Portfolio_February_21_V3_screen_pages_reduced

Rayna Sydney Syed
Aspiring Landscape Architect interested in public space
design, public art, and advocacy for equitable and embodied
urban landscapes. I have a multi-disciplinary background
studying art and modern design history, landscape
architecture theories, and fashion design. I love coffee, math,
collecting vinyl, sci-fi films, talking to strangers, and vintage
mid-century collectibles.
I will be graduating in April 2018 from University of Toronto,
Daniels Faculty of Landscape, Architecture, and Design with
my Masters of Landscape Architecture.
portfolio
A selection of work completed during my Masters of
Landscape Architecture at University of Toronto, Daniels
Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.
September 2016 - present.

table of contents
1 THE NEW BEACH
Coastal Resilience
Fort Lauderdale, South
Florida
2 HYDRO-REFORM
Watershed Remediation
Mimico Creek, Humber Bay
Park, Toronto, ON
3 ROOFTOP MEANDER
Ecological Greenroof
401 Richmond
Toronto, ON
4 SUPERSTATION
Urban Design
Proposal for Rail Deck Park
Toronto, ON
5 GARDEN ASYLUM
MLA Thesis
Urban Acupuncture
Parkdale Village,
Toronto, ON

ZONE 2

THE NEW
BEACH
Fort Lauderdale, Broward County,
South Florida
Coastal Resilience
w/ Alexandra Lazerevski

SITE
Once the last frontier to be conquered, the swampy, low-lying flatlands was
described as “diabolical, hideous, mosquito-infested, and loathsome” by the
earliest Spanish troops discovering Florida. Now these coastal cities, fantastical
yet unsustainable, attract millions of tourists and seasonal residents to bathe in
the intentionally constructed escapism that keeps the economy afloat.
STATEMENT
Notoriously known as “The Strip”, the story of this urban beach fabric is
thought as permanent regardless of extraneous environmental factors. A
beach is never inherently static but has been manicured to appear this way
through the exhaustive maintenance methods of soft and hard stabilization
techniques.
The beaches of Atlantic Florida, and around the world, have been eroding
causing governing bodies to artificially reconstruct via sand replenishment
at the cost of depleting the world’s sands. Beach nourishment is essential for
the Floridian economy, however, this current urban model is unsustainable.
As Floridians continuously embark on the cyclical process of recovery of their
beaches, we ask WHAT WILL THE FUTURE OF BROWARD COUNTY’S BEACHES
LOOK LIKE IF SAND RENOURISHMENT IS NO LONGER AN OPTION?
This project reimagines Southeastern Florida’s future beach personae
by hypothesizing Earth’s sand reserves will be depleted by 2060, and Fort
Lauderdale tourism will experience a significant demographic shift by midcentury.
Instead of the inevitable, losing earth’s beaches, our design will
consider infrastructural landscapes that allow for a natural collection of
sand based on the wave currents, whilst providing programs for economic
success.

