Hannah Soenksen Arch 7000 12/12/2020 Final Paper
Regeneration in architectural infrastructure through plants and wildlife Sustainability began as a movement in the mid-20th century and has had an influential world-wide domino effect. As of now, there are organizations such as LEED and WELL that are setting higher standards across countries implementing building codes to ultimately slow human effects on our exponentially deteriorating planet. When the issues of human consumption were brought into question in the 1960’s, the earth population was at 3 billion people. Currently, the earth’s population sits at 7.6 billion and is projected to reach 11.2 billion people by the year 2100. The challenge of architects, engineers and scientists are greater now than ever. The concept of sustainability sounds like a good cause, promoting accountability toward utilization of our resources. However, the problem escalates in the tactic of minimizing the effects on our natural ecosystems while still providing habitable and useful spaces for our growing population. The concept sounds simple, but essentially, we are now trying to undo our damage, pressing a constant “Ctrl Z” on our actions of centuries prior, while pushing forward in a healthy for all way. Sustainability as a general term may not be enough to save our planet, and a more extreme approach to design and building will need to be implemented. Currently, the humanistic approach to designing buildings is not mutually beneficial. As the world continues to urbanize, the necessity of this integration of ecological infrastructure and regeneration becomes extremely important. In China, Professor Yu Kongjian, International ASLA, Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, Peking University, and president of Turenscape states: “Some 75 percent of China’s water is heavily polluted, and 50 percent of wetland habitat has been lost. Over 25,000 dams have been created in China, and the channelization of rivers has led to the destruction of most natural riverine systems. Over the past 30 years, Beijing has expanded almost 700 percent…Virtually, the whole natural system in China has been destroyed.” i (Kongjian, 2020) In fact, human development is not only affecting these natural biophysical systems but are damaging human life quality as well. Ignoring nature, or our natural landscape is hurting our agriculture and food supply, polluting the air we breathe and tainting our water consumption. In hyper-dense countries like China, according to Professor Kongjian, the country is in a battle of survival. Looking at his example, is only taking into consideration one country, but the rest of the world is following in these footsteps as the planet continues to densify. As the problem continues to grow this issue can no longer be ignored. Regenerative design is different from sustainable design. Sustainable will recycle (or “downcycle” in William McDonough’s words) and regenerative design will address the question of how we can make the waste of one, nutrients for another. ii (McDonough, 10) The idea is to have everything return to the earth as biological or technical nutrients, not as a downcycled product that eventually has no use. Sustainable design will provide no additional harm, with an antiquated ideal of only consuming what is needed, nothing more. The facts are that if we keep taking and not giving back, our planet’s resources will deplete. Regenerative design opens the doors to possibilities of using the resources we need but ensuring that they are replenished. Regenerative design in architecture should be considered on a more intimate level, focusing on the interconnection between human and nature, with nature being the active protagonist of the
Hannah Soenksen Arch 7000 12/12/2020 Final Paper
architecture itself. In most architectural buildings, there is a consistent theme of humans being the forefront of importance in a building, with a clear separation from the nature and a lack of interest in merging the real biodiverse cultures that reside on the site or would naturally thrive if the building or infrastructure was not implemented. Statistically, buildings are accountable for 14% of water consumption, 60% water production and 40% of emitted carbons. “Buildings affect ecosystems in a variety of ways and they increasingly overtake agricultural lands and wetlands or bodies of water and compromise existing wildlife.� iii (Attia, 394) What if there was a way that both humans and nature could benefit, instead of one or both getting the short end of the stick? Through regenerative design in architecture, the promotion and implementation of these ecological systems would benefit both the human as well as native plant and animal species relative to its individual building site. Ultimately, regenerative architecture invites the silent stakeholders (plants, animals, etc.) to the table of conversation regarding what can be determined as an enriched and successful design. iv(Williams, 65) In addressing a solution for the site at the corner of Avenue L and Mac Davis Lane in Lubbock, Texas, a strategic regenerative approach was developed. The site location sits on the downtown’s most active urban corner. Originally, the site was set on a 53,000 square foot parking lot. Analysis of the original site showed that the surrounding context contained an under activated parking lot, so the site was expanded and additional 365 feet towards the west and 195 feet further south. With the expansion, the new site contained 248,850 square feet, 4.7 times the original site area. (Image 1)
Image 1 Furthering research a discovery was made, learning that the Lubbock downtown has a porosity level of only 6%. Taking a closer observation of the site (Image 2) clearly shows that the flood zone begins to deepen at the north and northeast sides of the site, with most of the site located in the lowest flood plain.
