENT ZONES (4% of total area approx. 56 acres) Areas requiring further assessment. Area is under consideration for designation by the USFWS Boundary
Scale 1:12000 0
500
1000
1500
2000
Figure 2-10 Landscape Management
49
EDAW - Presidio Trust Interdisciplinary Collaboration EDAW teamed with the Presidio
The week-long workshop was
Trust in a collaborative workshop to
organized as an ongoing dialogue
repurpose the Presidio’s Fort Scott Creek
between the designers and ecologists.
Area. The interdisciplinary exchange
Facilitating exchange, both in planned
brought together EDAW's technical
discussions and through informal
experts with multiple stakeholders
interactions such as site walks, was a
working with and/or within the
key goal. We created many situations
Presidio Trust. As the diagram (Fig.
for interdisciplinary communication,
2-11) illustrates, there were several
including evening events, lunchtime
exchanges required for successful
discussions, and hands-on activities
collaboration. First, the EDAW team
to promote dialogue and to reveal the
members needed to communicate
underlying goals and intentions of the
internally; second, the Presidio Trust
individual group members.
EDAW DESIGNER
EDAW ECOLOGIST
DESIGNER
and EDAW team needed to work
A
together; and third, this larger team
PRESIDIO TRUST
ECOLOGIST
B
needed to understand and respond to stakeholder viewpoints and concerns. The EDAW team built an initial relationship with the Presidio Trust through conference calls and planning.
DESIGNER
PRESIDIO TRUST
ECOLOGIST
Together, EDAW and the Presidio Trust devised the workshop schedule. This initial collaboration led to discussing and highlighting shared goals. The resultant shared goals helped build trust, and led to an exchange of critical information. The Presidio Trust provided
C
D
guidance throughout the event, helping to orient the team and enhance the results. Figure 2-11 50
51
Understanding the Stakeholders HISTORY
H
The Presidio Trust’s practice of planning and
design at Presidio. Throughout the site’s
public use, natural areas, and historic
design strives to balance the competing
history, there have been times when
designs need not be physically separate.
interests of public use and access (P),
the needs of historic preservationists,
In fact, the meaning of space intensifies
natural areas/restoration needs (N), and
restoration ecologists, and the public
as its layers of use increase. An urban
historical preservation (H). (see Fig.
have opposed each other; yet on
park is the apotheosis of this synergy.
2-12). These three types of land uses are
occasion, these interests have fallen
The Presidio is exactly this type of space,
essential to the Presidio Trust’s mission, its
into alignment.
combining ecological systems of plants, water cycles, and nutrient exchanges with
cultural identity, and its role as a public parkland within an urban area. Each of
At the heart of this challenge is the
the human framework of walking trails,
these drivers has shaped the Presidio up
need to explore how these different
historic preservation, community gardens,
until the present day.
interests can be brought together. In
playing fields, and picnic areas.
addition to the multiple stakeholder
PRESIDIO TRUST
P PUBLIC-USE / HISTORY
Figure 2-12 52
N
Figure 2-13 illustrates the diversity of
views, the designers and ecologists also
Our hope was that collaboration between
stakeholders that one might find within
bring varying perspectives to the table.
stakeholders could be used as a catalyst
each category. This variety of users
To create meaningful urban spaces,
for integrating the public use of natural
presents a primary challenge in reaching
designers, ecologists, the client, and the
areas into an urbanized setting.
decisions on planning, programming, and
stakeholders need to understand that
P
NATURAL AREAS / RESTORATION
RECREATIONISTS
OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS
HISTORIANS
ADJACENT LANDOWNERS
RESEARCHERS
ARCHAEOLOGISTS
SCHOOL GROUPS
N
BIRDERS
H
RESTORATION ECOLOGISTS
VISITORS (TOURISTS)
SCHOOL GROUPS
HISTORIC LANDSCAPE
REAL ESTATE (INHABITANTS)
NATURALISTS
HISTORIC STRUCTURES
Figure 2-13
53
Day by Day Schedule
Site Visit
Time 800 AM 900 AM
Monday
Day 1 11.27.06
Welcome + Introductions
Ecology and Design Charrette
Tuesday Day 2 11.28.06
Wednesday
Kick-Off, Day’s Agenda
Landscape History Slide Show
Review Day 1 Results
Site Tour: Visit other key sites throughout
Stakeholder Groups Interview
the Presidio including Inspiration Point, a
1000 AM
Stakeholder Interviews
restored pond, neighborhoods, Nursery, and the bluffs.
GROUP 1: Historic Preservation GROUP 2: Volunteer Groups GROUP 3: Ecological Restoration
1100 AM
Day 3 11.29.06
Kick-Off, Day’s Agenda Review Day 2 Results Initial Visioning (Facilitated Session, Full Group) Break Out Sessions 1) Ecology
2) Historic Restoration
3) Recreation
4) Education
Design Process, Plan Development
Final Presentation
Thursday Day 4 11.30.06
Friday
Refine Proposal(s)
Welcome
Ecologists - designers internal discussion and design
Project Presentation
charette Q+A Developing final plan proposal
Feedback Session, Group Discussion Wrap-Up + Next Steps
Site Tour: Fort Scott and Fort Scott Creek
1200 PM 100 PM
Day 5 12.01.06
Adjourn-END OF WORKSHOP LUNCH
LUNCH
LUNCH
LUNCH with client
LUNCH
sharing integrated concepts
200 PM
Site Tour: Continue site tour at Fort Scott
GROUP 4: Architects present site models
Present/Discuss
Presentation Preparation
EDAW Coordination +
and develop mapping exercises.
for the Sustainability Center.
