STUDIO

S EL E C T W O R K S
NEIL PHILLIPS
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS
 STUDIO |

STUDIO
ALAMEDA RISING 4
FIVE LINEAR PARKS 16
DON RIVER BASIN 22
JAMAICA BAY BLIND 30
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

ALAMEDA CREEK
37.594°, -122.144°

TIDAL
ZONE

ALAMEDA
CREEK
RISING INTERTIDAL
ZONE
 STUDIO | ALAMEDA CREEK RISING
CALIFORNIA
UNION CITY,

STUDY AREA
  SAN FRANCISCO

 ALAMEDA CREEK
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

ALAMEDA CREEK RISING

The San Francisco Bay area is in the midst of
an unprecedented epoch of change. Rising sea
level, dramatic shifts in weather patterns, and
the impacts of urbanization are transforming the
regional landscape and pose a threat to vulnerable
landscapes and overexerted infrastructure. Acutely
subject to these challenges, the habitat that existed
within the high and low tide, known as the inter-tidal
zone, is especially sensitive.

Among the many challenges faced in the San

Francisco Bay, the movement of sediment, accretion
in some cases, and erosion in others, is of primary
concern as it threatens the sensitive habitats of
endangered and vulnerable species, and ultimately
could lead the erasure of rich and unique habitats.
Exacerbating the issue is the fact the movement
of sediment is not immediately observable, and its
impacts are only understood over long durations.

6
 25M ((¡))
VEGETATED 35M
ESTUARINE
INTERTIDAL
5M

15M

INTERTIDAL
SALT FLAT

//

≈
ESTUARINE
INTERTIDAL

STUDIO | ALAMEDA CREEK RISING

INTERTIDAL
SALT FLAT

≈
1
ESTUARINE
2 POND

ALAMEDA CREEK
STUDY AREA
INTERVENTION
(( ))
i SIGNAL REPEATER
 ZONE
// CHANNEL OPENING
≈ WATER CONTROL
n TRAIL 3
n BERM ESTUARINE
POND

7
 OSTERA LURIDA
OLYMPIC OYSTER
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

ENVIRONMENTAL SENSOR
This proposal envisions a series of interventions
that challenge traditional approaches to measuring
and monitoring sediment movement. By means of a
series of inexpensive, and quickly deployable remote
sensors, invaluable data on the processes principal
to sediment movement can be collected, monitored,
and recorded.

The series of sensors are to be secured in a

simple housing that, inspired by the naturally
occurring patterns and textures found in their
immediate environment, replicate the performative
characteristics of flora and fauna such as the
Olympic Oyster, that not only aide in their operation,
but also contribute to the conservation of their
surroundings.

8
 STUDIO | ALAMEDA CREEK RISING

INTER-TIDAL ZONE Alameda Creek is characterized by acres of wide-open marshland, salt marshes,
brackish mudflats, and tidal slough, abruptly interrupted by the Coyote Mountains. This combination of
open flats and grassy mountains enables a cheap, reliable, long-range mesh network, connecting sensors
and receivers.

9
 HOUSING CAP
Interchangeabe cap
unlocks with a custom
tool head

ARDUINO SENSOR
Low-cost sensor unit can be
easily modified and replaced

INNER HOUSING
Weatherproof marine brass
inner housing secures sensor

HOUSING CYLINDER
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

Permits rapid maintenance

and sensor replacement

SENSOR DESIGN The design approach to sensor installations is to house

low cost sensor units within brass cylinders that can be quickly removed
and for maintenance and upgrades. The brass cylinder is secured within a
oyster shaped form made from a compacted mixture of clay and recycled
oyster shells.

10
 STUDIO | ALAMEDA CREEK RISING

SENSOR PLACEMENT Inspired by the geometry and texture of the native Olympic Oyster, the sensor housing lays flat in the mudflats,
pushed down by incoming tidal energy while permitting receding tides to pass underneath. The highly rugose surface of the housing
encourages mollusks and algae to bind to the surface, propagating local biodiversity.

11
 1 2 4 7 9

5
3

8
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

1. ARDUINO MICROPROCESSOR 4. DEPTH SENSOR 7. TURBIDITY SENSOR

2. VOC GAS SENSOR 5. DEPTH PROCESSING UNIT 8. SUSPENDED SEDIMENT SENSOR
3. HUMIDITY + TEMP SENSOR 6. REAL TIME CLOCK 9. LITHIUM-POLY BATTERY

SENSOR COMPONENTS The sensor is based upon an Arduino microprocessor with inexpensive,
add-on environmental sensors to detect environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity,
and pollution, while also measuring and recording water depth and movement of sediment. The
sensor was programmed using Python coding language.

