Setting the scene
6-7
Evolution!
8 -9
Throught the lens of insects
10 - 11
Where do the human end and the river begin?
12
Decoding the site
14
Prioritised bird species
13
A view to the stochport shopping center (back side)
15
Survey analysis
16 - 17
A glimpse through site
18 - 19
A view of the stochport shopping center (from above)
20
Survey analysis
21
How do you perceive Stockport?
22
Vegetation strategy
23
History of Culverting
24 - 25
Why do we need to Deculvert?
26
A view of the stochport shopping center (from within)
27
Real time Deculverting
28 - 29
Culverted to Deculverting
30 -31
Altering the City Edges
32 - 33
+ Masterplan
Real time projets
Reconciling with migratory birds + Sectional elevation AA’
34 - 35 36 - 37
Planting Schema
38
Detail plan + Axo.
39
Diet influenced planting
40 - 41
Planting specifications
42 - 45
Birds Eye View
46 - 47
Creating Turbulance and breaking the flow...........
48
Plan
49
Functioning Dynamics
50 - 51
Cross section
52 - 53
Joinery detail
54 - 55
Reduce, Reuse and Retain.
56
Urban wilderness
58 - 59
Climate Positive Design
60
Biodiversity Net Gain
62 - 63
Conclusion
64 - 65
Change or no Change?
66 - 67
Material detail + Sectional Elevation
57
+ Visualization
Visualization
61
+ Sectional elevation BB’
Setting the scene
The brief for individual projects was determined after the visit to Stockport and the early responses to the site. Prioritization of endangered red listed birds was determined as part of the space design as part of the larger brief of establishing a place for other species and decentering people. The study question: How the experimentation of adjusting various edges may cater to the formation of distinct habitat zones? was a key feature to grasp and explore deeper meanings in the process of obtaining an efficient design output. This provided us with the knowledge we needed to ecologically restore the Mersey River in Stockport.
6
l a ic
a k a p g n i w dra
Te ch n
I ni t ial
ef setup i r B + e s n o p s re
After the set brief had been thoro shopping centre location was Autocad and Revit were used to planting pattern was crucial in related to the bird’s eating habi levels. The location is built to ac area surrounded by flora, enc people’s lives by developing nu property, entirely altering the sp urban oasis.
oughly researched, the Stockport s designed. Software such as o create technical drawings. The this portion since it was closely its and the soil’s water retention ccommodate a vast catchment couraging a feeling of stop in umerous connections across the pace and transforming it into an
s n o i t a t n e s pre
Vis ual
age
The last stage is all about presenting the complete research and design execution to the readers in a way that is simple to grasp and helps to persuade them of the need for the design in the first place.
7
The Evolution! The project began by investigating what the Mersey River has to offer the Stockport region. After obtaining some information, the phrase “Edges” drew my eye. The research was then performed in this way to investigate all of the river Mersey’s boundaries. This aided in the formulation of the study question: How might experimenting with varied edges accommodate to the creation of distinct habitat zones? The issue of flora and fauna came up when plunging into the ocean of knowledge from both books and the website. Rather than focusing on the entire biodiversity of the area, endangered species were prioritized. Following additional debate and study, the birds that were red listed in Stockport, UK were picked to be periodised and created for, among the endangered species present there. The design approach continued to investigate further ideas about how birds work, as well as their food and environments. This information was also utilised in the site’s design development. The concept behind the design is to create an area where people and birds may coexist. This action may provide humans with a conduit into the biodiversity world. The project’s second stage was to create technical drawings for describing the design, which are more like real-world projects than concept diagrams. The project’s last stage focused on conveying the project in a nutshell.
8
9
10
11
Where do the human end and the river begin? According to readings and pure site observations, edges can take many different forms and shapes. Edges might be in culture, ecotones, and horizons, where nature tells the same tale but from a different perspective, edges could be in movement, activities, and functions, according to the readings. Understanding the many boundaries allowed us to better comprehend the interaction between nature and animals, animals and humans, and humans and nature. How people engage with one another, exchanging various items that power or contribute to the natural cycle. A few unique but typical river margins were located and investigated. These edges were chosen as the beginning point for the following design process and analysis as part of the study subject. Only 24 recurring edges were chosen for the alteration out of 87 possible egde points throughout the selection procedure. Several factors were considered throughout the selecting process, including vegetation, built environment, pavement features, ecosystems, and so on.