Design Proposals
continued dialogue and effort
Initiative’s Next Steps Meeting
GROUP 5: Maintenance and Operations
300 PM
towards fusion Initial Visioning (Facilitated Session, Full Group)
400 PM
Wrap-Up
500 PM 600 PM
Site Visits Download
Discussion
(Pictures + Notes)
Scale/Areas of overlap and issues from
Discussion
the day
First Impressions, Ecological / Design Figure 2-14 54
700 PM
DINNER
DINNER and Discussion with Client Going over the process so far and our
DINNER
observations or concerns
DINNER
55
Day by Day Overview
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Site Visit
Stakeholder Interviews
Design Charrette
Conceptual Plan Development
Final Presentation
and Summary Intent
Intent
Intent
Intent
Intent
Our goal for the site visit was to interpret
The convening of stakeholders was
We planned to bring in a large group of
The day was planned as a collaborative
Our goal here was to present our process,
the land from an integrated ecological
intended as a rapid outreach approach to
stakeholders for a second day to conduct
work session to clarify a few options
conceptual plan, and ecological design
and design angle. The team intended to
understand constraints, learn about site
a full-day charrette, with the intention of
and then refine the vision concepts
strategies. We attempted to get feedback
discuss and plan the visit thoroughly with
uses, and discuss potential opportunities.
bringing conflicting desires to the surface.
into a proposal for Fort Scott Creek and
from the invited guests on how they felt
an effort to integrate typical site analysis
The team hoped to appreciate the
The goal of this session was to begin to
Fort Scott. Beforehand, we discussed
the process went and the quality of the
strategies that ecologists use with designer
stakeholders' multiple viewpoints and
translate goals and visions into a physical
ways of working together to develop a
outcomes produced. We tried to evaluate
approaches. A brief initial slide show on
develop a deeper understanding of
layout plan. Ideally, we would develop
process to complete the work tasks.
how the public stakeholders responded
land-use history and site conditions helped
stakeholder needs. By the end of the
some alternative approaches and facilitate
The goal of the process was to facilitate
to the final product of a collaborative
establish a shared baseline understanding.
day, we planned to generate a list of
discussion to identify key problems and
the development of a final presentation
process. We wanted to hear concerns
A visit to key locations across the Presidio
stakeholder goals and objectives for Fort
their potential.
to the public that would capture the
expressed and alternative ideas offered.
allowed the team to experience the
Scott Creek and synthesize these goals
experiences of the week, laying out the
landscape and assess its ecological
into an overall approach.
solutions and compromises.
functioning. We planned to document the site together through mapping and analysis.
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Lessons Learned from the Presidio The Presidio workshop yielded many lessons about the viability of combining ecology, public use, and history through design. The process also exposed the multitude of planning and design challenges in addressing the Historic Forest, community gardens, and ecological restoration activities. A deeper exploration of these challenges, presented in the following pages of analysis, reveals a number of themes influencing planning and design at the Presidio. These included: conflicting and incompatible land uses; precedent land management decisions; evolving ecological and historical disciplinary approaches; and various preservation and conservation approaches. The following pages aim to introduce the Presidio site studied within the C + P Initiative, and to educate ecology and design practitioners about the challenges of moving toward consensus for land planning in an urban park.
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Site Visit Objective
Outcome
Our goal was to work collaboratively,
Participants learned about the larger vision
utilizing skills as designers and ecologists to
of the Presidio and saw examples of other
analyze the Presidio and to experience and
projects that had successfully navigated
interpret the Fort Scott Creek project area.
politics and found solutions through
Coastal Bluff and Golden Gate Bridge
Nursery, Historic Forest + Fort Scott Creek
Highway 101
WPA Steps Leading Down to Historic Gardens
Historic Palms as Seen From Warehouses
Historic Garden
WPA Staircase in Historic Garden Adjacent to Tennis Courts
View of Bioswale at the Botanical Garden
Nursery Shade Structures at the Botanical Gardens
View Looking Down on Fort Scott Creek and Forest
View of Parking Lot and Pollarded Trees by Old Officers’ Club
View of Fort Scott Parade Ground
Historic Forest By Fort Scott Creek
Historical Forest with Highway 101 in Background
View of Community Gardens on Historic Garden Site
compromise. The tour of the Presidio Process
was especially useful because questions
The group toured the Presidio with multiple
came from space ecological and design
experts to understand existing land use
perspectives, so the team became more
patterns and to see firsthand how the
educated as a whole.
Presidio Trust has been implementing its missions of land stewardship. Michael
The visit to Fort Scott Creek allowed us to
Boland and Allison Stone of the Presidio
familiarize ourselves with the site and to
Trust led the tour, which included a number
document it through hand mapping and GIS.
of destinations exhibiting site restoration or
The high points were the moments when
native habitats. These included Inspiration
an ecologist and designer walked together
Point; the Mountain Lake restoration;
and discussed ideas from both perspectives
multiple neighborhoods; coastal bluffs;
about that particular area.
a plant nursery; historic and community gardens; Fort Scott; and the Creek. Other
While executing the site visit with a mix of
participants included Betty Young, Mark Frey,
ecologists and designers generated trust
Laura Castellini, Damien Raffa, Barb Coff;
across disciplines, the site visit needed
Johna Maeck, and Jean Koch.
more direction, with specific activities to facilitate communication. An early
After a long debate, we voted to rely on our
concept that we explored in depth was
individual expertise and typical practices as
to develop a physical intervention as an
designers and ecologists. This differed from
artistic gesture and scientific experiment
our original idea to pair an ecologist with a
(see Fig. 2-17). For example. we discussed
designer in the field and encourage dialogue
ways of mapping ecology physically on the
on-site. The idea was that using the methods
landscape to make it more visible.
we would employ on any other project would give the client the best results.
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Stakeholder Dialogue Objective
Outcome
The goal of the stakeholder meetings
The stakeholder meetings were a
Cultural Historic Resources
was to learn about the various visions
formative part of the workshop. The
Preservation of Landscape
for the Fort Scott area and creek. This
perspectives shared during the meetings
Architectural and Military History
was achieved through a process of public
exposed the dynamic, complex, and
Limit change to landscape identity
engagement that focused on stewardship
pluralistic nature of the Presidio. The all-
Respect the past
and sustainability. The team interacted
day dialogue proved to be a tremendous
with the volunteer groups, historic
success for both the EDAW team and the
preservationists, restoration ecologists,
Presidio. The EDAW Team built trust with
the maintenance and operations group,
stakeholder groups through the dialogue
and the architects working on the
process, and clarified a working set of
sustainability building for the center.
goals and objectives.
