Rathanna 2100

RATHANNA 2100 research on future climates in Ireland

Kate O’Carroll Fiachra O’Mearain Daisy Kinahan Murphy

Undertaken as part of M.Arch 2015 School of Architecture University College Dublin

“The only thing that is radical is space we don’t know how to inhabit. This means space where we have to invent the ways to act and to live” -Lebbeus Woods This project evolved out of a growing perception that this moment calls for fundemental change.

The phrase “climate change” is one we are all too familliar with, however it tends to be seen solely as an environmental crisis, when in reality we must confront it as a cultural one. Through this research project we intend to explore new ways of thinking about both our future, and the future of the environment in which we live, and seeing how architecture can go beyond the traditional role of problem solving and provide a vision of how we could live following such a catastrophic turn of events.

If foresight does not allow us to design for one that we wish to come into being, in which the built environment is carefully tailored to innovate while respecting ecologies and social equity. In order to prolong its relevence, we believe architecture should project itself into

the future, as the survival of our buildings and landscapes is predicted upon their ability to adapt to new conditions, and thus, this project requires us to consider what sustainibility means to a particular context.

The idea to formulate a design project responding to a projected environmental crisis allows us to visualise new kinds of spaces, organizations, and forms. Architectural opportunism provides us with the means to transform environmental issues into the present futures that would initiate radical change The current economic, sociopolitical, and environmental climate invokes the question: As architects, how do we imagine a different future while also responding to present conditions? In addition, how do we design for change without relying on utopian ideologies, which leapfrog the present in search of an elusive state of perfection. In contrast to a utopian vision, our project can capitalize on the imperfect and chaotic realities of our society. Our research initiatives use current environmental concerns as the groundwork to formulate bigger architectural questions.

RATHANNA,

Co. Carlow

Rathanna is a small townland village sitting at the base of the Leinster Mountains.

It is typical of many rural Irish villages. Its population has fallen from 270 people from 1951 to just over 100 people in 2011.

There are 5 people per kilometre squared.

It is a dying village which would benefit from the introduction of perhaps an industry, new technology, or new energy sources. These factors would encourage an increase in population, growing economy, and a future for Rathanna.

For the future scenario: In the worst case scenario, sea levels will rise by 60m globally, by 2100.

Irelands population is increase by 46% by 2100.

set

to

By 2040 oil production levels may be down to 15 million barrels per day around 20% of what we currently use.

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*Figures taken from census 2011

Rathanna

IRELAND

Area: 84,421 km sq.

Population: 6,469,688 Population Density: 76.6

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11 12 13 *Figures taken from census 2011

1 Derry

Area: 2,074 km sq.

Population: 247,132 Population Density: 119.1

5 Monaghan

Area: 1,295 km sq.

Population: 60,483 Population Density: 46.7

9 Donegal

2 Antrim

Area: 2,844 km sq.

Population: 618,108 Population Density: 202.9

6 Cavan

Area: 1,932 km sq.

Population: 73,183 Population Density: 37.7

3 Down

13 Roscommon

14 Galway

15 Louth

17 Meath

18 Westmeath

19 Dublin

21 Kildare

22 Wicklow

23 Laois

25 Wexford

26 Kilkenny

27 Clare

29 Limrick

30 Waterford

31 Kerry

Area: 2,548 km sq.

Population: 64,065 Population Density: 25 Area: 2,342 lm sq.

Population: 184,135 Population Density: 78.6 Area: 1,695 km sq.

Population: 21,312 Population Density: 124.1 Area: 1,857 km sq.

Population: 145,320 Population Density: 61.2 Area: 2,756 km sq.

Population: 191,809 Population Density: 69.4

Area: 6,149 km sq.

Population: 250,541 Population Density: 40.7 Area: 1,840 km sq.

Population: 86,164 Population Density: 46.7 Area: 2,027 km sq Population: 136,640 Population Density: 67.4 Area: 2,073 km sq.

Population: 95,419 Population Density: 46 Area: 1857 km sq.