12
Avian Migratrators
Good neighbours
Colonies
Watching and waiting
(A t f
A pu s ) s u p
Sw i
M
elichon Urbic D ( um in ) art
Hou se
Cuc ko o
Canorus) u l u uc (C
Roosting birds
Nest Construction: Twigs, moss, and hair are mixed together.
Nest Construction: Feathers and vegetable fibres litter the mud and grass.
Nest shape: Cup like structure.
Nest shape: Cup like structure.
Nest Construction: The sticky saliva of particles caught in the air cemented them together. Nest shape: Half-saucer shape.
Nest finding: On the eaves of buildings, between reed grasses, or on the ground.
Nest finding: Building eaves, usually on north and east facing walls, are elevated above the ground.
Nest finding: Elevated above the ground on the eaves and recesses of structures.
Blogspot.com. (2022). Bird Atlas 2007-11: what does it say about Swifts? [online] Available at: http://actionforswifts. blogspot.com/2014/01/bird-atlas-2007-11-what-does-it-say.html [Accessed 12 Apr. 2022]. Rspb.org.uk. (2018). Understanding the decline of cuckoos - Saving Nature With Science - Our work - The RSPB Community. [online] Available at: https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/science/posts/understanding-the-decline-of-cuckoos [Accessed 12 Apr. 2022]. BTO - British Trust for Ornithology. (2014). House Martin. [online] Available at: https://www.bto.org/understanding-birds/ species-focus/house-martin [Accessed 12 Apr. 2022].
13
Decoding the site Location : Site Area :
14
Stockport Shopping Center 9,436 Sq. meters
A view to the stochport shopping center (back side)
15
Survey analysis
16
17
A glimpse through site
18
19
20
A view of the stochport shopping center (from above)
Edges found on site Vegetation strategy implementation on site
Birds Reptiles Fishes
Vegetation barrier for water flow rate Green wall Habitat creation Reconnecting river Mersey Bioswales Catchment area creation 21
Changing
How do you perceive Stockport?
As you say, it probably seemed like a good idea at the time to bury the River Mersey in a concrete tomb, but wouldn’t it be wonderful to open it up again to the sky? And have a thriving historic town centre with a beautiful riverside…….”
Pete Wintergreen * The interview took place between November 21 and January 22 while the
* All characters are based on real life interview. But certain information has b
22
1960
Monotonous
No Vegetation
People want to be surrounded by greenary
“A short thread about demolishing Stockport’s Merseyway shopping centre - something that pretty much everyone thinks would be great if it were possible.”
Finally, the shopping precinct was built over the road.
Ian
site observation was taking place.
been edited for privacy
23
History of Culverting - The MerseyWay
The street was incorporated into the Merseyway retail plaza in the 1960s, and many visitors are unaware that the river Mersey is flowing beneath their feet. The mall, in fact, rides a 500-meter length of the River Mersey as it passes through the heart of Stockport - with only nine crawls of concrete and a ten-meter drop separating customers and water. In 1935, Stockport council decided to build a bridge across the Mersey River that would relieve traffic on Chestergate and Princes Street. Despite the fact that the river was extremely polluted at the time and that part of it flowed between the backs of factories and warehouses, many people thought it was the right thing to do.
