PROPOSAL:
Can architecture co-exist with an environment in it's natural condition?
SUBTEXT:
Typically, architecture leads to the demise of an environment. When people find a desirable environment and begin to populate that area, the consequence is inevitably the removal of the environment that created the initial attraction.
If population/density were to be graphed against environmental impact the two extremities would be this;
- on one end of the scale is zero environmental impact with zero human population/density. (such as a heritage listed rainforest)
- on the other end of the scale is maximum population/density (such as a city) resulting in maximum environmental impact (there is no environment left).
This project looks to explore the middle ground between these two extremities and explore how far population/density can be pushed whilst maintaining a manageable environmental impact.
PRIMARY INVESTIGATION:
Develop a series of building typologies/density typologies that could establish a framework as a basis to be built upon to create villages, communities or even cities that are 'co-existent' with their environment.
ENVIRONMENT:
The complex and delicate ecosystem of the Daintree Rainforest in the northern QLD tropics.
ATTITUDES:
The project should (and will most probably need to) challenge normal attitudes and methods such as the idea of the city, styles of living, attitudes to environment, attitudes toward sustainability and even the concept of verticality.
KEY ISSUES:
including but not limited to;
Arboriculture (study of trees, plants & vines), social issues, construction methods, ecology, wildlife, technology, amenity, fire resistance, cyclone resistance, energy, water, waste, communication, transport and infrastructure.
PRECEDENTS:
'Treehouse' style architecture as architectural precedent & rainforest 'canopy walks' as connection precedents.
DESIGN TYPOLOGIES:
- Non heat retentive external material
- Using more natural material e.g. timber
- Minimum disturbance to the environment
- Maintaining all vegetation where possible
- Minimise earthworks
- Minimise width of roads and employ creative thinking toward them
- Create natural drains to maintain natural water courses
- Raise buildings above the ground to conserve energy
- Use large over hanging eaves
- Use more verandahs for shading
- More openings both at the sides and overheads
- Refrain from importing irrelevant and unsuitable ideas
- Work with the climate
- Work within the constraints
- Retain both traditional and cultural values
- There are many lessons to be learnt from the past
DENSITY:
It is plausible that a low density proposal is achievable. However to what density could these ideas be taken to?
FLORA:
Consider the detrimental effects that may occur to flora by such a proposal and find, if possible, responses and solutions to these issues.
FAUNA:
Consider effects and considerations toward native fauna. These may include positive opportunities as well as negative impacts.
SECONDARY INVESTIGATION:
Following the findings of the primary investigation in the context of the Daintree Rainforest, explore the possibility of reversing the process and taking the natural environment to an existing urban context (such as the F.A.M.E. site in Sydney) based on the idea of environment renewal overlaid with the learnings of the primary investigation.
MEDIUM:
Crisis, sketchup, 3DS max and hand drawing mediums.
This brief is a draft and may be changed upon review with the studio master.
