Landscape Architecture - Portfolio

Tallaght

PelletstownDublin City Centre, 2013

UCD

Dublin City, 800AD

University College Dublin - 2008/2013Bryan Parsons

Contents

Project 2:

Project 1: Tallaght Town Centre Thesis - “Getting the Points Across”

Pelletstown - “Forestry, Not Forest”

Other: Sketches from Fieldtrips

Tallaght Town Centre - “Getting the Points Across”January 2013 - May 2013

What can be done for Tallaght?

Tallaght today is a large and rapidly expanding urban area. It has a large multicultural populal-tion, particularly to the west of the town. It has good access to social amenities and adequate transport links to the Town Centre. It is a rea-sonable destination to outsiders, but other locations such as Liffey Valley, Blanchardstown and Dundrum Shopping Centre, are more rec-ognised by visitors, in contrast to the Square, located in Tallaght. However, Tallaght is still a well developed area, with good amenities, but there still re-mains problems in certain locations. According to the Local Area Plan, 2006, by South Dublin County Council, the “Old Village still felt re-moved and distant from the Core Area” as well as the presence of “numerous barriers” when it came to “accessing the Town Centre on foot,for example, Large blocks of development, characteristic of Tallaght, could not be travelled through, “forcing people to walk considerable distances to get to places”. According to the LAP, based on these findings, there is an “over dependance on the use of cars”, as people do not wish to walk.Large zones of the Town Centre are also “dead zones, particularly at night, making them feel uninviting and unsafe”. There is also and ab-sence of high quality parks and squares, de-spite the large amount of open land around the Town Centre, most of which is taken up by car parking. (See Image Board)

Therefore what can be done for Tallaght? Based on the findings and analysis that I con-ducted for my thesis, I believe an adequate provision of more social space, ehancement of exisiting pedestrian links and provision of “better crossing points” or “thresholds” would benefit Tallaght, thus allowing for an increased sense of identity for the area, as well as mak-ing it more user friendly and safe. At present the Square Shopping Centre, is the main destination within the Town Centre, as it is the largest block within the area and holds all they key elements that constitute a Town Centre within its structure. Therfore giv-ing Tallaght a more identifiable urban outdoor space would mean that there is another loca-tion in Tallaght, that is not just “The Square”.

The Square Shopping Centre, under construction in 1990, the main destination for locals and visitors within Tallaght.Image - Courtesy of Tallaght Photo Libraries

Image Board (Own Images)

Top Left - Lucena Clinic, 1994. A new development for Tallaght back then with lots of open space sitting around it for car parking and so on.

Bottom Left - Green muddy patches in Town Centre, beside Square, run-ning down the area making it bleak and unattractive.

Top Right - Car parking in the Square. It takes up vast amounts of space, more civic space and urban parks would be better for Tallaght.

Bottom Right - Attractive civic space around Tallaght library and South Dublin County Council offices.

Introduction to Tallaght

This is an Analytical Document that I created for the first stage of my thesis

1

The aim of my thesis is to prove that designing landscape around “thresh-olds” which act as crossing points , will improve the identity of Tallaght, giving the pedestrian population a place to go, relax and cross through. There are numerous border vacuums, dead end roads and busy thoroughfares in Tal-laght. By identifying areas of possible usage, areas which have a lot of foot-fall nearby and areas which have main access points into the Town Centre, then some sort of intervention could be created to imporve the urban quality of Tallaght, adding to the good development already present within the area itself.

Image taken from Emily Talens book, Design for Diversity.

This highlights one aspect of my concept surrounding develop-ment around “crossing points”. It shows how connectivity can be improved within the urban realm, by devel-oping smaller parcels of space, providing for civic space and other attractive areas.

Idea Stage

Overall the theme is promoting the use of existing space around areas where there is some form of “crossing point” in order to stitch back the fragmented urban layout of Tallaght and allow for greater pedestrian use in previoulsy lost spaces. This theme could be titled as “a new crossing point”, and falls under other themes such as pedestrain usage, conncectivity and urban layout.

Sketches

The top sketch is anartistic impression of what some of the vacant space could be used for. The space is located along a key access point, leading into Tallaght Town Centre. There is potential to open it up into more civic space.There are other options of course, that could be explored.

