RongKao's Portfolio 2026 (2)

01 Moon Playground for All, Where Nature and Play Unite

Fostering Movement, Imagination, and Biodiversity in Yánshuǐ's Heart

/ Quality: Inclusive Design+ Nature-Based Playground + Biodiversity

02 Safe Ring: Pastor Barclay Memorial

Honoring Legacy, Inviting Community – A Tribute to Pastor Barclay’s Vision

/ Quality: Memorial Design+ Commuity

03 A Garden that Breathes with the River

A natural garden designed to bring calm to social housing residents

/ Quality: Social housing + Community

04 A Gentle Space for Heavy Hearts

Therapy Garden For Those Who Suffer From Great Loss

/ Quality: Mental Health+ Nature-Based Design

05 Breathing in the Forest

An Ecological Restoration and healing space

/ Quality: Biodiversity + Restoration Native forest + Health Design + Nature-based design

06 Cultivating Connections at Refshaleøen

A natural garden designed to bring calm to social housing residents

/ Quality: Social housing + Community

07 Article: Actor for Whom?

Are animals welcome in contemporary landscape design?

/ Quality: Animal corridors+ Human-center Issue+ Nature based Issue

08-09 Completed Project

10-11 Reflection for the Landscape study

02 Safe Ring

-Pastor Barclay Memorial

Site Introduction Quality: Memorial Design+ Commuity

Introdution Project Information

and design.

Budget: 100,000€

Participant: Shih Chin Lin (case supervisor)

In 1875, Pastor Barclay arrived in Taiwan to promote the vernacular movement, establish a seminary (a rarity at the time), print publications, and most importantly, negotiate with the Japanese to protect the Taiwanese from war. He dedicated nearly his entire life to Taiwan.

Barclay Memorial Park was built to honor Pastor Barclay. However, the park fails to effectively convey his profound contributions to Taiwan. The few elements that do represent his legacy are hidden behind dense bushes and trees, making them nearly invisible. Moreover, the park is underutilized—most people simply pass through without stopping to engage with its historical significance.

Our team has set two primary goals for this redesign:

1.Honoring the spirit of Pastor Barclay—Embracing Taiwan. We believe Pastor Barclay’s embrace of Taiwan was expressed through his love, dedication, acceptance, and humility. Without hesitation, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the land and its people. Our design seeks to make his spirit tangible and visible within the park.

2.Encouraging public use- Recognizing the evolving functions and structures of urban spaces, we aim to transform this plaza into a space that meets the needs of modern communities, families, and groups. By enhancing its functionality and accessibility, we hope to invite people in, encourage gatherings, and create opportunities for them to connect with Barclay’s legacy.

The site is located in a park at the center of Tainan, facing the Tainan Cultural Center and close to a mall, hotel, old town areas, and urban renewal districts.

One advantage of the original park is its abundance of natural and gentle elements. However, its drawback lies in its limited functionality and suitability for practical use.

User Analysis- Time

User Analysis- Age

Observing the users and usage patterns of Barclay Park: Most visitors are elderly primarily engaging in jogging and walking. The park is most frequently used in the early morning and evening. Interestingly, despite the community being predominantly composed of individuals aged 15-65, it is uncommon to see them in the park or bringing their families along.

Making use of existing condition: analyzed the sight form the direction of the main entrance and paving, the location of existing trees, the concept of site plan was decided.

Concept

"Showcasing the spirit of Pastor Barclay while creating a space that unites people of all ages.

Spirit of Pastor Barclay:

1.Represented by a tender, handshake-like ring.

2.Bringing people together: A multifunctional landscape ring designed to welcome and engage visitors across different age groups."

This part of the ring is an ordinary chair, designed for general use by everyone.

One part of the ring serves basic recreational needs, while another wave-shaped ring is designed to attract children. The presence of kids brings their parents creating a family gathering space. As a result, more people will be drawn to the area Ultimately, this memorial plaza will no longer be neglected.

Ring provides various functions from personal use to groups use.

This part of the ring is designed not only for daily use but also to attract children. When kids come, they bring a more energetic atmosphere, which in turn draws more people together.

1 user

With various angel, the ring enable user to do activities alone, such as sitting or reading......etc.

2~3 users

With various angel and array, the ring enable user to do activities with friends, such as chatting......etc.

3+ users

As a ring, a circle style, enable user to do activities with the crowed, such as holding a concert or speech......etc.

Watching the ring from the entrance of Barclay Park, the circular entrance is more visible compared to an ordinary design.

03 A Garden that Breathes with the River

Meaning of the ring

Inheriting the Pastor’s Love and Contribution.

A natural garden designed to bring calm to social housing residents. Quality: Social housing + Community

Saving ppl from war Promoting Education

Whole ring: representing Barclay's love North ring: Recreation

South ring: Scroll-shape

The north and south rings represent specific meanings—saving the Taiwanese from war and providing education for the Taiwanese. As these two parts of the ring combine, they envelop the main site and symbolize Pastor Barclay's love.

My task in project: Analysis site, concept and Landscape design.

Location: Kaoshiung,TW

Case statue: in a design process

Budget: 100,000€

Participant: Chao Chine Ming (case supervisor)

The main goal of this design is to create a space for dwellers to relax. The site is located near the main river of Fengshan, so our team decided to mimic the river's atmosphere to help dwellers unwind.

To minimize the budget, we standardized tree pits and used them as the main design pattern.

Abstract

Grief is a universal human experience, yet its intensity and duration vary significantly among individuals.

