Rooted Restoring the connection between community and nature
Aubrie Lincks Advisor : Jeff Krieger Thesis 2019 - 2020
Maui’s culture revolves not only around the unified spirit of aloha, but around the preservation of the natural habitats and resources. The people of Maui have formed spiritual bonds with the diverse surrounding ecosystems. Nature has played a large role in essential materials, plants, and food of Maui. Maui’s relationship with nature is essential to their way of life. Climate change has posed a massive threat to Maui’s relationship with the natural environment. Drastic and infrequent weather changes have caused drought - leading to deforestation. With declining ecosystems due to lack of native habitats, there has been a great loss of biodiversity. Harsh climate has caused land erosion and coral bleaching. Some of Maui’s native plants and species are endangered. These problems will cause a chain reaction - threatening food and water security, and economic stability for the people of Maui. These issues are a huge threat to resources and ecosystem services that the people of Maui depend on for living.
How can architecture restore the community of Maui’s relationship with the environment when climate change is an immediate threat to their way of life and vital ecosystems? My program will consist of research labs, educational facilities, gathering spaces and a tree nursery. My goal is to make research transparent and teach the community about sustainable practices that adapt to the current climate. It will be essential to emphasize a give-take balance when it comes to natural resources. I want to inspire visitors to help restore important ecosystems in hopes to revive endangered species and their habitats. Maui’s culture and lifestyle lies in the hands of the natural resources of the island and it is vital to maintain them.
Project Goals Restore all native habitats within Auwahi Enclosure
All materials will be locally and sustainably sourced
Strategies - Conscious building structure - Tree Nursery - Build to facilitate growth
Strategies - Use 40% recycled materials and 60% traditional materials - Consider life-cycle of materials - Consider life-time of materials - How can long term materials also be sustainable?
All water used will be naturally harvested
Strategies - Surface runoff harvesting - Rooftop rainwater harvesting - Bioswales - Consider amount of permeable surfaces on site
Net-Zero Facility and Site
Strategies - Create strategic openings in building facade - Create sun-shading - Natural air circulation/ventilation - Renewable energy
Why should we care about the Climate Crisis? Climate Impacts
Temperature
Increased Precipitation
Extreme Weather
Environmental & Institutional Context
Sea Level Rise
Social & Behavioral Context
- Land use change - Ecosystem change* - Infrastructure condition - Geography - Agricultural production and livestock use
- Age and gender - Race and ethnicity - Poverty - Housing and infrastructure - Education
- Discrimination - Access to care and community health infrastructure - Pre-existing conditions
Exposure - Extreme heat - Poor air quality - Reduced food and water quality - Changes in infectious agents
Health Outcomes - Heat-related illness - Cardiopulmonary illness - Food-, water-, and vector-borne disease - Mental health consequences and stress
Climate Change
Adaptive Capacity
Biodiversity Variety of life and species on Earth, or in a specific habitat or ecosystem
Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecosystems Community of living organisms and nonliving components that function as a unified system
Non-climate Stressors
Adaptation Strategies
Ecosystem Services
Human Well-Being
How ecosystems provide us with vital natural resources such as; water, crops, and decomposition
State of health, happiness, or prosperity
Figure 1: Ecosystem Diagram
Fig 1: https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/chapter/7/
Vulnerable Biodiversity
EcoRegions at Risk Endangered Species
160 Million gallons are siphoned from rivers and streams
Haleakala National Park, Maui 103 Endangered Species
Supports 26 Farmers
Generates 60 billion gallons per year for residents
31 Farm lots
103 Endangered Species
81 Flowering Plants
10 NonFlowering Plants
Deforestation The future welfare and agricultural prosperity of the Hawaiian Islands depends on the preservation of the forest.” - E.M. Griffith
Liittschwager and Middleton with Environmental Defense © 2002
Liittschwager and Middleton with Environmental Defense © 2002
Maui Total Forest Cover
Aesthetics The scenic beauty of Hawaii’s rain-forested mountains is of great value to Island residents and a primary visitor attraction.
