Milo Greuter - The Race of Nature

The Race of Nature Milo Greuter Academie van Bouwkunst Amsterdam

“ Every touching experience of architecture is multi-sensory; qualities of matter, space, and scale are measured equally by the eye, ear, nose, skeleton, and muscle. ” - Juhani Pallasmaa, The Eyes of the Skin

Milo Greuter milo.greuter@gmail.com Master Architecture Academie van Bouwkunst Amsterdam August 2021 Commission members Marta Roy (mentor) Ira Koers Thijs de Zeeuw External commission members Bart Bulter Dingeman Deijs

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Special thanks to Begoña Garcia Giner Fouad Addou Mike van Turnhout Aisling Clearly Patrick Bil Greg Hardie André van Zon

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TABLE CONTENT OF

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INTRODUCTION

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2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4

TIME FOR A CHANGE Current trend Location Controversial area Personal involvement

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3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5

GOAL & PROGRAMME Regenerate Research Nature connectedness Local ecologies Programme

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4 4.1 4.2 4.3

THE CIRCUIT Changes in layout Charachteristics A lap around the circuit

5 5.1 5.2

CONCEPT Blurred boundaries Six themes

6 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4

DESIGN The canopy Phasing Inhabitation Visitors’ centre and research hubs

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DETAILS & MATERIALS

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FINAL WORDS

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104 117

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1. INTRODUCTION

“Most of the land these days is divided into tiny bits and pieces between many landowners. With vegetation, if you start planting the same kinds of grasses or trees as the ones that can be found in local, wild nature, eventually the area you plant will exhibit the same colors and shapes as other parts of the region and will visually merge with the local environment. And following the flora merge, creatures like birds and butterflies will also cross the boundary between the wild and the private property, and an exciting tale will be born.”

- Michio Tase Always moving and changing: the wind, the sea, the sun; everything we see is temporary. Every element of nature has its cycle and speed. An endless loop, like the circuit of Zandvoort. A place known for its history of racing and the return of Formula 1. However not everyone is positive about it; the habitat of various species are adversely impacted and emissions are dramatically high.

To improve and regenerate the local ecologies the circuit is repurposed into a research centre in the field of biodiversity, creating a place of encounters; between nature and architecture; animals and humans. Where boundaries are blurred and where landscape and building are intertwined. A building that represents a monument of change: the end of fossil fuel emissions.

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2. TIME FOR A CHANGE

2.1 Current trend

The insight that plant and animal species become extinct in our time, that the climate is changing and that the sea levels are rising, is overwhelming.

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Man makes up 0.01 percent of all life on Earth. The most destructive movement we have initiated through our actions is the massive extinction of plant and animal species, an rapid decline of 20 percent in the past century. Of the estimated 8 million plant and animal species, an additional 1 million will be threatened in the coming decades.1 With the decline in biodiversity, we are not only losing sublime forms of beauty. We also lose a history of a genetic variation built up over millions of years, a permanent loss of future options.

Large acres of land are being conversed for our consumption and recreational use. Among other things, this is leading to the decline of plant and animal species. Next to that, the carbon emissions that we’re producing are changing the Earth’s climate in a negative way.

If we continue the path that we’re on now, more and more species will become extinct.

It is time for a change.

1

Alkemade, F., (2020). De Toekomst van Nederland

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retrieved from: https://www.wur.nl/en/newsarticle/Global-biodiversity-loss-bending-the-curve-of-terrestrial-biodiversity-needs-an-integrated-strategy.htm

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2.2 Location

Highlighted in green (images opposite) are all the natural protected areas of The Netherlands. To me, it’s particularly interesting how the entire coast of The Netherlands is mapped as a protected natural area (Natura 2000).

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Particularly interesting as I grew up on the coast, in Zandvoort. A controversial area, where natural protected areas border all sides of the tourist hotspot at its centre.

I set out to examine these borders. Located in the North of Zandvoort (bottom image), is Circuit Park Zandvoort. This circuit is a vast tourist attraction (drawing huge crowds and) emitting clouds of toxic gasses, paradoxically positioned on the border of the natural protected area.

