9 ideas: how to build our homes in co-creation with nature

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1 9 ideas: how to build our homes in co-creation with nature REV. C Arboreal Architecture Limited St. Margaret s House 21 Old Ford Road London, E2 9PL tel: info@architecture.com ARCHITECTURE DESIGN ECOLOGY

2 introduction: 9 ideas is a manifesto of key principles for the design of our homes. These principles are aimed at re-establishing the balance between human habitation and the myriad other species with which we share resources of land, space and energy. How we share these three vital elements determines whether we can create a thriving community for all beings or whether we remain in a species-centric pattern of consumption that clearly cannot be sustained. The manifesto originates from a design research project carried out at the Findhorn Community in north-east Scotland in August, It is based upon the West Whins development site located at the expanding edge of the community where it meets the local dune landscape. 16 houses and 8 flats are intended to be built on this land.

3 land 1: co-habitate with indigenous ecologies land 2: maximise the surface area of ground land 3: build in character with the land space 1: integrate networks of shared space energy 1: engineer high-performance envelopes space 2: dissolve the boundary of home space 3: maintain a private retreat energy 2: respond to solar orientation energy 3: insulate without isolating

4 land 1: co-habitate with indigenous ecologies Before we build we should ask what is, or was, the indigenous character of the landscape. What ecosystems are present or could be restored? Only then should we seek to find a way to co-habitate within these systems. If we simply clear the land and replace it with buildings, lawn and paving we miss the opportunity to live in connection with these other species. Scale Map of the Findhorn peninsular in north-east Scotland showing the pattern of human habitation that has grown into and replaced the indigenous dune landscape. The West Whins site is highlighted in red.

5 space 1: integrate networks of shared space We should carefully integrate spaces for human habitation with those left wild for other species. In most places a balance cannot be achieved if we each expect our own private gardens. Outdoor spaces must be shared amongst a group of dwellings. These pockets of shared space should be connected into a network of pedestrian and cycle routes so that they do not become dead-end enclaves but vibrant shared spaces. Plan of the West Whins site showing a proposal for 8 dwellings gathered into a cluster. This group, and others shown dashed, occupy pockets of shared space (light green) within the dune ecology (dark green).

6 land 2: maximise the surface area of ground The ground is the living skin of our planet and when we build over it we loose its vital capacities to absorb ground water, cycle carbon and nitrogen and provide inhabitation for other beings. Building footprints should be reduced by using small, efficiently designed rooms, building into the ground and providing growing mediums on roofs. Plan of the cluster of 8 dwellings. Bedrooms and bathrooms are on the floor below, half buried into the horseshoe shaped dune. A green roof covers the common entrance space between each unit.

7 land 3: build in character with the land As well as an indigenous ecology, the land has its own innate character. Some places might be windswept where trees lie low and cluster in the lea of the hills. Others might be rugged cliffs topped by tall pines. We should listen to tone of the land and build accordingly, integrating our own structures with those already present. View of the dwellings showing a south-west facing deck that leads out into the dunes whilst the rest of the unit is half-buried in the dune below.

8 energy 1: engineer high-performance envelopes Ultimately, we build for one simple reason: to create spaces that are warm and dry. In the past we tolerated a wider spectrum of temperature and humidity but since the discovery of fossil fuels we have used vast quantities of energy to maintain our comfort. We must use technological advances to build highperformance building envelopes that can maintain our comfort with minimal inputs. They should have a carefully engineered fabric that provides sophisticated monitoring and management of temperature, humidity and fresh air. The section through the dwelling makes use of ground temperature stability with halfburied bedrooms. The envelope is super-insulated and stack ventilation pulls fresh air through the central circulation zone.

9 energy 2: respond to solar orientation The light and heat of the sun gives us great pleasure as well as benefit for warming our homes. It is a complex system, varying geographically, annually and daily. Our buildings should respond with sophisticated sensitivity to these parameters. View of a dwelling showing the upturned roof. The angles of the roof can be varied from dwelling to dwelling to optimise solar gain.

10 space 2: dissolve the boundary of home As we share our space with 7.2 billion (and rapidly rising) people it is essential that we re-evaluate our definitions of home. To live efficiently with the finite material capacities available we must transition from individual to collective models of domestic life. The space and artefacts of home must be shared at an appropriate range of scales. A living room might be shared by two households, a guest bedroom by several, a laundry facility by dozens. Ground floor plan of two units showing a shared front room which forms the entrance to the home but also a shared, multi-purpose living room. (See also first floor below.)

11 space 3: maintain a private retreat Transitioning to more communal ways of living will also make it more important to maintain some highly private spaces. Living an intensively shared life will only be possible if there are periodic opportunities for retreat. Homes must be designed to provide a strong gradient from highly shared spaces fronting the public domain to highly private spaces within and behind. First floor plan of two units showing the living areas which open onto a private deck facing the dunes. Bedrooms and a shared entrance and living room are below. (See also ground floor above).

12 energy 3: insulate without isolating Our buildings must be able to provide the range of temperature and humidity conditions that we find comfortable but should not do so at the expense of disconnecting us from the climate around us. Our buildings should amplify our experience of the natural world not isolate us from it. To do so they will have to find ways to bring in the sun, plants, wind and water and ways to enable us to take outside our daily domestic activities. View of the covered deck which has a concave form, inviting in the landscape. The deep eave and sheltering wall allow people to remain outside in wet and windy weather.

13 Arboreal Architecture Limited St. Margaret s House 21 Old Ford Road London, E2 9PL tel: info@architecture.com