Going Green:
in the nature of architecture
The graduation project represents the culmination of the Master Courses in Architecture and Urban Design, ending with the award of a Master Degree. In this graduation studio students explored (and expand) the full potential of the relationship between architecture and nature. Beyond creating new architectural forms or learning from natural processes to create sustainable buildings, they also investigated how architecture can contribute to an increased biodiversity as well translate into buildings the properties of nature to shape a comfortable climate and finally to reduce CO2 emissions.
Supervisors: Juliette Bekkering, Irene Curulli, Sergio M. Figueiredo, Mark Hemel
Nature-based Resilient Safe Haven – Lisa Warffemius
In times of climate change, posing a threat to both nature and architecture, it is of necessity to design with nature for climate adaptation. Climate change forms also a threat to the Netherlands. The Netherlands is especially vulnerable because large parts of the Netherlands are situated below sea level. It is no question that the Netherlands has to prepare itself for the worst case scenario, namely the disappearance of the whole west of the country. This will result in Dutch climate refugees. Therefore the Netherlands is in need to build resilience.
This project has explored the role of architecture in creating a flood resilient design by adopting a nature based approach. The design has been informed by nature and landscape from the outset, aligning with the approach of nature based solutions. This results in a living complex with a base underneath which allows the water to come but at the same time provides a safe place for refugees that will arrive in the future. Through adaptivity and flexibility the architecture responds to the changes in the climate and the need of the people.
The Last Embrace – Famke Boschman
The urban funeral home, the last embrace, aims to reconnect to nature and time through architecture. The architectural elements balance the natural temporality of change& metamorphosis and curriosity&encitment with the human comfort of mastery&order and security&protection. The design guides the mourner through the process of acceptance; The rhythm of monumental arches states permanence and perfection, and they meet with the natural elements of water and materialization that reflect temporality and imperfection. The deceased are united with the natural flow of water, of life, through resomation. The project succeeds in offering a point of synchronization between human or domesticated time and natural or physical time. The funeral guest experience this the strongest. However, the unusual placement of the funeral home addresses the attitude toward death or humanity’s temporality. Over time, as the park maintenance gets more guided by natural processes, the park visitor emerges in the synchronization between nature and time. A romantic and engaging element will be the slow decay of The Ruin, which challenges our perception of architecture’s permanence.
Water Machine – Maartje de Kleijn
The purpose of this research and design is to create a new building (method) where the potential hazard of water is incorporated into the design. It is necessary to reassess the relationship between humans and nature to create a renewed way of coexisting. Lessons regarding this relation can be drawn from vernacular architecture.
The water machine not only responds to the future situation of high water, but it also provides a temporary solution in emergencies where residents, who do not have water-adapted homes, can stay until the water level subsides again. In both scenarios, the building strengthens and enhances the community’s relationship with the water. A building method is created where water is fully integrated into the design, emphasizing the relationship of the building and landscape with the water.
Nature’s Mine – Jordy van Gorkum
As repeatedly reported in the news, nature is under tremendous pressure. One major aspect is biodiversity, which is decreasing due to human activity. Architecture has a vital role in causing this decreasing biodiversity through space and (fossil) materials. Architecture can increase awareness of the importance of nature and its ecosystems by applying locally extracted materials and visualizing the consequences in the landscape. The use of local materials gives a strong relationship with the landscape in which it is located. To connect with the surroundings biodiversity should also be included in the design.
Based on this theoretical base, a design is created for a pathway of awareness through a human-damaged landscape, the ENCI quarry in Maastricht. Connected to the pathway, three types of hiker huts are designed. The relationship to the environment is of great importance here. By applying local materials and allowing local biodiversity into the buildings, humans harmoniously adapt to the surrounding environment.
The reciliency of the lonely – Rick Hutten
Inspired from nature and the Japanese tea culture, the teahouse combines elements of wood and glass to create harmony between outside and inside, creating a feeling of warmth and safeness. To allow the building to be temporarily located, the structure is made up of modular tree-shaped spaces of 6 by 6 meters that follow the plot’s grid. The floorplan is designed as an open space, with the guest and tea preparation in the center as a ceremony space. Large revolving doors on the outside of the guest room create an inside-outside feeling, while a curtain wall system with crisp horizontal lines on the exterior distinguishes the exhibition. Skylights are strategically placed to guide visitors from the entrance to the tea preparation area.