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retrieved from: https://www.natura2000.nl/gebieden

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2.3 Controversial area

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Over the last years, Zandvoort was frequently in the news as it brought Formula 1 back to The Netherlands. Not all of the coverage was positive. Various articles included comments such as: ‘irreversible damage to nature’, ‘absurd plan’, and ‘give the area back to nature’.

Multiple environmental organizations are going to court to challenge a building permit issued by the province of Noord-Holland for the Formula 1 in Zandvoort. They want to prevent the dune area around the coastal town from being affected by the work for the Grand Prix.

The Zandvoort Circuit was given an exemption to make a considerable number of adjustments to the complex, including building new grandstands, a noise barrier, and new roads towards the circuit. But according to the environmental groups, this will seriously damage parts of the natural area and expel animals from their habitat. The organisations also noted that preparations for the Grand Prix will lead to significant additional nitrogen emissions.2

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https://nltimes.nl/2019/09/24/environmental-groups-fight-zandvoort-f1-building-plans-court

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retrieved from: https://www.haarlemsweekblad.nl/deeljenieuws/lokaal/326006/stop-met-circuit-zandvoortgeen-f1-en-geef-gebied-terug-aan-0

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2.4 Personal Involvement

This is me (image right-hand side). I grew up playing in the dunes, on the beach, and also: on the circuit of Zandvoort. I have a passion for racing sports and practice it myself. But like many others, I don’t think this is the right location for the sport.

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It is time for a change.

As an architect, there’s only so much that I can do, but I believe we should be more aware of what we’re doing and how we can contribute to the valuable landscapes around us in which we operate. To not do any harm to nature, but also to contribute with what we add.

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3. GOAL &

PROGRAMME 3.1 Regenerate

The overarching goal is to regenerate the local ecologies and to do so under three themes:

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1. Reusing 2. Revegetating 3. Researching I propose to repurpose the circuit of Zandvoort into an area that contributes to improving the local ecologies, doing so by transforming Circuit Park Zandvoort into a research centre in the field of biodiversity.

It will represent a monument of change: the end of fossil fuel emissions.

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“ Repurposing the circuit into a Research Centre that contributes to improving and regenerating the local ecologies. ”

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3.2 Research

Ecology is the teaching of an animal’s home. In the house of animals, many influences affect the organisms in the house. The environmental influences of the organism can be divided into biotic factors and abiotic factors. Abiotic factors are influences from non-living nature. Biotic factors are influences on the organism from living nature. These biotic and abiotic influences affect the organism at thee levens: safety, reproduction and nutrition. The biotic and abiotic factors that affect the organism are limiting factors. These limiting factors ensure that the different populations in an ecosystem do not become too large and thus determine the carrying capacity of an area for a species.3

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abiotic world

biotic world

sunlight temperature moisture wind water currents soil type nutrient availability

plants animals funghi algae bacteria

https://biologielessen.nl/index.php/dna-7/563-abiotische-factoren

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retrieved from: https://biologielessen.nl/index.php/dna-7/563-abiotische-factoren

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“ A building that represents a moment of change: the end of fossil fuel emissions. ”

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3.3 Nature connectedness

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I draw inspiration from looking at more unconventional research methods, such as those of Jane Goodall and Len Howard. The majority of their research was carried out in the field, one-onone with their subject, surrounded by nature.

only 2% of the variance in ecological behaviour. Nature connectedness explained 69%. It was also found that nature-based environmental education increased knowledge by fostering nature connectedness and in this instance the education had a similar effect on both knowledge and connectedness, but clearly nature connection brought the greatest rewards in terms of ecological behaviours.

Nature connection provides the allimportant intrinsic motivation for adopting a more ecological lifestyle – when connected, harming nature is harming one’s self! Otto & Pensini note that a connection with nature is perhaps the strongest predictor of ecological behaviour – as a single construct it has been found to out perform all other variables. Yet they note that fostering nature connectedness is not a common feature of environmental education.

The research provides strong evidence that environmental education should be nature based, bringing nature knowledge through a focus on nature connection in order to bring pro-nature behaviours. In sum, our focus needs to shift from knowledge to connection.

However, the most common challenge I receive when delivering sessions on connecting with nature through developing an affective relationship is that developing knowledge is the key.