Liittschwager and Middleton with Environmental Defense © 2002
30%
Biodiversity and Scientific Study Hawaii’s native forests are one of the world’s biological treasures and a natural laboratory for the study of evolution. Studies of Hawaii’s native plants and animals have already revolutionized scientific understanding of how species evolve.
Aesthetics The scenic beauty of Hawaii’s rain-forested mountains is of great value to Island residents and a primary visitor attraction.
What are
Biodiversity and Scientific Study Hawaii’s native forests are one of the world’s biological treasures and a natural laboratory for the study of evolution. Studies of Hawaii’s native plants and animals have already revolutionized scientific understanding of how species evolve.
What are
Biodiversity and Scientific Study Hawaii’s native forests are one of the world’s biological treasures and a natural laboratory for the study of evolution. Studies of Hawaii’s native plants and animals have already revolutionized scientific understanding of how species evolve.
Our Forests Worth? Commercial Forestry Hawaii’s koa forests are the source of one of the world’s most valuable hardwoods.
Our Forests Worth?
Aesthetics The scenic beauty of Hawaii’s rain-forested mountains is of great value to Island residents ew places are more renowned for their natural environment than Hawai‘i. a primary attraction. Yet as a state we devote littleand money to itsvisitor protection and essentially take for
F
90%
Ground water quality
$4.5 - 8.5 billion Liittschwager and Middleton with Environmental Defense © 2002
Surface water quality
$83.7 - 394 million
Biodiversity and Scientific Study Hawaii’s native forests are one of the world’s
Clearly, our forest $487 million -$4.5 1.4 - 8.5 $660,000 - 5.5 - 394 are enorm $83.7 $34.7 - 131 Water economic Ecotourism and Clear $82.4 - 242
Biotechnology biological treasures and a natural laboratory for the study of Research into the genetics of the Islands’ native biodiversity evolution. Studies of Hawaii’s native plants and animals have already could have a significant impact on medical science, geneticrevolutionized scientific understanding of how species evolve. engineering, and agricultural biotechnology.
In-stream uses
Present Tropical Wet Forest $82.4 - 242 million
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Liittschwager and Middleton with Environmental Defense © 2002
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Ecotourism
$1 - 3 billion Climate Control
$82 million Total
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Liittschwager and Middleton with Environmental Defense © 2002
sts Worth? h?
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Liittschwager and Middleton with Environmental Defense © 2002
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Liittschwager and Middleton with Environmental Defense © 2002
Aesthetic Attraction for visitors and residents
Liittschwager and Middleton with Environmental Defense © 2002
ur Forests Worth?
Cu Th au cu to ou
Reforestation Auwahi Forest Restoration Project In partnership with Ulupalakua Ranch
Present
1950s
With only 3% of this forest type remaining, without action, Hawaiian dry forests lie on the edge of extinction‌ Teach Learn
Gather
Experiment
Collaborate
Demonstrate
Gather
Users and Experience Education
Research
Volunteer
Lab
Lab
Lab
Lab
Lab
Lab
Lab
Lab
Lab
Lab
Storage
Storage
Dining Hall
Exhibit Collab
Collab
Equip.
Class
Class
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Class
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Class
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Storage
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Planting Terrace
Mech.
Toilet Room
Toilet Room
O
0’
32’
64’
128’
Researchers
Lead Volunteers
Day Visitors
LEARN
ENGAGE
Past
Present
Future
Gather
Demonstrate
- Learn how the climate affects Maui - Learn why the forest is important
- Learning what we can do right now
- Learn the big picture - Learn about new sustainable methods of living - Research walkthrough
- Create a sense of community - Encourage community to volunteer and/or support - Learn steps to volunteer - Learn how to plant
- Restore native ecosystems - Connect with the environment through landscape experience
Ulupalakua Ranch Project Site
Ulupalakua Ranch works to upkeep farmland and preserve wildlife habitats. The ranch currently engages the community as a eatery, winery, a store with works by local artists, and a place for learning. Ulupalakua Ranch partnered with the community to start the Auwahi Forest Restoration Project in 1977.
