bmoen portfolio1

Bridgette Moen

Graduate Portfolio

2011-2014

Candidate for a Masters of Landscape ArchitectureUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor of Science in Earth Systems, Environment, and Society Minor in Landscape Studies University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

Expected Graduation, May 2014Cumulative GPA: 3.79/4.00

Graduated, May 2011with DistinctionCumulative GPA: 3.62/4.00

[email protected] 1.217.766.5707

www.bridgettemoen.wordpress.com

Trophic Terrace

Unploughed Refugia

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The Gridley House

Artificial Habitat

Casey Tree Farms

Permeable Paving

Vertical Bee Hotel

Because of the remarkable efficiency of John Deeres steel plow and the fertility of glacial till, only 1/100th of a percent of native Illinois prairie remains. Small remnants are found in areas untouched by the steel plow such as along highways, and railway right of ways, and in cemeteries. Despite the grim-looking fate of the prairie, restoring sites with high restoration potential, such as cemeteries, can lead to a more complete habitat matrix.

Unploughed Refugia

Canadian National Right of WayRight of Way

Zea mays Liatris spicata

Lespedeza capitata

Euthamia gramifolia

Silphium laciniatum

Pycnanthemum virginium


Juniperus virginiana

Rhus typhina

Andropogon geradii

Schizachyrium scoparium

Echinacea pallida

Tradescantia ohiensis

etc.

Old 45 Right of Way Right of WayRoute 45

HISTORIC PRAIRIE RESTORATIONUNPLOWED LANDCEMETERIESRAILWAY NETWORKEXISTING NATURAL

Remnant PrairieHistoric prairie in Illinois

2000 acres22 million acres

1/100%of remnant prairieremaining in Illinois

Stochastic events

BIODIVERSITY CONNECTIVITY

Single Large or Several Small (SLOSS)



Lespedeza capitata

Euthamia gramifolia

Silphium laciniatum




Rhus typhina

Andropogon geradii


Echinacea pallida


etc.






Stochastic events



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Lespedeza capitata

Euthamia gramifolia

Silphium laciniatum




Rhus typhina

Andropogon geradii


Echinacea pallida


etc.






Stochastic events



Champaign-Urbana

Thomasboro

Rantoul

Ludlow

Paxton

Loda

Buckley

Onarga

Gilman

Danforth

Ashkum

Clifton

Chebanse

Kankakee

Bradley

Bourbonnais

Manteno

Peotone

Monee

Matteson

Homewood

Harvey

Riverdale

Burnside

Chicago

Pullman

Flossmoor

Population DeclineRoads (125ft buer)MunicipalitiesNatural Areas (USDA)CN Passenger RailCemeteries1km buerProposed Connections

(1882) Loda Prairie - 2036

CANADIAN NATIONAL - ROUTE 45

LODA

PAXTON

LUDLOW

(1904) Glen - 7263

(1861) Meharry - 64

(1852) Ten Mile Grove - 19

(1872) Farmersville - 68

(1891) Pontoppidan - 321(1853) Prospect Prairie - 56

(1856) Human - 4(1876) Harwood - 15

(1848) Pleasant Grove - 166

(1872) Mt Olivet - 223

(1840) Patton - 48

(1861) Tomlinson - 262



Lespedeza capitata

Euthamia gramifolia

Silphium laciniatum




Rhus typhina

Andropogon geradii


Echinacea pallida


etc.