LOSS OF COASTAL COMPLEXITY
+ PROLIFERATION OF BUILT FABRIC
OVER TIME

THROUGH TIME FORT LAUDERDALE’S DYNAMIC BARRIER ISLAND HAS BECOME
COMPLETELY STATIC AND ARTIFICIAL BECAUSE OF DEVELOPMENT

SAND RENOURISHMENT PRACTICE
There are 24 miles of sandy beaches along the
Broward County Coastline. These beaches attract
millions of visitors a year. The county’s Segment
II current beach renourishment project focused
on Lauderdale by the Sea, described Pompano, in the revitalization and plan Fort
Lauderdale Beaches. Approximately 750, 000
cubic yards of sand along 4.9 miles of shoreline
between Hillsboro Inlet and Port Everglades.
Segment III will input 1.7 million cubic yards of
sand to Hallandale Beach, Hollywood, and Dania
Beach. In total, 1, 837, 600 cubic yards is total paid
quantity of sand placed.
ABA - A-1-A Beachfront Area District is established for
the purpose of promoting high quality destination resort
uses that reflect the desired character and quality of the
Fort Lauderdale beach and improvements along A-1-A. The
district is intended as a means of providing incentives for
quality development and redevelopment along a segment of
A-1-A and to ensure that such development is responsive to
the character, design and planned improvements as
P - Parks, Recreation and Open Space District is
intended to provide suitable locations for parks, recreation
and open space areas, including conservation areas,
consistent with the city's comprehensive plan.
DEEP
REEF
INTERNA-
TIONAL
IWMI
THIRD
OUTER
REEF
FEDERAL
FDEP
FIRST
INNER
REEF
STATE
FDEP
NEARSHORE
HARD BOTTOM
STATE
FDEP
SHEIF ISLAND
BEACH
MUNICIPAL
FDEP + PUD
VEGETATION
MUNICIPAL
PUD
SETBACKS
no structure can be
constructed within 20’ of
the public right-of-way
A-1-A BEACHFRONT AREA
(ABA) DISTRICT
(HOTEL STRIP)
SETBACKS
(yards not abutting the public right-of-way)
Minimum Rear Yard
20’
Minimum Side Yard
10
Minimum Distance between Buildings
20’ or 20% of the tallest building
Maximum Length and Width
200’ x 200’
DEEP
REEF
INTERNA-
TIONAL
IWMI
STREETS
MUNICIPAL
FLCM
IWMI = International Water Management Institute
FDEP = Florida Department of Environmental Protection
PUD = Planned Unit Development
FLCM = Fort Lauderdale City Management
DEEP
REEF
INTERNA-
TIONAL
IWMI
THIRD FIRST
OUTER INNER
REEF REEF
FEDERAL STATE
FDEP FDEP
+
SAND QUARRIES
EVERGLADES
NEARSHORE BEACH
VEGETATION
HARD BOTTOM MUNICIPAL
MUNICIPAL
STATE
FDEP + PUD PUD
FDEP
SHEIF ISLAND
CURRENT ZONING OF THE ZONES
+
+
+
+ SETBACKS
no structure can be
constructed within 20’ of
the public right-of-way
FORT LAUDERDALE
BEACHES
STREETS
MUNICIPAL
FLCM
ABA - A-1-A Beachfront Area District is
established for the purpose of promoting high
quality destination resort uses that reflect
the desired character and quality of the Fort
Lauderdale beach and improvements
A-1-A BEACHFRONT
along
AREA
IWMI = International Water Management Institute
FDEP = Florida Department of Environmental Protection
PUD = Planned Unit Development
FLCM = Fort Lauderdale City Management
SEATING
WALL
USACE
FLCM
ISLAND
(BEACH PARK)
A-1-A. The district is intended as a means of
providing incentives for quality development and
redevelopment along a segment of A-1-A and to
ensure that such development is responsive to the
(1) point;
character, design and planned improvements as
culture of south Florida: one (1) point;
described in the revitalization plan.
P - Parks, Recreation and Open Space along A-1-A: District one (1) point; is
intended to provide suitable locations for parks,
recreation and open space areas, including
conservation areas, consistent with the city’s
maximum of two (2) points;
comprehensive plan.
STREETS
MUNICIPAL
FLCM
(ABA) DISTRICT
Design compatibility and community character scale—ABA district.
a. In the event the developer of a parcel of land in the ABA district desires to deviate
from the maximum requirements of this district, for height or FAR the developer may
submit the design of the proposed development for rating according to the following
design compatibility and community scale:
i. Distinctive design that reflects positively on the overall character of the city: one
ii. Architectural character that reflects a particular sensitivity to the history and
iii. Color and composition that reflects the natural colors and composition of south
Florida: one (1) point;
iv. Architectural design that represents a deviation from "sameness": one (1) point;
v. Building orientation that relieves the monotony of building massing and scale
vi. Accessible pedestrian spaces that are integrated into public pedestrian spaces
and corridors along A-1-A: one (1) to three (3) points depending on the area of the
pedestrian area according to the following: a) Up to five thousand (5,000) square feet
of pedestrian area: one (1) point; and b) Greater than five thousand (5,000) square
feet of pedestrian area: one-tenth (0.1) point for each additional two thousand
(2,000) square feet of pedestrian area above five thousand (5,000) square feet up to a
vii. Distinctive public facilities that contribute to the destination resort character of
the central beach area including plazas, courtyards and parks: one-tenth (0.1) point
for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of distinctive public facilities up to a
maximum of two (2) points;
viii. Lot aggregation: one-tenth (0.1) point for each one thousand (1,000) square feet
of land area proposed for development above twenty-five thousand (25,000) square
feet up to a maximum of two (2) points; and
ix. Consolidation of previously parcelized land: five-tenths (0.5) point for each five
thousand (5,000) square feet of land that is assembled into the parcel of land
proposed for development up to a maximum of two (2) points.
b. The determination of a design compatibility and community character rating shall
be available only as a part of a beach development permit for a development of
significant impact.
A-1-A BEACHFRONT AREA
(ABA) DISTRICT
(HOTEL STRIP)
SETBACKS
(yards not abutting the public right-of-way)
Minimum Rear Yard
20’
Minimum Side Yard
10
Minimum Distance between Buildings
20’ or 20% of the tallest building
Maximum Length and Width
200’ x 200’
DEEP
REEF
INTERNA-
TIONAL
IWMI
DEEP
REEF
INTERNA-
TIONAL
IWMI
THIRD
OUTER
REEF
FEDERAL
FDEP
THIRD
OUTER
REEF
FEDERAL
FDEP
FIRST NEARSHORE
BEACH
SEATING
INNER HARD BOTTOM
MUNICIPAL
WALL
REEF STATE
FDEP
USACE
STATE FDEP
FLCM
FDEP
SHEIF ISLAND
FIRST
INNER
NEARSHORE
BEACH
HARD
MUNICIPAL
REEF BOTTOM
FDEP
STATE STATE
FDEP FDEP
SHEIF ISLAND
STREETS
MUNICIPAL
FLCM
MANGROVE
MUNICIPAL
PUD
RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE (P)
Maximum Structure
Height 60’
Minimum Rear
Yard
25’
Minimum Side Yard
25’
Minimum Front Yard
25’
A-1-A BEACHFRONT A
(ABA) DISTRICT
(BEACH PARK)
Design compatibility a
a. In the event the deve
from the maximum req
submit the design of th
design compatibility an
i. Distinctive design tha
(1) point;
ii. Architectural charact
culture of south Florida
iii. Color and compositi
Florida: one (1) point;
iv. Architectural design
v. Building orientation t
along A-1-A: one (1) po
vi. Accessible pedestria
and corridors along A-1
pedestrian area accord
of pedestrian area: one
feet of pedestrian area:
(2,000) square feet of p
maximum of two (2) po
vii. Distinctive public fa
the central beach area
for each one thousand
maximum of two (2) po
viii. Lot aggregation: on
of land area proposed f
feet up to a maximum o
ix. Consolidation of pre
thousand (5,000) squar
proposed for developm
b. The determination of
be available only as a p
significant impact.

FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH STRIP 2017

ZONE 1 INTERVENTION
DR. VON D MIZELL-EULA JOHNSON STATE
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park has been revitalized in 2060 as a
place for adventurers to explore and connect with the unseen past, present and
future coastal ecological processes. This zone has been designed to embrace
the fluid natural processes and the fluctuation of sand by implementing a
sculptural piece that functions as a mechanism to organically capture freeflowing
sand particles caused from ocean currents and wave energies. This
infrastructure composed of memory censored plastics changes shape based
on the wave or water current strengths.

ZONE 2 INTERVENTION
FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH PARK
Located within the Fort Lauderdale Beach Park requires a futuristic solution
that leverages the idea of the total loss of sand within this area zoned as RAC.
The suggested solution is implementing a material, granite rock, that erodes
at a significantly slower rate in comparison to sand for the preservation of the
park allowing tourists and locals alike to continue enjoying the programmed
space. Granite rock at varying heights, determined by the overall area they
consume, allows for a strategic organization of program. For example,
boulders are used to contain sand for the creation of a beach volleyball court
as well as other rocks terraced for spectator seating during athletic events
like FIVB beach volleyball tournaments.

ZONE 3 INTERVENTION
THE HOTEL STRIP
This intervention capitalizes on ‘The Strip’ of the beach where the A1A is
sandwiched between consecutive hotels and the beach. Traversing almost
1.5 miles along the coast, the designs ground plane geometry is meant to
collect sedimentation based on the current flow. This infrastructure combines
ecology and tiers of public spaces hosting a variety of program for economic
and civic engagement. Since this area has the highest economic value, with
the hotels’ bed tax, this intervention takes a monumental and architectural
form, integrating lush landscapes, various forms of seating, opportunities for
sports and recreation, market vendors, and observations harnessing on the
civic fabric that makes up the beach.

FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH STRIP 2060

ZONE 1

ZONE 3

CAPTURE RUNOFF
SITE MICRO EVENTS
MAKE CONNECTIONS
CAPTURE RAINWATER
FILTER
INFILTRATE
CREATE RECREATION
PHYTO-REMEDIATE
CREATE HABITAT
RECHARGE

HYDRO-REFORM
Mimico Creek, Humber Bay Park
Toronto, Ontario
Watershed Remediation
Ecological Infrastructure
w/ Jaysen Ariola

PROJECT STRATEGY
Our proposal for Humber Bay Park zooms out by looking at the Mimico
Creek Watershed, which is highly contaminated with pollutants such as
phosphorus, E.coli, and benthic macroinvertebrates. By focusing on zones of
flexibility along the creek, sections will be reconstructed using stormwater
management techniques. This strategy will capture stormwater runoff and
filter pollutants and contaminants. These zones of flexibility through time will
create rich biodiverse habitats, restoring the forest cover where possible,
and create connections to the surrounding communities. By using landscape
as ecological infrastructure, this strategy aims to improve surface water
quality, increase forest cover, and enhance our connection to our waterways.
By 2050, these satellite wetlands will improve water quality down the creek,
and Humber Bay Park will serve as the main wetland filtering the water
before reaching Lake Ontario. Humber Bay Park will become a transformed
site that is rich with activity, layering ecological infrastructure, biodiverse
habitats, multi-functional recreational programing, and accessibility back up
the Mimico Creek.
ECOLOGICAL SPONGE
CONCEPT FOR MIMICO CREEK TO SERVE AS ECOLOGICAL
INFRASTRUCTURE. SATELLITE SPONGES CAPTURE STORMWATER
RUNOFF AND FILTER CONTAMINANTS. THE MOUTH OF MIMICO
CREEK, HUMBER BAY PARK SERVES AS Final SPONGE BEFORE
ENTERING LAKE ONTARIO.

MIMICO CREEK
50% INDUSTRIAL
40% RESIDENTIAL
10% COMMERCIAL
NATURAL
EMBANKMENT
RUNOFF FROM PARKSHORE
GOLF COURSE
ETOBICOKE CREEK
WATERSHED
RUNOFF FROM
HWY 427
RUNOFF FROM NON
PERMEABLE SURFACES
CHANNELIZED
TORONTO
PEARSON
INTL . AIRPORT
RUNOFF FROM
HWY 409
RUNOFF FROM NON
PERMEABLE SURFACES
RUNOFF FROM
AIRPORT RUNWAYS
PIPED/UNDERGROUND
TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE
OTHER WATERSHED BOUNDARIES
MIMICO CREEK
MIMICO CREEK WATERSHED
RESIDENTIAL
INDUSTRIAL
GREENSPACE
LAKE ONTARIO
RUNOFF FROM ROYAL
WOODBINE GOLF CLUB
RUNOFF FROM HIGHWAY 401,
407, 27 EXCHANGE
POLLUTANT SOURCES
NON PERMEABLE SURFACES (EG.
PARKING LOTS, INDUSTRIAL/
COMMERCIAL AREAS)
DEBRIS, SAND, GLASS, DIRT, FUEL,
OIL AND CHEMICAL SPILLS, ORGANIC
MATTER.
ROADWAYS AND HIGHWAYS
COMMERCIAL
RUNOFF FROM
ISLINGTON GOLF CLUB
HUMBER RIVER
WATERSHED
DEBRIS, SAND, GLASS, DIRT, TIRE WEARS,
FUEL, OIL AND CHEMICAL SPILLS, ORGANIC
MATTER, PESTICIDES AND FERTILIZER USE
FROM ROAD ROW’S, CHLORIDES FROM ROAD
DE-ICING.
TORONTO PEARSON AIRPORT
SAND ACCUMULATION, TIRE WEARS,
FUEL, OIL AND CHEMICAL SPILLS,
CHLORIDES FROM RUNWAY DE-
ICING,
GOLF COURSES AND PARKS
LAKE ONTARIO
N
0Km 1 2
RUNOFF FROM
GARDINER EXPRESSWAY
PROJECT SITE:
HUMBER BAY PARK
ORGANIC WASTES, E.COLI, WILD AND
DOMESTIC FECAL WASTES, PESTICIDES,
FERTILIZERS, HUMAN GARBAGE
DON RIVER WATERSHED

MIMICO CREEK STRATEGY
LOCATE UNRAVEL INTENSIFY INTERSECT
MIMCO CREEK AND HUMBER BAY PARK PHASING
+
2020
+
2030
+
2040
+
2050
N