24
25
Why do we need to Deculvert? - The MerseyWay
Rivers are an essential component of life. They tell a tale, provide geologic, ecological, biological, and human history, form culture and society, provide transportation, and provide purity, among other things. The precinct takes one back to the time before 1930, wherein the Mersey River was still exposed. The situation back then was similar to that of now. Before the river got culverted, the vehicles could only use the two parallel roads, very similar to the situation in the present day. The vehicles still cant acceess the Mersey way as its completely pedestrianized. Hence the main lines of communications are still on the sides of the MerseyWay. The history of the MeseyWay does not end with the building of the precinct. Small changes kept occuring all the time. For ex: shop fronts changed in accordance to the latest fashion trend. The area also had seen the place being the victim of gentrification. The changes were even noticable within the structure too. People only saw changes with respect to the buildings and construction, but what people didnt realize was the fact that, the MerseyWay was not just about culverting the river but culverting the whole ecosystem which went down along with the river. People now understood that this was a gateway towards building a sustainable environment.
26
A view of the stochport shopping center (from within)
27
Real time Deculverting
28
29
Culverted to Deculverting
30
31
+45m
+44m
+43m
B
5 1 1
2
+43m 6
+42m
+42m 5
5
+41m +41m
+42m
3
6
+37m
+45m
4 +40m 1
+45m
B’ 1
1
1 Key 1 2 3 4 5 6
32
Planter with seating area Contoured landscape Wetland pods The River Mersey 3m Concrete set pathway 2m timber walkway Site Access Viewing pods Retained building columns Retained building columns with circular eaves
Altering the City Edges - a research methodology resulting in the creation of micro habitats.
The research question analysis and study on numerous realworld initiatives have a significant impact on the Masterplan. The scenery, the river, the paths, and the observation pods are all organised into four sections of the site. The site is still accessible in the same way it was previously (all the sides). The view pods do not include the kiosk that was initially positioned at the end of the site. The centre covered route has been transformed into a contoured landscape to allow water to percolate into the region and alleviate the site’s flooding problems. The river bank is also enlarged, and different wetlands pod design components are placed in the river to produce turbulence in the water flow. To assist restrict the flow of the river, the river bank has been enlarged, and different wetlands pod design components have been placed in the river to produce turbulence in the water. Vertical and horizontal channels are developed to provide visual linkages across the site.
33
Precedents Design Features
Årstabergsparken
The Metro Forest project
Precedents
Thailand
Thailand
The Metro ForestSweden project
TK Studio
Precedents
The Metro Forest Sweden project
Floating Farms
Design Features officePROJECT
Årstabergsparken Nyréns Arkitektkontor
Mexico City
Årstabergsparken
Use of Precedent
Principle Analysis
Principle Analysis
Årstabergsparken
Precede
Design Fe
The project, which anobservation towe disturbance to the Årstabergsparken also allowing for clo canopy.
Nyréns Arkitektkontor Sweden
TK Studio Thailand
Design Features
Nyréns Arkitektkontor
Nyréns Arkitektkontor
Precedent Analysis
TK Studio
Principle Analysis
The Metro Forest project
Precedent
Precedent
Real time projets
Thailand
The project, which includes a skywalk and an observation tower, was created to reduce disturbance to the burgeoning forest while also allowing for close-up views of the mature canopy.
The major goal was play with nature a The regions have be methods to make Floating Farms accessible. Birdboxe were placed in both out woody areas officePROJECT contact and biodive
Mexico City The major goal was to encourage people oject, which includes a skywalk and The Aztecs w Nyrénsto play with nature and SwedenThe regions have been modified using simple ervation TK tower, was created to reduce natural components. Chinampas, of Studio Arkitektkontor ance to the burgeoning forest while also methods to make them more useful and accessible. Birdboxes, bats, man-made isla insectaholes were placed in bothSweden undisturbed thinned-out g for close-up views of the mature canopy. buried Thailand The project, which and includes skywalk and Theand major goal was to encourage people to play withstakes nature and b areas to encourage biodiversity. an observation tower,woody was created to reduce human contact andnatural components. The regions have been modifiedunderwater using simplefen disturbance to the burgeoning whilewhich also includes a skywalk methods useful and accessible. Birdboxes, people bats, The forest project, and to make them more The major goal was to encourage allowing for close-up views ofan theobservation mature canopy. insect holes were placed in both undisturbed and thinned-out tower, was created to and reduce natural components. The regions have be woody areas to encourage human contact and biodiversity. disturbance to the burgeoning forest while also methods to make them more useful and ac Floating Farms allowing for close-up views of the mature canopy. and insect holes were placed in both und Chinampas were i woody areas to encourage human Chinam conta originally.
