-landscape of harmony/tension between human and non-human-
2023
Advised by Craig Douglas
Grass Mosaic criticizes the conventional approach to ecological restoration, which aims to create a “pristine” landscape devoid of humans. Alternatively, the project repositions humans into the ecological system by deliberately introducing human actions. The harmonious or in-tension relationship between humans and non-humans is manifested as grass patterns to create an ecologically, culturally, and aesthetically distinct landscape.
The proposal for Site1 concerns the restoration of the salt marsh that was disturbed by a series of mosquito-control channels created in the 20th century. In an attempt to gradually fill the channels and introduce harvesting of cordgrass and mussels, the channels are mobilized. The harvest direction is choreographed, and the plant succession unfolds on the land being harvested. In response, gradients of grass patterns emerge across the landscape.
Site2, situated in a shallow ocean, holds a eelgrass habitat. The habitat has shrunk due to a dredging activities to create vessel paths. The design intervention uses poles to facilitate sedimentation, cultivate mussels, mark boat routes, and install navigation tools. The typology of the poles and the grass density shifts through time, corresponding to the degree and speed of human interruption and eelgrass-bed formation.
Grass in a Marsh
The model explores the dynamics of cordgrass in a tidal marsh. The series of wires represents a pattern created by the grass, and the layers of acrylic sheets reflect different tidal conditions. The grass pattern transitions from directional to chaotic and to upright as a marsh experiences a change in tide from high to low.