The bottom sketch is another artistic impression of how existing space along a crossing point could be transformed into a pedestrain friendly location. This sketch also shows a large amount of planting to the right, growing up through a grid, for a unique effect. Design is a way of enhancing an areas image and making it more memo-rable.

2Introduction to Tallaght

3Introduction to Tallaght

What Sort of Spaces Could be Created?

Before I look at the varied spaces within Tallaght that could be developed and enhanced, I will just outline first some ideas of what these spaces could be used for and how they might work in relation to their re-spective localities.

Civic Space - Beside the Square or near the hospital. As outlined by the LAP, more open, civic and parkland space in the Town Centre is desirable.

New access routes through the vacant site beside the hospital for pedestrains is possible as outlined by the LAP. This would open up a new area, that could be transformed into a parkland area for the public and hopsital patients. It could also become an allotment area for growing fruits and vegetables, or an urban foresty.

Better links to the village could be achieved, more planting could be used to tackle this issue. Trees could create visual and permeable boundaries to space, especially along the Belgard Road. Any fenc-ing nearby or ugly railings could be replaced by hardy street trees.

Exhibition, parking and recreation space could be provided for to in Tallaght, however a more pedestrian friendly, which respects the environment is desirable. New and recycled materials could be used in the new scheme for Tallaght.

The top left image shows the vacant site beside the Square. Top right image is vacant space beside hospital. It cuts off one It could become a temporary civic space or parkland, before area from the other and is unsightly, littered with junk and development encroaches upon it. rubbish. It could become an allotment area or small park for the hospital patients and public.

The bottom left image is the same space and the top right, just at Quality links into the Town Centre are in place, but more could a different angle, facing the wall that borders the hospital. be done to improve the pedestrain realm, especially along the along the Belgard Road. (Images are my own)

The spaces that could be developed are in purple. They are in the form of vacant lots, border vacuums and green patches. It may not be possible to develop them all, but it is worth look-ing at whats available on site. I have numbered 5 main sites of interest.

Site Analysis - Refer to Site Detail

1

2

34

5Belgard Road

Belgard Road

4Introduction to Tallaght

Identifying possible areas within Tallaght for a landscape intervention

5Introduction to Tallaght

Site Detail - Refer to Plan, (Areas 1-5)AREA 1

AREA 2

Area 1.This area is a vacant site located beside Tallaght Hospital. It is an area of prime opportunity for future devel-opement, but for now it could be trans-formed into a park, allotment space or access route for pedestrians.It also could become a temporary urban for-estry, similar to the project I conducted during the last semester.

Area 2.This area is located as mentioned beside the Square. It is a prime site, where traffic and heavy footfall is pre-sent. It could become a unique urban park, allotment space, civic square or exhibition space. There is lots of po-tential to develop it, making it a unique area to visitors arriving via the Belgard Road.

Area 3.Located at the other side of the bridge in this picture, a potential location along the Tallaght Bypass. It could be enhanced and linked to Sean Walshe park, seen here in the photo. The bridge could be changed to a green link, however this may be a more chal-lenging site due to height restrictions for traffic and also due to position.

Area 4/5.Both areas are located beside the Square. The one above is area 4. Area 5 is more closed off and inhabited by trees. There the only open spaces left within the epicentre of action within the Town Centre. There could be potential for some sort of design to make these spaces more attractive and more inte-grated into the urban fabric.

Pedestrain Links

Pedestrain LinksHistoric Quarter

Car Parking

Green Space

Area 2

Area 1

Cul De Sac

Cul De Sac

Industrial Land

Tallaght Hospital Grounds

Car Parking

Belgard Road

The Square Shopping Centre

ITT

Zooming into key areas

What People will visit the Site?