VEGETATION
WINTER
SPRING
SUMMER
FALL
WINTER
SPRING
SUMMER
FALL
INDIAN MUSTARD
BRASSICA JUNCEA
INDIAN MUSTARD
WILLOW TREE
WILLOW TREE
SALIX
INDIAN GRASS
SORGHASTRUM NUTANS
INDIAN GRASS
SUNFLOWER
SUNFLOWER
HELIANTHUS
RED-OSIER DOGWOOD
CORNUS SERICEA
RED-OSIER DOGWOOD
PATH RUSH
PATH RUSH
JUNCUS TENUIS
MARSH FERN
MARSH FERN
THELYPTERIS PALUSTRIS
AMERICAN LARCH
LARIX LARICINA
AMERICAN LARCH
TREMBLING ASPEN
POPULUS TREMULOIDES
TREMBLING ASPEN
PENNSYLVANIA SEDGE
PENNSYLVANIA SEDGE
CAREX PENSYLVANICA
CANADA ANEMONE
CANADA ANEMONE
ANEMONE CANADENSIS
STRICT BLUE EYED GRASS
STRICT BLUE EYED GRASS
SISYRINCHIUM MONTANUM
CLUMP PAPER BIRCH
CLUMP PAPER BIRCH
BETULA
PANCICLED ASTER
PANICLED ASTER
SYMPHYTOTRICHUM LANCEOLATUM
BLUE WILD INDIGO BLUE WILD INDIGO
BAPTISIA AUSTRALIS
BJ
S
SN
H
CS
JT
TP
LL
PT
CP
AC
SM
B
SL
BA

FINDING ZONES OF FLEXIBILITY ALONG MIMICO CREEK
HIGHWAY + RAILWAY + INDUSTRIAL
FOREST COVER
409/427 INTERCHANGE
ASPEN FOREST
HWYS 409/407
CAPTURE RUNOFF
INFILTRATE
SLOW RUNOFF TO MIMICO
PHYTO-REMEDIATION
MIMICO CREEK
PARKLAND + RESIDENTIAL
WEST DEAN PARK
427-KIPLING/ RATHBURN-EGLINGTON
INFILTRATE AND RECHARGE
MIMICO CREEK
BIOSWALE
CAPTURE RUNOFF
EVAPOTRANSPIRATION
CAPTURE RUNOFF
BIOSWALE
PHYTO-REMEDIATION

HUMBER BAY PARK
MASTERPLAN
LAKESHORE BLVD .
POLLINATOR GARDEN
FORESTS
PLAZA
FILTRATION TERRACE
NATURALIZED WETLAND
PROMENADE
FORESTS
MIMICO CREEK
PARKING
MEADOW/POLLINATOR GARDENS
MOUTH OF THE
CREEK
PLAZA
FORESTS
TERRACED EDGE -
CONNECTION TO WATER
TRCA HABITAT ZONE
MARKETS ALONG BEACH
BEACH
WETLAND TERRACES
PROGRAM
CIRCULATION
NATURALIZED WETLAND
MEADOW
FORESTS
TRCA HABITAT ZONE
VEGETATION STRATEGY
RIPARIAN ZONE:
FILTRATION WETLANDS
REMEDIATING TERRAIN:
MEADOWS AND
GRASSES
FORESTS
TRCA HABITAT ZONE
EXISTING CONDITIONS
TRCA HABITAT ZONE

MIMICO CREEK STORMWATER MANAGEMENT TOOLKIT
HUMBER BAY PARK
WATER FLOWS
HUMBER BAY PARK
EAST SWM SYSTEM
END OF PIPE
SWM SYSTEM
OUT TO
LAKE ONTARIO
THROUGH FILTRATION
WETLANDS
WATER TO UV SYSTEM
FOR PUBLIC USE
L.I.D. TECHNIQUES
LARGE TERRACE WETLANDS
SMALL TERRACES WITH SEATING
CAPTURE BUILDING RUNOFF
GRADING CHANGES STORMWATER BIOSWALE PERMEABLE PAVING

MIMICO CREEK MOUTH
RUNOFF FROM
TOWERS
WATER FROM
UPSTREAM MIMICO
RUNOFF FROM LAKESHORE
BLVD AND IMPERMEABLE
SURFACES
POLLUTANTS FROM
VEHICLES
WATERFLOW
INTENSIFY WETLAND OF
MIMICO CREEK MOUTH AND
CREATE LONGER FLOW PATH
TO INCREASE FILTRATION OF
POLLUTANTS.
WETLAND TERRACES AND
STEPS WHERE PARK USERS
CAN CONNECT WITH WATER
RUNOFF FROM PLAZA
REMEDIATING FOREST:
POPULUS TREMULOIDES
REMEDIATING MEADOW:
SORGHASTRIUM NUTANS
BRASSICA JUNCEA
HELIANTHUS SPP.
SISYRINCHIUM MONTANIUM
SYMPHYTOTRICHUM
TO LAKE ONTARIO