Population: 113,795 Population Density: 61.2

8 Tyrone

Area: 1,851 km sq.

Population: 61,170 Population Density: 36.1 Area: 1,509 km sq.

Population: 31,796 Population Density: 19.9 Area: 826 km sq.

Population: 122,897 Population Density: 148.7 Area: 921 km sq.

Population: 1,273,069 Population Density: 1,380.8 Area: 1,702 km sq. 31 Population: 80,559 Population Density: 46.8 Area: 3,450 km sq.

Population: 117,195 Population Density: 33.8 Area: 4,800 km sq.

Population: 145,502 Population Density: 30.1

Area: 1,326 km sq.

Population: 174,792 Population Density: 131.8

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7 Fermanagh

11 Leitrim

Area: 1,838 km sq Population: 65,393 Population Density: 35.5

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4 Armagh

Area: 2,448 km sq.

Population: 531,665 Population Density: 215.6

10 Sligo

Area: 4,861 km sq.

Population: 161,137 Population Density: 32.9

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Area: 3,263 km sq Population: 179,000 Population Density: 54.5

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12 Mayo

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Area: 5,586 km sq.

Population: 130,638 Population Density: 23.3

16 Longford 29

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Area: 1,091 km sq.

Population:28 39,000 25 Population Density: 35.7

20 Offaly

Area: 2,001 km sq.

Population: 76,687 Population Density: 38.3

24 Carlow

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Area: 897 km sq.

Population: 54,612 Population Density: 60.8

32 28 Tipperary

Area: 4,305 km sq.

Population: 158,754 Population Density: 36.8

32 Cork

Area: 7500 km sq.

Population: 519,032 Population Density: 69

*Figures taken from census 2011

1 Derry

2 Antrim

3 Down

5 Monaghan

6 Cavan

7 Fermanagh

Area: 2,074 km sq.

Population: 247,132 Population Density: 119.1 Area: 1,295 km sq.

Population: 60,483 Population Density: 46.7

Area: 2,844 km sq.

Population: 618,108 Population Density: 202.9 Area: 1,932 km sq.

Population: 73,183 Population Density: 37.7

Area: 2,448 km sq Population: 531,6 Population Densit

Area: 1,851 km sq Population: 61,17 Population Densit

2100_

This outline map of Ireland (in blue) shows what land would be left above sea level following such a catastrophic change in climate that would see current sea levels rise by 60m.

EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON INDUSTRY

2015

84,421 km2

6,469,688

2100

44,186 km2

9,445,744

65% (45,000 km squared) of ireland is used for agriculture in 2015. In order to keep providing enough for its inhabitants, and to keep exporting in the quantaties that it does, Ireland will have to find a way to farm on the land that remains.

52% of Ireland’s area is left, which is less than the area of land used for agriculture in 2015. Alot of this land is mountainous and unsuitable for the methods of farming that Ireland currently employs.

Ireland, and especially Rathanna, is dependant on crop farming (wheat, rapeseed, barley, potataoes, oats). Crops need are large amount of land and fertile soil to grow. Livestock is another large part of the farming industry, with a large amount of beef and pork produced each year.

Livestock need a large amount of land to raom, and contribute to greenhouse gases by way of methane and carbon emissions while processing the animals in slaughterhouses.

Alternatives will need to be sought. How will an increasing population be fed on decreasing areas of land?

CASE STUDY: JAPAN

Population Density In 2100, after a rise in ocean waters by 60M, Ireland will become an archipelago.

A growing population will increase the density of living on the remaining land.

Japan currently has a population density of 336 persons per km sq. In 2100 we are porjecting Ireland will have a similar denisty of 213.7 people per km sq.

How does Japan accomadate a healthy life for so many people?

IRELAND (2100) Area: 44,186 km sq.

Population: 9,445,744

JAPAN (2014) Area: 377,944 km sq.