Hannah Soenksen Arch 7000 12/12/2020 Final Paper
Image 2 To maximize the regenerative return on the proposal, a playa lake is established 20 feet below ground. The playa lake on site serves multiple purposes. First, the playa lake addresses the concern of the porosity within the City. Increasing the porosity in Lubbock, especially in the Southern High Plains where the city is located, is extremely vital in the replenishment of the Ogallala Aquifer. The aquifer serves as the only source of underground water for the region and is being depleted at a faster rate than it is being replenished. v(Blaser, 112) For this region specifically, the replenishment is essential as the aquifer is used for crop irrigation and farming, which is a major source of the area’s economical livelihood. “The Southern High Plains is currently facing declining water reserves and reduced irrigation well yields from depletion of the Ogallala aquifer after nearly a half century of heavy irrigation pumping demand. It is estimated that 30-35% of the pre-development underground water supplies within the Ogallala aquifer have already been mined.” vi (Segarra & Feng, 2002) The reality is that with only 30-35% of the Ogallala aquifer water remaining, Lubbock and it’s surrounding communities will face severe consequences if action is not taken in regards to the recharge. The playa lake will function by absorbing rainfall and run-off water from the downtown area. The slope from the street level will drop 20 feet, creating a natural funnel that will lead the water to the playa. (Image 3)
Hannah Soenksen Arch 7000 12/12/2020 Final Paper
Image 3 Second, the added playa lake will create a park space that will designate three different habitat typologies in addition to the water area of the lake on the ground level. The entire area will be considered a cyclical wet zone, establishing vegetation when the playa basin is not at its fullest levels. When the basin is at its lowest levels, ducks will inhabit the cool moist soils. The shallow area of the playa lake is considered as the shoreline zone or riparian restoration zone. This zone will promote the growth of natural insect habitats, house local amphibians, turtles, ducks, geese, shorebirds, and small fish. In this area small vegetation will thrive within the shallow water. Directly off the shore is a vegetative zone, that has native vegetation growth directly alongside the playa’s shore. The vegetative zone has a direct correlation to the playa lake. In the third zone, tree cover will be planted around the playa lake edge to the edge of the property line. This will encourage the birds and wildlife to create permanent sheltered habitats that can be occupied yearround, including the winter months. The shrubbery and vegetation also provide nesting opportunities to squirrels, other insects, and rabbits. One of the major goals of the proposal consists of implementing as much vegetation as possible, and maximizing the ground porosity, so the building infrastructure is elevated 100 feet into the air, with the exception of the nature center that can be accessed through the northeast corner of the site. (Image 4) The circulation of the site is accessed through an entrance on the northwest side of the property. The pathway turns into a nature trail and boardwalk system that moves throughout the site minimally, to prevent the site from being trampled by human activity.
Hannah Soenksen Arch 7000 12/12/2020 Final Paper
Image 4 The nature center (Image 5) implementation offers an educational experience where the Lubbock community can take time to find the value in the importance of the playa lake and its ecological system. One of the major negative aspects of incorporating wildlife into an urban environment is the human position towards it. "If wildlife is to survive in an urbanizing environment...a change in prevailing attitudes and values among the people in society...is critical for the wildlife issue." vii (Caldwell, 48) The center will contain a garden which demonstrates and utilizes the local plant life. This is carried into the nature center where people can further educate themselves on the importance of the plants, the wildlife, and their natural habitats.