HUMBER BAY PARK
BEACH AND FILTRATION TERRACE DETAIL
PARKING
NATURAL WETLAND
WETLAND FILTRATION TERRACES
BEACH
MEADOW
DOCKS
LAKE ONTARIO
PICNIC AREA
WASHROOMS

FILTRATION TERRACES
GREENROOFS
TO CAPTURE
STORMWATER
BEACH
PICNIC AREAS AND
MARKETS GRADING SLOPE MEADOW TO FORESTS
WETLAND
SITE MICRO EVENTS: FORMER MIMICO YACHT CLUB
PROMENADE GRADED
TOWARDS ASPEN FOREST
BEACH
STORMWATER
RUNOFF
ACCESS TO WATER
LAKE ONTARIO
PHYTO-REMEDIATE
RECHARGE

ROOFTOP MEANDER
401 Richmond
Toronto, Ontario
Ecological Greenroof Design
w/ Michela Sutter

EXISTING SUPPORT
STRUCTURE
ADDED PLANTER
SUPPORT STRUCTURE
ADDED PATHWAY +DECK
SUPPORT STRUCTURE
DESIGN
This inner city urban greenroof aims to provide a place of refuge for its
visitors while enabling a variety of other species to share the space in a form
of mutualism. Upon entry, the occupants of the office building are greeted by
a wide, open deck that offers tabled seating under a protective canopy that
shelters and shades year round. The protective canopy is made of a thin sheet
of steel that is supported by two small columns on one end, and fastened to
the building’s wall on the other. The visitor is then given the opportunity to
meander or sit among the plants to simply reflect, observe, relax, or breath.
A wide range of water-efficient native and non-native plant species
are planted at varying heights along the north and south edges. The
dynamic planting plan provides an assortment of spaces for people,
birds, insects, bees, and other users to occupy in a variety of ways.
Wooden benches (3m long) are nestled between the planting beds which are
set back from the path so that users can have the opportunity to immerse
themselves in nature and experience a moment of solitude. Seedums
and snags occupy the center of the roof for insulative function, aesthetic
enjoyment, habitat, and contribute to the overall ecological and environmental
success of the roof.
RESULTING PATHWAY
EXISTING
SUPPORT
ADDED PLANTER
SUPPORT
STRUCTURE
ADDED PATHWAY+
DECK SUPPORT
STRUCTURE
OCCUPIABLE
STRUCTURE LOGIC

BC RH LA CAo BG RA TC AC SS MF PV, BC, RH GT CA CS S. SPP, AS AL
2m

SYMBOL COMMON NAME LATIN NAME SIZE COMMENTS
BC Bouteloua Curtipendula Sideoats Grass
1.5 - 2.5' high
1.5-2' spread Native, Full sun, Low maintence, Attracts birds
BG Bouteloua Gracilis Blue Grama
.75 - 2' high
1.5 - 2' spread Native, low maintence, attracts birds
CAo
Calamagrotis X acutiglora
'Overdam' Overdam Feather Reed Grass 20 - 30' tall cool season, clump forming
SS
Schizachyrium Scorparium Little Bluestem
2-4' high
1.5 - 2' spread
AC Aquilegia Canadensis Wild Columbine Up to 2' tall
GT Geum Triflorum Prarie Smoke
MF Monarda Fistulosa Wild Bergamot
.5 - 1.5' high
.5 - 1' spread
2-4' high
2-3' spread
LA Lavandula Angustifolia English Lavender 1 - 1.5' high and wide
RH Rudbeckia Hirta Black-eyed Susan
TC Thymus citriodorus Lemon Thyme
CS Cornus Sericea 'Isanti' Isanti Red Osier Dogwood
CA Cornus Alba Sibirica Pearls
RA Rhus Aromatica Fragrant Sumac
2-3' high
1'2' spread
.5 - 1' high
1 - 1.5' spread
4-5' high
4-7' spread
4-7' high
3-5' spread
2-6' high
6-10' spread
Native, full sun, good for rain gardens, winter
interest
Native, cold and heat tolerant, part shade, attract
hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, hawk moths
Native, sunny/ well-drained soil, used for
meadows, prefers afternoon shade in hot
summer, make sure soil is well drained in winter
Native, full sun - part shade, frgrant,
attracts butterflies and hummingbirds,
water: dry-medium, medium maintenance
Attracts butterflies, full sun, medium maintenance,
dry-medium water, fragrant, leaves are
evergreen in water winter climates
native, full sun, attracts butterflies,
low maintenance
fragrant - strong lemon scent, full sun,
leaves are edible, flowers attracts bees
winter interest, attracts birds and butterflies,
full sun to part shade, medium maintenance,
reddish stems turn bright red in winter
Attracts birds and butterflies, winter interest,
low maintence, full sun, partial shade,
flowers give way to white berries,
red stems in winter
Native, full sun to part shade, attracts birds and
butterflies, low mainetence, fragrant
native, full sun to aprt shade, flowering tree,
attracts birds, slightly fragrant white flowers
AL Amelanchier Laevis Allegheny Serviceberry 15-25' high/spread
AS Allium schoenoprasum Chives 1-1.5' high/spread fragrant, full sun to part shade
PV Pancium Virgatum Switch Grass
3-6' high
2-3' spread
attracts birds, winter interest, use for rain gardens,
full sun-part shade

