Brian Curry's Portfolio May 2014

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1678 Arthur AvenueNo. Bruns. NJ 08902

908.420.9246

PLANT COMMUNITIES ENDANGERED SPECIES/VERNAL POOLS

EXISTING PRESERVED LAND VISION PLAN: WILDLIFE CORRIDOR

MORRIS COUNTY, NJGREAT SWAMP WATERSHEDWILDLIFE CORRIDOR

A semester-long project focusing on watershed management and vision planning.

These maps are part of an intense GIS-based inventory and analysis of the biological and ecological components of the Great Swamp Watershed. Under my leadership, my team sought to conserve the natural resources of the watershed by creating a greenway spanning the region. Such action would allow for the proliferation of wildlife and plant species, which would maintain ecosystem services and provide future generations with an abundance of nature to experience and appreciate.

Our analysis of existing preserved land, paired with information gleaned from a class-wide developmental suitability analysis allowed us to create our vision plan. After studying individual parcels and deciding where to purchase development rights, we drafted our wildlife corridor. The system of interconnected open space would extend into the watershed’s context--linking to the Black River Wildlife Management Area to the Northwest and the South Mountain Reserve to the Southeast.

All Maps and Drawings: Brian Curry.Programs: ESRI ArcMap, and Adobe Illustrator

Roads

Potential Vernal Habitat Area

Vernal Habitat Area

Low Habitat Viability

Threatened Species Present

Endangered Species Present

Source: NJDEP, The Landscape Project

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LegendRoads

Watershed Boundary

Coniferous Forest

Agricultural Land

Deciduous Forest

Deciduous Wetland

Herbaceous Wetland

Water

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Endangered Species Habitat

Vernal Pools

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Projected Preserved Land Preserved Land

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LSC

GREEN ROOF (EXISTING)

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LANDSCAPE SECTION A-A AT LABSPACE0 16 32”

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PERVIOUS CONCRETE WALL. MINIMUM DEPTH TO FOOTER: 18”. FOOTER IS INSTALLED ATOP A 6” DEEP BED OF DRAIN ROCK.

1X6” BLACK LOCUST DECKING LAID ATOP 2X8” DOUGLAS FIR JOISTS.

TRANSLUCENT GLASS RAILING/ LAB WALL AND TABLE. TO BE INSERTED INTO A STEEL PRAM AND FASTENED TO GROUND WITH A J BOLT.

FINE BLUESTONE GRAVEL--6” DEEP. TO BE TAMPED LIGHTLY, ALLOWING FOR PERMEABILITY.

MOLDED PLASTIC LAB BENCH. TO BE FASTENED IN PLACE USING A BOLT.

SIMPSON STRONG TIE JOIST HANGER. PLACED 16” O.C. ALONG DECKING PATHWAYS.


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SECTION AT LAB SPACE

BIO-INSPIRED PAVILIONLIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER

JERSEY CITY, NJThis project was part of a construction studio at Rutgers University focused on detailed technical drawings. The aim for each student was to design an educational pavilion space for children and adults alike.

My goal was to present visitors to the Liberty Science Center with new ideas, instilling in them an appreciation of lesser understood biological systems. I used the form and function of mycorrhiza to design interesting and educational spaces. T h r e e - d i m e n s i o n a l parametric modeling software was used to model the branching patterns of mycorrhiza. The resulting grid is constructed of permeable concrete and graded to promote water flow throughout the structure, much like mycorrhiza transports water and nutrients through its tendrils and into plant roots.

The project’s strength lies in its ability to visualize an underground system few are familiar with. This creates in visitors the desire to learn more about the earth and its intricate complexities, which represents a new creative frontier.

Details: Rhino 3D model rendered in Adobe Photoshop, and AutoCad section rendered in both Photoshop and Illustrator

AUTUMN RENDERING AT ENTRANCE

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AUTUMN RENDERING AT NATIVE MEADOW PARK SPACE

SECTION OF LOG TRAIL AT ASSUNPINK CREEK


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EXPERIMENTAL PLAYTRENTON, NJ

This project was a semester-long study of Trenton, with the goal of creating spaces that would revitalize the city. Through inventory, analysis, and field studies, I identified the lack of “natural” park space throughout the city as one of the principal contributors to its degradation. Parks have the potential to create a sense of community--pride in one’s hometown--that is essential to any city’s well-being. Successful parks often showcase local features, and this was key to my location selection.

