Offener Wettbewerb | 07/2012
The Green Architecture Competition
Finalist / Category Design & Development
VenhoevenCS architecture+urbanism
Architektur
Landschaftsarchitektur
sonstige Fachplanung
Erläuterungstext
HABITAT
the city as biotope, redefining housing from a broader perspective
“In the domains of design and construction the word ‘housing’ is purely used from an anthropocentric perspective. Expanding this concept will result in more valuable and liveable cities for people, animals and plants.“
Introduction
In the past decades biodiversity has declined worldwide with a rapid speed. Wherever the amount of human interventions increases, the rate of biodiversity drops. The more we build for 'us' humans, the more we demolish for 'them' animals and plants.
Although the human species is part of the worldwide ecosystem, urban planning in the Netherlands makes a spatial division between ‘red’ and ‘green’, both systems demarcated by a sharp line on the map. In our view this enlightened view on the place of the human species in a rapidly changing world is becoming obsolete. More and more awareness grows that a balanced and resilient ecosystem is necessary for the sustainable future of this world, including our own species. The time is right to rethink our cities and constructions as integrated urban systems. Cities, currently the designated space for us humans, need to become a habitat for all species: humans, plants, trees, animals, insects and all other living organisms.
We can increase the cities biodiversity by creating urban biotopes. These different biotopes, preferably interconnected, are added to our existing built environment. Unfortunately especially high density inner cities lack the space to implement these biotopes: parks, ponds, trees and green spots. The need for housing and space for mobility is putting vast pressure on scarcely available land. The solution can be found in the use of both vertical and elevated building planes.
Why Biodiversity in our built environment?
Increasing biodiversity is already an undisputed goal in itself. The innovation might be in building new biotopes that mitigate human negative impact of dense urbanisation and increasing mobility. Creating a comfortable surrounding for indigenous insects, animal and birds can harmonise the nuisance caused by species which over colonise our cities like pigeons, mosquito’s, mice, wasps and lice. A sturdy nature makes both us and our living environment more healthy. It is proven that a green environment improves the quality of live of the people living in its immediate surroundings. Vegetation and water surfaces reduce the urban heat island effect, which can results in temperatures 7-8 C higher than the surrounding countryside. Plants also absorb different types of car pollution like Carbondioxide, Nitroginoxide and small dust. Since ‘welfare-diseases’ are increasing enormously the financial effects of increasing biodiversity in our cities becomes an asset. We can think of reduced healthcare costs, no need of high-tech cooling systems, reduced energy costs, easier building maintenance.
Last but not least, each investment in urban biodiversity results in more quality of life for all living creatures, the city becomes a more exciting, valuable and balanced cultural phenomenon. The "ruin" is a metaphor for a biodiverse building. counterpart of the buildings built today. Our research question is: How can we "ruinize" existing buildings to make them an attractive and healthy habitat for us and for animals and plants?
Product
How can we transform our built environment into a habitat for all species? How can we transform our current architectural catalogue in such a way that our buildings give shelter so that native species ‘colonise’ our cities again? How can we transform existing buildings in more inviting buildings for nature?
Lets conceive facades as three-dimensional spaces. Measurements can be put in front, on, in and behind the facades. This way they can be added on or build into our buildings. Of course there are many divers systems for green facades and roofs available on the market, albeit just recently and most still under development. These systems are designed mostly for added isolation and esthetics, not with the goal to improve biodiversity in mind. The design for animal nestling opportunities does not surpass bird houses and bat boxes.
With specific starting points for each species we've designed new façade and roof products.
For the implementation of these systems we chose two test sites, both with their own characteristics and possibilities for synergy.
Urban environment
What more do we need to invite other species to inhabit our buildings? Where can they find food for their young? Can we optimise existing buildings by interventions in the façade, by making not only bird nests but adding an insect hotel nearby for bird feeding? Do we need more specific plants that produce fruit and seed and honey replacing existing vegetation or bringing in more diversity? How do we actually do it? How much trial and error, how much maintenance is needed? And how will this maintenance be guaranteed?
With these questions in mind different places in Amsterdam have been researched and potential collaborators contacted. Finally we decided to focus on two very different test sites. Firstly the Overtoom is considered one of the most polluted streets of the city, being one of its major traffic corridors. It is also a very well known street. This might help in marketing our ideas.
Secondly the Overkant, the former Stork heavy industrial area, now being converted into a place where young creatives get a chance to start up their business in a relatively cheap yet exciting mineral setting. At the moment both test sites are not designed to increase biodiversity in the city.
Social environment
How can we increase biodiversity in city circumstances? How can we reach the enthusiastic individual inhabitant to help us? On the other hand how can they be facilitated by us professionals? We've been doing some real live tests to research the use of small scale implementations. Additionally IVAM has provided a tool to measure the actual effect on biodiversity. This can work as an competitive edge in improving the environment.