SUPERSTATION
proposal for Rail Deck Park
Toronto, Ontario
Urban Design
Transportation
w/ Annie Cottrell,
Nicolas Mayaux,
Weixin Zhao

SITE
Over the rail corridor between Spadina and Bathurst, adjacent to City Place...
Superstation accommodates for a mixed use density of 378, 000 Square Meters:
35% of this density is non-residential (office, commercial, retail) with the
remainder residential.
The population of Toronto is predicted to double in 25 years placing stress of
public transportation. By inserting public transit hub at City Place, the heart
of Downtown Toronto, we can relieve the pressure on Union Station and
accommodate for the future growth of Toronto.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
1. New development will respect the surrounding context in regards to height,
neighbours, and building program.
2. New development will prioritize pedestrian thoroughfare with multiple
routes, and emphasize public transit rather than vehicle use.
3. Open spaces such as plazas, forecourts, passive/active garden spaces, and
wide pathways create ground level comfort amongst the density of buildings.
4. Scheme is placed on a six-meter grid, and high-rise buildings are set back
twelve-meters.
5. Each ‘parcel’ is made up of a family of typologies consisting of: residential
tower (mid-rise/high- rise), low-mid- rise (retail, entertainment, civic, etc.),
various landscape programs at grade (hardscape/softscape courtyards,
gardens, dog parks, playground, sports fields), and light-wells with/without
access to underground.
6. Each layer of the station is permeable, allowing circulation within individual
buildings and movement between all three layers of the transit hub.

BUILDING PROGRAM + TYPOLOGIES
LANDSCAPE OPEN SPACE
LIGHT-WELLS
TRANSIT HUB
RETAIL
CIVIC
ENTERTAINMENT
RESIDENTIAL
OFFICE
BUILDING
L1
LANDSCAPE
L1
L2
L2
PARK AT GRADE
L3
L3
EXTRUDE
PUNCH
SUBMERGED

LANDSCAPE TYPOLOGIES
LANDSCAPE
L1
LANDSCAPE
L1
1 COMMUNITY GARDENS
2 PASSIVE GREEN SPACE
3 RAIN GARDENS
4 FORESTED OPEN SPACE
5 PLAYGROUND
6 PATHWAYS
7 DOG PARK
8 SPORTS FIELD
L2
LANDSCAPE
L1
L2
LANDSCAPE
L1
PARK AT GRADE
PLAZA
L3
L2
LANDSCAPE
L1
PARK AT GRADE
L3
GARDEN
L2
PARK AT GRADE
PARK AT GRADE
EXTRUDE
L3PUNCH
SUBMERGED
L3
SUBMERGED
L2
PUNCH
EXTRUDE
PUNCH
SUBMERGED
PARK AT GRADE
SUBMERGED
L3
NCH
COURTYARD LANDSCAPE
PARK AT GRADE
L1
LANDSCAPE SETBACK
SUBMERGED
L2
LANDSCAPE
L1
PARK AT GRADE
L3
L2
PARK AT GRADE
SUBMERGED
WALKWAYS
L3
FOURCOURT

LAYERS OF INFRASTRUCTURE
LEVEL 1 - GROUND
MIXED USE
LEVEL 2 - COMMERCIAL
LEVEL 3 - TRANSIT
PLATFORMS

A
B
LEVEL 1 - GROUND
24 m
SECTION A

LEVEL 2 - COMMERCIAL
24 m

BATHURST
SECTION B

SPADINA

Postcard from Toronto Archives

GARDEN ASYLUM
Parkdale Village
Toronto, Ontario
MLA thesis
Urban Acupuncture
Rayna Syed

