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Project Summary:
eDesign Dynamics (EDD) is working with Field Operations to create a fresh water wetland and salt marsh at Columbia University’s Baker 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
James Corner Field Operations

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:
eDesign Dynamics (EDD) worked with the Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation in the Bronx to design a rainwater harvesting and use system for an affordable housing complex. The system reduces the wastewater stream “footprint” significantly and reduces the impact to the combined sewer overflows. EDD’s rainwater harvesting design collects water from the roof and then stores it in a retention tank located in the basement of the building. Treatment of this water is accomplished using a physical filtration and a disinfection unit. Harvested water is used for flushing of toilets and landscape irrigation.

The Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation oversees management of more than 95 apartment buildings with over 2,600 affordable units in the Bronx. The new housing project with the rainwater harvesting system has multiple units set aside for households earning no more than 50% of the area median income. It has been calculated that the project will save 25% on city water charges.

Client:
Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation

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

Project Summary:
eDesign Dynamics (EDD) worked with Biohabitats, Inc. and Field Operations to assist with New York City’s master plan to transform Freshkills Landfill in Staten Island into a City park. EDD developed programming recommendations for the South Park area within Freshkills 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

Project Summary:
eDesign Dynamics (EDD) and a team of economists developed a Rapid Assessment Method (RAM) for gauging the feasibility and cost effectiveness of Low Impact Development (LID) as a means of reducing the frequency of combined sewer discharges in New York City. The RAM was driven by existing data sources and related the phased deployment of LID technologies such as green roofs, porous pavement, and rainwater harvesting within a CSO shed to a reduction in the volume of combined sewage discharged. Life cycle analysis was used to compare LID technologies to their respective, conventional alternatives. Policy options involving private public partnerships were also developed.

Client:
The Cooper Union for Advancement of Science and Art

SERVICES:
Water Resources Planning & Design, Landscape: Stormwater Management and Treatment | Sustainable Engineering & Analysis: Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling / Life Cycle Analysis | Planning: Sustainable Master Planning / Feasibility Studies

Project Summary:
eDesign Dynamics (EDD) conducted a study to assess the potential of incorporating low impact development (LID) systems as a means of minimizing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in New York City. Building from preliminary work in the Gowanus Canal Watershed, EDD examined the cost-effectiveness of LID systems such as green roofs, porous pavement, and rainwater harvesting and reuse systems.

An analytical method developed by EDD utilizes data on rainfall and CSO discharges to estimate the reductions achievable through phased introduction of LID into the sewershed. The study validated previous work with field infiltration testing, structural analysis of ten buildings to support green roofs, a public willingness to pay survey, and an assessment of actual LID installation costs at sites in the watershed. Stormwater Management Modeling was used to investigate various LID implementation scenarios in the pilot Brooklyn sewershed.

Client:
New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection

SERVICES:
Water Resources Planning & Design, Landscape: Stormwater Management and Treatment | Sustainable Engineering & Analysis: Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling | Planning: Sustainable Master Planning / Feasibility Studies

Project Summary:
eDesign Dynamics (EDD) worked with Habana Outpost to design a rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse system for their restaurant in Brooklyn. Habana Outpost is one of New York City’s first eco-eateries which uses earth-friendly practices in their design, construction, and daily operations. Habana Outpost has the expressed goal to reduce wasteful consumption and promote sustainable solutions. EDD customized a rainwater harvesting system that collects runoff from the surface of the roof. The system collects stormwater with a green gutter system that is visible along the side of the building. The plants in the gutter pre-filter the runoff before it is sanitized and reused for toilet flushing. In order to size the system, EDD created a hydrologic model based on rainfall collection from the roof. After the model was finalized, EDD sized and specified the water storage tank, the pressure tank, the pump, the control systems and all treatment systems. As a way to educate the public, EDD worked with the design team to create a series of signs illustrating the unique systems that includes the rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse systems.

Client:
Habana Outpost

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