CULTURAL/HISTORIC RESOURCES
In part, this exercise was valuable for
The EDAW/Presidio Trust team worked
the stakeholder groups and Presidio
together to establish a clear workshop
Trust because the workshop brought
schedule (Fig. 2-14).
some stakeholders together for the
Stewardship/Public Use/ sustainability Public Access Programming Activities Education and Demonstration
THE PRESIDIO TRUST
Process
STEWARDSHIP/PUBLIC USE/SUSTAINABILITY
Michael Boland; Allison Stone
ECOLOGICAL DESIGN TEAM
Alma Du Solier; Leo Edson; Alex Felson; Debra Bishop
first time. This event gave them an The Presidio Trust organized stakeholder
opportunity to learn more about each
groups for the EDAW team to interview.
other, to recognize opposing positions,
Each group met independently with
and to conceive of ways to move
the EDAW team, allowing the team to
forward in alignment.
efficiently and concisely understand the concerns and desires expressed by
The multidisciplinary discussion steered
each group (Fig. 2-14). Key players from
the energy of all participants toward a
Creek Restoration
each stakeholder group were invited to
common vision. The goals articulated and
Ecological Habitat Value
participate in a wrap-up strategy session
agreed to by the stakeholder groups built
Wildlife Corridor/Refuge
to develop goals and objectives.
on the Presidio Trust’s mission: to balance
Watershed Planning
CREEK RESTORATION
MAINTENANCE + OPERATIONS
Maintenance and Operations Reduce maintenance requirements Allow vehicular/fire truck access Keep it simple no complicated parts
historic preservation with sustained ecological systems while fostering public engagement. It is this attempt to satisfy
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Figure 2-15
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three potentially incompatible interests that
previously expressed. The disclosure of
At the close of the stakeholder meetings,
creates perhaps the greatest challenge
contradictory perspectives enriched the
our team realized that we were missing
for future design and ecology collaboration
dialogues by revealing the site's core
the cultural/historical perspective. The
at the Presidio.
planning challenges.
landscape’s cultural symbolism proved to
The Presidio Trust's inclusive approach to
The pre-workshop planning served us well
stakeholders meetings facilitated a deep
in ensuring that every stakeholder voice
understanding of their concerns within
was represented within the design team.
the EDAW team. EDAW’s multidisciplinary
It proved important to have someone
approach led to questions being asked that
on the team that people felt "carried the
enabled stakeholders to raise issues not
torch" for them.
be a critical stakeholder concern.
THE PRESIDIO TRUST
Michael Boland Allison Stone ECOLOGICAL DESIGN TEAM
Designer Alma Du Solier Designer/Ecologist Alex Felson Wildlife Biologist Leo Edson Restoration Ecologist Debra Bishop
+
A. MAINTENANCE + OPS
B. CULTURAL/HISTORIC RESOURCES
Associate Director of Landscape Maintenance Bob Carlsen Director of Operations Steve Potts Director of Utilities Mark Hurley Chandler McCoy
Presidio Trust Historian Ric Borjes Randy Delehanty Senior Preservation Specialist Michael Lamb Sannie Osborn Chandler McCoy Amy Deck Christina Wallace Historic Architect Rob Wallace Historic Compliance Coordinator Robert Thomas GIS Specialist/Cultural Resources Hans Barnaal
C. CREEK RESTORATION
D. STEWARDSHIP/PUBLIC USE/SUSTAINABILITY
Presidio Trust Forester Damien Raffa Mark Frey Terri Thomas Amy Deck Laura Castellini Peter Ehrlich Presidio Trust Natural Resource Planner Tania Pollak
Sustainability Manager - Presidio Trust Damien Raffa Michael Boland Michael Lamb Chandler McCoy Terri Thomas Amy Deck Barb Corff John Maeck Betty Young Aimee Vincent Education/Outreach Coordinator Presidio Nursery Adam Sharron Presidio Nursery Kirra Swenerton Presidio Nursery Brittany Schaefer Director of Crissy Field Center (GGNPC) Christa Rocca
Figure 2-16 Stakeholder Diagram 64
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Design Charrette Objective The team goal was to work in small
we hoped to generate a fusion of design
balanced with public access. In addition,
Key Themes Arising from the Charrette:
and ecology.
maintenance and durability were raised
a. Historic rehabilitation
as concerns.
groups to develop design strategies
b. Highlight historical heritage
that would achieve balance between
Outcome
four key areas: 1) Historic Preservation, 2)
The charrette revealed countless
Several distinct concepts were developed
Recreation, 3) Education, 4) Environment.
insights into the concerns of and the
as diagrams by each group: 1) Water as
areas of conflict between stakeholders.
Organizer, 2) Walk through Time, 3) Multi-
Process
The process proved to be a valuable
Faceted Gradations.
Four teams were formed, each including
opportunity for stakeholders and the
ecologists, biologists and designers. Four
design team to suggest alternative
alternative strategies were developed.
strategies for discussion.
ecology, history, and public use. “Water as Organizer” relies on ecological
a central note-taker synthesized the
Through a full day of drawing and
systems while “Walk through Time” is
discussions, captured the comments, and
discussions, the group worked through
framed by a public circulation network
brainstormed through notes and sketches.
many disagreements. We learned that
celebrating historic features. “Multi-
history is a dominant factor defining
Faceted Gradations” responds to
the Presidio's land uses, both past
topography, with levels of public use
and present.
shared with ecological system.
representation from each stakeholder group
A strong discussion centered around
The three proposals are compromise
including ecology, historic preservation,
rehabilitating the historic landscape and
scenarios that attempt to integrate
and public access. (Post-workshop analysis
and revitalizing the historic character of
all three themes. These compromises
reveals that the stakeholders’ ideas
Fort Scott and its surroundings. A second
typically emphasize, though not
addressed the three common Presidio
key focus area centered around what role
exclusively, a particular conflict area such
themes.) While some of the groups
ecology should play on the site. Should
as ecology, history, and public use. For the
focused exclusively on one theme, others
the area be partitioned off and made into
next charrette, we suggest the discussion
attempted to integrate all three.
a refuge? Public access and the ability
should focus on four to five key questions
The design charrette explored new organizing concepts for Fort Scott
e. Encourage education and demonstration f. Enhance habitat value g. Focus on water and green infrastructure h. Trails and habitat corridors
Creek. Groups were organized to include
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d. Engage park users and create cultural stewardship
The concepts attempt to incorporate
Each strategy was presented, while
c. Provide public use
to get down to the water was a concern
about each conflict area, inviting each
Through a process of public engagement
to many, and it seemed that enhancing
group to state clear positions.
that focused on stewardship and
the ecological function and wildlife
sustainability, history, and restoration,
value of the riparian corridor had to be
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Plan 1
Plan 2
Plan 3
Water as Organizer of Public Space
Walk through Time
Multi-Faceted Gradations
Develop the site as a treatment system
Channel pedestrian circulation within the
Integrate topography with function and
and freshwater resource for the Fort Scott
Fort Scott Creek area along the perimeter.
public use. The multi-faceted gradations
area. Develop a stormwater capture
A circuit located around the top of the
plan gives the site a larger, more
system with bioswale and storage tanks
Creek would connect local centers of
meaningful aesthetic that frames ecology,
for irrigation use. Under this plan, Fort
engagement, including the sustainability
history, and public use.
Scott Creek would include a system
and stewardship center, cultural
of culverts to create ponds for
stewardship center, and community
habitat restoration.
gardens, providing vantage points for creek views.
