Program and Location- City Rainforest of the Generation Z tribe A key characteristic that define Generation Z is their fluency, or some may argue over dependence, on technology. These Digital Natives are very engaged with the world though social media and have a higher degree of social and environmental concerns as compared to previous generations. A consequence of a life in front of a screen is the lack of interaction with nature or the outdoors in general. From considering these characteristics, we can see there is a huge disparity between Generation Z’s concern for the natural environment and their knowledge of nature, especially in its tacit forms. At its most fundamental level, nature is defined as living organisms, environmental events and untampered minerals, all aspects that I wish to address in some capacity. The aim of the project is to create an artificial nature which Generation Z would be comfortable/ excited to engage in that enhances and accentuates real nature. Rather than introducing a totally new, never before seen scheme in a foreign area, natural processes that are already at play will be determined, exaggerated and expanded throughout the cityscape. The central site will be in Vauxhall on an underutilized playground adjacent to the Vauxhall GardensEstate Allotments. The site is in close proximity to Vauxhall Primary School and Vauxhall Christian Centre where a wealth of Generation Z members would be able to utilize the space. Using the existing allotments as a base point, the life cycles of plants will be taken as the primary ‘nature’ to exaggerate and expand. Starting off as a place where Generation Z engages nature through plants, it will expand over time, invading the cityscape of London to spread greenery to create a city rainforest. Target/ Questions to address How well does the architecture emulate nature? How well and to what capacity does the space enhance nature? How does the space address the interactivity with Generation Z?
Procurement The City Rainforest is a long-term project that will expand as the number of users increase. It will fund its development through selling its produce it generates. The core facilities will be maintained by the community allotment members who will be given unrestricted access to resources such as compost, water and spaces such as workshops, kitchens and sheds provided within the site.
SUPER VIBRANT ALLOTMENTS Seasonal Changes
Inactive
Pollination seasons
PUBLIC BENCH HARVESTORS Colour coded route
Frame Transformation
PUBLIC BENCH HARVESTORS Pink Route harvesting
GARDEN ROOFSCAPE Green Roof explansion scheme