ARC451 Final: Twilight Haven

TWILIGHT HAVEN PERSERVING LITTLE BROWN BATS & TRI-COLORED BATS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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JOYCE HWANG

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WHITE NOSE SYNDROME

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THE DESIGN

JOYCE HWANG ABOUT Joyce Hwang, a pioneering architect and artist, is renowned for her innovative projects that bridge the realms of architecture, design, and ecology. She is an associate professor and director of graduate studies with the Department of Architecture at University of Buffalo.

Her works consist of a series of projects that incorporate wildlife habitats into constructed environments. Her focus on animal habitats, notably exemplified through projects like Bat Cloud, Bat Tower, and Habitat Wall, are more than just simple structures created for animals. Joyce Hwang’s architectural endeavors transcend structures or artistic expressions; they serve as a powerful message aimed at reshaping the broader culture of architecture, urging a fundamental shift towards designs that prioritize ecological harmony and advocate for a more inclusive and sustainable cohabitation between humans and wildlife.

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MULTISPECIES LOUNGE TORONTO, ON

BAT CLOUD BUFFALO, NY

BAT TOWER EAST OTTO, NY

HABITAT WALL CHICAGO, IL

When looking into works like Joyce Hwang’s many questions come to mind, especially those about the contradictory nature behind creating “architecture”, which is commonly perceived as a human development, to preserve or help animals. During the class discussion, it was brought up that creating these projects do little to help animals at a larger scale and even some would say it “invades” the natural environment, contradicting the environmentalist stance that these projects seem to take.

Although these points are valid in some sense, it misses crucial flaws and issues that plague architecture and human development as a whole.

First, the notion that “architecture” is something reserved for humans is where anthropocentrism in architecture originated from. The culture behind architecture has always been client first. Oftentimes sustainability and environmentalism is seen as a plus or secondary requirement.

This culture does not only apply to architecture and the built environment but towards general development as a whole. The concept of anthropocentrism extends beyond architecture and pervades many facets of global development. In various industries and sectors, the focus has historically been on human-centric progress, often neglecting or overlooking the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the welfare of non-human species. This anthropocentric worldview is embedded in economic models that prioritize growth without adequately accounting for the environment. Even during our discussion in class phrases such as “there is nothing we can do” and the question of responsibility arises. Architects often only see themselves responsible for their human clients. When there is discussion about the environment, it often leads to questions of cost, client needs, and numerous other limitations. While these are valid points, architects have often shown to be able to break these limits, grand architecture is seen everywhere whether it be trying to achieve the tallest building or creating architectural art. So why can’t those projects also coexist with the environment which is often left behind? Beginning to employ these design practices that Hwang displays in her works can begin to change that building culture. Although it seems as though change is hard, especially when the scale of the issue extends further than architecture and encompasses the entire concept of development, it is crucial that it starts somewhere.

WHITE NOSE SYNDROME The tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus) and the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) are two species native to North America known for their ecological importance and vulnerability to threats like white-nose syndrome. Both species exhibit similar hibernation patterns and roosting behaviors. During winter, they enter a state of torpor, a form of deep sleep, to conserve energy. They hibernate in clusters within caves, abandoned mines, or underground structures.

Hibernation sites are critical for their survival, providing stable temperatures and humidity necessary for their winter dormancy. Their roosting practices vary between seasons. In summer, both species can be found in maternity colonies where females gather to give birth and raise their young. Oftentimes, only one offspring is birthed per female, which is another reason why these bat species have suffered so harshly due to WNS. These colonies are often found in warm, secluded areas like tree hollows, buildings, or bat boxes. During the day, they rest in these roosts before venturing out at night to forage for insects. Bats might appear unimportant to humans due to their nocturnal nature, often unseen and active during times when human activity is minimal.

In contrast, bats are crucial factors in the ecosystem and are a crucial predator to pests that affect human farms. Bats give an estimated $3 billion boost to the U.S. farm economy yearly and without them it could cause damage far greater than people may expect.