Temporal Landscapes for the Sickly City
“What we are doing hasn’t worked, it’s never going to work, and we need to change
our whole approach. Tinkering around the edges isn’t going to make a difference.”
- ALEX WODAK, M.D. DIRECTOR, ALCOHOL AND DRUG SERVICE
ST. VINCENT’S HOSPITAL, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
THESIS QUESTION
How can landscape architecture collaborate with related disciplines to work
with policy and community members to be leaders in preserving the culture
and community of a gentrifying Toronto neighbourhood, provide sanctuary
to its diverse community members, and aid in relieving public health issues
such as homelessness, mental illness, and drug addiction?
STATEMENT
Garden Asylum explores the theories behind landscape urbanism and urban
acupuncture to address the complex set of consequences that result from
globalization and gentrification.
I position the landscape architect as collaborators and leaders for creating
opportunities in public space by addressing social issues significant in lowincome
neighbourhoods. With focus on individuals at risk of displacement,
these interventions in public-space should afford a symbiosis between all
community members.
This work is informed by the interdisciplinary field of environmental
psychology and the biophilia hypothesis, to further understand the human
being’s relationship to their environments and ways in which nature can heal.
Parkdale Village is the quintessential case study of a much-loved, highly
diverse, idiosyncratic, robust and eccentric neighbourhood at risk of its
culture and identity, and at the center of these issues.

N
NNE
NE
ENE
Feburary 6, 2018.
NNW
E
NW
ESE
WNW
SE
W
SSE
WSW
S
SW
SSW
Material Territory
Sensory Plants: Shadow Study and Wind Analysis
South Parkdale
photosynthesis
CO 2
+ H 2
O + SUNLIGHT
=
carbohydrates + O 2
KEY FOR HUMAN LIFE

ayna syed
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO
DANIELS FACULTY OF
ARCHITECTURE,
LANDSCAPE, AND DESIGN
Candidate for Master of Landscape
Architecture (MLA)
3rd Year AP, 2016 - 2018
OCAD UNIVERSITY
Environmental Design
Bachelors of Design (BDes)
2012 - 2016
Toronto, ON
OTIS COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN
Architecture, Landscape, Interiors
Mobility Exchange, 2015
Dean’s List
Los Angeles, CA
GEORGE BROWN COLLEGE
Fashion Techniques & Design
Diploma in Fashion Design
2009 - 2010
Dean’s List
Toronto, ON
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Rhino 3D, AutoCad Architecture,
SketchUp, V-Ray, Revit, Adobe
Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, ArcGIS
EXPERIENCE
HOW WE LIVE IN CITIES, CIVIC STUDIES
Green Space Developer, 2017
Initiated community engaged garden making by door-to-door
outreach, attending BIA meetings, hosting workshops, flyering
and social media advertising.
Worked and participated at BIG on Bloor Festival by providing
information on our Spot Garden initiative/ benefits of green
spaces in our cities.
Connected with local garden centers/ seed exchange libraries to
distribute plants/ seeds to the Bloordale community.
QANUK INTERIORS INC.
Junior Designer, Summer 2016
Attended commercial/ residential site visits - took
measurements, sketches and notes.
Contacted suppliers for quotes on products, and assisted in
sourcing products.
3D modeled interiors in SketchUp.
Collaborated in photography/ photo editing and propping for
interior photoshoots.
SANDER DESIGN
Intern Designer, Summer 2015
Visited residential sites, measured and took field notes.
Came up with concepts and designs for projects.
Explored ideas through sketches and 3D modeling.
Put together proposal booklets for clients.
Worked efficiently to complete deadlines.
JULES POWER
Assistant Designer & Stylist - Internship, 2010 - 2011
Altered designer’s original patterns with own innovations.
Organized models and styled looks backstage for 2010 LG
Fashion Show.

PHONE
416-722-3199
EMAIL
raynasydney.syed@mail.utoronto.ca
PORTFOLIO
https://issuu.com/raynasydney/docs/rsportfolio
REFERENCES
DYAN MARIE
Artist/Curator
How We Live in Cities, Civic Studies
1444 Dupont Street - Unit 9A
Toronto, ON M5R 1V2
647-973-2349
dyan@dyanmarie.com
SARAH KEENLEYSIDE
Principal Designer
Qanuk Interiors
41 Callender Street
Toronto, ON M6R 2H2
416-539-9833
sarah@qanuk.ca
SANDER FREEDMAN
Landscape Architect
Sander Design
401 Richmond St W
Toronto, ON M5V 3A8
416-597-1703
sander@sanderdesign.ca

2016 - 2018