12
 LUNATION 1175
DAY
2M 2
4
6
8
0M 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 10
12
14

-2M

STUDIO | ALAMEDA CREEK RISING

28 DAY
LUNAR CYCLE I SPRING TIDE
II II
I IIII
I NEAP TIDE

2M

0M JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

-2M

SENSOR DATA Data recorded by the sensors is analyzed to identify areas with significant sediment accretion erosion, demarcating
sites at risk of habitat degradation. Over time this data can be used to compare seasonal trends, observe the impacts of climate
change, and isolate relationships between sediment movement and environmental conditions.

13
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

PROTOTYPES Fully functioning, custom prototypes

were fabricated at the Autodesk Technology Center
as part of Autodesk's design residency program.

14
 STUDIO | ALAMEDA CREEK RISING

EXHIBITION Final design proposal was presented

to design partners from SCAPE at Autodesk's MaRS
Exhibition space.

15
 STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

FIVE

PARKS
LINEAR
STUDIO | ALAMEDA CREEK RISING
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

FIVE LINEAR PARKS

The objective of this studio project was to create
alternative proposals for Toronto's proposed Rail
Deck Park. This proposal challenges the notion of
the conventional open space park, proposing rather
a series of densely urban, linear parks.

18
STUDIO | ALAMEDA CREEK RISING

Detailed Plan
LINEAR PARK
 =
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

PROPOSED RAIL DECK PARK

RAIL DECK PARK

The subject site is surrounded by a several open space parks,
varying in size, built-form and programming. Several of these
parks are considered to be underutilized as they are disconnected
from dense residential blocks, calling into question the need for an
additional open space park.

The existing site has a strong east-west bias, with weak north-
south pinch point connections crossing over the rail corridor. The
proposal builds upon the existing informal network of laneways
and pedestrian paths, connecting the north and south sides of the
site by means of a five linear parks.

20
 ADELAIDE

KING

WELLINGTON

FRONT

STUDIO | ALAMEDA CREEK RISING

BENTWAY/
GARDINER

WATERFRONT

RAIL DECK PROPOSAL

n RAIL CORRIDOR
n EXISTING PARK SPACE
EXISTING CORRIDORS
WEAK CONNECTIONS

21
 PROPOSAL
n NEW DEVELOPMENT
EXISTING DEVELOPMENT
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

BUILT FORM OPEN SPACE

n RESIDENTIAL n PRIVATE
n OPEN SPACE n SEMI-PUBLIC
n TRANSIT / CIVIC n PUBLIC PARK
n LINEAR PARK

12
 CIVIC URBAN CHARACTER BUILT FORM CONNECTIVITY

FORT YORK
BIA

STUDIO | RAIL DECK PARK

RESILIENCE
DEVELOPER

EXAGGERATED TYPOLOGIES Typologies assist in illustrating

competing constituent aspirations, and how they may manifest in
various built-form typologies.

13
 TOWER PODIUM
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

BASE OPEN SPACE

14
STUDIO | RAIL DECK PARK

15
SITE PLAN
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

NORTH-SOUTH SECTION

EAST-WEST SECTION

SEDIMENT TRIAGE Realigned Gardiner piers frame new basin

where sediment from the Don Valley will naturally deposit simplifying
dredge operations and preventing flood risk.

16
 BLOCK TYPE A
Residential Towers
Residential Upper Podium
Private Courtyard
Retail Lower Podium

STUDIO | RAIL DECK PARK

BLOCK TYPE B
Residential Towers
Public/Private Roofscape
Retail/Commercial Podium

SEDIMENT TRIAGE Realigned Gardiner piers frame new basin

where sediment from the Don Valley will naturally deposit simplifying
dredge operations and preventing flood risk.

17
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

SEDIMENT TRIAGE Realigned Gardiner piers frame new basin

where sediment from the Don Valley will naturally deposit simplifying
dredge operations and preventing flood risk.

18
 STUDIO | RAIL DECK PARK

SEDIMENT TRIAGE Realigned Gardiner piers frame new basin

where sediment from the Don Valley will naturally deposit simplifying
dredge operations and preventing flood risk.

19
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

PEDESTRIAN PLAZA Realigned Gardiner piers frame new basin

where sediment from the Don Valley will naturally deposit simplifying
dredge operations and preventing flood risk.

20
 PEDESTRIAN PATH Realigned Gardiner piers frame new basin STUDIO | RAIL DECK PARK
where sediment from the Don Valley will naturally deposit simplifying
dredge operations and preventing flood risk.