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BAT INDEX OF ABUNDANCE

30 20 10

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LEGEND Observed by 2007 Observed by 2008 Observed by 2009 Observed by 2010 Observed by 2011 Observed by 2012 Observed by 2013 Observed by 2013

Spread by 2016 Spread by 2017 Spread by 2020 Spread by 2022 Spread by 2024 Spread by 2027 Spread by 2030 Spread by 2035

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2017

DESIGN The design is centered around the utilization of voids and how simple negative space can be used to coexist and provide aid to animals. The circular void, seamlessly integrated into the cubic structure, serves as the main entrance and living space for bats. In a way it mimics a cave entrance, while still embodying “human” architecture. The inside is lined with wood paneling that creates a safe space for bats to roost. This solid structure can withstand harsh weather and hides the bats from predators. Natural roosts can be beneath exfoliating bark or other cavities in areas that are prone to blow down during storms. The large nature of the structure provides much space, especially for species like the little brown bat and tricolored bat which can fit on the palm of the hand. I wanted the project to show how even something as simple as a negative space, can be altered just a bit to make it even a bit safer for animals.

These types of negative spaces are common throughout architecture, whether it be on bridges or archways. By adding wood panels, it makes it even just a bit safer and more comfortable for bats to stay in.

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DIAGRAM

Wood paneling lines the inside, providing deep cavities that bats can roost in.

Additionally, with the abundance of paneling, bat species that prefer to roost alone can find their own sections to roost in. The exterior structure would idealing be created from concrete or stone, to give the bats a solid structure that can shield them from the climate. The floor will be dirt, which could possibly be used for vegetations, which may provide a food source or attract insects which is the little brown bat and tricolored bats main food source. Overcrowding is often an issue with tiny bat houses that are installed on homes, but with a structure like this it will not be an issue. A quote from the AP News article stood out to me: “As long as we maintain forests to provide adequate forage, they have what they need,” which may be true in this case, as WNS is quite hard to tackle and habitat loss is not directly causing the fall in population. Despite this, I also believe it is that type of mentality that needs to change, I think it is not about giving the bare minimum but how can we as humans go past that and provide even more.

Bibliography Christianna. “Bats in High Park.” High Park Nature, April 16, 2021. https://highparknature.org/article/bats-in-high-park/.

Flesher, John. “Fungal Outbreak Threatens Tricolored Bat with Extinction.” AP News, September 13, 2022. https://apnews.com/article/science-health-traverse-city-north-america-bats-7e91bf47c231 a363bc0740873d17b1e7.

FOLEY, JANET, DEANA CLIFFORD, KEVIN CASTLE, PAUL CRYAN, and RICHARD S. OSTFELD. “Investigating and Managing the Rapid Emergence of White-Nose Syndrome, a Novel, Fatal, Infectious Disease of Hibernating Bats.” Conservation Biology 25, no. 2 (2011): 223–31. http://www.jstor.org/stable/27976455.

Huang, Joyce. “My Neighbor, the Bat by Joyce Huang.” Biodesigned, November 11, 2021. https://www.biodesigned.org/joyce-hwang/my-neighbor-the-bat.

POISSANT, Joseph A., Hugh G. BRODERS, and Greg M. QUINN. “Use of Lichen as a Roosting Substrate by Perimyotis Subflavus, the Tricolored Bat, in Nova Scotia.” Écoscience 17, no. 4 (2010): 372–78. http://www.jstor.org/stable/42902143.

“Tree Enhancement and Roost Mitigation Project.” WCS Bats. Accessed October 12, 2023. https://wcsbats.ca/Our-work-to-save-bats/Tree-Enhancement-and-Roost-Mitigation-Proje ct.

Winston, Anna. “Next Architects Hides Winter Roosts in Its Bridge for Bats.” Dezeen, October 26, 2015. https://www.dezeen.com/2015/06/02/vlotwateringbridge-bat-bridge-next-architects-mons ter-netherlands/.