Overtoom, most biodiverse street
Being one of the radial feeder roads of the city, the Overtoom street deals with 15,000 traffic movements per day. The old buildings lack an adequate isolation compared to modern standards. The street profile is relatively small leaving almost no space for vegetation whatsoever. As a consequence the amount of air pollution and noise nuisance is considerably higher than in other parts of Amsterdam. The heat island effect is surely noticed walking on the street on a warm, sunny day . The existing elm trees are the only green elements in the street. The micro climate in the street does benefit from the trees, the pollution however might even get worse because of the possible blocking of air circulation.
With the current vegetation (114 trees on a total area of around 10ha), the Overtoom scores an 4,3 (on a scale from 1-10) on biodiversity in the Biodivercity monitoring tool developed by scientists of IVAM, a research department of the University of Amsterdam. Since a 6 is considered the standard, the current score leaves a lot of room for improvement.
The Overtoom can only become the most bio-diverse street of Amsterdam if the majority of its inhabitants participate.
To reach the inhabitants we set up a test site with a facebook account “LBLDblue”. In a showroom on the Overtoom 197 . Thousands of people pass the window daily. Everyone can follow in real time or on facebook the evaluation of this research site, in which live two chickens. What housing is installed for which endangered local species and which native plants are being re-introduced in this urban environment? We keep on working on the shop window.
Calculations by the IVAM tool can give us an indication how much small scale initiative we need to really make a difference and improve the score. We mapped the owners of all the real estate on the Overtoom. Interesting is the fact that one housing corporation Eigen Haard and some government institutions possess a lot in his street. We hope to work with them in the near future.
De Overkant, most biodiverse reuse building site
The former Stork industrial area in Amsterdam Noord is owned by Eigen Haard. It measures 9,4 hectares. Because of the crisis the development stopped and the existing buildings will remain in use for creative industry. The entire surface is asphalt. For these buildings we were challenged to develop new façade elements, for housing animals and making plants grow. The small scale heat island effect created by the enormous amount of asphalt and large industrial buildings is reduced by the new façade elements, and the internal climate will be improved by creating a double layered, breathing skin for the hangar. The selected plants create not only a better environment for man but also food for the animals. The production of the facades can be done by 50 ROC students, working already on the site.
In public space old Stork motors are reused, inviting small animals to nest and hide by making small adaptations. The biodiversity interventions on this former industrial area gives extra meaning to the site, thus making in interesting for Eigen Haard to invest in it.
The ROC students are stationed on the Overkant area. These young builders will work together on producing and improving prototypes of proposed building systems. These students are tomorrows contractors and craftsmen. They need to be educated with the new biodiversity building methods and tools to put them into practice in our cities.
the city as biotope, redefining housing from a broader perspective
“In the domains of design and construction the word ‘housing’ is purely used from an anthropocentric perspective. Expanding this concept will result in more valuable and liveable cities for people, animals and plants.“
Introduction
In the past decades biodiversity has declined worldwide with a rapid speed. Wherever the amount of human interventions increases, the rate of biodiversity drops. The more we build for 'us' humans, the more we demolish for 'them' animals and plants.
Although the human species is part of the worldwide ecosystem, urban planning in the Netherlands makes a spatial division between ‘red’ and ‘green’, both systems demarcated by a sharp line on the map. In our view this enlightened view on the place of the human species in a rapidly changing world is becoming obsolete. More and more awareness grows that a balanced and resilient ecosystem is necessary for the sustainable future of this world, including our own species. The time is right to rethink our cities and constructions as integrated urban systems. Cities, currently the designated space for us humans, need to become a habitat for all species: humans, plants, trees, animals, insects and all other living organisms.
We can increase the cities biodiversity by creating urban biotopes. These different biotopes, preferably interconnected, are added to our existing built environment. Unfortunately especially high density inner cities lack the space to implement these biotopes: parks, ponds, trees and green spots. The need for housing and space for mobility is putting vast pressure on scarcely available land. The solution can be found in the use of both vertical and elevated building planes.
Why Biodiversity in our built environment?
Increasing biodiversity is already an undisputed goal in itself. The innovation might be in building new biotopes that mitigate human negative impact of dense urbanisation and increasing mobility. Creating a comfortable surrounding for indigenous insects, animal and birds can harmonise the nuisance caused by species which over colonise our cities like pigeons, mosquito’s, mice, wasps and lice. A sturdy nature makes both us and our living environment more healthy. It is proven that a green environment improves the quality of live of the people living in its immediate surroundings. Vegetation and water surfaces reduce the urban heat island effect, which can results in temperatures 7-8 C higher than the surrounding countryside. Plants also absorb different types of car pollution like Carbondioxide, Nitroginoxide and small dust. Since ‘welfare-diseases’ are increasing enormously the financial effects of increasing biodiversity in our cities becomes an asset. We can think of reduced healthcare costs, no need of high-tech cooling systems, reduced energy costs, easier building maintenance.
