As architects, we should consider ourselves as having a duty to provide for the ecologies we displace with our work. Liberty Hall previously provided little for its human and non-human occupants, sealing itself off from its surrounding environment.
Through the design implemented, using patterns of biophilic design, the theories of post-humanism that see humans and non-humans as equal participants in architecture and informed by ecological research, Liberty Hall was reprogrammed into a more inclusive environment for a variety of species. The facade of Liberty Hall and subsequently its interior environment will no longer solely be an image in the skyline. Instead, it will welcome local ecological systems and in doing so provide a new rejuvenating way for humans to live amongst them. Now the frames provide areas for bees to shade from the sun, for milkweed to safely grow within to feed soon to be butterflies, create dark enclosures for bats and as a tool to hold insulation to create warm environments for humans also. Yet rather than attempting to entirely enclose the people, ecology and nature of Liberty Hall, the 'thread-and-frame' habitat façade system is an openly woven structure. This is to allow species, such as bees and butterflies, to move easily between shelter and flowers/ crops they could pollinate on other floors. The thread within the frame varies its density depending not only on context but the requirements of the plants or species it may hold such as the densely woven corners on the bee’s frames as they prefer shade to rest |
(Above left to right)- Portions of the overall section of Liberty Hall and how they cater for different species
Plans- For each floor from basement level up to Level 15- Beekeeper/ Bee Floor
Yellow and green were used on the plans below to easily distinguish between spaces that are fully insulated (for human occupants) and semi-exterior/ interior spaces.
Key:
- Green- Semi- Indoor/ Outdoor Space enclosed by Thread-And-Frame facade panels
- Yellow- Insulated Space enclosed by Thread-And-Frame facade panels that are densely woven and contain insulation
Yellow and green were used on the plans below to easily distinguish between spaces that are fully insulated (for human occupants) and semi-exterior/ interior spaces.
Key:
- Green- Semi- Indoor/ Outdoor Space enclosed by Thread-And-Frame facade panels
- Yellow- Insulated Space enclosed by Thread-And-Frame facade panels that are densely woven and contain insulation
(Above) Elevation of the final scheme and how each of the different threading patterns works for the primary species they serve
Ultimately, this framing system could potentially help reinvigorate urban areas that have fallen into disrepair by giving them new purpose as habitats and areas for human/ animal living. Instead of radically re-wilding the city, the thread-and-frame shows an alternative method for the inclusion of natural systems within the urban context.
Ultimately, this framing system could potentially help reinvigorate urban areas that have fallen into disrepair by giving them new purpose as habitats and areas for human/ animal living. Instead of radically re-wilding the city, the thread-and-frame shows an alternative method for the inclusion of natural systems within the urban context.
Reflective Work
After the completion of the project, I had time to reflect on what I may have changed about the process.
While I attempted to be thorough in my research to best understand the plants and non-human species I was aiming to provide for using my design proposal, this project potentially lacked the perspective of the non-human species surrounding Liberty Hall, the bees, butterflies, birds and pipistrelle bat. They were designed and provided for from a human viewpoint rather than their own. This may not have fully addressed how each species processes their environment and what they would want.
While responding to the needs, behaviours, etc. of each species did subsequently address how they perceive their environment, attempting to understand Liberty Hall from a non-human perspective could have enriched the project further.
To reflect on this I undertook the above series of drawings to see how one of the species, the bee, perceives their environment.
While I attempted to be thorough in my research to best understand the plants and non-human species I was aiming to provide for using my design proposal, this project potentially lacked the perspective of the non-human species surrounding Liberty Hall, the bees, butterflies, birds and pipistrelle bat. They were designed and provided for from a human viewpoint rather than their own. This may not have fully addressed how each species processes their environment and what they would want.
While responding to the needs, behaviours, etc. of each species did subsequently address how they perceive their environment, attempting to understand Liberty Hall from a non-human perspective could have enriched the project further.
To reflect on this I undertook the above series of drawings to see how one of the species, the bee, perceives their environment.