The open space and upland landscape
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strategies would double as the
A narrow pedestrian bridge would cross
stormwater treatment system. The
the park perpendicular to the creek,
system would include environmental
providing ideal wildlife viewing and site
signage and site interpretation.
history interpretation.
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Design Process Objective
accomplish, and this limited the opportunity
The goal for Thursday was to provide time
for communication between ecologists and
and space for the ecologists and designers
designers. We discovered that ecologists
to debate big conceptual ideas and discuss
and designers tended to operate on
areas of conflict.
different work schedules. Of note was that the ecologists also had strong opinions but
Process
did not express them openly, and in the end
We organized a morning design session
had no clear venue to voice their concerns.
and strategy meeting with the client, and
Thus, they felt somewhat left out and
production in the afternoon. The intent
unable to impact the design direction. While
was to facilitate ecologists and designers
the ecologists had valuable information
working through a design process together,
to share, the designer held the pen and
and to discover ways to synthesize the
ultimately had more influence on the
site visit and stakeholder meetings into a
plan representation.
cohesive interpretation. Both designers and ecologists also fell
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Outcome
back into their comfort zones as a default
A conceptual framework was clarified
response to the intensity of the work and
and representation ideas were shared. A
time constraints. This was unfortunate,
presentation and plan were then prepared,
because fusion opportunities were missed.
including a conceptual framework (Fig. 2-17).
It suggests that a more rigorous approach
Montages were also prepared, but elicited
is needed for teasing out key concerns and
contentious debates within the group and
advancing solutions. Targeting areas of
from the client.
debate, and recognizing where the different
Local Centers of Engagement
disciplines alternately obstruct and facilitate
Dragonfly Creek
Visual Anchor
The effort to produce a cohesive design
development of concept plans, would
proposal within a week was ambitious.
provide essential direction. In the future, we
Processing, absorbing, and synthesizing
recommend establishing a set of process-
Historic Drainage Structures
different perspectives for developing
oriented exercises, creative reviews, and/
Elevated Pedestrian Crossings
the concept plans required more time.
or design charrettes so that ecologists and
Thursday became a production day in order
designers have ample opportunities to
to complete the work we had set out to
express their opinions.
Runoff Collection + Filtration system
Pedestrian Circuit - “A Walk Through Time” Cultural Center Historic Forest Nursery + Reuse Center
sustainability + stewardship center Cultural Stewardship Center community gardens
Historic Community Gardens Historic Field
Program overlaps within Dragonfly Creek.
Figure 2-17 Conceptual Plan
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Presentation Objective The final presentation was intended to
uncomfortable "selling" their ideas to
afterwards. A number of people referenced
of the site, and how these were being
For future presentations of this sort,
the audience and client, which resulted
these calls as an indication that the team
brought into our plans. Finally, discussion
we have two recommendations. First, encourage ecologists and designers to
articulate ecological design concepts for
in the ecological components of the
was thinking seriously about the habitat.
touched on our representation of the bridge
the vision, activities/program, circulation,
project being less well represented. The
This part of the presentation was a way
montage, revealing skepticism that what
explain the plan or some overlapping
hydrology, historic forest restoration, and
conclusion we reached was that it is part
of making a case for a particular stance
we were proposing would be adequate
element from their different perspectives.
wildlife habitat/viewing.
of the designers' role to represent the
on habitats versus public use.
for public space and private moments
Second, create a survey or suggestions
(see Fig. 2-18).
page that participants can fill out during
ecological vision. On the last day, we presented our proposal to the Presidio Trust stakeholders
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or after the event to solicit further
Outcome
Process The ecological aspects of the presentation
The presentation capped a very successful
The bridge montage debate exposed the
comments from people who may not
did add value. Leo Edson used bird calls
week long stakeholder outreach exercise.
difficulty of arriving at consensus about a
want to share their thoughts publicly.
and the general public. While the
and images to prompt the audience
Questions during the presentation
key compromise. The bridge needed to
designers were deeply invested in the
to imagine the proposed refuge and
suggested some concerns over the
be large enough to allow public access,
final presentation, the ecologists did not
restoration. The entire audience listened
proposal to control access and to transform
but still fit into the natural area and not
Figure 2-18 and 2-19 Brdige Options
feel as strong a sense of ownership. In
attentively to the evocative and peaceful
the site into a refuge. Concerns were also
dominate it. The stakeholders felt that the
Showing the designers montage (left)
addition, the ecologists were somewhat
sounds, and there was a long pause
raised over the future of the historic features
scale of bridge proposed was too small.
and ecologists suggested style (right).
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Insights into Setting Up the Workshop The final Ecology and Design Collaboration
While our approach was to develop the
scenario where both ecologists and
deliverables produced at the Presidio
team without a clear hierarchy to avoid
designers were forced to acknowledge the
included a presentation of a plan and
favoring design or ecology, in retrospect,
site history. In the end, for our team the
section of the Fort Scott Creek area.
it would have been helpful to have had
historic significance became a stumbling
Organizing and participating in the
a leadership/facilitator. This facilitation was
block instead of a condition to build on.
workshop yielded valuable discoveries
most needed when participants turned
The lesson we took from this is that the
about the logistics of bridging disciplines,
back to what they were most comfortable
approach to the project needs to cater to
and about which tools and practices
with in the design process or ecological
site-specific factors.
can best facilitate collaboration among
assessment. Participants need to be
designers and ecologists.
more willing to “try on” new ideas; to take criticism; and to reflect on underlying
Organizing the Team
ideologies and beliefs.
Selecting team members is a critical first
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step for setting up an effective dynamic
Choosing the Site and the Client
between ecologists and designers. During
Many of our early discussions were about
our planning effort, we sought people who
how to choose the site and the client. The
were expert in their focus area but also
decision to focus on a specific area can
sympathetic to the integration of ecology
inherently complicate the effort to facilitate
and design. A group of practitioners less
collaboration. In the end, we felt extremely
familiar with this type of integration could
lucky to have secured the Presidio, a site
be seen as a more typical representation
that embodies the juxtaposition of natural
from the firm, but might have been less
resource management and preservation
productive for this initial attempt.
with public use.
