Redland Aquatic & Tropical Gardens
Redland, Miami, FL
Grad Studio Spring-16
Redland Aquatic & Tropical Gardens is a a forum for inspiration, education and demonstration, a merger between landscape architecture, horticulture and the arts. A place away from he city where the time slows, where we connect with nature, regain strength and balance, and leave refreshed.
As the name suggests, a central theme is our interconnection with water, its nurturing qualities for all living things, and how the Redland area depend on it.
 MasterplanThe natural habitat draws the visitor 'into the wild' and merges with the EEL protected Hardwood Hammock to the North-West end of the park. A green network and a blue network connects the park making it easily navigable. |  The natural habitatsCharacteristic for the Everglades area |  Green patch for animal habitatProviding a natural habitat for breeding bird species and migratory birds |
|---|---|---|
 'Into the Wild' sectionPine Rockland - Low Pine land - Wetland Marsh |  BoardwalkThe green network path crosses the wetland marsh |  Tropical Forest StreamExcavation expose the water table |
 Recreational water activity |  Water falls and tropical caves |  Demonstration garden BambooTemporary garden installation feature subtle topographic variations characteristic of South Florida and bamboo walls creating open or intimate spaces |
 Demonstration garden Bamboo |  Demonstration Garden Bamboo |  Demonstration Garden SucculentSucculent Savvy demonstration garden demands little water and fertilizers. |
 Succulent Savvy Demonstration gardenThe small mound provide for better drainage for the succulents |  Succulent Savvy Demonstration GardenXeriscaping: gravel instead of grass is a wiser alternative |  ConstructsExploring: (top left) Large scale balance between water bodies and linking rivers and canals (top right) The transition from natural sheet flow - semi-natural creeks - and the manufactured canals (bottom) Exploration of ground water flow and surface water interlacing |
 Site explored topographicallyThe differences in elevation determines what habitat can be planted where in order for it to thrive. |  Water table fluctuationThe diagram illustrates what will be saturated with water when. The fluctuation between wet (June-Nov) and dry (Dec-May)season is about 2 ft. |  Analysis | ContextThe surrounding area and proximities |
 Analysis | RegionalThe regional relationship between topography and hydrology |  Analysis - RegionalConnection and balance between the waterbodies in South Florida |  Event SchedulePermanent, seasonal and temporary events throughout the year |
Cont.
The garden is a testament to how we can manipulate the earth form without being destructive and bring out the natural beauty of a place.
An intervention through excavation exposing the high water table, coral rock, waterfalls and lagoons and lush vegetation, will attract visits to the site - including migrating bird species - and foster an understanding of our precious resource and the challenges we face today as a result of urbanization.
Inspired by the natural Everglades, the local hydrological flow and the site reflects the organic natural form thereof set in contrast with the rigid form of the urban fabric or the agricultural land characteristic for the Redland area.