21
 -6.7m
-8.2m

INNER HARBOUR
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

+3k m3/Year >>

WESTERN GAP
+3.5k m3/Year
-60k m3/5 Years

<<+3-6K m3/Y

GIBRALTER POINT
-6k m3/Year
+60k One time

DON
RIVER
BASIN 1850 1900 1920 1950 1975
 << +3k m3/Year

-8.2m
ASHBRIDGE’S BAY
-3.5k m3/Year

-2.0m
-8.2m

EASTERN GAP

STUDIO | DON RIVER BASIN

-8.8m

LESLIE SPIT

<<+3-6K m3/Year

SEDIMENT
BALANCE
p = 1K M3
p SURPLUS
DEFICIT

pppppppppp
pppppppppp
pppppppppp
EL
CH ANN pppppppppp
IP PING
S SH KEATING CHANNEL
CLAS
TER
EIGH
R FR
LAKE

ppppp ppppp
CENTRE ISLAND ASHBRIDGES BAY

pppp ppppp
CENTRE ISLAND ASHBRIDGES BAY

pppp
pppppppppp pppppppppp
pppppppppp pppppppppp
pppppppppp pppppppppp
1975 1980 2000 2019 EASTERN GAP WESTERN GAP
 250KM
50KM
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

DON RIVER BASIN

Two ambitious public works are set to
transform the mouth of Toronto’s Don River;
the re-naturalization of the river mouth, and
the realignment of the Gardiner Expressway.
Where these projects intersect sits a modest
and neglected site, pivotal to the realization of
these projects.

The site will be required to act as both a

sediment management operations area,
and as the foundation for the realigned
expressway- requiring the careful coordination
of infrastructures. This thesis proposes not
only the coordination of these requirements in
the realization of a productive site, but also the
rich public spaces that can emerge from their
convergence.

24
 -8.2m

-6.7m -2.0m
-8.2m

STUDIO | DON RIVER BASIN

CSD 1

CSD 2

CSD 3

-8.8m

pppppp
pppppppppp
pppppppppp
pppppppppp
CSD 01

pppppppppp
pppppppppp
pppppppppp
pppppppppp
pppppppppp
ppppp
CSD 02

LESLIE SPIT
SEDIMENT
p 1K M3
p SURPLUS
DEFICIT
CONFINED SEDIMENT DISPOSAL 03

25
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

SEDIMENT TRIAGE Realigned Gardiner piers frame new

basin where sediment from the Don Valley will naturally
deposit simplifying dredge operations and preventing
flood risk.

26
 STUDIO | DON RIVER BASIN

UNDER GARDINER Realigned Gardiner piers frame new

basin where sediment from the Don Valley will naturally
deposit simplifying dredge operations and preventing
flood risk.

27
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

SEDIMENT TRIAGE Realigned Gardiner piers frame

new basin where sediment from the Don Valley will
naturally deposit simplifying dredge operations and
preventing flood risk.

28
 STUDIO | DON RIVER BASIN

 UNDER GARDINER Realigned Gardiner piers frame

new basin where sediment from the Don Valley will
naturally deposit simplifying dredge operations and
preventing flood risk.

29
 NEWARK

STATEN ISLAND
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

MIDDLETOWN
30
NEW YORK

QUEENS

BROOKLYN JAMAICA BAY

STUDIO | JAMAICA BAY BLINDS

NE
NEW W YOR
JER K
SEY

JAMAICA
BAY
BLINDS
31
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

JAMAICA BAY BLINDS

Many of the species that call the Jamaica Bay
home are endangered, or at risk of becoming
so without immediate intervention. The loss
of natural habitat, occurring largely as a result
of the rapid urbanization and development
pressures, have pushed native species to
the few remaining conservation areas in the
Jamaica Bay.

Given this areas unique characteristics and the

soaring value of coastal land, species who are
native to this land are most acutely vulnerable
to habitat loss. Three of these species are
the Horseshoe crab, Eastern Osprey, and the
Diamond back Terrapin turtle.

This proposal responds to this question

through three primary modes of conservation;
public awareness, protection of habitat loss,
and the deployment of acupuncture-scale
landscape interventions.

32
 JAMAICA BAY

STUDIO | JAMAICA BAY BLINDS

POTENTIAL SITES
HORSESHOE CRAB
EASTERN OSPREY
DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN

FLOOD RISK
n HURRICANE SANDY
n HIGH FLOOD RISK
--- CRITICAL TRANSIT

33
 PROTOTYPE 1
STUDIO | NEIL PHILLIPS

PROTOTYPE 2

PROTOTYPE 3

PROTOTYPES Blinds are made with local materials, primarily

clay found on-site, and manufactured using rammed-earth
bricks. This construction method will not only minimize the
use of precious resources, it will also make the blinds blend
seamlessly into the natural environment and will evolve as the
bricks decay and return to the soil.

34
 STUDIO | JAMAICA BAY BLINDS

SITE SELECTION Through strategic site selection and arrangement, each blind aim to frame species
in their natural environment, both identifying the locations they are most likely to be seen, and creating
distance between viewer and species necessary to protect against disruption of natural processes and
habitat destruction.

35