One of my designs for this project focused on a portion of the Assunpink Creek adjacent to an abandoned housing project. I designed an interactive reclaimed log trail winding through a successional meadow and across the creek, introducing children to natural concepts in an intensely urbanized area. The log trail would promote creative play, encouraging children to work to understand their environment. The native meadow is planted to remediate the compacted, nutrient-deficient soils of the site, in hopes of limiting the pollution of the Assunpink Creek, which flows directly into the Delaware River.

Details: Rhino 3D model, rendered in Adobe Photoshop, and AutoCAD section, rendered in both Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

Echinacea purpurea--Purple Cone�ower

Aster novae-angliae--New England Aster

Aster novi-belgii--New York Aster

Eupatorium purpureum--Sweetscented Joepyeweed

Liatris spicata--Dense Blazing Star

Solidago rigida--Sti� Goldenrod

Euthamia graminifolia--Grass-leaf Goldenrod

Rudbeckia fulgida--Orange Cone�ower

Veronia noveboracensis--New York Ironweed

Asclepias incarnata--Swamp Milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa--Butter�yweed

Coreopsis lanceolata--Lanceleaf Tickseed

Calamagrostis canadensis--Bluejoint

Tripsacum dactyloides--Eastern Gamagrass

Andropogon gerardii--Big Bluestem

Sorgastrum nutans--Indiangrass

Cherry Grove Farm Meadow Mix and Planting Plan

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NATIVE TREE MIX0 8 16 32’

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Scien c Name Common Name Seeds/Pound W.I.S Shade Tolerance Plant Type Aggression

Calamagros s canadensis Bluejoint 3,837,472 FACW+ No Graminoid ModerateEupatorium perfoliatum Boneset 2,560,000 FACW+ Low Forb Moderate-HighSymphyotrichum novae-angliae New England Aster 1,029,655 FACW Low Forb HighOligoneuron rigidum S Goldenrod 1,009,000 FACU Medium Forb High

Solidago rugosaRough-Stemmed Goldenrod 1,000,000 FAC+ Medium Forb Moderate-High

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii New York Aster 700,000 FACW+ No Forb LowSolidago exicaulis Zigzag Goldenrod 700,000 FACU High Forb Moderate

Eupatorium purpureum Sweetscented Joepyeweed 672,000 FAC High Forb Moderate-High

Rudbeckia fulgida Orange Coneower 496,000 FAC Low Forb Moderate-HighTridens avus Purpletop 465,000 UPL No Graminoid Low

Cherry Grove Farm Meadow MixVeronia noveboracensis Ironweed 360,000 FACW+ Medium Forb ModerateEuthamia graminifolia Grass-leaf Goldenrod 250,000 FACW Low Forb HighCoreopsis lanceolata Lanceleaf Tickseed 221,000 FACU No Forb Moderate Sorghastrum nutans Indiangrass 174,720 FACU Low Graminoid Moderate-HighAsclepias incarnata Swamp Milkweed 153,761 OBL No Forb LowAndropogon gerardii Big Bluestem 144,240 FAC Low-Med Graminoid Moderate-HighEchinacea purpurea Purple Coneower 115,644 FACU Low Forb Moderate-HighLiatris spicata Dense Blazingstar 100,000 FAC Medium Forb LowAsclepias tuberosa Bu eryweed 70,000 UPL Low-Med Forb LowTripsacum dactyloides Eastern Gamagrass 7,200 FAC Medium Graminoid LowCarex intumescens Bladder Sedge Unknown FACW High Graminoid Low

BRIANCURRYcurry.br ian.r@gmail .com


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MOOOOVABLEFENCES CHERRY GROVE

FARM TRAILHEAD

The native wildlife meadow is placed to reduce erosion and filter rainwater and runoff from adjacent pastures. Currently, water washes quickly down a swale through the field, carrying manure into a nearby wetland. This concentrated manure can cause environmental issues such as eutrophication. By planting a native wet meadow, the plants will slow the water and greatly reduce the amount of nitrogen reaching the wetland.

We also intend to reduce runoff from the roof of the cow shed by channeling water into a cistern. This cistern will function educationally, allowing children to pump the water out and watch it flow through the programmed movable fences.

Our design uses the geometry of a common agricultural boundary to both foster creativity and make space for people and wildlife. This design creates an educational environment with a true ecological purpose.