Tallaght is a very multicultural area. Its varying neigh-borhoods have a good mix of Irish nationals and for-eign nationals. A large percenatge of foreign nationals live to the west of Tallaght, in the council owned areas such as Jobstown and Killinarden. There is good transport links to the Town Centre from these areas, in contrast to the lack of them back in the 70’s/80’s. Overall due to Tallaghts large population, diver-sity of nationalities and amenities, it has become an area that has almost acquired city status itself. How-ever it is a car dominated and oppresive place, with an atmosphere of bleakness in some parts. But it has quality amenity and shopping areas, and excellent public parks. I think some sort of intervention around the Town Centre would be attrcative for the local population. It also is a need as outlined by South Dublin County Council in their LAP and Devlopement Plan, 2010. It is coming up with a strategy for the development of these spaces that is the challenge. Designing at-tractive spaces that are funtional and attractive to everyone is key. They need to be user friendly, easily accessible for people will disabilities and durable, with low maintenace. They also need to serve some sort of purpose for the area. Throwing in attractive paving and seating whilst good, is not enough. These spaces need to be places where people will want to go, spaces where they will congregate and spaces that will be memorable to them. They are spaces for all and should act as a “crossiing point” into a new journey for Tallaght’s future development

How to go about Creating New Spaces for Tallaght?

To start any sort of design stage, I will start by analysing the chosen sites in detail, if it is proven that they are suitable. Then I will take account of ground conditons, soil, drainage and access. I will aim to get an idea of how many people use the area on a daily basis, by conducting a site visit. After the analysis and decision stage, the design process will then start. The design will have to be based on my research for thesis prepara-tion and on some aspect that refers to Tallaght itself, taking account of the areas history, location, users, to-pography and ground conditions. During this stage I will try to create concept sketches, draft plans and so on. I want to design a space or spaces that not only are self contained but areas which connect to their surround-ing context, thus knitting together the urban fabric of Tallaght Town Centre. The main areas that I need to take account of are “Theme, Programme and Site”. I also need to consider whether these sites are temporary or fixed, these factors will influence further the nature of these designed spaces and their function in the built environment.

The 4 images to the left are new spaces around buildings that have recently been built in the past 5 years. They simply illustrate the character of the landscape design in the Town Centre. I think some sort of new design intervention that fulfils the same functions as these spaces but makes more of an impact on the user would be desirable. For a start, draw-ing inspiration from Tallaght’s history and past is a way in which some sort of design could be formed,as it has a design foundation based on Tallaght itself, which is a much more worthwhile venture, in contrast to the bread and but-ter design seen here.

6Introduction to Tallaght

Conclusion

Tallaght 1991 - 1997

Tallaght Town Centre - Context and Growth in the City7

Tallaght 1988 - 1991 Tallaght 1997 - 2013

Dublin City

Tallaght Town Centre

Tallaght 1973 (West) Tallaght 2004 (North)

Tallaght Town Centre - Existing Area AnalysisIndustrial Areas

Tallaght ITTallaght Hospital

Gym

Mixed Use Buildings

Historical Buildings

Residential BuildingsApartment Blocks and Offices

Tallaght Stadium

Hotels and Restaraunts

Social Welfare Office

Garda Station

Commercial Premises

Garages and Petrol Stations

Council Headquarters

The Square

Leisure PlexSchools

Banks

Astro Pitches

Maldron Hotel

Boundaries and Barriers Car Parks

Areas of Vehicle/Pedestrian Conflict Areas for Design InterventionBuilding Uses in Tallaght

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Diagrams that informed the design intervention

Areas of High Activity (DAY) Areas of High Activity (NIGHT) Heavily Used Routes Frequently Used Routes Infrequently Used Routes

The Pedestrian Experience - Existing ContextA

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

AB

DCE

FG

HBelgard Main Road

Tallaght Main Crossing

Tallaght Village

St.Mary’s Priory

Vacant Site

Outside The Square Shopping Centre (EAST)

Outside The Square Shopping Centre (WEST)

The Square Car Parking (WEST)

Tallaght Town Centre - Panorama’s of Key Areas9

Photos informing the viewer about the areas existing condition

Tallaght Town Centre - Concept Development10 Design Concept

Existing Site Conditions - Pedestrian Unfriendly

Proposed Idea - “Getting the Points Across”

Pedestrian Routes Tree Planting

Making the Connections

Tallaght Town Centre - “The Vision for the Area”11

Tallaght Town Centre - Masterplan12

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Proposed Public Space Tram Station Enhanced PedestrianLink

