PORTFOLIO

ISABEL B. FERNANDEZ

Northwest Neighborhood . Denver, Colorado

These three leftover spaces are the result of

the planning efforts for the redevelopment of
the Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado.
Neglected for their size and other attributes,
they were never seen as important community
spaces until an exercise for the client group
revealed them as key links to bring people
from various areas of the community to the
Town Center. Each site now offers a passive
recreational alternative, thus creating a diverse
park system inclusive of all age groups.

NORTH WEST NEIGHBORHOOD

> Reading Garden . Open Air Library

> Roslyn Park . Exhibition Garden

> Power House Plaza . Lounge

TOWN CENTER

B
C

Leftover spaces provide recreational alternatives . By analyzing all

of the Northwest Neighborhoods proposed open spaces in terms of whether they appealed more to the mind (passive) or the body
(active) the character of each space was determined. Their character and programming fill the gaps along the continuum therefore
achieving a balanced park system.
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A > Reading Garden . An Open Air Library

Roughly 1/3 of the size of a football field, this park

acts as an important link in fostering pedestrian
movement between a mixed-use neighborhood
and the town center. The Reading Garden
is divided into passive rooms similar to those
studied in the Denver public library: a childrens
storytelling room, a stage, amphitheater, and
individual reading rooms.

Parti - Pastel by Elin Tidbeck

Library layout - Circulation and distribution

through a central space

Circulation - Users become engaged with

a central space

Analysis .

This key pedestrian intersection surrounded by a diversity of uses became crucial in the overall picture of
the open space system at Lowry. Even though the garden is small, the design of the garden both facilitates movement and allows
people to access a hierarchy of public and semi-public spaces.

Concept .

A utility easement running through the site mandated that trees could not be used on the western half of
the garden. Therefore, overhead structures were designed to provide shade and to refer back to the idea of an outdoor library by
allowing the sun to project the word READING onto the plaza surface. At the heart of the Reading Garden is a central gathering
plaza in which the word Garden is spelled out in three-dimensional letters that form a substantial bench and an impromptu
stage. A grassy hillside to the north, slopes down toward the plaza giving the storytelling stage a natural audience.
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Meaning . This park was designed in honor of a former member of the Lowry Foundation whose passion for books and

gardens created the platform for the design to be realized. The garden's walls and concrete curbs serve as a forum for embossed
literary quotes that reinforce the idea of text, words and sentences seen in books. To assist in the funding of the project, neighbors
can purchase granite book ends that include the name of their favorite novel and author.

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Fabrication .

An intense design process included engineers and fabricators to help understand how the vision for
the shade structure could be implemented. When a custom element is being constructed, periodic site visits ensure the correct
interpretation. This presence affords the opportunity for suggestions and changes that can enhance the imageability and durability
of the piece.

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B > Roslyn Park . An exhibition garden

The gestures which gave form to Roslyn Park

where a result of major site influences such as
the diverse residential product near the park
and the inspiring Rocky Mountains. In the spirit
of creating a diverse network of public parks,
this narrow strip of land once considered a
leftover space was transformed into a beautifully
detailed public garden.

TERTIARY ACCESS
PRIMARY
ACCESS

PRIVATE

SUN - EXTENDED
TERRACE
PLAY
LIVING
ROOM

SECONDARY
ACCESS
THRESHOLD
FOYER

VISUAL TERMINUS

SEMI PUBLIC

SECONDARY
ACCESS

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Experience
Qualities
Character

Multi Family Residential

fronting onto Park

Gathering Room
Primary Entrance
Lawn Circle

Garden Beds

Gathering Rooms
Existing Junipers

Gathering Room
Permeable Surface Path

Gathering Room
Secondary Entrance

Circulation Paths

Framework .

Tree Massing

Multi Family Residential

backing onto Park

The comfort zones within the space were mapped based on the preliminary site analysis then the
framework was laid out accordingly. The curved lines through the space were not merely sensuous; the curves are also functional
as they allow for the creation of larger planting beds and garden rooms. The design is meant to invite people to enter and enjoy the
space from within rather than just viewing it along the sidewalk. The garden provides opportunities for gathering, people watching,
sculptures and play.
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Construction Documents into built work .

The outcome is only as good as its

process. Preparation of solid construction drawings, meetings with contractors, and frequent site visits will result in a well built
and, therefore, long lasting public space. Roslyn Park offers a passive alternative to other parks by its visually exciting use of native
plant materials. Visitors may refresh their senses in the park in a number of ways, from wandering through the parks garden and
enjoying the variety of perennial beds or by relaxing at one of the custom-designed seats to gaze at the evening stars.

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C >Power

House Plaza . Lounge

This plaza lies today between two newly constructed
office buildings north of a roundabout and south of a
residential district and functions as a 25-foot-wide
concrete emergency fire lane. Its strategic location
makes it a gathering place both for office workers
and residents and a high-visibility pedestrian walkway
that links the area to Lowrys town center.

Parti - Ink by Kirby Hoyt

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Visualization .

By skewing the access corridor, the design makes room for intimate gathering places and creates
a pleasant pedestrian link sheltered by trees and infused with color. The local fire authority allowed the reduction of the width of
the fire lane by five feet. This reduction provided the opportunity to skew the angle of the access land and create eddies at opposite
ends of the plaza, giving pedestrians two points of respite. One is furnished with benches and tabletops for individual seating, the
other with umbrella tables for group gatherings.