Population: 126,999,808

Population Density: 213.7

Population Density: 336

Living Spaces

Farming - Crops

Farming - Livestock

Transport

Japan has a collectivist society and their daily traditions make it easy for people to live so colse together. A popular concept for living is the “share house” in which stranger can live in the close confines of a home, without being roomates. The clear division of private and communal spaces shows physical boundaries while also allieviating feelings of isolation.

See LT Josai by Naruse Inokuma Architects.

The most striking feature of Japanese agriculture is the shortage of farmland. The 49,000 square kilometres (19,000 sq mile) under cultivation constituted just 13.2% of the total land area in 1988 However, the land is intensively cultivated.

Rice paddies occupy most of the countryside.

Intercropping is common: such crops are alternated with beans and peas.

Livestock raising is a minor activity and they specialise production of high-quality (and high-cost) beef, such as Kobe beef. Pork is the most popular meat.

Japan has more than 2,000 fishing ports. Japan also has greatly advanced the techniques of aquaculture or sea farming. In this system, artificial insemination and hatching techniques are used to breed fish and shellfish, which are then released into rivers or seas.

Japan is aware of the importance of movement in the cities and rural areas. Tokyo continuously imporoves movement for pedestrians and promotes public transport, walking and cycling over the automobile. The famour “Bullet Train” has made ease of movement and high speed rail possible throughout the country, limiting the need for personal car ownership.

FUTURE FARMING

IN-VITRO MEAT

HYDROPONICS

In-vitro meat generates only 4% of current greenhouse gas emissions. It reduces the energy needs of meat production by 45% and requires only 2% of the land currenlty used by livestock farms.

Conditions being ideal, two months of in-vitro meat production could yield up to 0,000 tonnes of meat from ten pork muscle cells.

Hydropoinics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water without the need for soil. The system shown is part of a highly controlled environment using a tray filtration system to circulate water, LED grow lights, temperature regulators, and air ventilation and extraction.

constant access to oxygen and water. There is little water waste as any excess water is recycled back into the system.

With the tray filtration system, the roots of the plants have

The produce grown with hydroponices can be those which are not usually grown in an Irish climate, this is allowed due to the very controlled light and heat environments.

This could alos mean that less produce is imported from other countries, making Ireland less dependant on exotic foods from outside the country. This methos of farming also eradicates the seadonal growth currently in practice.

The lighting is LED, which can create a much broader lighting spectrum than halogen lights.

LEDs also use much less heat and are energy efficient.

NATURAL GROWTH AND WASTE USAGE

Not all crops can be grown using hydropoinc system. The alternative to controlled indoor environments are the more familiar methods of farming outdoors in soil. These crops are cultivated traditionally, relying on sunlight, rainwater (with irrigation system) and soil.

The beds shown are composed of 90% organic waste matter which comes from the city. While this method promotes seasonal growth and a natural environment, it produces less and more infrequently than the controlled indoor environment, which can yield food all year round.

FLEXIBILITY Inspired by the work of Yona Friedman,Constant Nieuwenhuys, Archizoom and Superstudio who explored playful living environments for the future.

In embracing the unpredictability of human behavior, we seek to provide people with the knowledge and structures to determine their own environment for living and to enhance their independence and self reliance, Taking the freedom of a grid frame, in which many possible layouts and functions can occur, Rathanna is overlayed with a new layer of flexibility independant to the chageable nature.

EXPLORATIONS ON DENSITY

SCALE The overarching structure gives a number of possible outcomes of inhabitation. Ranging from large public scale to a familiar domestic one, a collection of networks and hierarchies can fit into this structure.

It does not make sense until is able to be understood and inhabited by the human body We are not machines, and nor are our buildings, it is a symbiotic relationship whereby we give life to our built environment and it breathes life into us.

CONTEXT The structure sits in a semi circle around the base of the Leinster Muontains, extracting lithium and materials from it. It reaches, hugging the Rathanna, with the possibility to grow if needs be. Its proximity to the water, now a coastal town, promotes sustainable fishing industries.

Remaining land is used for farming, but is not the primary dependancy to feed the citizens of this flexible city.