Public Space withbus stop

Existing Shopping Street Tallaght Village Historical Grounds

Shopping CentreNew Urban Development

Section Elevations - Tallaght Town CentreBryan Parsons, 4th year, 08454892

Section AA (North)

Section BB (North)

Section CC (North)

AACC

BB

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Tallaght Town Centre - Sections13

Tallaght Town Centre - Sketch Walkthrough14

BA C

D E N

C D E

ROUTE (A)

ROUTE (B)

Existing/Proposed Areas

Axo - Not to Scale

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Existing/Proposed

Tallaght Town Centre - Detailed Area One16 Detail Area

Tree PitFilter Strip (SUDS)

20mm sand setting bed concrete pavers,200x200x60

150mm concrete with entrained air

100 mm granular “A” fill

Drain Pipe

Clear stone, 20mm size 100mm preforated drain pipe

Irrigation pvc pipe, 25mm

Tree Pit Planting Medium

15m rebars

Pavement

Flow from Impermeablesurface

Reverse Bullnose Kerb

TopsoilGrass filterstrip

Paving

Exposed Aggregate Infill Smooth Concrete Surface Red Aggregate

Details 1:50 Axonometric

Existing Site

Plan 1:500

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Filter Strip (SUDS) Tree Pit PavingN

Existing Site

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Model Photos.

Tallaght Town Centre - Detailed Area Two, Model 1:500

Pelletstown - “Forestry, Not Forest”September 2012 - December 2012

Introduction to Pelletstown - Photos1

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Pelletstown is a new residential area in North Dublin that was planned as a high density housing scheme. However much of the development remains incomplete due to the economic downturn, thus creating a scheme that is unfin-ished. The grey on the plan below shows the incomplete areas . In this project we looked into how these remaining areas could be used, particularly through urban forestry.

Pelletstown - “Examining Forestry Material”2

Concept Development - Abstract Model, manipulating forestry material

Pelletstown - “Examining Forestry Material”3

Concept Development - Composite Image/Rough Work

Pelletstown - Interpreting the Possibilities4

Pelletstown - Existing Site Conditions5 Built Footprint

Boundaries - River/Connecting Road

Surrounding Land

Open Land on Site

Existing Amenity Space

Canal/Tolka River

Artificial Lakes/SUDS

Inaccessible Space on Site

Developed Land Functioning Roads

Closed Roads

Analytical Diagrams outlining the existing conditions on the Pelletstown Site. From this research it is clear that there is a large proportion of unused land in comparison to the amenity land. Develop-ment on site is also somewhat constricted to the South, with the presence of the canal and train line. Development beyond the boundary to the North is admirable, extending into the Tolka Valley Area, with the Tolka River.

Final Plan - 24th October Diagrams

Functional Zones - Allotment spaces, parking, composting, waste management, storage sheds, carpentry rooms, nursery stock pro-duction, community space for boot sales, art exhibitions.

Green Amenity Areas within the site for walking, jogging, cycling, playgrounds and picnics.

Tree Typology(Light grey) - Birch/Ash Woodland(Dark Brown) - Mixed Woodland such as Willow, Ash, Birch, Haw-thorn, Hazel and Beech(Dark Green) - Existing Birch Trees along semi circle, Birch and Poplar(Pink) - Willow Grove with other species such as Ash, Alder and Birch, HazelPlanting of Birch along SUDS system (Light Green along Canal) - Birch, Alder (Light Green, top of plan) - Dense Evergreen Woodland could be planted and existing hedges enhanced

Tree DensitiesDark Green - HighMedium Green - MediumLight Green - Low

Tree Typology

Pelletstown - Creating an “Urban Forestry Scheme”6

Birch & Ash Woodland Willow, Hazel, Birch & HawthornExisting Birch Trees

Willow, Ash, Alder, Hazel & Birch

Birch & Alder Plantation

Existing Birch Trees along SUDS

Evergreen Woodland

Year 1 - 5 Year 5 - 10

Year 10 - 15 Year 15 - 21

Leave to Colonise &plant more trees

Let Colonise, Plant new trees &Clear spaces

Plant new trees & improve the exist-ing open space

Compost & store area

Compost & store area

Plant & cut trees + Build Workshop

Cut & plant trees. Open space to allow for new functions & car access

Cut & plant trees. Cre-ate allotment spaces for the residents

Compost & store area

Cut & plant trees. New areas for outdoor pursuits, educa-tion in woodwork

Cut & plant trees. Provide allot-ments, along with open space for exhibitions & car boot sales