PHASE I: TEN MILE GROVE - cemetery restoration

LODA

PAXTON

LUDLOW

(1904) Glen - 7263(1852) Ten Mile Grove - 19

(1853) Prospect Prairie - 56

PHASE II: TEN MILE GROVE - building connections


LODA

PAXTON

(1904) Glen - 7263(1852) Ten Mile Grove - 19

(1853) Prospect Prairie - 56



PHASE III: TEN MILE GROVE - extending network

LODA

PAXTON

LUDLOW

(1904) Glen - 7263

(1861) Meharry - 64






PHASE IV: DOGTOWN

LODA

PAXTON

LUDLOW

(1904) Glen - 7263

(1861) Meharry - 64




(1856) Human - 4(1876) Harwood - 15

(1848) Pleasant Grove - 166

(1872) Mt Olivet - 223

(1840) Patton - 48

(1861) Tomlinson - 262

PHASING

CEMETERY RESTORATION NETWORK

Glen Cemetery: high interventionlow diversity - high activity

10 Mile Grove: medium interventionmedium diversity - medium activity

Propect Prairie: low interventionhigh diversity - low activity

University of Illinois Sasaki Day Award Winner, 2014

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Unploughed RefugiaNot only is population declining in this region, national trends show a lesser need for traditional burial grounds. Historically, cemeteries have incorporated the architecture of their time. In the era of the multifunctional landscape, it is appropriate to envision alternative programming for cemeteries. Glen Cemetery in Paxton, Illinois has extensive turf grass which is unlikely to be used for burials within the next 50-100 years. Utilizing the relatively undisturbed soils of cemeteries for pro-grams such as native seed banks could influence the aesthetics of the landscape, as well as provide the cemetery with a new multifunctional program.

Prospect Cemetery Prairie

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Glen Cemetery

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blazing starLiatris pycnostachya

2468

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grey coneflowerRatibida pinnata

mountainmintPycnanthemum virginianum

prairie dockSilphium terebinthinaceum

beebalmMonarda fistulosa

New Jersey teaCeanothus americanus

prairie coreopsisCoreopsis palmata

prairie cloverDalea purpurea

flat top goldenrodEuthamia graminifolia

wild quinineParthenium integrifolium

ironweedVernonia fasciculata

bushcloverLespedeza capitata

rosinweedSilphium integrifolium

rattlesnake masterEryngium yuccifolium

prairie dropseedSporobolus heterolepis

blue grama grassBouteloua gracilis

prairie bromeBromus kalmii

blue joint grassCalamagrostis canadensis

little bluestemSchizachyrium scoparium

bottlebrush grassElymus hystrix

side oats gramaBouteloua curtipendula

indian grassSorghastrum nutans

Virginia wild ryeElymus virginicus

switchgrassPanicum virgatum

big bluestemAndropogon gerardii

junegrassKoeleria macrantha

Scribners panicumPanicum oligosanthes

purple lovegrassEragrostis spectabilis

Prospect Cemetery Prairie Glen Cemetery Prospect Cemetery Prairie Local Restorations

Unploughed RefugiaOne of the most difficult aspects of seed collecting is identi-fying plant species especially when they are not in bloom. Groups such as the Grand Prairie Friends must find skilled volunteers, which can limit their success in seed collecting. However, planting bicultures of one herb and one gram al-lows novice volunteers to help not only with seed collecting, but also with weeding. This plant pallet is derived from plant species that are frequently collected from Prospect Cemetery Prairie.

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blazing starLiatris pycnostachya