The team spent the early part of the
The tremendous importance placed
initiative exploring how and where to
on historic preservation at the Presidio
work together. This internal EDAW
created a clear identity and set of powerful
process strengthened the team’s working
constraints on the area we were designing.
relationship, and allowed it to act as a more
While this made it difficult to think freely
effective unit when collaborating with the
about the pure integration of ecology and
Presidio Trust.
design, it created a complex and realistic
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3. Finding a Middle Ground: Discoveries and Broader Implications from the Presidio Workshop
Michael Boland- Wrap up interview 12.01.06: “When this opportunity came up for EDAW to come and collaborate with us on the design of the area near Fort Scott, one of the things that we were really struck by was the team fusion idea, the mix of designers and ecologists. The struggles that the team seemed to be tangling with were theoretical, in terms of rethinking the role of design and the way design happens. This seemed very consistent with the struggles that we have encountered in thinking about repurposing the Presidio. So there seemed to be a natural link between the issues that we’re struggling with and the issues that EDAW was struggling with, which we thought could create a fruitful collaboration.”
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Constructing a Middle Ground Objective
stakeholders. This internal EDAW process
ecological requirements, visitor desires,
The goal of the week-long session was to
also strengthened the working relationship
and historical integrity into its daily fabric.
create an integrative design process, where
of the team.
Sometimes the messier areas, where needs and desires overlap, are also where
the EDAW team worked in collaboration with the Presidio Trust and with the
Outcome
the richest landscapes develop. Much
multiple stakeholders involved. Of greatest
The multiple activities allowed designers
of the Presidio’s value, and that of many
importance was the integration of ideas and
and ecologists different opportunities for
other urban parks, lies in its flexible ability
the development of solutions that brought
showcasing their strengths. The mutually
to satisfy the plethora of demands placed
multiple perspectives towards a fruitful
agreed upon workshop goals (to develop a
upon it.
middle ground.
conceptual design for the Fort Scott Creek Area, to facilitate discussion between
The design process, we discovered, can
Process
stakeholders for the Presidio Trust,
serve as a catalyst to bring these complex
The team collaborated with the client to
and to create a platform for ecologists
and overlapping factors together into a
come up with a meaningful and efficient
and designers to interact and discover
cohesive proposal.
workshop strategy that would ensure the
obstacles and solutions for EDAW)
best results for both the Presidio Trust and
allowed team members to focus on their
We discovered through this process that
the C + P design and ecology initiative.
own incentives as well as the project.
solutions that aim for compromise are not
Working with the client, we were able to
As an urban national park, the Presidio
– ecology, public use, and history –
arrange several high quality sessions with
proved to be an excellent case study
required each area to give up some of
a wide participatory audience from the
in terms of ecological, public use, and
its strength, weakening all three. This
Presidio Trust and associated stakeholders.
historical demands. The EDAW team
calls attention to a pitfall of compromise –
In the relatively short time span of one
was inserted directly into a contentious
solutions that attempt to integrate multiple
week, the team was sufficiently cohesive
debate with a variety of potential solutions.
themes may fail to realize the full potential
to grasp a very complex site and to make
Public parks are a universally valued
for a site. Instead, a concept that
valuable contributions.
urban resource; as such they must satisfy
strongly advances an ecological approach
demands that often seem irreconcilably
or an historical approach may foster a
The workshop planning discussions among
divergent. Yet public parks possess the
more engaging, sustainable, or historically
EDAW and the Presidio Trust solidified this
ability to accommodate the physical
preserved site.
central, collaborative team for effectively
necessities of seemingly disparate uses in
facilitating broader communication with
one space. The Presidio can and does fold
always better. Compromises in each area
Figure 3-1 78
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Alternative Scenarios: Determining a Happy Medium The following pages include proposed concepts for Fort Scott Creek showing site circulation, treatment of the riparian corridor, ecological restoration plans ,and creek pedestrian experience plans. Each layer explores the mixture of ecology, public access, and historic preservation, with some layers emphasizing one element over the others while other layers explore integration of the three
Wildlife Refuge
Working Nursery
Park with Historic Identity
driving themes.
The site could be developed as a refuge
The Creek could be utilized as a large-
Fort Scott Creek could be designed as
for species such as the violet green
scale nursery landscape with multiple
an accessible public park with benches,
These three alternative visions on the
swallow or varied thrush. With its natural
paths running through it for planting,
open space, ponds, and other amenities.
right for Fort Scott Creek – refuge,
freshwater spring, the site provides a
maintenance, tours, and education.
This strategy could build on the historic
nursery, and park – represent a gradient
significant wildlife attractant. Working
Aquatic zones could be enlarged and
features of the site to create a colorful
of visions, ranging from the ecological-
with the Native Plant Center, the site
other plant zones could be clearly defined,
experience for Fort Scott inhabitants and
driven approach of “the sanctuary” to
could be restored with high-value food
both for education and for growing plants
visitors. The park could complement the
the mixed-use approach of “the park,”
and nesting plants. While this proposal
for restoration projects on Fort Scott.
future Sustainability Center with native
which balances public access, historical
has significant value for restoration and
This operational landscape would evolve
plants, xeriscaping, and educational
preservation, and ecology.
wildlife, it reduces public access. Given
seasonally depending on what is being
signage and demonstrations. The Park
its location surrounded by housing, along
grown for planting. Habitat quality might
concept reduces habitat potential on
with the future plans for Fort Scott, the
be diminished because of the continuous
the site in part because of the number
site lacks the isolation ideal for a refuge.
disturbances of plant removal and
of visitors, but also because of the
Nonetheless, it could provide public space
replacement, and of visitors and workers
hardscape and open space components
opportunities for a diverse audience.
moving through the site.
that would be required.
Scale Approximately 1:400 0
80
400
800
1200
1600
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Alternative Scenarios: Access: Wildlife Habitat and Public Use
Alternative 1 preserves the creek, but the human experience and opportunities for contact with nature are minimized.
Alternative 2 facilitates more public access and experience with urban natural areas, but imposes potential significant impacts
Wildlife Enhancement Public Use
WILDLIFE HABITAT
NO HUMAN ACCESS
WILDLIFE VIEWING
CONTROLLED ACCESS
INTEGRATED PARK
OPEN ACCESS
to the natural area.
Alternative 3 brings public experience into the natural area by maximizing public contact with urban natural systems. However, this alternative imposes direct human impacts on the creek that are difficult to control.