Kula Forest Reserve
Kahikinui Forest Reserve Haleakala National Park & Magnetic Peak
WaileaMakena
Ulupalakua Ranch
Auwahi Enclosure 30min.
Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve Auwahi WInd Farm
PU’U KUKUI
MAALAEA BAY
ULUPALAKUA RANCH
KULA
SITE MAKENA BEACH
HALEAKALA / MAGNETIC PEAK
Case Studies
Plan Diagrams Information: Architect: Architectural Ecology Location: Dunedin, New Zealand Type: Visitor Center Year: 2010
Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Center
Information: Architect: X Architects Location: Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Type: Visitor Center Area: 27,275 sqft Year: 2016
Wasit Natural Reserve Visitor Centre
Information: Architect: Snohetta + Duncan Lewis Scape Architecture Location: Perigueux, France Type: Museum Area: 90,040 sqft Year: 2017
Lascaux IV Information: Architect: Olson Kundig Location:Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica Type: Residential Area: 2,140sqft Year: 2017
Costa Rica Treehouse
Building vs. Landscape
Design Development Winter Term
CONTOURS @ 10’
SITE PLAN
Material Exploration
0’
100‘
200’
400’
The first floor bar is nestled into the landscape as the second floor bar gestures out to the shoreline and sky.
Form Development
GATHER
LEARN REFLECT
GE GA
EN
LEARN
Learn - Engage - Reflect
Plan
FOREST
SKY
EARTH EARTH
Section
+160’
+40’
+100’
+0
Existing Buildings
Site Map
Visitor Pavilion
Visitor Path
Service Path
Checkpoints
+210’
Building vs. Landscape Site Sections
Sustainability Strategies
SOUTH
NORTH
Dining Hall
While exploring sustainable design strategies through section, I looked at ways to maximize the use of daylight, passively cool the building, and collect rainwater.
Classroom
Hall
Hall
Offices
Water Collection
Direct Sunlight
Indirect Sunlight
Natural Ventilation
Rainwater Runoff / Collection
Lab
Hall
Grotto
Hall
Lab
Lab
Hall
Breakout
Hall
Lab
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Floor Plans
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ez
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Mezzanine 1. Research Lab 2. Grotto
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Second Floor 1. Research Lab 3. Breakout Space 4. Conference Room 5. Demonstration Lab 6. Offices 7. Toilet Room 8. Mechanical 9. Mini Kitchen 10. Dining Hall 11. Plateau
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First Floor 12. Entry and Check-in 13. Exhibit 14. Classrooms 15. Locker Room 16. Office 17. Storage 18. Forest Terrace 19. Tree Nursery 20. Oculus 21. Mechanical
Street View
Dining Hall
Approach at Dawn
Approaching the Entry
Exhibit Entry
Tree Nursery - Future
Exhibit - Past
Classroom - Present
Oculus - A place for reflection
Reflection...
Grow comfortable with ‘putting the pencil down’ - Eventually, we have to make decisions and move forward with them. It’s better to make a mistake and learn from it, than to make a move too late (or never at all). Don’t be afraid to reach out - Sometimes it takes more than one architectural designer / student / human to work through a challenge. Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, coworkers, friends, or family. Take care of yourself - Try your best to make mental and physical health your two top priorities. It’ll be beneficial in the long run, I promise!
A sincere massive thank you to my family and friends who have been by my side, not only through the endeavor of senior thesis, but throughout my entire Drexel experience. I could not have accomplished, grown, or learned as much without your endless encouragement and support. Words cannot express how much it has truly meant to me.