2468

10

grey coneflowerRatibida pinnata

mountainmintPycnanthemum virginianum

prairie dockSilphium terebinthinaceum

beebalmMonarda fistulosa

New Jersey teaCeanothus americanus

prairie coreopsisCoreopsis palmata

prairie cloverDalea purpurea

flat top goldenrodEuthamia graminifolia

wild quinineParthenium integrifolium

ironweedVernonia fasciculata

bushcloverLespedeza capitata

rosinweedSilphium integrifolium

rattlesnake masterEryngium yuccifolium

prairie dropseedSporobolus heterolepis

blue grama grassBouteloua gracilis

prairie bromeBromus kalmii

blue joint grassCalamagrostis canadensis

little bluestemSchizachyrium scoparium

bottlebrush grassElymus hystrix

side oats gramaBouteloua curtipendula

indian grassSorghastrum nutans

Virginia wild ryeElymus virginicus

switchgrassPanicum virgatum

big bluestemAndropogon gerardii

junegrassKoeleria macrantha

Scribners panicumPanicum oligosanthes

purple lovegrassEragrostis spectabilis

Prospect Cemetery Prairie Glen Cemetery Glen Cemetery Local Restorations

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Unploughed RefugiaNew mourning areas provide open space in the prairie plant-ings and incorporate an alternative space for mourning those loved ones who did not choose a typical burial.Each of these mourning spaces are surrounded by seat walls constructed from board form concrete. Along the edge of the seat wall is a space for memorial placards. Those who are cremated may not have a physical site attached to their remains. These alternative mourning spaces provide families with a place to remember their loved ones.

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Unploughed RefugiaThis project improves a resource for natural restoration, con-nects two unique sites, and reprograms fallow land to pro-vide patrons with a site for mourning prairie landscapes and people.

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smooth rocksandbentonite clay

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1

228

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Trophic Terrace challenges the suburban park by allowing landform to drive program and production on the site. Intense grading is used to both establish an alternative form to the typical suburban park and to drive alternative programs, such as aquaculture and constructed wetland water purification. An abstract clay model was used to give form to a park that was functioning as somewhat of a blank site. This project, although abstract, was an opportunity to explore 3D modelling and alternative programming. Trophic Terrace draws patrons back to the park in an age that leaves little room for leisure.

Trophic Terrace

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water purification

eetae prouction

ite pan

circuation

turf

auacuture

wiin oe

water purification

eetae prouction

ite pan

circuation

turf

auacuture

wiin oe

water purification

eetae prouction

ite pan

circuation

turf

auacuture

wiin oe

Trophic Communities

Tur

ecretioncommunity potential production potential

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The Gridley House is a farm home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was built in 1906 and is located in Batavia, Illinois. As part of a planting design course, I designed a planting plan for the site, sited a barn and a lap pool, and integrated ele-ments to improve the sustainability of the landscape, such as permeable paving, a natural pool, water cisterns, and no-mow turf. Although there are no existing landscape plans of the site, there are strategies I used that are in keeping with other Frank Lloyd Wright landscape plans. Because this home was unusual in its lack of art glass, I employed pattern as a tool to delineate the planting plan an paving pattern.

The Gridley House

Site Tour: Diversified Lawn

driveway paving pattern

aggregateconcrete paver

driveway paving pattern

aggregateconcrete paver

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Site Design Plan

Sections

Sections

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The Gridley House

Planting Plan: Use of PatternThe planting plan was derived from the use of pattern -- reminiscent of the use of pattern in the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. The pattern leaves space for lawn, both for the use of the client, but also to help frame the architecture. There are two plans, one for the sunny areas near the house, and one for the heavily shaded areas. All of the species included in the planting plan are native to the Batavia area.

Planting Plan: Shrubs & Trees

Tree AdditionsExisting Trees

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Use of Self-Propogating PlantsBetween the allowed planting zone and the road lies a small ravine. The ravine is somewhat sparsely vegetated, leaving potential for excess runoff and erosion. Because direct intervention is restrict-ed in the ravine, self-propogating plants have been sited along the edge of the property, such as sumac, mayapple, and Virginia bluebells. Eventually, these individuals will vegetatively reproduce, and spread into the ravine, reducing runoff and preventing erosion along the edge of the property.

single plant

colony

planting bed restricted planting area - ravine

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Front View

Side View

Construction

Netting

With the challenge of creating a landscape product, I designed a series of modular animal habitat structures. Typically, struc-tures built for animals are limited to the scale of a specific site, such as backyard birdhouses. I wanted to tap into existing infrastructure in a rural setting. I identified now defunct com-munication lines as a resource for developing a new type of habitat. The habitat pods are constructed from vacuum mold-ed plastic. The habitat pods are strung along a lattice, which is supported by the communication lines. The artificial habitat provides a safe nesting along a network, rather than in isolating fragments.

