Ryan AlbrachtPortfolio

Statement of Intent

With the need for sustainability, landscape architects must encourage change by using innovative green infrastructure and native plantings to promote ecosystem functions in our urban communities. Using creativity and simplicity we can design sustainable solutions in urban environments that provide pleasing aesthetics.

When designing urban environments, landscape architects should collaborate with architects to create unified designs that will promote social interaction, please users, and be economically resilient.

The following samples of work have been selected to best communicate my interests. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thanks for taking the time to look through my portfolio.

Sincerely,

Ryan J. Albracht

Background

Horticulture Construction Design Contact

2009-2011 I worked at Family Tree Nursery in Kansas City, KS. I grew herbaceous annuals and perennials and learned plant species characteristics.

Kansas State UniversityCollege of Architecture Planning & DesignMasters of Landscape Architecture4th Year Student

The previous three summers of my college career I worked for Oleson Landscape & Design in Okoboji, IA. It is a design build firm that specializes in lake shore development. The first two years I was a construction worker. I built patios, retaining walls, pergolas, decks, and waterfalls. In the previous summer I was a designer and worked with clients.

My design work began at Kansas State University. In my first year I learned the basic fundamentals of architecture related professions. Next, I studied in the College of Landscape Architecture Planning and Design. I worked on a variety of project types which can be seen in this portfolio.

Ryan Albracht4223 N. 125th St. Kansas City, KS 66109 (913) - 940 - 2077ryan12@k-state.edu

Table of Contents

Parks and Plazas

Residential

Campus Design

Urban Design

THE PROGRESSING PLAZA

FUTURAMA GALLERY

CLAFLIN TRIANGLE

REDUCE; RE-USE; RECHARGE

WEST OKOBOJI LAKE HOUSE

BEGINNING WITH BLUEMONT

RADIATING PLAZA

THE COMMON GROUND

1-6

7-8

9-12

13-16

Parks & Plazas

Exterior environments like parks and plazas should have a variety of recreational opportunities. Shown in this category is a golf course plaza, an art gallery, and a historical plaza design.

1

Grading Plan Earthwork Plan

Earthwork Estimation Cross Section

Planting Plan

Located in Manhattan, KS is a public golf course named Colbert Hills. We were asked to redesign their primary activity space and propose two guest lodges. The design I proposed aims to define a central space with buildings and trees. The design manages stormwater on site with bio-retention and rain-gardens. CAD skills were developed during construction document phase.

Radiating Plaza

NNot to ScaleC1 131.53 F1 383.97 K1 -C2 2,319.94 F2 726.97 K2 -C3 N/A F3 - K3 -C4 N/A F4 - K4 N/A

Total Sub Cut Area= C1..C10 2,451.47 Total Sub Fill Area

= F1..F10 1,110.94 Total K Area= K1..K10 -

Adjusted for KTotal Sub Cut Area

=( C1..C10)+( K1..K10) 2,451.47

Section Vertical Exaggeration 10.00 Section Vertical Exaggeration 10.00Corrected Sub Cut Area

sq.ft.=Total Cut / Vert.Exag.

245.15 Corrected Sub Fill Area

sq.ft.=Total Cut / Vert.Exag.

111.09

Sub Cut Area(s) sq.ft. Sub Fill Area(s) sq.ft. K (Cut in Fill Area)Section 1+61

Sub Cut Volume for SectionsCorrected Sub Cut

Areassq.ft.

Average Sub Cut Area sq.ft.

= (Sta1+Sta2) / 2

DistanceBetweenSections

Sub Cut Volumecu.ft.

=Avg Cut Area * Dist.

Sub Cut Volume cu.yds.

=Cut Volume / 271+61 245.15 2+11 225.59

Sub Fill Volume for Sections

Corrected Sub Fill Areassq.ft.

Average Sub Fill Area sq.ft.

= (Sta1+Sta2) / 2

DistanceBetweenSections

Sub Fill Volume cu.ft.

Sub Fill Volumecu.yds.

