This body of work investigates the underlying patterns and ecological processes within a 30-inch diameter study plot at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest in Auburn, AL. Over several weeks of intensive observation, I sought to reveal dynamics often overlooked at a smaller scale, such as the subtle interactions between micro-communities and environmental forces. The first drawing serves as an inventory, mapping the detailed coexistence of volunteer species, grasses, gravel, and moss. In the following three drawings in the same study plot, I explore temporal shifts in moss growth and the movement of pine straw in response to climatic elements like wind, water, and light. As drought conditions persist, the moss reveals its sensitivity to moisture, and its growth is stunted. By the final drawing, rainfall introduces a subtle shift, and the moss responds to the increased moisture, highlighting how this micro-ecosystem is influenced by subtle environmental changes. Through these layered drawings, I aim to uncover the hidden ecological narratives of this small plot, inviting viewers to consider the broader implications of unseen environmental forces on the forest floor.

Caitlin Holt is a landscape architecture graduate student interested in uncovering subtle ecological patterns through the use of graphic representation.

Gwendolyn Cohen |
Architecture, Design, & Construction
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture

Faubourg Tremé of New Orleans has a rich but troubled history. This neighborhood is divided by the Claiborne Expressway, a legacy of racist city planning from the 1960s. The elevated structure casts its shadow over what was once the social center of the community, contributing to its decline. As the expressway reaches the end of its lifespan there is a question of what role it should play in Tremé’s future. This project proposes strategies that dissect the expressway, giving it new life as a social structure and inviting the people of Tremé to reclaim this space as their own. Portions are removed to reunite the neighborhood, while other elements are retained for pedestrian access. Plants grow where cars once stood, echoing the oak-lined park that was demolished long ago. However, adaptive reuse has a history of negative impacts on low-income communities, often displacing residents due to alienation and rising costs of living. Through an analysis of precedents, strategies were created to minimize displacement using community collaboration, interdisciplinary protections, and design choices. This design responds to the aesthetics and desires of the community, including the celebratory practice that unites the neighborhood and gives this project its name: the second line parade.

Helena is recent graduate of Auburn’s MLA program, where she explored how landscape architecture can celebrate the rich cultural and ecological histories of the southeast.

In an exploration of a forest site, this area of study is intended to study the processes of a landscape happening within a 30” site. The circle is a look into a stream bank’s root systems and the ground which it plants itself. The lateral growth of the roots is directly correlated to the stream’s flow. Trees from far upland areas can have roots found in this root system which secures the banks. The purpose of this is to study the ways nature structures itself and how it can inform design. The processes occurring for the roots encourage the area known as the riparian zone to develop. The riparian zone is the area between a stream and an upland region. Within this zone lies habitats for wildlife to flourish; this zone would not be what it is without the root system’s support. In my process to highlight the root’s habits, several methods were explored involving, ink stippling, charcoal hierarchies, sketching while using a light table, and marker. Many texture tests occurred to find the best way of representation.

I'm a UVA Alumni with a B.S. in Architecture, an MLA student in Landscape Architecture, and Vice President to the 2024 NOMAS Chapter

Gwendolyn Cohen |
Architecture, Design, & Construction
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Landscape Architecture

This study utilizes UAV-based multispectral data to classify and assess the severity of Brown Spot Needle Blight (BSNB) disease in loblolly pine forests using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). We collected high-resolution multispectral imagery to analyze the spectral response of pine trees. The ANN model was trained to differentiate between healthy trees and those with early, moderate, and severe BSNB severity levels, successfully classifying tree density and identifying varying degrees of infection. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of UAV multispectral technology combined with ANN for real-time forest health monitoring. This research provides valuable insights for forest management, contributing to timely intervention strategies to mitigate the impacts of BSNB on pine ecosystems. The findings highlight the potential of integrating advanced remote sensing techniques to enhance our understanding of forest diseases and improve ecosystem resilience. Keywords: Brown Spot Needle Blight (BSNB), Loblolly Pine, UAV-based Multispectral Data, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN)

I am Swati Singh, a PhD student at Auburn University under Dr. Lana Narine. I hold a master’s degree in environmental sciences and a Post Graduate Diploma in Remote Sensing & GIS (Forestry). My research focuses on detecting Lecanosticta acicola, the pathogen causing Brown Spot Needle Blight disease in pine trees, using remote sensing techniques. By analyzing spectral and structural changes in vegetation through UAVs and machine learning, I aim to develop a framework for effective disease detection.

Lana Narine |
College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture
Forestry

The repurposed machine-made Jamdani dress is a zero-waste garment crafted from a saree. A saree is a single piece of cloth with a decorated border popular in the Indian subcontinent and is one of the world’s oldest surviving unstitched garments. 'Jamdani' is a unique saree produced only in Dhaka, Bangladesh using traditional hand-weaving techniques. We have used the machine jamdani which is a mass-produced, cost-effective alternative that replicates the aesthetics but lacks the finesse of the handwoven original. Reuse involves designing products for easy recycling or repurposing considered a practice for sustainability in clothing as it reduces the need for new production. Zero-waste fashion design ensures 100% fabric usage in pattern making without compromising fit and aesthetics. The saree will be deconstructed and cut into pieces to form the silhouette of the dress by incorporating a zero-waste design. The decorative border will be used as the hemline to have a clean, finished look by preserving the original essence of it. The intricate motifs will be positioned strategically on the torso highlighting the artistry of the Jamdani weave, while kimono sleeves will utilize the border pattern, minimizing waste.

A PhD student whose research bridges sustainability and fashion, addressing challenges in balancing design aesthetics with sustainability for impactful fashion design.

Dawn Michaelson |
Human Sciences
Consumer and Design Sciences
Apparel Design and Production Management