Artificial Habitat

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Contiguous Habitat Degraded Habitat Reduced Connections Fragmentation

HabitatRestorationsMany habitat restoration projects are isolated from one another. Most plants and animals require contiguous habitat to migrate. Even mobile animals are negatively effected by loss of habitat because of limited nesting sites in small refuges.

HabitatConnectionsBridging habitat restora-tions with artificial habitat structures will improve connectivity. The right of way is one of the few spaces left for habitat in rural landscapes. Compress-ing habitat into a linear, vertical structure can provide shelter for somewhat mobile animals in a fragmented area.

Osage Orange Hedge 1830 Worm Fence 1840 Barbed Wire 1900Tallgrass Prairie

Contiguous Habitat Degraded Habitat Reduced Connections Fragmentation

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Destruction of Contiguous Habitat in the Midwest

HabitatRestorationsMany habitat restoration projects are isolated from one another. Most plants and animals require contiguous habitat to migrate. Even mobile animals are negatively effected by loss of habitat because of limited nesting sites in small refuges.

HabitatConnectionsBridging habitat restora-tions with artificial habitat structures will improve connectivity. The right of way is one of the few spaces left for habitat in rural landscapes. Compress-ing habitat into a linear, vertical structure can provide shelter for somewhat mobile animals in a fragmented area.

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Clarke County, Virginia

Washington, DC

Casey Trees, a non-profit in Washington D.C. sponsored a de-sign competition to generate ideas for a farm estate that was gifted to the organization. For the competition and a design studio, I worked with a team of faculty and students at the Uni-versity of Illinois, with Gale Fulton as the lead. My contribution to the project was the Casey Tree Farm Land School, which provided landscape training for local and regional students to supplement their classroom learning through hands-on activi-ties. I identified several training opportunities that stemmed from the site programming, such as herbicide application, bee keeping, and prescribed burning to provide job training.

orchard integration

orchard management

biomass processing

biomass research

Herbicide applicators license

Prescribed burn certification

Integrative Pest Management

Bee Keeping

Orchard Integration

Casey Tree Farms

Washington, DC

Virginia Beach

Regional Population by City

Richmond

Unemployment by County

Philadelphia

Northern WV

Wetzel Co.

Tyler Co.

Webster Co.

BedfordPetersburg

EmporiaDanville

Martinsville

Meigs Co.

Mason Co.

Elliott Co.

Rowan Co.

Cumberland Co.

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Career Training

Orchard Management

Habitat Restoration

Biomass Production

Environmental Education

Site Programming

Site Goals

Production

Preservation

Conservation

Aesthetics

Education

Restoration

Interactive Training Program

Program Audience

Recent graduates

Vocational students

Change in career path

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As part of a construction course, I designed and casted a permeable paver. The paver I designed is similar in dimension to a normal brick, but the corner are offset to create voids in the pattern. The pavers were cast with a mixture of Portland cement, sand, and a small amount of aggregate. The cast was formed by cutting insulation foam board using a CNC router. Constructing pavers from drawings was not only a way to visualize the design, but also helped me understand the dif-ficulties and nuances in construction.

Permeable Paving

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Many bees native to the Midwest are facing decline due to loss of habitat. As part of a design-build studio, I constructed a vertical garden that also serves as a native bee habitat. The Vertical Bee Hotel is a modular growing system that provides nesting habitat to native pollinators.The garden was constructed using yellow pine. Because many native bees prefer nesting habitats with a dark face, I dyed the yellow pine using a charcoal based dye. The nesting boxes on each side of the vertical garden are blocks with shallow holes. Each hole is a specific diameter, sized to fit the preferred nest-ing habitat for specific native bee species.

Vertical Bee Hotel

Patent Research

Process Drawings

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University of Illinois Sasaki Day Award Winner, 2012

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Vertical Bee Hotel

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University of Illinois Sasaki Day Award Winner

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