Cut & plant trees. Retain allotment areas. More playspace could be provided here to be retained once the scheme is finished

Compost & store area to be removed

Trees to be gradually removed for future development. Site to be decomissioned

Remove trees over time & re-tain the allotment/recreational space

Relocated open spaces here across site, remove any trees

1 - 5 YEARS

5 - 10 YEARS

10 - 15 YEARS

15 - 21 YEARS

“The Changing Nature of Pelletstown”

Pelletstown - Masterplan7

Birch Trees

SUDSRecreational Land AllotmentsWork ShedsParking Pedestrian Pathways

Birch , Hazel & Ash WoodlandWild Grassland Birch for coppicing Willows for growing Amenity Woodland Birch & Ash plantation

Amenity Woodland

Canal

Tolka River

Urban forestry is the introduction of forestry material into an urban setting, creating new spaces that grow and develop in their own way over time. The material grown on site can be manipulated and used by the residents in a variety of ways. More trees can be removed, planted, left to grow or coppiced over time, meaning that different segments of land will be changing. This project will allow for a landscape of varying uses for both leisure and work. It will eventually be phased out by year 21, when new development takes over (see page 10 ).

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SECTION AA

SECTION BB

SECTION AA

SECTION BB

0 - 5 YEARS

7 YEARS LATER

WILD GRASSLAND WITH OPEN SPACES COMMERCIAL WOODLANDEXISTING ROADWAY

EXISTING ROADWAY

GRASSLAND WITH MIXED WOODLAND MAINTENANCE SHEDEXISTING ROADWAY

SUDS SYSTEM

SUDS SYSTEM MIXED WOODLAND NEW HOUSING

MIXED WOODLAND

COMMERCIAL WOODLAND

WILD SHRUBLAND

MIXED WOODLANDWILD SHRUBLAND EXISTING ROADWAY EXISTING ROADWAY

EXISTING ROADWAY

Pelletstown,Masterplan Stage 6

The sections work in conjun-tion with the plan. The top two and bottom two are the same sections, only at differ-ent time periods. The show how the spaces will change over time. Some spaces will be cut back, other let grow wild, some new buildings will also be introduced as seen in the bottom two sections. The sections also attempt to convey how these new spac-es will look with their own unique atmospheres.

Pelletstown - Sections8

Section aa

Section bb

Section aa

Section bb

bb aa

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Pelletstown - Perspectives9

Visuals - “The Atmosphere in Pelletstown”

In the Forest

“ a pathway “ through the landscape

Locations

The top highlights how the temporary spaces will change over time. The light green is open space, medium green is light mixed woodland with amenity ar-eas and the dark green is commercial woodland and brown area is the allot-ment space. YEAR 0 - 7

The middle diagram again is highlight-ing how the temporary spaces will change over time with the addition of new service/allotment areas brown. Some of the woodland spaces are bro-ken up due to new phasing. The wood-land left behind can still be retained. YEAR 7 - 14

The bottom diagram simply shows how a lot of the temporary forest is broken is broken up altogether with some spaces kept such as the allotment and new ser-vice spaces (brown) and mixed wood-land (medium green) and commercial woodland (dark green) which would not be a commercial forest anymore. YEAR 14 - 21

The top diagram highlights how the temporary space will change over time. The light green is open space, medium green is light mixed wood-land with amenity areas and the dark green is commercial woodland. The brown areas are allot-ment and work spaces. YEAR 0 - 7

The top middle diagram is highlighting how the temporary spaces will change over time with the addition of new service/ allotment areas. Some of the woodland spaces are broken up due to new developement. The woodland left behind can still be retained and used to enhance the quality of the public relam. YEAR 7 - 14

The top bottom diagram simply shows how a lot of the temporary forest is broken up altogether with some spaces kept such as the allotment/work spaces, along with mixed woodland and commercial woodland, which would not be in commercial use any more. YEAR 14 - 21