=Fill Volume / 271+61 111.09 2+11 248.80

235.37 50 11,768.30 435.86

179.95 50 8,997.43 333.24

SECTION 1+11

SECTION 1+61

C1

C2

C1

C2

F2

SHEET 3

F1

F4

F1

F2

C1 104.13 F1 555.76 K1 -C2 2,697.92 F2 22.35 K2 -C3 - F3 3.91 K3 -C4 - F4 713.32 K4 N/A

Total Sub Cut Area= C1..C10 2,802.05 Total Sub Fill Area

= F1..F10 1,295.34 Total K Area= K1..K10 -

Adjusted for KTotal Sub Cut Area

=( C1..C10)+( K1..K10) 2,802.05

Section Vertical Exaggeration 10.00 Section Vertical Exaggeration 10.00Corrected Sub Cut Area

sq.ft.=Total Cut / Vert.Exag.

280.21 Corrected Sub Fill Area

sq.ft.=Total Cut / Vert.Exag.

129.53

Section 1+11Sub Cut Area(s) sq.ft. Sub Fill Area(s) sq.ft. K (Cut in Fill Area)

Sub Cut Volume for SectionsCorrected Sub Cut

Areassq.ft.

Average Sub Cut Area sq.ft.

= (Sta1+Sta2) / 2

DistanceBetweenSections

Sub Cut Volumecu.ft.

=Avg Cut Area * Dist.

Sub Cut Volume cu.yds.

=Cut Volume / 271+11 280.21 1+61 225.59

Sub Fill Volume for Sections

Corrected Sub Fill Areassq.ft.

Average Sub Fill Area sq.ft.

= (Sta1+Sta2) / 2

DistanceBetweenSections

Sub Fill Volume cu.ft.

Sub Fill Volumecu.yds.

=Fill Volume / 271+11 129.53 1+61 248.80

252.90 50 12,644.75 468.32

189.17 50 9,458.43 350.31

F3

2

Layout & Dimensioning Detail Reference PlanIrrigation Plan Lighting Plan

Deck FootingPergolaNot to Scale

3

Art installations and plants are used to create a vernacular landscape to display a relationship between art and nature. This design creates a seamless experience throughout the landscape with interior-exterior relationship and with a plant palette that provides seasonal interests.

Futurama Gallery

Sculpture Meadow

Overflow Event Area

Lounge Area

Event Area

Entrance PlazaParking

Program Organization Conceptual Design Design DevelopmentSchematic Design

NNot to Scale

4

The design incorporates many textures, colors, and forms that change throughout the year. The planting design creates a balance of blooming plants throughout the seasons.

Plant Selection

5

The concept of this design was to form a narrative of the sites progression through time. The site is located where the Santa Fe Trail intersected the Neosho River in Council Groove, KS.

Concept

Materials

Intimate Space

Site Context

The ProgressingPlaza

PAST

TRANSITION

PRESENT

GRASSES

WATER,

TURF, FIRE

RED BRICK

VERY

MODERATE

LOW

Fire Pit

Native Grass

Red Brick

Movable Tables and Chairs

Water Pools

SITE

Neosho River

TurfConcrete

Elevated Reflecting Pool

Granite

Riverw

alk

Limestone

Ground Embedded Lights

Signage

N

6

This central space uses water, fire, limestone, and turf to serve as neutral elements between past and present. The push and pull of materials are used to symbolize the connection between past and present.

Applying Meaning to Materials

The design tells a story of how the site has changed over time. Native grasses were used on the north side to represent the historical past, while, brick was used on the south side to represent the present. Between these two sides is the primary ring of space that serves as a transition between the past and present conceptual spaces.

NarrativeConcept

Materials

Intimate Space

Residential

In 2014 I designed several residential properties in Okoboji, IA working for Oleson Landscape and Design. I learned to work with clients first hand and follow strict building codes.

West Okoboji Lake House

Retrofitted Patio Area

Fenced in Dog Area

Vegetated Privacy Fence

Improved Car Circulation

Eden St.

House

New Dock Location

Sitting Wall

Design Goal:Create a smooth transition between the road, house, and Lake. While also enhancing existing space and creating a dog area.

7

NNot to Scale

8

Deck & StaircaseExisting & Proposed

Driveway & Fence

Patio & Fire Pit

The lakeside design unifies the shoreline property. The dock location is moved on axis with the front door. An existing patio is raised to make it more comfortable and easier to access. A unused shack is removed to allow better views.