Planting Plan: Brian CurryMeadow Mix: Brian Curry with help from Dr. Jean Marie Hartman, Botanist


















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BIOFILTRATION FIELDCHERRY GROVE FARM

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ

My final project in the Landscape Architecture Program at Rutgers University focused on the design of an educational trailhead at Cherry Grove Farm in Lawrenceville, NJ. The main focus of my team’s design was the creation of a native biolfiltration meadow. The meadow was placed to reduce erosion and filter rainwater and runoff from adjacent pastures. The current state saw water washing quickly down a makeshift swale, carrying manure into a native wetland, where the pond had undergone eutrophication. By planting a native wet meadow, the plants would slow the runoff, filtering out excess nutrients before it reached the wetland.

The species composing this planting plan were selected specifically for their abilities to filter nutrients and replenish soil. All selected plants are also able to be used as feed for the cattle when it is time for fall cutbacks. The spreadsheet highlights some of the main characteristics taken into consideration during species selection.

Details: AutoCAD plan with minimal Adobe Illustrator Rendering Meadow Mix: Developed by Brian Curry with help from Dr. Jean Marie Hartman, Botanist


















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[email protected]


908.420.9246

0 2 3 4 5'

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Wind Obstruction Surface Area: ~7,326 sq. inArea Available for Wind Passage: ~5,578sq. in

Charlie Kontos Memorial Gateway KioskInformation/Experiential Panel Construction Both Informational Panels are Identical Brian Curry Rev. 8.19.2013

Wind Information

6x6 Black Locust Post

2x4 Black Locust Slats

Colored Plexi-Glass Window

Compressed Gravel

Concrete Footer5/8” Bolt

6x6 Post BaseUSP G185

2x4 Toothed Support PostPlanted in Ground via Post Base

Fastened in back

Stainless Steel Info Panel

Rutgers University

Eco-Preserve

Maps, Trail Information, and History of the Site

Charlie Kontos and Kiosk Info

Concept, Life and Work, Purpose of the Windows

CHARLIE KONTOSMEMORIAL GATEWAY KIOSK

RUTGERS UNIVERSITYIn the Spring of 2012, I was asked by the family of the late Charlie Kontos Jr., a wildlife biologist and photographer, to design a memorial kiosk and trail system at the Rutgers University Eco-Preserve. I have worked closely with the family, Rutgers facilities, and professors on this project, which will become the new gateway to the Preserve.

Instead of walking up to the kiosk, one walks through it. The horizontal slats, constructed of locally harvested black locust lumber, act as a bird blind for the native meadow surrounding the kiosk.

Kontos was an avid environmental educator, and his memorial needs to reflect this. I designed four colored plexiglass windows allowing visitors to explore the properties of light, as well as the vision-related biological concepts.

The kiosk seeks to become part of its context--a beckoning visitors from the Livingston Campus boulevard to explore the Ecological Preserve.

This project is nearing completion, with installation scheduled for early Summer 2014.

Details: (Top) Rhino 3D Model, minimally rendered in Adobe Photoshop. (Bottom Right) AutoCAD, (Bottom Left) Rhino 3D model.

INFORMATION PANEL CONSTRUCTION ELEVATION

SPRING RENDERING AT GATEWAY KIOSK

POST ASSEMBLY AXON

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F I E L D E C O L O G YRESEARCH ASSISTANT

HERPETOLOGY

I have earned co-authorship in a herpetological dissertation under doctoral candidate Jeremy Feinberg. The report, finally in the submission process, concerns the discovery, genetic differentiation, and taxonomy of a new species of leopard frog in the New York City area. I conducted much of Feinberg’s field research, including habitat assessment, population studies, environmental monitoring, and holotype collection. My responsibilities required strong native plant identification skills, as well as a firm understanding of biological and ecological principles.

When the news of the discovery first broke in March of 2012, my photograph of the holotype was published worldwide on various major news sources and blogs.

Image Sources:http://inhabitat.com/nyc/new-leopard-frog-species-discovered-in-new-york-city/southern-leopard-frog/ http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/17/us/new-york-frog-species/

http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/03/16/new-frog-discovered-in-nyc-freshwater-species-of-the-week/

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/14/nyregion/new-leopard-frog-species-is-discovered-in-nyc.html


















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FARM TRAILHEAD





Photography offers one the ability to share landscape experiences with the world. My photography is an attempt at understanding the places to which I travel; each frame revealing something new. I hope my images are able to inspire others, instilling in them an appreciation of, and fascination with the environment.

All Images: Brian Curry

GRAPHIC DESIGNERPUBLISHED PHOTOGRAPHER P H O T O G R A P H Y

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Brian Curry's Portfolio May 2014

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