officePROJECT
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Mexico City
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courage Nyréns people to play with nature and regions have been modified using simple itektkontor ore useful and accessible. Birdboxes, bats, 34 ced thinned-out Sweden and in both undisturbed and The major goal was to encourage people to play
Floating Farms
islands built by br placed beneath the To accommodate the biophilic underwater design, elevated fortificat
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Pr
Preceden
The project, which includes a skywalk and Årstabergsparken an observation tower, was created to reduce disturbance to the burgeoning forest while also Nyréns allowing for close-up views of the mature canopy.
The Metro Forest project
Precedents
TK Studio
Arkitektkontor
Design Sweden Features
Thailand
Principle Analysis
Use of Precedent
includes a skywalk and er, was created to reduce burgeoning forest while ose up views of the mature
The project, which includes a skywalk and an observation tower, was created to reduce Årstabergsparken disturbance to the burgeoning forest while also allowing for close-up views of the mature canopy.
rest
Use of Precedent
s to encourage people to and natural components. een modified using simple them more useful and es, bats, and insect holes h undisturbed and thinned to encourage human ersity.
alk and o reduce while also canopy.
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To accommodate the biophilic design, elevated platforms would aid in attaining both horizontal and vertical continuity.
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Mexico City New page
To accommodate the biophilic design, elevated The major goal was to encourage people to play with nature and platforms would aid in attaining both horizontal natural components. The regions have been modified using simple and vertical continuity. methods to make them more useful and accessible. Birdboxes, bats, and insect holes were placed in both undisturbed and thinned-out woody areas to encourage human contact and biodiversity.
The interaction between humans and nonhuman creatures could be facilitated by providing a variety of observation platforms and places.
The interaction between humans and nonThe Aztecs were the first to invent Chinampas. human creatures could be facilitated by Chinampas, often known as “floating gardens,” are providing a variety of observation platforms man-made islands made by intertwining reeds with and places. stakes buried beneath the lake’s surface to create underwater fences.
The notion of floating gardens is being employed to deal with the higher water flow that occurs when the river is deculverted.
New page
invented by the Aztecs mpas are man-made raiding reeds with pegs e lake’s surface to create tions.
elevated orizontal
The notion of floating gardens is being employed to deal with the higher water flow that occurs when the river is deculverted.
The interaction between humans and nonhuman creatures could be facilitated by providing a variety of observation platforms
The notion of floating gardens is being employed to deal with the higher water flow that occurs when the river is deculverted.
35
Sectional Elevation AA’
Other birds & animal species Prioritized bird species
Reconciling with migratory birds - a method that has been used as a doorway to establish a connection between human and nature, leading to the creation of a new ecosystem.
To enhance habitat for birds and other insect species, the design incorporates exposed columns from building removal. The exposed Mersey Way support structure encourages plant development and provides a habitat for a variety of animal and bird species. Various viewing pods are available for humans to see the activities taking place in nature. The Pathways ascend and descend the levels to provide visual continuity. While cities are responsible for the destruction or deterioration of enormous swathes of habitat, they are not without value, particularly for bird populations. Green spaces in cities may sustain a diverse assemblage of species, which can aid in some aspects of bird conservation. As a result, every urban greening may be viewed as a chance to improve the ecological state and conservation value of our cities.