The design also proposes three boulder walls to create two terraces. These terraces will consist of low maintenance perennial plantings that will reduce pollutants going into the lake as well as soften the edge of the boulder walls.

Not to Scale

Campus Design

A handful of my project sites were located on campus. The project showcased above was inserted into a EPA Rainworks Competition as well as a Midwest ASLA competition.

9

EPA Rainworks Challenge 2013

Mint Garden

Interactive CisternLarge Cistern

Flow Through Planter

Congregation AreaBars, Tables, Benches

Tall Fescue Lawn

Rain Garden

New Sidewalk

Lily Turf Lawn

The EPA Rainworks Challenge was a group project. My team of four was required to select a site on campus. The site we chose was an underutilized area outside the famous K-state Call Hall Dairy Bar.

The redesign of this space is intended to maximize functionality while artfully managing the stormwater runoff from the rooftops to provide visitors the opportunity to learn about stormwater management through interaction.

The plan was to reduce erosion, pooling, runoff, and maintenance costs.

ReduceRe-useRecharge

NNot to Scale

Flow-through Mint Planter

10

Stormwater RunoffThese numbers are calculated using the rational method, which factors the infiltration rate of all surfaces and the intensity of a storm based on Manhattan’s macro-climate.

Gutter Filter

First Flush System

300 Gallon Cistern

Twisting Nozzle

1/2” PipePlanting Medium

Splitted 2 Gallon Funnel

Overflow Spout

Open Air Steel Pipe

1.5’ Planting MediumFilter Fabric

Filter Fabric6” Sand

6” Pea Rock6” Concrete Base

Grease Board

For this team project I produced lots of conceptual designs in which my team collaborated and advanced one. My role consisded of calculating the amount of water storage needed for storm types. Once I completed this I could size the cisterns, pipes, and the raingarden. I also created a video for this design which can be seen by clicking here.

Interactive Cistern Cistern & Flow-through Planter Rain Garden

11

Spatial Framework

Building S

torie

s & P

rogra

m

Located at Kansas State University, this project represents an idea that a parking lot could be removed to create a pedestrian friendly, urban environment that contrasts with the rest of campus.

Claflin Triangle Circulation Parking Zones

NNot to Scale

1st Floor

2nd Floor

5th Floor

3rd Floor

6th Floor

4rd Floor

7th Floor

12

Building Purpose

Aerial Looking South

This design introduces new mixed-use buildings that would solve the housing shortage dilemma as well as provide more space for classrooms, lecture halls, studios, offices, restaurants, and cafe’s.

OfficeResidentialCafe & RestaurantsClassesShopsService and Utilities

Heirarchy of Space

Service Access Water Management

To reduce the stormwater runoff that is polluting Campus Creek a series of bioswells, rain-gardens, and cisterns are proposed.

Urban Design

Two semesters of college were designated to urban design. I worked on Aggieville in Manhattan, KS and downtown St. Joseph, MO. Both projects involved collaborating with government officials, business owners, and the public.

The above image is a conceptual design for a pedestrian bridge in Chicago which I developed for the fun of it.

13

Wildcat Plaza

Sourc e: E s ri , Dig i ta lG lobe, G eoEy e, i -c ubed, US DA , U SG S, A EX , G etm apping, Aerog rid , IG N, IG P, s w is stop o, and the G IS U s er C om m uni ty

Bluemont Avenue

Moro Street

Laramie Street

Fremont Street

Laramie Street

Vattier Street

Anderson Avenue

Manhattan Avenue

12th Street

11th Street

15th Street

14th Street

10th Street

Legend

0 150 300 600

N

Permeable SurfaceImpermeable SurfaceArea of Aggieville

Inquiry: Where are impermeable surfaces located in Aggieville? How does it compare to its surrounding context?Key Extractions: Permeable surfaces, impermeable surfaces, and an aerial image.Methodology: Location of permeable surfaces was done during site vists on a printed aerial map. This data was put into GIS and percentage calculations of permeable and impermeable surfaces were done.Conclusions: Aggieville has a drastically higher percentage of impermeable surfaces vs permeable surfaces. Aggieville’s context including residential housing, City Park, and the KSU campus have a lower percentage of impermeable surface.

Figure: Impermeable SurfacesSource: Riley County GIS. Site Visit: Albracht, Ryan.