Last but not least, each investment in urban biodiversity results in more quality of life for all living creatures, the city becomes a more exciting, valuable and balanced cultural phenomenon. The "ruin" is a metaphor for a biodiverse building. counterpart of the buildings built today. Our research question is: How can we "ruinize" existing buildings to make them an attractive and healthy habitat for us and for animals and plants?
Product
How can we transform our built environment into a habitat for all species? How can we transform our current architectural catalogue in such a way that our buildings give shelter so that native species ‘colonise’ our cities again? How can we transform existing buildings in more inviting buildings for nature?
Lets conceive facades as three-dimensional spaces. Measurements can be put in front, on, in and behind the facades. This way they can be added on or build into our buildings. Of course there are many divers systems for green facades and roofs available on the market, albeit just recently and most still under development. These systems are designed mostly for added isolation and esthetics, not with the goal to improve biodiversity in mind. The design for animal nestling opportunities does not surpass bird houses and bat boxes.
With specific starting points for each species we've designed new façade and roof products.
For the implementation of these systems we chose two test sites, both with their own characteristics and possibilities for synergy.
Urban environment
What more do we need to invite other species to inhabit our buildings? Where can they find food for their young? Can we optimise existing buildings by interventions in the façade, by making not only bird nests but adding an insect hotel nearby for bird feeding? Do we need more specific plants that produce fruit and seed and honey replacing existing vegetation or bringing in more diversity? How do we actually do it? How much trial and error, how much maintenance is needed? And how will this maintenance be guaranteed?
With these questions in mind different places in Amsterdam have been researched and potential collaborators contacted. Finally we decided to focus on two very different test sites. Firstly the Overtoom is considered one of the most polluted streets of the city, being one of its major traffic corridors. It is also a very well known street. This might help in marketing our ideas.
Secondly the Overkant, the former Stork heavy industrial area, now being converted into a place where young creatives get a chance to start up their business in a relatively cheap yet exciting mineral setting. At the moment both test sites are not designed to increase biodiversity in the city.
Social environment
How can we increase biodiversity in city circumstances? How can we reach the enthusiastic individual inhabitant to help us? On the other hand how can they be facilitated by us professionals? We've been doing some real live tests to research the use of small scale implementations. Additionally IVAM has provided a tool to measure the actual effect on biodiversity. This can work as an competitive edge in improving the environment.
Overtoom, most biodiverse street
Being one of the radial feeder roads of the city, the Overtoom street deals with 15,000 traffic movements per day. The old buildings lack an adequate isolation compared to modern standards. The street profile is relatively small leaving almost no space for vegetation whatsoever. As a consequence the amount of air pollution and noise nuisance is considerably higher than in other parts of Amsterdam. The heat island effect is surely noticed walking on the street on a warm, sunny day . The existing elm trees are the only green elements in the street. The micro climate in the street does benefit from the trees, the pollution however might even get worse because of the possible blocking of air circulation.
With the current vegetation (114 trees on a total area of around 10ha), the Overtoom scores an 4,3 (on a scale from 1-10) on biodiversity in the Biodivercity monitoring tool developed by scientists of IVAM, a research department of the University of Amsterdam. Since a 6 is considered the standard, the current score leaves a lot of room for improvement.
The Overtoom can only become the most bio-diverse street of Amsterdam if the majority of its inhabitants participate.
To reach the inhabitants we set up a test site with a facebook account “LBLDblue”. In a showroom on the Overtoom 197 . Thousands of people pass the window daily. Everyone can follow in real time or on facebook the evaluation of this research site, in which live two chickens. What housing is installed for which endangered local species and which native plants are being re-introduced in this urban environment? We keep on working on the shop window.
Calculations by the IVAM tool can give us an indication how much small scale initiative we need to really make a difference and improve the score. We mapped the owners of all the real estate on the Overtoom. Interesting is the fact that one housing corporation Eigen Haard and some government institutions possess a lot in his street. We hope to work with them in the near future.
De Overkant, most biodiverse reuse building site
The former Stork industrial area in Amsterdam Noord is owned by Eigen Haard. It measures 9,4 hectares. Because of the crisis the development stopped and the existing buildings will remain in use for creative industry. The entire surface is asphalt. For these buildings we were challenged to develop new façade elements, for housing animals and making plants grow. The small scale heat island effect created by the enormous amount of asphalt and large industrial buildings is reduced by the new façade elements, and the internal climate will be improved by creating a double layered, breathing skin for the hangar. The selected plants create not only a better environment for man but also food for the animals. The production of the facades can be done by 50 ROC students, working already on the site.
In public space old Stork motors are reused, inviting small animals to nest and hide by making small adaptations. The biodiversity interventions on this former industrial area gives extra meaning to the site, thus making in interesting for Eigen Haard to invest in it.
The ROC students are stationed on the Overkant area. These young builders will work together on producing and improving prototypes of proposed building systems. These students are tomorrows contractors and craftsmen. They need to be educated with the new biodiversity building methods and tools to put them into practice in our cities.