Image 5
Hannah Soenksen Arch 7000 12/12/2020 Final Paper
The proposal is a five-tower system that continues the theme of bringing the wildlife and biophysical areas into the sky. For the upper levels, human interaction in the park areas are encouraged. A water-fall system is implemented to catch rainfall and recirculate water throughout the building. (Image 6) The moving water aids the success of the wildlife habitats in the sky. The moving water is an area where birds can drink from and is a natural attraction for butterflies, even more so than the park below where the playa contains stagnant water. The park system is layered, with the circulated water moving from top to bottom, touching each park floor.
Image 6 The layered concept aims to fulfill adequate space for wildlife habitat, as well as providing space for humans to enjoy the biophysical implementations of the site. The towers also contain hotel and residential housing that provide front yard access to the parks. The park areas covered in local vegetation are suitable and beneficial for all age groups. A survey was conducted, determining that “96% of participants enjoyed watching wildlife near their homes and 68% participated in non-consumptive activities away from home, defined as a minimum of four blocks.� viii (Wiltse, 53) With this statistic in mind, the park implementation is successful in promoting in the regeneration of the wildlife habitats, but also in the regeneration to the physical and mental benefits that humans reap when exposed to natural systems. If the majority of the human population prefer being in nature, the park system will be a successful infrastructural incorporation. Overall, the regeneration efforts can be considered a success. After considering the park level implementation, the ground porosity of Lubbock’s downtown grew from a mere 6% to 18%. Wildlife habitation is promoted thoroughly throughout the entire site, providing areas where the wildlife can fully thrive and be reincorporated into the urban environment. To mitigate human irresponsibility and ignorance to the ecology, educational areas are implemented throughout the site, highlighting the extreme and dire importance that the ecological system plays in our daily lives. The time to act in regenerative architecture and design is now. The possibility for human beings and the natural world to thrive harmoniously together is a huge challenge, but an essential
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one if humans care for any type of success in living on this planet in the future. As stated by John Thillman, “…It is crucial for a shift in focus towards the preservation of urban wildlife to occur before the opportunity to do so vanishes” ix (Thillman, 554).
Hannah Soenksen Arch 7000 12/12/2020 Final Paper i
“Restoring Balance between People and Nature through Wildlife Habitats.” Latest News. Accessed November 1, 2020. https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/ex/sustainablecitiescollective/restoring-balance-betweenpeople-and-nature-through-wildlife-habitats/9221/.
ii
Braungart, Michael, and William McDonough. Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. London: Vintage, 2019.
iii
Attia, Shady. "Towards Regenerative and Positive Impact Architecture: A Comparison of Two Net Zero Energy Buildings." Sustainable Cities and Society 26 (2016): 394. iv
Williams, A.E, and Williams, P.O. "Values-based Architecture as a Regenerative Approach to the Human – Environment Relationship." International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics 14, no. 1 (2019): 63-74.