Commercial Woodland

Mixed Amenity Woodland

Open Space

Allotment/Work/Service Space

Pelletstown - Phasing Strategy10

The top diagram highlights the first phase of building in red, with the blue service buildings highlighted blue and existing in black. YEAR 0 - 7

The middle diagram highlights the second phase of building in red tak-ing shape in the form of square blocks. Service buildings are blue and existing black. YEAR 07 - 14

The bottom diagram highlights the third phasing of building in red and the existing in black. The service buildings will be removed by this time and new spaces created. YEAR 14 - 21

The top diagram highlights the first phase of building in red, with the service buildings high-lighted blue. The existing buildings are black YEAR 0 - 7.

The middle diagram highlights the second phase of building in red, taking shape in the form of square blocks. The service buildings are blue and existing are black. YEAR 7 - 14

The bottom diagram highlights the third phasing of building in red and the exisitng in black. The service buildings will have been removed by this time and new spaces created. YEAR 14 - 21

New Buildings

Service Buildings

Existing Buildings

The top diagram highlights the path system during the first phase of the footpath system with the service build-ings (blue) illustrated and phased de-velopment (red), along with existing (black). YEAR 0 - 7

The middle diagram highlights the sec-ond phase of the footpath system in blue as it takes shape amongst the ex-isting and new development. The sec-ond phasing of housing is added on this one. YEAR 7 - 14

The bottom diagram highlights the third phase of the footpath system in blue showing how it will change and re-spond to possible future development on site. By this stage the whole site may be fully developed or built upon. YEAR 14 - 21

The top diagram highlights the path system dur-ing the first phase of the development, with the service buildings in blue and phased develop-ment in red. YEAR 0 - 7

The middle diagram highlights the second phase of the footpath system in blue as it takes shape amongst the exisitng and new development. YEAR 7 - 14

The bottom diagram highlights the third phase of the footpath system in blue showing how it will change and respond to the anticipated future de-velopment on site. By this stage the whole site may be fully developed. YEAR 14 - 21

The top highlights how the temporary spaces will change over time. The light green is open space, medium green is light mixed woodland with amenity ar-eas and the dark green is commercial woodland and brown area is the allot-ment space. YEAR 0 - 7

The middle diagram again is highlight-ing how the temporary spaces will change over time with the addition of new service/allotment areas brown. Some of the woodland spaces are bro-ken up due to new phasing. The wood-land left behind can still be retained. YEAR 7 - 14

The bottom diagram simply shows how a lot of the temporary forest is broken is broken up altogether with some spaces kept such as the allotment and new ser-vice spaces (brown) and mixed wood-land (medium green) and commercial woodland (dark green) which would not be a commercial forest anymore. YEAR 14 - 21

The top diagram highlights how the temporary space will change over time. The light green is open space, medium green is light mixed wood-land with amenity areas and the dark green is commercial woodland. The brown areas are allot-ment and work spaces. YEAR 0 - 7

The top middle diagram is highlighting how the temporary spaces will change over time with the addition of new service/ allotment areas. Some of the woodland spaces are broken up due to new developement. The woodland left behind can still be retained and used to enhance the quality of the public relam. YEAR 7 - 14

The top bottom diagram simply shows how a lot of the temporary forest is broken up altogether with some spaces kept such as the allotment/work spaces, along with mixed woodland and commercial woodland, which would not be in commercial use any more. YEAR 14 - 21

Commercial Woodland

Mixed Amenity Woodland

Open Space

Allotment/Work/Service Space

Phasing - Land Use Phasing - Building DevelopmentPhasing - Footpaths

0 - 7 years

7 - 14 years

14 - 21 years

Pelletstown - Model11

Model - Part of the scheme in model form

Before Coppicing After Coppicing Covered Area in the Forestry

Location

Other MaterialFreehand Sketches

Field Trip to Barcelona, Spain1

Above sketches looking at details in the built landscape

Exploring Barcelona - March 2010

Field Trip to the Causses Cevennes, September 20102

Erasmus - Blois, France

Personal Interest - Dublin City 3

Comparing Mountjoy Square, Dublin & Belgrave Square, London

“O’Connell Street, Dublin, 1988

Mountjoy Square

Belgrave Square