Our knowledge-based relationship with nature is deeply embedded – we like to identify, name and classify nature in order to understand.4

In the research, data from 255 children aged 9-11 was gathered. Measures were participation in environmental education, ecological behaviour, environmental knowledge and nature connectedness. The statistical analysis revealed two stark figures.

Despite careful checks on the measure, environmental knowledge explained

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https://findingnature.org.uk/2017/12/04/nature-knowledge-or-nature-connection/

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Jane Goodall, fieldwork

retrieved from: https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/jane-goodall-and-her-life-in-the-field/

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“ Nature connectedness shows 30x more pro-nature behaviour than knowledge-based environmental education. ”

3.4 Local Ecologies

In addition to the natural protected areas, which include the dunes and the freshwater lakes, this region is also rich in air and ocean ecologies. Therefore research at ZEi (Zandvoort Ecological institute) will focus on these four ecologies: terrestrial ecology, freshwater ecology, aerial ecology, and marine ecology.

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ZEi has something completely new to offer to Zandvoort; the research aspect - which is very local but contributes to global issues - and a recreational aspect.

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3.5 Programme

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Four main research areas and support functions. Research ranches from DNA of bacteria to the biodiversity of entire ecosystems, and everything in between.

The department’s research is aimed at understanding the causes and consequences of variation in life-history traits, including the underlying genomic mechanisms, as well as the variation in time and space, of population numbers and population composition.

ZEi (Zandvoort Ecological institute) research aims to integrate processes at the level of genes, physiology, behaviour and the population, within an evolutionary framework. Much of the research takes anthropogenic changes explicitly into account, such as adaptation to climate change, the impact of climate extremes, effects of urbanisation and changes in land-use.

visitor centre

marine ecology

aerial ecology

fresh water

terrestrial ecology

education

short stay

logistics

Four main research areas and support functions

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Research Hubs wet lab spaces dry lab/workshop spaces

logistics & sample receiving

freezers archive & storage

workspaces & write-up desks meeting rooms

social area & pantry(s) restrooms

outdoor facilities (fieldwork) Visitors’ centre

main entrance, exhibition, seating

Teaching centre

lecture rooms, classrooms and meeting rooms

Logistics & Mobility hub

loading area, exployees parking, ZEi vehicles storage, maintenance and storage

Dormitories

temporary accomodation for researchers/volunteers

rk wo field rk

le processi ng mp sa

lab wo

Space types

Circle of research

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Specialised laboratories

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Workspaces & write-up desks

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Aerial ecology

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Terrestrial ecology

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Fresh water ecology

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Marine ecology

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4. THE

CIRCUIT

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4.1 Changes in layout over time

1948 - 1989

1989 - 1999

N 100m

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1999 - present *became a F1 circuit in 2020

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4.2.1 Characteristics

Bloemendaal

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3

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Zandvoort Centrum

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Zandvoort Noord

N 100m

Reuse Maintaining entrances to minimize infrastructural works. Preserve and renovate the main grandstand, radartower and observatory pavilions in the east of the circuit.

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1. main grandstand

3. observatory pavilions

2. main entrance & logistics entrance

4. radartower

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4.2.2 Characteristics

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Bloemendaal

Zandvoort Centrum

Zandvoort Noord

N 100m

Revegetate Large areas of the circuit are currently asphalt surface and run off areas. These are to be reduced and more natural area to flood the inner area.

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4.2.3 Characteristics

Bloemendaal

+6.1m

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+5.5m

+8.5m +5.2m

+7.3m +11.2m

+10.9m

+4.6m

+4.4 m +6.7m

+4.3m

+3.6m +3.8m +4.3m

+5.8m +3.9m

Zandvoort Centrum

Zandvoort Noord

N 100m

Landscape making height differences: the track is part of the dune landscape, as a hard paved dune.

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4.3 A lap around the circuit

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main grandstand to keep and incorporate in scheme as spectator/observatory element

pitbox/paddock to demount and reuse materials elsewhere

open up by removing fence and guardrail

13.8 m

. sand

open up by removing fence and guardrail

. NAP +5.2m

303 km/h

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< to be reused as observatory migration? free sight towards the north if fence is removed

. NAP +7.9m . asphalt (run off area)

open up by removing fence and guardrail

. sand

. NAP +5.9m

11.6 m . sand

open up by removing fence and guardrail

. NAP +5.6m

213 km/h

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use incline to build a amphitheatre for lecture/working purposes

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. NAP +5.6m open up by removing fence and guardrail

reuse tires for rammed earth tire walls or ecological monument?

