Project Summary:
The 2010 Land Art Generator Initiative seeked proposals for clean energy generation land art to be installed in the sustainably planned city of Masdar. EDD served as the ecological and renewable energy strategy consultant to the Atelier DNA team to design a network of “Windstalks.” “Windstalks” consist of carbon fiber reinforced resin poles designed to sway in the wind and distribute energy from cables running the length of each pole to a torque generator located within the base of each pole. The vortice-shaped pole bases are to be arrayed on the site following a logarithmic spiral, with spaces between each base serving as sites for rain water collection. The tops of each pole contain LEDs designed to glow and dim proportional to the amount of wind; with no wind the “Windstalks” go dark. Out of hundreds of entries submitted from over 40 countries around the world, “Windstalk” placed second in the competition.

Clients/Partners:
Atelier DNA
ISSE Innovative Structural and Specialty Engineering

SERVICES:
Water Resources Planning & Design, Landscape: Stormwater Management and Treatment / Water Reuse, Rainwater Harvesting | Sustainable Engineering & Analysis: Energy Modeling / Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling

Project Summary:
EDD provided a range of technical assistance to The World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Program for a study of drinking water well contamination in the state of Kerala, India. The project involved an analysis of fecal contamination sources and variability across a heterogeneous terrain over a year period. EDD helped develop the initial design proposal, survey protocol, implementation plan, and the design of an information management system. The survey design utilized an eco-region framework that enabled differences in the landscape to be incorporated into a single analytical approach. Statistical models developed by EDD identified likely pathways of contamination and periods of elevated risk to inform policy and practices to minimize risk. Results of this work contributed to policy dialogues on how best to promote and provide safe and clean water.

Clients/Collaborators:
The World Bank
Kerala (India) State Government / Water Resource Dept.

SERVICES:
Sustainable Engineering & Analysis: Hydrologic & Hydraulic Modeling | Planning: Sustainable Master Planning / Feasibility Studies / Design Guidelines / Site Assessment

Project Summary:
eDesign Dynamics (EDD) worked with the New York City Economic Development Corporation to develop a sustainable water resource plan for the redevelopment of a 60-acre light industrial site in Willets Point, Queens. EDD investigated sustainable strategies and planning initiatives to incorporate into a master plan for an eventual developer.

EDD developed a site-wide strategy for stormwater management, highlighting on-site and building-level stormwater collection and retention systems such as: storage basins, bioswales, constructed wetlands, and roof-top detention. In addition to sustainable stormwater management components, EDD investigated several scenarios for an alternative on-site wastewater treatment system and district water reuse. Additionally, EDD reviewed and recommended design features which would meet the criteria for relevant LEED ND credits

Bio-detention wetlands included in the plan used native plants, emergent and deep-water emergent wetland species specifically selected for hardiness and added habitat value. In-street bio-conveyance structures were also used to deliver street runoff to the detention wetlands, thus adding additional habitat.

Client:
New York City Economic Development Corporation

SERVICES:
Water Resources Planning & Design, Building Scale: Stormwater Management and Treatment / Water Reuse/Rainwater Harvesting
Water Resources Planning & Design, Landscape: Stormwater Management and Treatment / Water Reuse/Rainwater Harvesting / Wetland Treatment Systems
Ecosystem Restoration Design and Analysis: Restoration of Wetlands, Uplands & Brownfields / Flora and Fauna Surveys
Sustainable Engineering & Analysis: Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling / Life Cycle Analysis / Geographic Information Sysytems
LEED: Technical Support
Planning: Sustainable Master Planning / Feasibility Studies / Design Guidelines

Project Summary:
eDesign Dynamics (EDD) is working with Field Operations to create a fresh water wetland and salt marsh at Columbia University’s Bakers Field, on the northern tip of Manhattan, New York. EDD is conducting a feasibility analysis and designing surface and tidal hydrology models to ensure the restored wetlands will have a suitable hydrologic regime. Two reference sites are being evaluated with a focus on tidal range and elevations to determine proper design for the wetland and marsh.

EDD is working on the schematic design and design development for the new wetland and salt marsh. As a part of the design team, EDD is providing salt marsh elevations, determining energy attenuation necessary to absorb wave energy, and proposing light regime modifications based on the reference sites and feasibility. The engineers at EDD are also developing erosion control and stabilization measures and designing a sediment accumulation collection system for the fresh water system.

