Wings Over L.A. – A World Class BirdPark

Client Thesis Project, Los Angeles, California

Services Landscape Architecture Planning

Date 2003

Wings Over L.A. A World Class BirdPark

What’s a World Class BirdPark?

“Birds can be studied essentially in two ways: by observing them in the field or (by observing them) in an aviary. If the latter happens to be a large aviary, which nearly simulates the natural habitats with walk-in facilities, then it would be different from the first two. Such an aviary may be more appropriately termed a BirdPark”. by Abraham Verghese

Positioned at the north end of San Pedro, CA adjacent to the Los Angeles Cruise Ship Terminal, “Wings over L.A.” spans four existing hills that demark the southern terminus of the 110 Harbor Freeway and the western approach to the noted Vincent Thomas Bridge.

Presently a no-man’s land of denuded demolition, sub-standard housing and junk-yard commercial buildings, the creation of a BirdPark is meant to reinvigorate and revitalize the area, creating nature paths for walking and bicycling, rest areas for picnicking and barbecuing, observation points for viewing wildlife in a re-constructed Fresh Water Wetlands, themed commercial areas for shopping and dining, games areas for playing basketball, tennis, softball and soccer, and – the piece de resistance – the BirdPark, an arrangement of eight distinct habitats in large aviaries constructed on the crest of the hills. My entire thesis is a synecdoche – a representation of the whole by an expression of the part – sculpting mini ecosystems that translate the meaning of Peruvian Cloud Forest, Amazon Rain Forest, Kalahari Desert, African Plains, Boreal Forest and Fresh Water Wetlands. I think of my park as an “open” design, where interaction between park inhabitants (the birds) and park goers (humans) is not only possible, but is desirable. “Open” design enhances learning and understanding, the broad underlying theme to my whole concept. As well as the BirdPark, re-created wetland habitats will provide another small link in the chain of nurturing environments that has come to be know as “The Pacific Flyway”.

Wings is a World Class BirdPark because it has the Greatest number of species of Birds and Exotic Plants compared to any other Aviary in the World. The Park will contain 5 different avian habitats from around the world in the “Open Zoo Concept” Visitors will enjoy a close-up view of free flying exotic birds in spacious landscaped enclosures which simulate their natural wild habitats. As well as the BirdPark, re-created Wetland Habitats will provide another small link in the chain of nurturing environments that has come to be known as “The Pacific Flyway”.. pared to any other Aviary in the World. The Park will contain 5 different avian habitats from around thWings is a World Class BirdPark because it has the Greatest number of species of Birds and Exotic Plants come world in the “Open Zoo Concept” Visitors will enjoy a close-up view of free flying exotic birds in spacious landscaped enclosures which simulate their natural wild habitats. As well as the BirdPark, re-created Wetland Habitats will provide another small link in the chain of nurturing environments that has come to be known as “The Pacific Flyway”..