. NAP +3.4m 21.6 m

. sand curbs to keep

112 km/h

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open up by removing fence and guardrail

view towards south; full sun, no obstructions

focus by geography of circuit to the inside of the corner

. NAP +2.9m

open up by removing fence and guardrail

. NAP +3.7m 14.8 m

. sand and grass

98 km/h

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view towards Zandvoort

open up by removing fence and guardrail

. run off area; gravel and sand

existing logistic route under circuit to keep

11.5 m . sand

. NAP +3.2m

187 km/h

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view towards the north sea

open up by removing fence and guardrail

. NAP +4.4m

. NAP +3.8m

16.3 m . sand

232 km/h

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5. CONCEPT The Race of Nature

5.1 Blurred boundaries Zandvoort Ecological institute is a place of encounters, between nature and architecture; animals and humans. Where boundaries are blurred and where landscape and building are intertwined. A building that creates spaces for an open dialogue with nature. A unique combination of working, living and leisure in this valuable landscape.

Embedding nature into the design of the research centre is a key component of the project. The interiors and exteriors are intertwined with the rich ecosystems, which include the North Sea, beach, dunes, air, and freshwater lakes. Seamlessly integrated into the landscape, Zandvoort Ecological institute embodies the future of research – one based on nature connectedness and deeply tied to environmental concerns.

Bringing knowledge of nature through a focus on nature connection in order to encourage pro-nature behaviours.

The existing infrastructure – the track of the circuit – traverses through the site and connects the multiple buildings that dot its landscape. This extensive project integrates the entire site as part of the education process. It places the environment at the root for all research.

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5.2 Six themes

1. Increasing natural area Reducing hard surface areas by revegetating will lead to the regeneration of plant and animal species

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2. Keeping the iconic loop The track is the main infrastructure that binds people and research. Many in the area have an emotional attachment to the layout and keeping it as a memory to the fossil fuel period 3. The entire site as a source of knowledge The circuit will now be an ‘exploration loop’, connecting the different ecologies where various things are to be explored in the different corners 4. Learning by doing Next to the lab work you’re literally a step away from doing the fieldwork 5. Wrapped in the landscape Any addition in architecture is embedded in its dune landscape 6. Elements of nature integrated Throughout the site and in the buildings, the elements of nature; wind, light, rain; are felt inside

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+

1.

Increasing natural area

4.

Learning by doing (Nature connectedness)

2.

Keeping the iconic loop

5.

Wrapped in the landscape

3.

The entire site as a source of knowledge

6.

Forces of Nature integrated with the building

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Canopy creating another dune while connecting the different zones

The entire site as a source of knowledge

Increasing natural area

Keeping the iconic loop

Existing ecologies

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The canopy as another dune layer in the landscape

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6. DESIGN 6.1 The canopy

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The research centre is part of a network of spaces that are connected by the canopy. The canopy adapts to and enhances the focus with nature. A trail of discovery is created for the visitor to explore and uncover the worlds of earth, air and water.

The canopy is created by a series of sections which react to the context and the functions of the research centre. Where required it is thermally insulated and wind proof. Other areas are left unfinished, exposing the (raw) primary structure. This allows for future growth of the research zones. The canopy is vegetated with plant species native to the area, making the building part of the biotic world. It acts as a safe breeding ground for species to nest. A living building that can grow and shrink.

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Covered pathway enhancing views to both sides by gradually opening up to the sides

Dune pathway building becomes landscape , accessible for various species and from the inside focusing view towards specific scenery

Space for research higher ceilings for large research projects that require more height

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Unfolded elevations of the canopy

Visitors’ centre

Marine ecology research hub

Aerial ecology research hub

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Terrestrial ecology research hub

Fresh water ecology research hub

Logistics hub

Teaching centre

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0

100m

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6.2 Phasing

Phase 1: reuse

Phase 2: revegetate

Existing warehouses and the pitbox on site will be taken apart and construction material will be used elsewhere. The asphalt in the inner circuit will be reused as construction material in the facade.