Client:
Columbia University
Field Operations, Landscape Architects, PC

SERVICES:
Water Resources Planning & Design, Landscape: Stormwater Management and Treatment / Wetland Treatment Systems | Ecosystem Restoration Design and Analysis: Restoration of Wetlands, Uplands & Brownfields / Flora and Fauna Surveys / Soil Sampling Plans & Analysis | Sustainable Engineering & Analysis: Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling

Project Summary:
The innovative design of a sub-surface flow constructed wetland treatment facility was created for Lazzaretto Nuovo, an island community within the Venice Lagoon. The constructed wetlands treat the wastewater of the 50-person island community and are designed to work with variable loads. The natural treatment system is simple and cost-effective and utilizes local wetland vegetation without requiring the mechanical infrastructure of conventional wastewater treatment. The project was featured in EXPO 2000: Projects Around the World Forum (Hanover, Germany).

Clients/Collaborators:
Universita di Venezia
Consorzio Venezia Nuova
Thetis Centro Servizi

SERVICES:
Water Resources Planning & Design, Landscape: Wetland Treatment Systems | Sustainable Engineering & Analysis: Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling | Planning: Feasibility Studies / Site Assessment

Project Summary:
EDD consulted to James Corner Field Operations (JCFO) in the design proposal for a new “Water City,” a major new urban hub centered around water along the western coast of Shenzhen, China. The design envisions five coastal corridors leading from inland to the Qianhai Harbor that serve as stormwater treatment infrastructure and as the building blocks to generate a series of diverse, inter-connected waterfront neighborhoods. The five “Water Fingers” extend along the existing river and channel networks and work to treat stormwater through natural ecosystems. The proposal was awarded First Prize in the International Competition for the Planning of the Qianhai Region of Shenzhen, among design teams that included OMA/Rem Koolhaas, BLAU Architecture and Urbanism, Bjarke Ingles Group, SWA, Nikken Sekke, and others.

Clients/Collaborators:
James Corner Field Operations (JCFO)

SERVICES:
Water Resources Planning & Design, Landscape: Stormwater Management and Treatment / Wetland Treatment Systems | Water Resources Planning & Design, Building Scale: Stormwater Management and Treatment | Planning: Sustainable Master Planning / Feasibility Studies / Site Assessment

Project Summary:
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) hosted a workshop and exhibition to generate design solutions addressing the environmental impact of climate change and sea level rise over the next several decades. EDD was the ecological and hydrology consultant for Matthew Baird Architects’ team, focused on a site located within the Kill Van Kull and Bayonne portions of the New York City/New Jersey waterfront. The team’s overall design approach was to transform the mostly industrial site into a working waterfront. Over the eight week workshop, the team researched and developed several design interventions. These included the retrofit of an oil refinery to be a site for biofuel production and the creation of a recycling plant that would turn glass into interlocking jack pieces to serve as reef building blocks, protecting the shoreline from storm surge and rising water. The strategies developed by Matthew Baird Architects’ team and the work of four other teams culminated in an innovative set of physical and digital models and drawings to be on display over a five month long exhibition at the MoMA.

Client/Partners:
Matthew Baird Architects
MoMA

SERVICES:
Water Resources Planning & Design, Landscape: Stormwater Management and Treatment / Wetland Treatment Systems | Ecosystem Restoration Design and Analysis: Restoration of Wetlands, Uplands & Brownfields / Flora and Fauna Surveys | Planning: Sustainable Master Planning

Project Summary:
eDesign Dynamics (EDD) worked with Biohabitats, Inc. and Field Operations to assist with New York City’s master plan to transform Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island into a City park. EDD developed programming recommendations for the South Park area within Fresh Kills in the interest of advancing park goals for conservation, habitat enhancement, and corridor connectivity. The vision for South Park, as set forth in the City’s master plan, was to establish large natural settings and active recreational spaces, including soccer fields, mountain biking pathways and nature trails.

For a comparative review of wetland systems and vegetation communities in the context of the overall existing landscape types at South Park, EDD assisted in developing a rating system for natural area and conservation value. The intent was to comparatively rate existing wetland and upland systems to prioritize conservation areas.

Client:
New York City Dept. of City Planning
Field Operations, Landscape Architects, PC
Biohabitats, Inc.

SERVICES:
Ecosystem Restoration Design and Analysis: Restoration of Wetlands, Uplands & Brownfields / Flora and Fauna Surveys | Planning: Sustainable Master Planning / Feasibility Studies / Site Assessment / Design Guidelines