CONNECTING REA TO THE EARTH

The Soil Is The Start Of Increasing Biodiversity

Plants To Birds

Sheltered by tall reeds birds flock to the safety and food of the river

RIVER IS HOME

Humans relationship to floodplains is ancient and profound. We are nature.

Geology To Soil

Mercia Mudstone under digbeth provides the geological foundation that created the vast Arden Forest

Reed Habitat

Well evolved plants grow tall rooting in to the soil. Providing habitat for birds, voles and amphibians

Insect Banquet For All

Rich insect ecosystems thrive in the verdent river/land intersection

Confined by brick and concrete on all sides.

Deepened and straightened.

THE REA IS DEAD THE MEADOW BETWEEN Wildflowers and grasses grow freely. An important ecosystem between river and forest. Small mammals and raptors find food in the clearings.

MORE RIVER MORE LIFE

Shallower and wider the river slows and sparks life as it touches more land

PLANTS TO RIVER

Oxygenized by the plant life fish return to the river supporting all life

Soil To Plants

Soils enriched by the minerals of the river provide perfect conditions for wetland plants.

Concepts

DESIGNING WITH THE VALLEY NOT AGAINST IT

Boot Room

A space that connects to the outdoors.

Any architectural response to the valley should aim to bring the user close to the natural world not seperate them.

Transition

Boot Room For The City

The Boot Room is a unifying concept for the project, a space where you can shed the consumerist baggage of modern life don waterproofs and boots and immerse yourself within nature. Making the the re-wilded valley a useful pedestrian connection for the city.

TOUCHING THE GROUND LIGHTLY Protecting life on the forest floor

Natural breaks in the canopy allow light to bring more biodiversity to the forest floor.

The openess and light make the clearing valuable spaces. The platfrom concept allows humans to utilise the spaces in a low impact way.

Raised transparent platform structure can provide space for the school and sunlight for forest floor.

Spaces can be temporary. Moving through time to allow light and life back to the shadowed ground.

Freedom of form can be expressed on the platform, allowing for a Variety of programs.

CONNECTING WITH PHASE 2 AND BEYOND:

Using the valley and platform concept to create a network of spaces that bring the community in to the valley. Gate’s exist at nodes on the valley that will welcome users to the valley and act as Boot Rooms for users to change in to appropiate clothing to use the network of community spaces in the valley.