The main grandstand, radartower, and observatory pavilions will be reused, transformed into functions that aid the research centre.

Paths will remain in the inner circuit by carving them out from the inner area asphalt. The remaining surface will be revegetated. Over time plants will emerge, maybe some colonize the area at the start and others turn up later, a test in itself. It is the ‘race of nature’.

The visitors’ centre will be built and the area will be open to the public.

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Phase 3: research

Phase 4: reconnect

The four main research hubs will be built on-site, supported by a teaching centre and logistics & mobility hub. A centralized place for sharing knowledge between the research areas and open for international guest speakers.

Dormitories will be created in the East for researchers and volunteers that stay for a long research programme.

The various zones will be connected by a canopy which allows for future growth and flexibility of the research zones. Next to this, the canopy is a safe breeding ground for species to nest.

A living building that can grow and shrink, never finished, and part of the biotic world. After the intervention also this area will be Natura 2000.

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6.3 Inhabitation

The inner loop will be revegetated with shrubs and trees that structure the area. A series of pathways are carved out from the asphalt-covered inner loop. That asphalt is reused again as a construction material in the facade.

The Race of Nature

Over time plants will emerge, maybe some colonize the area at the outset and others grow later, a test in itself. It is the ‘race of nature’.

The area will welcome new inhabitants and zones of exchange between human and non-human forms of inhabitation will emerge.

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6.4.1 Visitors’ centre

The approach to Zandvoort Ecological institute the same as it was to Circuit Park Zandvoort. The primary infrastructure is reused as well as the tunnel which brings you to the heart of the area. While nearing the entrance via the submerged tunnel, the layers of the earth reveal themselves, showcasing a section of this dune landscape. Once under the tracks, the visitors’ centre can be accessed: an entrance pavilion that allows the newly revegetated landscape of the inner area to come inside of the building and is open to the elements of nature. Wind, rain, filtered sunlight are all to be felt in this semiopen space while there’s an exhibition that highlights the flora and fauna of the area as well as what researchers are investigating.

A large canopy offers shelter, asphalt is reused in the façade as granulate. Varying sizes of asphalt aggregate create a habitat for smaller organisms to nest in. A large circular-shaped ramp that hangs from the timber structure gives access to the exploration loop (former circuit) and brings visitors to the main track, from where they can take a hike or bike to go around.

As the pavilion is a semi-open space it allows for human and animal encounters, as it can be used by both.

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The main infrastructure is reused as well as the tunnel that brings you to the heart of the area a semi-open space allows for human and animal encounters

newly revegetated landscape of the inner area to come inside of the building

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circuit the entrance slopes down and reveals the earth layers in section

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keeping existing infrastructure / tunnel: submerging into nature

main entrance exhibition

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0

exhibition space

new dunes cover the asfalt and come into the visitors’ centre

asphalt reused in the facade as granulate for organisms to nest and grow in

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10m

5m

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Arriving at Zandvoort Ecological institute’s visitors’ centre; where the surrounding landscape and architecture merge and where the elements of nature enter the building

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A large circular shaped ramp that hangs from the timber structure gives access to the exploration loop (former circuit) and brings visitors to the main track, from where they can take a hike or bike to go around

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6.4.2 Marine ecology

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The Marine Ecology research hub is located at the start/finish line where the main grandstand is located. This grandstand is repurposed as a large tribune, accessible for all to climb. At the top, a panoramic view of the new dune landscape to the north and the marine ecology – the North Sea – is visible.

The backside, below the tribune, is filled with research laboratories and office space. Large voids through the tribune on different levels create entrance to the various floors. As you enter, large water tanks are visible. Tanks filled with the water of the sea (revegetate) protrude through the tribune and connect the various floors, where marine animals and plants are visible from the workspaces on the inside and used for lectures on the outside.

Part of the canopy which is suspended over the tracks and tribune holds an algae reactor. Small aquatic organisms in glazed tubes filled with water, convert sunlight into energy and store it in the form of oil. As the sun rays shine in the glazed water tubes it creates an underwater atmosphere on the tribune.