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Stewardship + Sustainability Center
Fort Scott Creek Ecological Restoration
Historic Forest
Historic Garden + Community Garden
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Taking Advantage of the Multi-layered Park to Overlap Program and Activities Legend Existing Buildings Stewardship + Sustainability Center Fort Scott Creek Tactical Retreat Center Historic Retreat Botanical/Community and
Forts Scott Tactical Retreat
Sustainability + Stewardship center offices Native plant nursery (public areas)
Convenience store
Transit center
Wildlife center
Urban youth education center
Cafe
Redwood overlook
Tactical retreat center
Stewardship and Sustainability
Tactical Retreat Center
Historic Gardens
The SSC is planned for the northern
Linking the site to Fort Scott, the area
Building on the historic identity of
edge of Fort Scott Creek. A series of
serves visiting groups by providing
the site, its current use as a native
linked public spaces and active learning
meeting spaces, outdoor classrooms,
plant center, and community gardens,
centers would tie the ridgeline together
walking loops, views, and a historic
Fort Scott Creek could become a
with views out to the Creek. The current
garden, where order and upkeep would
conglomeration of working and historic
Native Plant Center would be incorporated
provide a tranquil environment for
gardens. Historic features could be
and enhanced. Fort Scott Creek itself
meetings and strolling.
integrated with formal and informal
would become part of the identity of the
paths and water features related to
center as a wildlife habitat, with a focus
the Creek. The history of the site itself
on sustainable management practices.
could be woven in. The community
The goal would be to provide an education
gardens and plots of vegetables would
destination point for Presidio visitors.
provide color, scent, and seasonality.
Cultural stewardship center/ Community center/ Cafe Community Gardens tool shed / Interpretation kiosk
Scale Approximately 1:12000 0
84
500
1000
1500
2000
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Alternative Scenarios: Public Access
Perimeter Nature Trails
Seasonal Trails
Permanent Accessible Pathways
Relegating pathways to the perimeter of
Narrow seasonal trails, in addition to the
This approach prioritizes public use
the site would limit human disturbance
perimeter walk, would provide controlled
and access over wildlife enhancement.
within the riparian zone, providing a refuge
access to the site. This would limit wildlife
Existing trails, pathways, and sidewalks
for wildlife but limiting the opportunity for
disturbance and minimize site grading.
connecting Fort Scott Creek’s core with
people to enjoy the site's many qualities. The
At specific times, guided tours organized
other site features – such as Fort Scott’s
perimeter path could provide vantage points
by the Stewardship Center’s staff would
meadow, the community gardens, or the
for the best views of the creek and the rest
be conducted along the seasonal trails.
Presidio Promenade – would provide easy
of the park beyond.
During these tours, visitors and volunteers
access and logical routes to and around
would have an opportunity to view the
the site. Interpretive signage and/or
creek, touch the water, and experience
subtle markers could be added along
the entirety of the site.
these existing connectors to unify them and to highlight Fort Scott’s character.
* ADA * Historic * Regulated * Wildlife disturbance Scale Approximately 1:400 0
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800
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Alternative Scenarios: Habitat Fragmentation/ Wildlife Viewing
Contiguous Un-Fragmented
Limited Fragmentation
Fragmented Habitats
The No Path Alternative maintains the
The One Path + Bridge Alternative would
The Multiple Paths + Bridges Alternative
largest patch of contiguous wildlife habitat.
protect much of the area designated
would fragment the habitat with trails
Implementation of this alternative would
a wildlife habitat while allowing
and visitor disturbances, and therefore
enhance wildlife habitat by reducing
opportunities for visitors to observe birds
reduce both wildlife diversity and any
human disturbance. Compared to existing
and other wildlife. Limiting access within
resultant viewing opportunities. The area
conditions, the abundance and diversity
Fort Scott Creek exclusively to a bridge
would be less attractive as a destination
of resident and migratory wildlife species
would minimize the potential to affect
for birdwatchers and other visitors hoping
would be expected to increase under this
sensitive riparian and wetland habitat
to see some of the rare wildlife species
alternative. Wildlife viewing opportunities
along the creek. The bridge would provide
found at the Presidio. However, greater
would be enhanced with the increase in
outstanding birding opportunities at
public access would provide more
habitat value, but visibility would be limited
eye-level. Although the patch of wildlife
opportunities to explore and interface
due to restricted access. Wildlife along the
habitat would be more fragmented than
with the site. The potential for habitat
edges of the habitat area could be easily
under the No Path Alternative, sufficient
degradation from visitor use (e.g. trampling
viewed. Planned treks could occur to take
habitat would be present to allow animals
of vegetation) would be higher under this
advantage of preserved areas. The Creek,
to find refuge. As a result, wildlife diversity
alternative when compared to a bridge or
where wildlife diversity is expected to be
and abundance would be balanced with
raised boardwalk.
highest, would be largely inaccessible.
public access.
Scale Approximately 1:400 0
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800
1200
1600
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Alternative Scenarios: Riparian Corridor
Ecological Restoration
Water Quality Enhancement
Water as Design Elements/ Features
Fort Scott Creek is currently somewhat
Features would be incorporated into the
The spring at the headwaters of Fort
degraded, primarily due to non-native
overall design to capture stormwater
Scott Creek is a natural gathering point for
invasive vegetation. Nonetheless, the
runoff into small treatment wetlands. In
residents of and visitors to the Presidio.
creek’s perennial water flow provides
addition, flat areas such as the parking
In its current condition, it is difficult to
ecological value. Enhancement actions
area could be transformed into a large
appreciate its value. With removal of the
based upon the current hydrological regime
treatment wetland. Creek flows would
overgrown non-native vegetation, the
might focus on replacing the non-native
also course through a carbon filter
spring would be enhanced with grading
vegetation with a native community. A
with ripples and pools to facilitate
and the creation of fountains with native
native community would be designed to
denitrification. This strategy would
plantings to restore its original aesthetic
maximize ecological values for wildlife
increase habitat values at the site while
value. Along the entire corridor of the
(particularly native songbirds) while restoring
providing improved water quality.
creek, structures, trails, and other facilities
historical aesthetic qualities.
would be sited using the creek as a focal point of design.
Scale Approximately 1:400 0
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01
02
03
Alternative Scenarios: Ecological Restoration In this alternative, the Historic Forest is
Three Restoration Alternatives:
prioritized by maintaining the similarly
01 Leave As-Is
aged trees and limited understory. Thus
02 Transform Understory
alternatives need to be defined.
03 Selectively Remove and Replace Canopy Species
In this alternative, the forest is maintained as-is and the Eucalyptus is allowed to regrow.
Native
Scale Approximately 1:400 0
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400
800
1200
1600
In this alternative, there is a transformation from Eucalyptus to native forest.
Non-Native Time
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Rendered Conceptual Plan Though the open design process did
as a destination, providing educational
satisfy multiple stakeholders' goals and
opportunities for users of diverse
allowed the design to progress, we felt that
interests and ages.
it also constrained the design process and led to less-than-ideal compromises on
While the plan does address conflicting
the proposal. The plan produced at the
stakeholder demands on this urban
workshop (see plan on the opposite page)
public park, the resultant design controls
exhibits the challenges of collaboration
access into the riparian corridor and does
across disciplines.
not allow direct access to the water.
