Human impact on nature
“The forest is not a resource for us, it is life itself. It is the only place for us to live.”
-Evaristo Nugkuag Ikanan
Forests and especially nature had been an inherent part of our existence. We cannot differentiate the existence of humans differently from that of nature. From the process of creation to the process of evolution, everything begins and ends in nature. At the beginning of human evolution, there was an inherent cohesion that existed in symbiosis. Wherein we developed along the lines of nature, but with time these lines which always met at some point now are going haywire and away from it. Erasing nature on the way.
As we have now not only diverged from our ways but are now constantly trying to increase this never-ending rift between nature and mankind. This rift is caused due to the many other underlying issues that we face where the choice to harm/use/affect nature becomes the solution; and often temporary solutions aid in creating permanent problems.
Housing solutions to preserve the ecosystem
The mention of nature voluntarily generates images of the vast rainforest of the Amazon. This same forest which once signified a gigantic abundance of one of the rarest species; is today standing on the brink of disappearance. And the reason is none other than the rapid expansion of people towards the forest.
This is majorly caused due to a large number of people and the lack of space to reside; which in turn is leading to abrupt and drastic deforestation and other complexities like political influences in this process of ‘Expansion’. The issue has created a gigantic impact on the forest.
There is an estimation that 70 % of Amazon forest will be lost by 2030, which can only be stopped by the ones who hold themselves to the soil and call amazon their home; yes the people. Even though people living near the amazons have been who are causing this issue it’s also them who understand and hold the power to solve that issue with an alternative solution.
Can they in any way stop the destruction of the abode? Can we through this architecture help them do so?
Brief of the Competition
“At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, Then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rainforest. Now I realize I am fighting for humanity.”
-Chico Mendes
Everything happening to Amazon can be due to a variety of reasons; political, social, cultural, or some personal interest. But what remains is the fact that we have lost 421,774 Sq.M of forest since 1985–2016. And the rate is expected to increase manifolds. With this issue comprising many aspects beyond control, there is still a window of opportunity to save it by providing a symbiotic architectural solution for the expansion. By creating an affordable and sustainable solution can we help curb amazon deforestation by solving the housing space problem?
Brief: The challenge of this competition is to design sustainable and affordable row housing (multiple dwelling units).
The housing should aim to address the space/land shortage issue and also do not harm the existing ecosystem while adding more green than it takes.
Design Objectives
- Awareness: Understanding and researching in-depth into the issue that is caused due to the need for expansion.
- Contex conscious: Study the vernacular and sustainable construction methods and building materials that can be used to create the symbiosis that exists without harming.
- Climate responsive: Study the climate of the context to its extreme and normal weather conditions. As the rainforest offers an extreme context through various aspects. And consider the extreme heat rise and other changes caused by deforestation.
- Environment aware: Go through the general flora and fauna found in the amazon to get insight into the existing resources you can use and you have to preserve.
- Compact: Understand the scale required to be built and the scope and limitations the context offers.
The above objectives can be a point of beginning to conceive this design. Participants can assume their contexts and a user group based on their concepts and designs.
Site
Site Area: 4007 sqm
Height limit: 9m
FAR (Floor Area Ratio): 1
Ground Coverage: 30%
Coordinates: 3°00'44.8"S 59°58'50.2"W
Brazil is the fifth most populous country on Earth. Its landscape is immense and complex, with interspersed rivers, wetlands, mountains, and plateaus adjoining other major features and traversing the boundaries of states and regions. This rich natural heritage plays a major role in regulating climate change and other Earth phenomena on a global level.
The site is located in Manaus, Brazil. It is the capital of the State of Amazonas and a river port through which all of the surrounding Amazon Rainforest can be accessed.
The site is in the densely built part of the city, surrounded by small dwellings. The neighborhood mainly houses colonies and commercial outlets. The residential area is spread throughout the sector. As they move towards the forest land, the majority of dwellings are one to two-story-high.
Area Programme
Design 50 homes for families of 4 and 8.
Space ideas:
- Living room
- Workspaces
- Bedrooms
- Washrooms and Toilets
- Balcony
- Front deck/passage
These are basic ancillary spaces required for a family. The location and design-specific spaces can be added to the design according to the participant’s choice. The average total area of the house should not exceed 300 sq.m area.
Originally published at https://uni.xyz.