Permeable Surfaces in Aggieville

Impermeable Surfaces in Aggieville

W2_RA01_300_ImpermeableSurface.PDF

ClassificationImpermeable Surfaces Dominate AggievilleImpermeable surfaces lead to stormwater runoff

9%

91%

Inquiry: What is the drainage pattern in Aggieville and the larger Manhattan area?Key Extractions: Hillshade, Elevation, Slope, Rivers, Creeks, Bodies of water, floodplains, Drain inlets, Storm Sewers, watershed breakline, runoff directions, Streets, and buildings.Methodology: The GIS layers’ hue, transparency, and contrast were adjusted in GIS and then exported to Adobe Indesign. The 1995 stormwater management master plan watershed was assembled in Adobe Photoshop and then traced in Adobe Illustrator. These layers were then put into Indesign and overlayed.Conclusions: Aggieville is divided by the Downtown West|Downtown East watershed breakline. The precipitation in Aggieville runs away from the center of Aggieville and is directed into storm sewers which eventually discharged into the Kansas River. The only external runoff potentially entering Aggieville is water running south along N. Manhattan Ave.

0 5,000 10,000 20,000

N

0 15,000 30,000 60,000

NLegend

North watershedStadium watershedBlue Hills watershedNorth View watershedDowntown East watershedDowntown West watershedWildcat Southeast watershedRolling Hills watershedWildcat Southwest watershedEureka Valley watershed

Virginia Nevada watershedCico Park watershedLittle Kitten Creek watershedBuildingsFloodplainCreekRiverLocation ReferenceAggievilleRoads

Drain InletsStorm SewersWatershed BreaklineRunoff Direction

Figure 01: Manhattan WatershedSource: Riley County GIS. 1995 Stormwater Management Master Plan- Existing System Performance

Figure 02: Aggieville WatershedSource: Riley County GIS. Stormwater Management Master Plan- Existing System Performance

Big Blue River

Downtown East Discharge

Tuttle Creek

Classification

W3_RA01_10,000|300_Watersheds.PDF

Little Surface Stormwater Enters Aggieville From Adjacent AreasThe Downtown East/Downtown West watershed breakline bisects Aggieville so water drains away from the district

Bluemont Ave.

Watershed

Breakline

Moro Street

Laramie Street

Laramie Street

Kansas River

Fremont Street

City Park

Anderson Ave.

AggievilleM

anhattan Ave.

12th Street

11th Street

14th Street

Downtown West Discharge

The goal of this project was to update the business district of Aggieville located in Manhattan, Kansas. A series of mapping exercises was the first step at identifying the dilemmas. As a class we produced over 150 maps. We then broke up into three person teams to form design proposals.

Beginning With Bluemont

The ridge line between the Downtown East and Downtown West watersheds divide the runoff in Aggieville. GIS was used to analyze the watershed.

91% of surfaces in Aggieville are impervious. Runoff from these impervious surfaces are channeled into storm inlets and which eventually flow into the Kansas River.

Watershed Divide Impervious Surfaces

My group’s design proposal consisted of new mixed-use buildings with internal parking garages. These buildings were placed in suitable locations based on historical meaning, property costs, and building square footage.

City Park

Wildcat Plaza

Triangle Park

KSUCampus

NNot to Scale

14

Source: Esri , DigitalG lobe, Ge oEye, i -cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapp ing, Ae rog ri d, IG N, IG P, sw isstopo, and the G IS User Comm unity

Legend

0

N

Permeable SurfaceImpermeable SurfaceDownspouts onto Permeable SurfaceDownspouts onto Impermeable SurfaceArea of AggievilleBuilding Footprints

100 200 400

Inquiry: Where is the source of high intensity stormwater flows? Key Extractions: Drains, permeable surfaces, impermeable surfaces, building footprints, and an aerial image.Methodology: Through site visits, downspouts were located in Aggieville. That data was then put into Illustrator. Next, the downspout runoff was analyzed whether it flowed onto permeable or impermeable surfaces. This data was overlayed in InDesign on previous field research of permeable and impermeable surfaces, which was created in GIS.Conclusions: High intensity flows are primarily flowing onto impermeable surfaces. Of the sparse permeable surface in Aggieville, there are no permeable areas that collect surface runoff. This lack of good stormwater management practices causes stormwater runoff, and washes contaminants into storm sewers. This contaminated water eventually drains into the Kansas River.