36
37
Planting Schema - Planting Selection based on: - dietary habits of the prioritised bird species - water retention quality of the soil
Planting is particularly important in this project since it involves numerous factors to consider at the same time. The prioritised birds inspired the fundamental notion of planting. The eating habits of birds have been studied, and planting selection has been tailored to the insect species that birds eat. Insect meadow mixes, as well as bird and pollinator meadow mixes, cover much of the terrain. The rate of water percolation into the ground is the focus of the second layer of planting. This was studied in order to address the site’s water issues as well as the contoured terrain. As a result, the formerly covered area has been transformed into a vast catchment area, allowing water to gently seep into the earth without the need for surface runoff. Now the plant species that promote insect habitat had to be chosen in accordance to the soil’s or landscape’s capacity to retain water. The water retention capability of the soil increases as it descends the lower level to meet the river, starting with sandy soil (dry soil, low water retention), moving to silt soil (well-drained soil, no-min. water retention), then to a combination of silt and loamy soils (moist soil, intermediate water retention), then to a mixture of loamy and peat soils (damp soil, high water retention), and finally to a mix of peat and clay soils (wet soil, extremely high retention of water). The planting strategy for this project is divided into three phases. The structural layer, which contains trees and shrubs, the themed layer, which includes meadow mixtures, and the ground cover layer are the three layers that make up the landscape. The planting pattern is based on the research question, the purpose, and the location’s overall user experience. And the specification, further streches the site becoming a seed bank in the near future.
38
Structural Layer The usage of specimen trees like scots pine attracts attention to the region and allows visitors to appreciate the natural beauty. The trees’ scant spacing contributes in the development of pockets, which act as little tiny frames for visitors to observe varied vistas from various angles. The construction area’s trees have been strategically positioned to allow for bird migration.
Thematic Layer Using various meadow mixes targeting various insect species and bird species, Makes the place cater to not only the prioritised bird species but also other animals and birds species in Stockport.
Ground cover The planting species seletion is done in relation to the water holding capacity of the soil.
39
Diet influenced planting
40
41
Planting pecifications
42
All dimensions are in mm
All dimensions are in mm
43
44
All dimensions are in mm
A glimpse through site
45
46
Birds Eye View
47
Creating Turbulance and breaking the flow........... With the deculverting of the Mersey Way, the project becomes more challenging. Deculverting entails the removal, retention, and insertion of numerous gaps at various stages in this project. As part of the project, the Mersey Way, which has been deculverted, will be widened. This is done with the understanding that the Mersey, Goyt, and Tame rivers all meet near the development site. The water flows from the connection point to the site at an astonishing rate. Mersey Way was set to reopen after nearly 50 years of inactivity. This first step toward a better future, however, must be approached with caution. The deculvert could become a problem rather than a benefit due to the river’s abrupt, rapid discharge into a dormant, perhaps silted river. To avoid this issue, wetlands pods are put along the riverbank. Wetland pods are a cluster of man-made wetlands that employ reclaimed site materials to restrict river flow at several places before linking to an existing running river. This will ensure that the environment of the river is carefully protected. This will help to improve the situation along the Mersey as well as areas outside of the development site. This strategy of lowering river flow will help to make different places more interesting and lively.
48
Key plan
Scale 1:20
All dimensions are in mm
49
Functioning Dynamics The wetland pods are shaped hexagonally, in order to create an angle of 120 degrees. This creation of angles would help in the breakage of the water flow in a way that it creates these vacant spaces , where the flow of the water becomes minimun in a fraction of time. This is inspired from the concept of wind bariers.
the banks of the river are sloped in order to cope with the flooding. The width of the River Mersey is also increased to provide more surface area for the water to flow.
50
To avoid the flooding in this area various wetland pods have been created to produce turbulance in water.
Once the Mersey way is deculverted, the water from the merging point of the three rivers; Tamr, Goyt and Mersey, has a huge potential to flood the newly planned area.
51
52
Scale 1:20
All dimensions are in mm
Cross section
53
Joinery Detail The Wetland pods acts as a water flow breaker. The hexagonal edges along wwith the rubble edge on the exterior of the pods, provides various surface areas for the water to get in contact with and flow in a different direction. The hexagonal shape of the pod further helps in creating turbulences in the water. The angled edges of the hexagonal pod is inpired from the various angles of the building to improve or tackle the wind flow, creating various +ve or -ve spaces.
54
Scale 1:20
All dimensions are in mm
55
The steel rods were reclaimed from building demolision and reused as component in the joining of the concrete slabs of the wetland pod.