Research indicates that while most people adapt over time, approximately 10–20% experience prolonged grief requiring intervention. This study explores how nature-based interventions (NBIs) and landscape design can facilitate grief recovery, particularly in therapeutic settings.

Grounded in Evidence-Based Health Design in Landscape Architecture (EBHDL), the research employs literature reviews, site analysis, and interviews to examine how designed landscapes can support bereavement adaptation. The study site, Utterslev Mose in Copenhagen, is characterized by its biodiversity, tranquil lake views, and secluded natural spaces, offering an ideal environment for reflection and emotional restoration. The site’s attributes are analyzed using the PHDS framework, highlighting dimensions such as serenity, refuge, social interaction, and biodiversity.

Findings suggest that therapeutic landscapes designed for sensory engagement, psychological refuge, and social connection can play a critical role in grief adaptation. Meanwhile, suggest that extending further application beyond healing gardens to cemeteries and daily environments.

Background

About 80% of people experience feelings of grief or depression after a major loss. (APA, 2020). Approximately 30% of adults experience some form of grief process each year after the loss of a loved one. (Grief Research Centre UK, 2018). Around one-third of adults will experience long-term grief after the death of a loved one or close friend in their lifetime (Japanese Grief Association, 2017). Most people will experience some form of grief during their lifetime. According to various studies, around 10-20% of people will experience prolonged grief that requires professional intervention after losing a loved one (APA, 2020). A minority of individuals (approximately 7%–10%) will evidence stable, high-grief trajectories; this subgroup probably represents the subgroup with a prolonged grief condition and will likely warrant intervention Kristin L. Szuhany, 2021).

Grief is a universal emotional experience, with its intensity and duration varying among individuals. Empirical data indicate that profound and prolonged grief remains a significant psychological challenge, necessitating targeted interventions.

the pathway is frequently used by joggers and walkers, while the roadway accommodates vehicular traffic. Long-term foot traffic has naturally shaped movement patterns. Human activity is primarily concentrated in open spaces and areas with seats.

The site based in Utterslev Mose, located in the northwest of Copenhagen, is a natural branching wetland with expansive lake views. The area features bird-rich lakes, extensive reed beds, wild bog regions, and well-maintained parkland. It supports a high

biodiversity, with numerous bird species and insects, particularly the greylag geese, which have made the bog famous both in Denmark and internationally. This natural area has been protected and preserved within the urban environment since 2000. (Danmarks Naturfredningsforening, 2025).

The site's vegetation is primarily composed of three main types: trees , mangroves or large shrubs and reed beds

In order to understand how the site's characteristics are revealed and utilized, the attributes are analyzed using the PHDS framework. nature

Nature is presented on the site with a wild and untouched quality, characterized by free-growing shrubs that dominate the landscape.

space

Three types of spaces are presented on the site: a vast open lawn, a viewing area overlooking the expansive lake, and an open space with trees. rich in species

The presence of waterfowl creates a unique quality of water-based healing on the site.

prospect

Prospect is presented in the form of expansive, wide vistas, with well-maintained lawns and an environment devoid of trees.

rufge

Refuges are presented in the form of enclosed spaces, characterized by dense brush and tall grasses. These areas provide a sense of safety.

social

The social properties of the site offering opportunities for recreation and interaction.

serence

Serenity is the most characteristic quality of the site, highlighted by a vast, horizontal lake view that provides a sense of calm and peace.

The site offers valuable ecological features, including a lakeside setting, diverse habitats, and varied forest structures. Based on the 8PHD Theory, the design enhances the healing potential of distinct spaces by strengthening their inherent qualities. Given the site's elongated shape and the presence of naturally formed pathways, the design integrates vegetation to guide and refine these user-created trails, simplifying spatial organization and usage. The proposed therapeutic garden incorporates social, natural, serene, prospect, spatial, and biodiversityrich environments to support well-being.

nature

Nature serves as the primary dimension of this environment, characterized by freely growing, undisturbed reed beds. A solitary seating arrangement is placed within the dense, tall reeds, fostering introspection, deceleration, and solitary engagement.

Space functions as the defining dimension of this environment, characterized by towering trees that establish a distinct and expansive spatial experience. The dynamic interplay of sunlight and shadow creates a serene and refined atmosphere, enhancing the site's sensory and psychological depth.

refuge

Refuge serves as the defining dimension of this environment, characterized by large shrubs and mangrove vegetation. The low-lying branches create a sense of enclosure and psychological security, fostering a protected and introspective atmosphere. Single benche is set to encourage users to engage with the

social

Social interaction serves as the primary dimension of this environment, facilitated by multiple benches strategically arranged to encourage face-to-face communication. Additionally, the benches are designed at a 2-meter length, allowing users to sit together while maintaining a comfortable personal distance, fostering both verbal engagement and quiet companionship.

rich in species

Biodiversity serves as the primary dimension of this environment, characterized by a diverse range of waterfowl and aquatic plants. A bench is strategically placed against a shrub backdrop, providing a secluded resting spot. Additionally, the natural sounds produced by aquatic wildlife contribute to a therapeutic and harmonious sensory experience,

serene

Serenity is one of the defining characteristics of the site, attributed to its proximity to Utterslev Mose.

Serene serves as the primary dimension of this environment, characterized by an expansive lake view that fosters a sense of tranquility and calmness.

A bench is strategically positioned against a shrub backdrop, offering a secluded resting space that

prospect

Prospect serves as the defining dimension of this environment, characterized by expansive vistas and well maintained wild lawns, fostering a sense of openness and optimism. A dense shrub layer functions as a visual backdrop for seating areas, while a strategically placed shrub in the foreground provides partial enclosure, offering a balance