Figure: DownspoutsSource: Riley County GIS. Site Visit: Albracht, Ryan & Krehbiel, Beth.

W2_RA02_200_Downspouts.PDF

Most Downspouts Drain onto Impermeable SurfacesStormwater runoff carries contaminates into piped stormwater system

Dilemma

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Bluemont Avenue

Moro Street

Laramie Street

Laramie Street

Anderson Avenue

Manhattan Avenue

12th Street

11th Street

15th Street

14th Street

10th Street

Source: Esri , DigitalG lobe, Ge oEye, i -cubed, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapp ing, Ae rog ri d, IG N, IG P, sw isstopo, and the G IS User Comm unity

Legend

0

N

Potential areas for capturing stormwaterPotential stormwater collection areasCurrent areas with minimal runoffPermeable SurfaceImpermeable SurfaceDrains flow onto Permeable SurfaceDrains flow onto Impermeable SurfaceArea of Aggieville Building footprints

100 200 400

Inquiry: How can pollution be reduced in the Kansas River?Key Extractions: Drains, permeable surfaces, impermeable surfaces, building footprints, an aerial image, current areas with minimal runoff, potential areas for capturing stormwater, and potential stormwater collection areas.Methodology: Through site visits, downspouts were located in Aggieville and then documented in Adobe Illustrator. Next, the downspout runoff was analyzed whether it flowed onto permeable or impermeable surfaces. This data was overlayed in InDesign on previous field research of permeable and impermeable surfaces, which was created in GIS. Lastly, a site visit was done to examine slope and drainage direction. This helped to determine where potential stormwater collection areas could be located.Conclusions: If stormwater was collected in Aggieville before entering into storm sewers, there would not be as much contaminated water entering into the Kansas River. In order to reduce pollution, the alleyways in Aggieville could serve the function of collecting stormwater. Curbs cuts should be installed adjacent to peremable surfaces to collect stormwater runoff from streets and alleyways. If alley water is collected through these strategies, the only runoff directed off site would be street water.

Figure: Water CollectionSource: Riley County GIS. Site Visit: Albracht, Ryan & Krehbiel, Beth.

W2_RA03_200_WaterCollection.PDF

Potential Collection of StormwaterInfiltrating stormwater and or slowing down peak runoff times to reduce pollution.

Strategy

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Bluemont Avenue

Moro Street

Laramie Street

Laramie Street

Anderson Avenue

Manhattan Avenue

12th Street

11th Street

15th Street

14th Street

10th Street

For a solution for the stormwater runoff dilemma, the alleyways can be used to store or infiltrate water.

Most downspouts in Aggieville go to impervious surfaces concentrated in the alleyways.

Stormwater TreatmentDownspout Inventory

Triangle ParkThe existing Triangle Park is enlarged and redesigned to provide for large events. The redesign calls for a landmark to mark the entrance to Aggieville. This park and Wildcat Plaza would be part of a larger green-way system which would connect City Park to KSU.

A classmate and I created a video of my studios work for this project which can be seen by clicking here.

Not to Scale

15

A new vision for Downtown St. Joseph involves creating an active engaging space in the existing alleyways. Collaboration with local residents about architectural styles and the public wants helped steer this new vision.

The Common Ground

Transition into Alleyway

Utility Veil for Pedestrians

Alleyway Cafe

Site Context

Retail:90,250 sq ft26%

Restaurants: 72,150 sq ft21%

Office:84,500 sq ft25%

Residential94,625 sq ft28%

5th

Stre

et

6th

Stre

et

Jules Street

Francis Street

Felix Street

Edmond Street

New Mixed-use Building

New Mixed-use Building

Green Roof

Plaza Fountain

Bike Staging

Pedestrian Alleyway

Amphitheater

Green Roof

Outdoor Cafe

Canopy Veil

New Mixed-use Building

NNot to Scale

16

Southern Civic SpaceThis design proposal responds to the need for civic space and residential housing in Downtown St. Joseph. The plan calls for two new active civic spaces connected by a pedestrian alleyway which would serve as a catalyst for downtown redevelopment.