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part of the canopy holds an algae reactor

north sea visible from the top of the tribune

tanks filled with the water of the sea protrude through the tribune

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mainmain grandstand grandstand reused

panoramic view over the North Sea from the top of the tribune

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laboratory and office space under the tribune

open office area

open lab area

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10m

circuit

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water tanks protruding through the tribune

part of canopy holds an algae reactor

racing tracks as main infrastructure kept connecting different zones

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5m

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The algae tubes on the roof make water caustics on the marine ecology research zone, it creates an underwater atmosphere on the tribune

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This grandstand is repurposed as a large tribune, accessible for all to climb. At the top, a panoramic view of the new dune landscape to the north and the marine ecology – the North Sea – is visible

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6.4.3 Aerial ecology

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Continuing the exploration loop, the first corner (Tarzan), is converted into the research hub ‘Aerial Ecology’ where researchers investigate everything related to the air, including animals. Visitors can walk the entire 4.5km loop and each of the four research hubs offer a view into the laboratories and towards the newly revegetated inner area.

As the wind is one of the main characteristics of the aerial zone, one segment of the building is being left open. The wind blows grains of sand over the asphalt and drawings of sand start to appear on the tarmac, covering the tracks. Large openable doors make it possible for animals to enter. A mist net inside of the building allows for birds to enter and to be caught and ringed by researchers.

The observatory tower that once was used for the radio station of races is being reused and transformed into a bird observatory tower.

In the landscape around the building, you can discover equipment that is used for fieldwork.

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radartower reused as bird observatory

wind blowing grains of sand over the asphalt and through the building

mist nets in the research gardens

track as foundation for the new building

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circuit

large openable doors

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space where the dunes come inside of the building with a net for catching birds

spezialized labs open lab area

sample receiving

open lab area

main entrance

sample receiving

0

0

fyke for North migrating insects

room for interaction and exploring

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10m

5m

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Large openable doors make it possible for animals to enter. A mist net inside of the building allows for birds to enter and to be caught and ringed by researchers

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The observatory tower that once was used for the radio station of races is being reused and transformed into a bird observatory tower. In the landscape around the building, you can discover equipment that is used for fieldwork

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6.4.4 Terrestrial ecology

The Race of Nature

The terrestrial ecology research hub building revolves around a greenhouse that is used for research. The greenhouse is placed in the centre of the building, right on the asphalt, and is visible from both the laboratory and office spaces. Butterflies fly around while researchers carry out botanical tests. At the same time, the greenhouse is the social gathering space for researchers.

At the inner loop, close to the lab space, pieces of asphalt are reused.

A grid system is cut out from the tarmac, allowing for various patches of test fields in the ‘research garden’. The research gardens are located in the inner area and connected by a series of meandering routes that are carved out from the asphalt.

Visitors can walk or cycle the entire exploration loop while having an unbroken visual connection to the laboratory spaces and to the test fields or existing ecologies.

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greenhouse in the centre of the building for botanical tests

A grid system is cut out from the tarmac, allowing for various patches of test fields

views from the workspaces on the testfields and greenhouse

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circuit

visitors can pass all research hubs around the exploration loop

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greenhouse in the center of the research hub

lab zone build on top of the racing track and runoff area

main entrance

test fields from asphalt

sample receiving

spezialized labs

open office

green house

sample receiving

open office

goods entrance

0

10m

testfield from inner loop

0

test fields made in the existing asphalt zones of the inner loop

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5m

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A grid system is cut out from the tarmac, allowing for various patches of test fields, showcased to visitors as they make their way on the meandering loop

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A greenhouse in the center of the terrestrial zone seperates the offices from the lab.

At the same time, the greenhouse is the social gathering space for researchers

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6.4.5 Fresh water ecology

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The freshwater ecology research hub is located adjacent to the freshwater lakes to the South of this area. Having the lakes nearby makes fieldwork, sample receiving, and processing accessible.

Where the track makes a U-corner, the building completes the U-shape into a circular-shaped building. The area next to the track was transformed from a natural area to a hard paved area to make space for tribunes for Formula 1. I propose to reverse this and to revegetate the area with green and blue, with a new freshwater lake that runs over the asphalt into the building and patio of this research hub.