v
Brock C. Blaser, Dr. B.A. Stewart: Creator and director of the Dryland Agriculture Institute at West Texas A&M University, Agronomy Journal, 10.1002/agj2.20313, 112, 5, (32783283), (2020). vi
Segarra, Eduardo, Johnson, Phillip N, and Terrell, Bonnie L. "Ogallala Aquifer Depletion: Economic Impact on the Texas High Plains." 2002 vii
Caldwell. Lynton k. "Movmg from Talk to Action." in Wildlite in an Urbanizing Environment, eds. J.H. Noyes and D. R. Progulske. Spnngfield, MA. Cooperative Extension Service, 1974: 47-50. viii
Wiltse, Eari Raymond. Non-Consumptive Wildlife Related Activities in L'rban Oases; A Case Study of Regina, Saskatchewan. Master's Thesis. U of Regma. 1994. Ottowa; Canadian Thesis Service, 1995. ix
Thillmann, John H. and Walter J. Monasch. "Wildlife as hiputs to Comprehensive Planning." Transactions ofthe Forty-First North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, ed. Kenneth Sabol. Washington D.C; Wildlife
Hannah Soenksen Arch 7000 12/12/2020 Final Paper
Additional Readings and Bibliography ARMSTRONG, R. (2020). SOFT LIVING ARCHITECTURE: An alternative view of bioinformed practice. S.l.: BLOOMSBURY VISUAL ARTS. Author links open overlay panelJosé Maria Cardoso daSilvaEmilyWheeler, DaSilva, J., EmilyWheeler, Highlights•The concept of ecosystems as infrastructure is reviewed.•The terms green, & AbstractInfrastructure is usually defined as all elements of interrelated systems that provide goods and services essential to enabling. (2017, April 12). Ecosystems as infrastructure. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S1679007316300767?token=817F0A950E43664B C5EE6DB1FAA4133DF6F34DF38CDAF3373DD93EE5FA0ABE642D1C045001BF1EC 02EC62836267AD3A3 Benefits of Green Infrastructure. (2020, May 28). Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/benefits-green-infrastructure C. Alexander, S., Al-Kodmany, K., R. Costanza, R., RA. Fuller, K., KJ. Gaston, R., SE. Gill, J., . . . MP. White, S. (1977, January 01). Drawing on nature: A vision of an urban residential street adapted for biodiversity in architectural drawings. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://cityterritoryarchitecture.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40410-019-0105-0 COGDELL, C. (2019). TOWARD A LIVING ARCHITECTURE?: Complexism and biology in generative design. Place of publication not identified: UNIV OF MINNESOTA Press. Conway, T., Khan, A., & Esak, N. (2020, June 26). An analysis of green infrastructure in municipal policy: Divergent meaning and terminology in the Greater Toronto Area. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264837720302064 Green, J. (2019, August 08). Restoring the Balance between People and Nature through Wildlife Habitat Design. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://dirt.asla.org/2010/05/20/restoring-balance-between-people-and-nature-throughwildlife-habitats/ News. (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://www.asla.org/contentdetail.aspx?id=20124
Hannah Soenksen Arch 7000 12/12/2020 Final Paper
Perkins, D. (2018, November 28). Wildlife Habitat Design in a Wounded World. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://www.nrcm.org/blog/first-light-wildlife-habitats/wildlifehabitat-design-wounded-world/
Roser, M., Ritchie, H., & Ortiz-Ospina, E. (2013, May 09). World Population Growth. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://ourworldindata.org/world-population-growth Silva, J., & Wheeler, E. (2017, April 12). Ecosystems as infrastructure. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1679007316300767 Silva, J., & Wheeler, E. (2017, April 12). Ecosystems as infrastructure. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1679007316300767 Silva, J., Teresa Cristina Albuquerque de Castro Dias, Cunha, A., & Cunha, H. (2020, July 23). Funding deficits of protected areas in Brazil. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837720306207 SymbioticCity: 4. Eco-effective Regenerative Building Design. (n.d.). Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://www.symbioticcities.net/index.cfm?id=47598 Wakefield, S. (2020, February 01). Urban resilience as critique: Problematizing infrastructure in post-Sandy New York City. Retrieved October 30, 2020, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0962629819302185 Attia, Shady. "Towards Regenerative and Positive Impact Architecture: A Comparison of Two Net Zero Energy Buildings." Sustainable Cities and Society 26 (2016): 393-406. Dias, Bruno Duarte. "Beyond Sustainability--biophilic and Regenerative Design in Architecture." European Scientific Journal (Kocani) 11 SI (2015): S147. West, Eric Lane. "Hydrology of Urban Playa Lakes in Lubbock, Texas." 1998. McCurley, Stephanie Shay. "Wildlife in the City: An Innovative Approach to Urban Design for Playa Lake Parks in Lubbock, Texas." 2001. Ouapo, Constant Z, Stewart, B.A, and DeOtte, Robert E. "Agronomic Water Mass Balance vs. Well Measurement for Assessing Ogallala Aquifer Depletion in the Texas Panhandle." Journal of the American Water Resources Association 50, no. 2 (2014): 483-96.