Alney Concept

  WEEK 11

Alney Design Concept

SW

MANIFESTO

Kinetic Vs Static – Can We Replicate A Divine Order?

How can a place be made that creates a sense of escapism and visual and emotional interest, but doesn’t affect the state of the environment and represents the surrounding area as a whole? Is it possible to replicate a divine order? It is suspected that the landscape cannot truly be replicated in the hands of many, it may only be mimicked. This is due to the fact that humans do not have the ability to use a random method and so cannot recreate a perfect world that we can live in, if it was crafted off of probability. You cannot create nature with intention, as the overarching concept of nature is that it is perfect because of its unintended use and therefore it was not designed for the benefit of others. Nature is not egotistical in its approach, as it has no desire than to just be, unlike the human nature which implies use of the space in an acquisitive approach.

When attempting to mimic the natural world, I suggest there are 2 aspects that will assist this process: kinetic and static values. These values give the essence of a multifunctioning space that uses pattern, texture and movement. Furthermore, a productive landscape also puts a human spin on the design as we are looking to take inspiration from nature and its elements. Mimicry of the natural world may showcase the public activity versus the direct, implemented natural aspects in the landscape. Implementing a visual connection with nature and the materials used also gives interest. Static and Kinetic aspects of the site could also resemble the relationship between the indirect and direct use of materials and the landscape, to illustrate the process of imitating nature. The design also explores how imitation is seen in nature itself and how if humans imitate the landscape and find ways to recreate it, are we also a part of the natural and intended landscape, just like the other species that impersonate to survive? Nature is continually working to provide a space to improve well-being (kinetic) and the static is the unnoticed effect and unnoticed parts of the landscape and its unseen potential.

Not only will the design show the use of the kinetic and static ability of the landscape, but a juxtaposition of geometric space and organic space will be useful in the concept. Geometric space can be used to illustrate a location that could be made naturally if the odds allow it. In the rare event that a naturally occurring linear space is created, it would suggest that nature has boundless potential, something that is not found in human nature. This also explores the idea of what would a natural world look like if it weren’t organically shaped, would it look similar to a human's imitation of the environment? Moreover, a geometric space, now turned natural shows that natural solutions can be just as effective and suggests a successful design using human intervention is possible and ultimately we can replicate a divine order when intentions are made clear.

NOTE: does an equilibrium exist between natural and manmade, and does nature always prevail? Does the concept of sequence affect this and does the Aesthetic creation theory have a part in this idea?

Static Elements of The Design:

Visual connection with the landscape- e.g. land art and physicality to the space

Non-visual, implicit information to suggest a connection with nature- e.g. sections to the design that have meaning and provoke feeling

Non-rhythmic techniques – e.g. the contrast between rigid areas to exemplify nature being recreated with human intervention and suggests the interaction between nature and humans, against the organic shapes to represent biophilia

Presence of water- e.g. static bodies of water

Connection with nature- e.g nature-based solutions, working with and improving the situation, also the appreciation of seasonal changes and the contrast in the availability of nature.

Biomorphic form – e.g. symbols that represent nature, forms naturally found

Material representation- e.g. materials that create a sense of the natural world, such as texture pattern and colour

Kinetic Elements of The Design:

Use of Movement- e.g. a journey of water across the site, water being moved in unusual ways

Human Activity- e.g. paths leading to different areas, reflects the movement of people in Gloucester

Compelling use of lighting- e.g. to represent the energy on-site, large overhead structures that light up can be installed, this may represent the fast-paced life in Gloucester, surrounding the site

Objects that interact with the wind -e.g. small windmills or art installations that represent the power of flight

Sense of risk- e.g. unusual design choices to illustrate the risk we take when redeveloping the landscape and potentially altering the natural balance of the site

Land art- e.g. where do we find imitation in the natural world and how does that link to the process of mimicking the landscape as a human?

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Websites

Paul Michael Greenhalgh (2020). Up to 40% of UK retail space is not needed – here’s what can be done with it. [online] The Conversation. Available at: https://theconversation.com/up-to-40-of-uk-retail-space-is-not-needed-heres-what-can-be-done-with-it-148556 [Accessed 22 Feb. 2024].

 

Articles

Browning, W.D., Ryan, C.0., Clancy, J.0. (2014) 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design. New York: Terrapin Bright Green llc.