Pattern . It is in the patterns formed by the planting plan and the changes in the colors of the concrete that this plaza

becomes memorable to the pedestrian. All of the plant material was carefully selected to provide year round appeal and color as
well as to withstand drought. Score joints were carefully detailed to run across the floor and align perfectly with the walls. This
pattern creates a grid that informs the location of all of the furnishings and custom lighting. Custom light bollards are detailed
with the neighborhood's star insignia evoking the site's military history.
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Troy Corners . Troy, Michigan

The Pavillions of Troy sit in the former site of the

K-mart world headquarters and is surrounded by
a high end mall, business offices and suburban
single-family residential. The city of Troy considers
the site as part of their new urban core and
future town center. To serve its role in the city's
vision, it is crucial that the redevelopment has
a clear hierarchy of streets and pedestrian
connections. The design further seeks to create
an experience that provides residents and their
visitors with year round human comfort.

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Contextual and Site Circulation Analysis

Contextual and Site Streets Typology

Spatial Diagram

Programming

Thesis .

By creating a symbiotic relationship with the adjacent mall, Troy Coners will reinvigorate and provide the City
of Troy with a cohesive network of streetscapes and public spaces that provide a range of outdoor experiences (environment),
community events (community), retail experiences (economic) and public art (art).

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Plaza North Parti . A gestural expression of an idea that originates from the analysis of the site, its context,

and its views in combination with the desired program elements that are to occupy the site allowing the formulation of the concept
that synthesizes the program elements within the site.

Concept .

The Plaza North should serve as a year round entertainment area for all residents and visitors of Troy. During
the Spring and Summer movie screenings or small concerts will take place, the pop jet fountain will be running and the island in
the center with its mist and fog will cool you down in hot days. During the Fall and Winter months the main space becomes an ice
skating rink and warming outdoor area. The island in the center of the rink serves as the warming bench, the kids outdoor play
area is heated with the sunlight collected through the restaurant and concession stand.
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Summer / Spring Programming .

Shade is a most during this time a year, this urban oasis

provides with kids with a play area covered by canopies of semi-transparent metal and sunglasses like structures. Gardens, lawns
and salvaged trees provide areas for refuge through out the space. Within the plaza the misting fog island or the pop jet fountain
will cool you off. A glass and wood concession stand anchors the plaza on the southeast end selling refreshing beverages and
more.

Fall / Winter Programming .

During this months the space is converted into a warm haven for
residents and visitors to enjoy. A warming bench surrounds an island within the ice skating rink, a heated play area for the kids
allows them to enjoy the outdoors during the cold months and a concession stand sells coffee and hot chocolate to complete the
experience. The space will be magically light during the holiday season giving it a glow to warm all.

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Troy Corners Overall Schematic Site Plan

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Prospect Park . Denver, Colorado

Prospect Park is a three-acre focal point that

will greatly contribute to the establishment of a
distinct character for the community. It serves
as a connector between destinations and will
provide visible and obvious locations for social,
cultural and educational activity. Prospect Park
is the last to be implemented in a network of
destinations that are intended to make the
Lowry community a destination in itself.

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Lowry East Open Space Analysis

Thesis .

The vision for Lowry East is "Amenity for All. Within the overall development all residents will be connected
to a unique open space system with a well-choreographed sequence of experiences and also tangible benefits such as views,
easily accessible recreational space and social interaction. The future park will serve both an active and passive role and be the
primary amenity and allure of the neighborhood. The open space and streetscape network will be based on a similar diversity of
experiences. All design aspects of the development plan for Lowry East seek to satisfy community needs through a focus on the
human scale.

View

View
Play

Connect

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Prospect Park Model

Park Shade Structure Conceptual Model

Visualization .

Outstanding views of downtown Denver and the Rocky Mountains dictated the main gestures that
gave form to this park. The design evolved into a space crafted to provide connectivity to the open space system and a diversity of
vantage points addressing the distant views of downtown Denver and the mountain range beyond. Taking flight is the inspiration for
the origami like structure which was to be integrated with the whimsical landforms that characterize the park. This shade structure
is a functional gathering area where the views to downtown Denver and the mountains are the best on the site.

Grading

Hardscape

Softscape

Illustrative Plan

Conte Crayon - Park - Viewing Northeast by John Suarez

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Aerial Perspective of Park and Neighborhood viewing West

Aerial Perspective of Park and Neighborhood viewing North

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5>

Photography

Landscape Architecture is almost as ephemeral

as the moment that allows you to capture the
right shadow or the peculiar facial expression
that makes a portrait. It also can be as timeless
as the image which afterwards gets burned in
paper. This craft of composing a photograph
and of developing a print to me, is no different
from that of capturing the essense of a place
and translating it into a beautiful yet functional
designed space for generations to enjoy.

Assos, Turkey

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Kalakoi, Grece

Santiago Texacuangos, El Salvador

Mediterranean Sea, Grece

Istanbul, Turkey

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Barcelona, Spain

Istanbul, Turkey

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Madrid, Spain

" What artist so noble... as he who, with far

reaching conception of beauty, in designing
power, sketches the outlines, writes the colors,
and directs the shadows of a picture so great that
nature shall be employed upon it for generations
before the work he arranged for her shall realize
his intentions." Frederick Law Olmstead