03 02
07 06
01
Stakeholders raised concerns over The conceptual design allows the Creek
04
05
this compromise.
to incorporate overlapping programmatic
11
09
15
historians, and recreation advocates.
10 18 19
In order to balance wildlife viewing enhancement, there is only limited access provided to the riparian corridor. Much of the access is visual from a bridge that cuts through the pocket of high value habitat. A trail system through the adjacent Historic Forest provides a way to avoid the highervalue riparian habitat while still allowing some access. The bridge ties the historic community garden area with an active cultural edge along the ridgeline overlooking the Creek. This maximizes the views from the existing hilly topography. An overall goal was to establish Fort Scott
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16
08
elements desired by designers, ecologists,
opportunities with habitat preservation/
12
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
Transit Center (bus station, bike rental) Bioswales Stewardship and Sustainability Center Nursery Areas Cafe Overlook Wildlife Center Treatment Wetlands Pond/Spring/Fountain Upland Scrub Shrub Planting Riparian Corridor Meandering Streams Threading through Landscape Bridge (pedestrian with vehicular access) Potential Tactical Retreat Center Parking with Water Storage Redwood Grove Wet Meadow Historic Garden Raised Boardwalk Path and Drainage Channel Historic and Community Garden Historic Forest Fort Scott
13
14 17 21
20
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Rendered Conceptual Section The section through the site indicates the topographic changes and variety of proposed garden types. Concept planning for Fort Scott forced the charrette team to find compromises between approaches that emphasized ecological value and those focused on public access.
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Conclusion: Facilitating Collaboration between Designers and Ecologists Fostering Interdisciplinary
to create a venue where contentious
this exercise, the discussions themselves
The Presidio's rich history provided the
were not desirable because the very goal
Collaboration
topics could be discussed openly with an
were as important as achieving agreement.
necessary foundation for us to build upon.
of ecology is to impact large areas that
There are a multitude of influences on
interdisciplinary group of practitioners and
Land use history proved to be a unifying
encompass as much of the “natural”
urban environments, ranging from the
decision-makers.
A significant lesson learned from the
force for design and ecology during the
world as possible. For designers, scale
project is the need to think more deeply
workshop. The military history of the
is usually related to the human body or
economic to the ecological, from the physical to the political, and from the
The purpose of the Presidio workshop
about how to foster dialogue at key
site emerged as a factor of importance
to vehicles, houses, and other human-
cultural to the biological. This multiplicity
was to facilitate collaboration between
intervals of the design process in a way
equal to the ecological and design angles.
constructed environments, and can
creates both opportunities and challenges
designers and ecologists, and to foster
that enables sustained communication
The comprehensive presentation of the
range tremendously without impact on
for applying integrated approaches
a more effective negotiation process
and integrated approaches to design.
natural and human history of the site
a project's "importance." Since the goal
to urban space design. Combining
between stakeholders. In probing the
included the often changing needs of the
of designers is usually to create the best
widely differing practice fields into one
various ecology and design issues of
In our exercise, stakeholder dialogues,
public, the diversity of visitor experience,
possible human user experience, a small
process means not only must different
the project, participants were able to
meetings before and during the charrette,
the evolution of vegetation, and remnant
site can be just as, if not more, interesting
disciplines work together, but also the
identify opportunities for collaboration
and site visits presented opportunities
ecological community preservation.
and rewarding as a larger site.
design process must adeptly incorporate
amongst stakeholders. Each stage
for the exchange and cross fertilization of
These diverse historic themes exposed
disparate stakeholder interests. In order
of the accelerated schematic design
ideas. The stakeholder dialogues produced
design opportunities but also challenged
Collaboration in Design
to be successful, the design process
process – the site visits, stakeholder
an agreed-upon set of goals and objectives
the potential of ecology and design
Different roles played by ecologists
must adhere to reliable strategies and
and client meetings, charrette and
for Fort Scott. At the stage of site analysis,
interventions in the face of history.
and designers emerged spontaneously
yet avoid repressing open exchange
internal design process, as well as the
designers and ecologists discussed the
and creativity.
presentation – provided new avenues for
underlying assumptions behind design
Front-loading this historic perspective
revealed how the different roles can
exploring communication and its intrinsic
choices and ecological reasoning. Site
established a common baseline of
facilitate comprehensive resolutions
In this case study, EDAW’s C + PI
barriers. The goal of this publication is to
visits, which provided moments for ad
information. This early establishment
(Fig. 3-2).
nitiative brought together ecologists and
document strategies that evolved through
hoc interactions, were likewise fruitful for
of commonality facilitated subsequent
designers for a rigorous exploration of
the process, to better enable dialogue
opening channels of communication and
dialogues, the outcomes of which were
The collaboration of ecologists and
interdisciplinary collaboration for the
between ecologists and designers, and to
informing the design process.
dependent on integrated design and
designers in the design process
Fort Scott Creek project at the Presidio
demonstrate the benefits of collaborative
ecology perspectives.
exposed the complementary roles of the
in San Francisco. The challenges the
interface in design.
Presidio Trust faces with any decision to
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throughout the workshop. These efforts
Identifying Common Ground
practitioners and the value of integrated
Early in the process our team realized that
Scale discussions also served as ways
approaches in design. Addressing
alter the landscape, given the constraints
The Dialogue
for this effort to be successful it would
of interfacing ecological perspectives
regulations provides an example where
of public expectations for a national
Dialogue is a tool for reaching across
be important to identify common ground
with planning and design. The project’s
complementary roles can become
park within an urban context, provided
disciplines, sharing ideas and interests,
between designers and ecologists that
small scale was an initial topic that the
valuable. The design team discussed
the incentive for hosting an innovative
recognizing differences, and reaching
would allow the team to work from a
team discussed at length. From the
the often negative impacts of regulations
workshop. The Presidio Trust's goal was
agreement. As such, for the purposes of
shared base.
ecological perspective, smaller sites
on the design process. Ecologists, on
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d
f
e project approach in their respective fields time »
typical
scope team formation
evaluation rfp response
Ecologists and designers typically craft their own scopes, neglecting to use each other's expertise.
research
design analysis
Ecologists are typically involved in rigorous front-end analyses and evaluation.
co
sd
dd
construction cd
Ecologists currently struggle to add effective input during the design process. While designers can incorporate ecology into design, ecologists cannot perform design tasks as easily.
site preparation
implementation
The role of ecologists and designers is typically reduced during construction.
post-occupancy 1yr
2yr
5yr
10+yr
Designers typically have limited post-occupancy maintenance plans.
ecology design mean
time »
ideal
ecology design mean
Figure 3-2 100
scope team formation
evaluation rfp response
research
design analysis
co
sd
dd
construction cd
site preparation
implementation
post-occupancy 1yr
2yr
5yr
10+yr
Ecologists should rigorously monitor design projects to assess performance over time and educate designers to integrate lessons learned. This will create knowledge building feedback loops for future projects. value added to project through collaboration
Collaboration on scope definition is essential to define means of interaction throughout project life cycle. This will maximize knowledge transfer through collaboratively defined tasks, leading to a stronger overall product.