The freshwater lake patio has a visual relationship with the workspaces and the laboratories and can be used as a test field for water tanks. From this patio, both researchers and visitors can ascend a ramp which leads them onto the roof of the research hub, with a 360 ° panoramic view over the dune landscape, freshwater lakes, and Zandvoort.

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roof accessible for researchers and visitors with a 360 ° panoramic view

new freshwater lake that runs over the asphalt into the building and patio the patio has a visual relationship with the workspaces and can be used as a test field for water tanks

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run off tracks

fresh water lake comes inside of the building where the track is sloping down

test field with water tanks with a close adjacency to sample receiving and the work spaces

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open lab area

spezialized labs

open office

open office

sample receiving

goods entrance

spezialized labs

main entrance

0

10m

circuit 0

fresh water lake on the inside of the patio

ramp with access to roof for an overview of the fresh water lakes

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laboratory and office space

5m

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The freshwater ecology research hub is located adjacent to the freshwater lakes to the South of this area. Having the lakes nearby makes fieldwork, sample receiving, and processing accessible

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A boy, having his experience with nature. Exploring the landscape and learning to have a positive behaviour towards nature from an early age onwards

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7. DETAILS

The Race of Nature

& MATERIALS The track of the circuit is reused as the foundation for the building and canopy. No natural area is decreased building Zandvoort Ecological institute and reusing the tracks minimizes infrastructural works to be carried out on site. An organically shaped building made modular by standardization.

A series of timber beams and columns rest on steel feet that spread the load out to the asphalt. At the same time, these feet are adjustable in height to deal with the differences in height of the exploration loop. The feet are connected to a foundation for the building to be founded below any frost susceptible ground. All beams and columns are in sight and bolted together, making for easy demount if required.

Asphalt that is taken out from the inner area is reused in the façade of the research centre. Different sizes of asphalt stones create a habitat for smaller organisms to nest in. The canopy is vegetated with plant species that grow in the area, making the building part of the biotic world. It acts as a safe breeding ground for species to nest.

A visually modular structure that mimics the dune landscape in form and produces a variety of spaces without losing a valuable and accessible landscape. The form and the bio-based materials make this building blend into the landscape.

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roof package lab zone: - vegetation - vegetation supporting layer (incl water storage) - substrate / drainage layer - root barrier - insulation sloped 200mm - hardwoord oak ceiling

wall construction: - reused asphalt as granulate, prefabricated in steel wireframe panels, and/or; - glazed finish, incl. stickering

+

+ +

+ floor construction, prefab panels of: - oak timber panels, 25mm - bio-based insulation, 200mm - substrate / drainage layer - timber panels, coated, 25mm

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CO2 roof package circumambulation: - vegetation - vegetation supporting layer (incl water storage) - substrate / drainage layer - root barrier - branches and twigs as ceiling finish

O2

+ structure: - timber beams, transparent coating, 200x500mm, ctc 2025mm - dark anodized tension rods where required, RAL 8022 - timber columns, transparent coating, 200x500mm, ctc 8100mm - all bolts/joining material coated, RAL 8022

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1m

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The Race of Nature

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The Race of Nature

8. FINAL WORDS

This project set out to investigate the symbioses between nature and architecture. A landscape and architectural assignment where the two worlds merge.

Following my interest in these two worlds, I chose a location on the border of a natural protected area, where I could explore the fields of architecture and landscape, each enhancing the other. Transforming the circuit of Zandvoort into a research centre in the field of biodiversity gave me the opportunity to introduce a nature-inclusive building without harming the valuable landscape and at the same time, contributing to the regeneration of local ecologies. A monument of change - the end of fossil fuel emissions - that over time will grow into a Natura 2000 area.

As an architect, there is a limit to how much I or any individual can do, but I believe collectively we should strive to be more conscious of our actions and to focus on how we can positively contribute to the valuable landscapes in which we operate. To not only do no harm to nature, but also to contribute with what we add.

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Milo Greuter milo.greuter@gmail.com +31 (0) 6 271 310 00 Master Architecture Academie van Bouwkunst Amsterdam August 2021