Re
Re cl
Re cl
sla
tee ed S l rods m i la
d concrete r e ub aim
s
56
concrete
ble
The concrete obtained from the building demolished is broken down into rubbles and used in the wet land pods for structural support.
ed aim
s
bs
Slabs for the wetland pod was cut out from the buildings selected for demolition.
compacted
o il
The compacted soil is dug ot and reused to form the contoured landscape on the site.
ed ia m
Re c
“Efficient use of reused and retained materials”, to create sustainable carbon positive environment to achieve biodiversity network gain.
The exposing of the river Mersey provided an oppotunity for reusing the wood recalimed from the structural support.
Re cl
Reduce, Reuse and Retain.
ed Wood m i a cl
51m 50m
Building chosen for retrofitting
49m 4m wide Bird viewing pod
48m 47m
Ivy growth
Pedestrian walkway
10mm wire mesh 150mm reclaimed wood 900mm Timber railing.
650mm High planter
46m
150
900
45m
Ground Level +45m lvl
+45.50m lvl
+45.65m lvl
44m
Green wall Existing retaining wall
43m
Retained building columns, transformed into birds breeding and resting tower.
42m 8000
2m wide pedestrian pathway
39m
2m Pedestrian landing
2m Wide pedestrian ramp
100mm Timber railings
Timber post
Timber post
Wetland pod, refer for detail.
100mm Timber railings
Timber post
River surface level
37m
+37m lvl
2000
35m
+40.2m lvl
Mound
38m
36m
100mm Timber railings
Existing columns
10000
41m 40m
900mm Timber railing.
450mm Seating bench
River bed level +35m lvl
Scale 1:100
All dimensions are in mm
57
Key plan
58
Urban wilderness - a place for the birds and other species to thrive to their fullest. Key traits: • Biodiversity - a wide range of species, both of plants and animals • Minimal maintenance required for viability - plants that can survive without frequent watering, can withstand local pollution levels, and do not depend on infusions of fertilizers or other periodic soil amendments. • Deep beds - deep soil allowing the creation of mature root growth, protection from drought and destructive temperature changes, and the development of a healthy colony of microorganisms, worms, and other beneficial small lifeforms • Native species - considered use of local varieties rather than exotic species • Unstructured aesthetic - plants are allowed to grow as they wish, where they wish, with minimal space devoted to paved walkways, trimmed grass, or other artificial environments • Tolerance of ground cover and thick undergrowth - healthy ecosystems depend on “messy” microenvironments like decaying logs, thick brush, and muddy ground.
Wikipedia Contributors (2022). Urban wilderness. [online] Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Urban_wilderness [Accessed 10 May 2022].
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Climate Positive Design
60
Key plan
61
Biodiversity Net Gain
62
63
Conclusion - an ecological restoration of the Stockport Merseyway
Other b
Cultural - Mental & physical health - Recreation & ecotourism - Aesthetics values - Aesthetic - Fosters empathy - Sense of community
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Sectional Elevation BB’
Supporting - Nutrient cycling - Photosynthesis - Soil formation - Carbon sequestration - Wildlife habitats - Vegetation habitats
benefits
Regulating - Air quality regulation - Climate regulation - Erosion Water regulation regulation - Water Erosionpurification regulation - Pollination Water purification - Moderation Disease &pest of regulation extreme - Pollination events - Water Moderation infiltration of extreme -events Water regulation - Storm Water water infiltration management - Storm Ground water water management recharge - Disease Ground & water pestrecharge regulation
Provisioning - Raw materials - Fresh water - Medicinal resources - Building marketability - Noise pollution barrier - Seed bank - Catchment area - Biodiversity
65
Change or no Change! Culverted or Deculverting?
66
67
67
To see the project take its shape:
Birds eye fly through
https://youtu.be/BcYBi9WDDpY
Birds view
https://youtu.be/joa1w_5_KgU
Seasonal change
https://youtu.be/C8yud8hlLAw
