Unnatural habitat: Redesigning spaces for support of biodiversity and bring a human & nature coexistence
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Architecture and planning beyond sustainability (MPDSD), MSc
Publicerad
2023
Författare
Kuklinska, Aleksandra
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Sustainability becomes an inseparable element of the built
environment. We observe that the most popularized sustainable
solutions are focusing mostly on aspects of building materials
or energy efficient systems. However, even building in a new
environmentally-friendly way, still interferes in natural habitat and
leads to its slower or faster degradation. There is a gap of building
examples that would consider biodiversity support in the early stage
of the project. At the same time, it is already well-known that nature
has a big positive impact on our mental health and well-being. How
beneficial would it be then, for both of the sides (human - nature) if
architects started to design spaces with inclusion of wildlife in the
built environment?
The purpose of the work is to draw attention to the problem
of exclusion of biodiversity in the field of architecture and habitat
degradation caused by ongoing urbanisation. In order to achieve a
coexistence between human and nature, newly designed projects,
as well as already existing spaces should aim to integrate nature in
the built environment. The aim of this thesis is however to highlight
the importance of transformation and redesign of already existing
outdoor spaces.
The research part was based on literature and study of
references to ground a base of present knowledge. In the next
stage, the context of the site was analysed in order to get a bigger
picture and understand wider correlations between chosen site and
other biodiversity valuable areas. Later, the process of rethinking
and redesigning were made in relation to stated findings and was
summarised with sketch concepts for ideas of adjustments. The final
proposal is a presentation of a few selected concepts, shown with
drawings and perspectives.
This paper does not provide a biological knowledge about
biodiversity but is taking an architectural perspective as a main
direction. Thesis illustrates how big possibilities can be found in
already existing spaces and how crucial the transformation approach
can be for the prevention of biodiversity loss. The results show that
the broader local context and cross-disciplinary approach is needed
for achieving a new healthy shared habitat.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Biodiversity support , Shared habitat , Human-nature