Designers can increase their understanding of sites through an integrated approach, ultimately improving on ecological analyses with strong information representation skills.
Therefore, the designer should facilitate ecologists involvement in order to more rigorously address key issues. Still, the ecologist needs to permit the designer “room to breathe.”
Communication during the construction period will maximize efficiency and accountability in following the established planning and design goals.
101
the other hand, embrace and respond to
putting their individual and creative mark
The Role of the Ecologist in the
regulations as a fundamental part of their
on the land. This fundamental difference
Design Process
work. Design innovation, coupled with
in attitudes can lead to an adversarial
Realizing the value of ecology in design
knowledge of regulatory frameworks,
relationship between designers and
requires targeted efforts to incorporate
can lead to improved strategies and can
ecologists, with ecologists defending
ecologists into the design process in
suggest alternative solutions, relieving
their interests (and underlying aesthetic
meaningful ways. One production goal
some of the regulations' constraints.
agenda) and designers reluctant to allow
of the team was to synthesize conceptual
ecologists into the design process.
ideas into plans and montage drawings
Addressing Form, Function,
Landscape architects often fear that
for presentation to the stakeholders. The
and Aesthetics
ecologists will impose a naturalistic style
team’s attempt to refine concepts for
In early discussions, the team avoided
on the design.
the proposed pedestrian bridge over Fort
confronting key issues such as naturalistic
Scott Creek provided a critical opportunity
design or the role of high design in
Naturalistic design, while perhaps viewed
to create a site feature that satisfied
influencing ecological restoration. As it
by ecologists as being neutral in meaning
multiple parties. The bridge, which would
turned out, these topics were unavoidable
because it imitates nature, in fact carries
provide public access looking down to
and simply reappeared later.
a number of significant implications. First
the riparian habitat and creek below, was
and foremost, it challenges the notion
an idea that emerged from the charrette
The idea of form and function requires
that "form follows function." Naturalistic
with the Presidio Trust director, Michael
further resolution in ecology, and an
design is more difficult and expensive
Boland, and others. Unfortunately,
improved understanding of how it
to accomplish approach because by its
there was little open dialogue among
translates to design. Ecologists who act
aesthetic nature it cannot be constructed
designers and ecologists about the form
as designers, through restoration ecology
of the mass-produced modules typical of
and scale of the bridge. Although the
for example, tend to apply a naturalistic
construction practice.
ecologists had strong opinions about
design language to their work. In fact,
the environmental education value and
the underlying ideologies of the fields
Additionally, creating a naturalistic design
about minimizing the structure's size
of ecology and design differ greatly.
diminishes society’s recognition of the site
to reduce environmental impact, they
Ecologists tend to avoid human-dominated
as man-made and misleads people into
did not have a venue to convey these
landscapes, and to prefer to see natural
thinking that sites are entirely "natural."
concerns. Instead, the bridge idea was
environments over human-modified ones.
Restoration is costly and requires upkeep
quickly represented by the designers,
Designers, on the other hand, direct their
and interventions. Raising the visibility of
and minimally informed by the ecologists
efforts at human experience. Landscape
design can encourage people to continue
(see Fig. 2-19). This visualization process
architects specifically look for ways of
to support these efforts.
missed an opportunity to convert
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103
concepts about a bridge into tangible
process. However, this approach limits
Building Trust and Breaking
representations for reaching consensus
ecologists’ opportunities to impact
Down Barriers
amongst stakeholders.
the design.
The Presidio reveals ways in which historic
On other occasions, the designer and
Teamwork
public use have guided land management
ecologist roles were less divided -- though
As important as it is to find common
decisions for one truly unique site. An
sometimes less fruitful. On the site tour,
ground, understanding differences in
integrated approach to design necessitated
designers and ecologists realized the
approach is fundamental to building
balancing these various influences
most benefit when they allowed their
trust, deconstructing barriers, and finding
and interests.
roles to blur. Touring the site together
innovative solutions. The integrated team
allowed designers to interpret ecological
approach created the right environment
EDAW's over arching goal at this land
features while ecologists interpreted
for stakeholders to reveal conflicting
planning and design workshop was to
experiential qualities and public use
concerns and to discover opportunities for
develop methods that foster collaboration
characteristics. The two groups were
synergy. An integrated approach to design
between ecologists and designers. In
not nearly as successful at collaborating
necessitated finding balance among these
this case, dialogue between the two
when it came to the design process. It
various influences and interests. This is
disciplines led to some innovative means
became apparent that ecologists need
clearly illustrated with approaches towards
of accommodating the physical, cultural,
to determine ways in which they can
the historic forest. Ecological restoration
economic, political, and ecological
better interface with designers. Often,
and greater public benefit have been realized
complexities of an urban park. The effort
ecologists internalized frustration while
through selected-area forest removal. At
led to a deeper understanding of the two
designers were more assertive.
the same time, historic preservation of key
disciplines' perspectives, and an awareness
tree stands has enabled the forest to retain
of the likely obstacles and opportunities
The role of the ecologist in design
the symbolic, cultural influence of the site’s
associated with interdisciplinary practice.
is an area of tension for designers.
military history.
preservation, ecological restoration, and
Many prefer the perceived freedom of
In the end, individual practitioners need
integrating environmental issues with
Many issues became most apparent
to reach across the divide between their
a variety of other opportunities and
during the more detailed development of
professions by talking openly about differing
constraints, and with various design
the design by the EDAW team after the
goals and ideologies. Our experience at the
styles. The designers expressed a preference for ecologists to provide
workshop. The clarity that we now have
Presidio revealed that trust and openness
on these differences of opinion would have
are instrumental to success in creating the
ideas and insights early on, and then
been useful to discuss during the process,
kind of synergistic relationship that results in
remove themselves during the design
and to share with stakeholders.
vital solutions to complex sites.
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