introduction

introduction

Given the perspective of the theological and scientific scholars, man has two basic origins. The theological view denotes that man is created by a supernatural being, which places him within the Garden of Eden among the trees and the animals1 the academic view denoted by Darwin states that man evolved from the grass planes of the savannah2 . These two, although completely different narratives, both have its origins set firmly in the natural environment. They both, either metaphorically or unerringly summarise man’s first interaction with nature. It was his home, his food, the source of his clothing and shelter. However, since the dawn of civilisation, the growth of cities has stagnated man’s relationship with nature within the urban environment. Needless to say, despite the intertwined history of man and nature, and man’s growth, the society on a whole has meandered away from its origin.

The estranged relationship between the growth of the city and the natural environment has so far frequently brought mankind misfortunes. This estrangement has somehow led society into thinking of nature and man as binary opposites, which consequently leads to a blatant disregard for the natural environment and by extension human health and development. Within our cities, nature has retreated itself, to the seldom appearing park or green patch in front a public building3. Despite the decline in natural elements within the city, individuals spend copious amounts of money to add little splashes of colour in front of their homes regardless of social or economic status4. It is immensely difficult to express the value of nature in strictly rational terms, as much of its virtue lay simply within the immateriality of its existence.

Throughout millennia, landscapes and fauna have been the subject of enthusiasm for songs, poems, stories and paintings5. These scenarios provide evidence that nature is important in and of itself, rather than solely extrinsic reasons. Yet, one cannot deny the extrinsic value of nature to human lives and existence, and the pivotal role it plays in health and the comfort of living.

1 Gen. 2:4-25 Revised Standard Version 2 (Shreeve, Sunset on the Savannah 1996) 3(Kaplan 1989) 4(R. a. Kaplan 1989) 5(R. a. Kaplan 1989)

Hitherto, the development of the archetype of the city have seemingly isolated itself from that of the natural environment, the results of this has manifested itself in a myriad of psychological, sociological and environmental ways, each having severe repercussions on how, or if mankind is able to continue developing as a race. Research in the United States of America shows that a century ago, the likeliness of someone suffering any major form of clinical depression was approximately 1 percent; however for the past century, those statistics have risen to approximately 19 percent. This tremendous spike denotes a 2000 percent increase in the rates of depression within only 100 years6. Research has purported that the risk of depression and other psychiatric ailments are a side effect of urban life7. Be as it may, studies have shown how green time can be an important remedy for reducing the effects of depression within affected patients8. Wolf (2010), also states that depression among patients were decreased by 71 percent when exposed to walking through vegetated areas, this was then compared to the 45 percent decrease for people who went on walks in a built environment. These findings therefore could be used to argue that being exposed to nature can greatly reduce the feelings of depression. Additional research also shows that interaction with green spaces can lead to a reduction in dementia, attention deficit disorder, and improve cognitive performance9 .

Consequent to these findings, it will be important to categorically access the role that nature plays throughout the course of human civilisation. It is paramount that one has an informed assessment of the pass before he makes any plans for the future. Subsequently, very specific topics will be studied in order to provide a narrative and logic for the presented architectural model. Firstly, an examination of the Edenic text and imagery will be undertaken to carefully understand its connection with the model of paradise; how it is represented, described and understood within antiquity. Secondly, an in-depth analysis of the

6 (Baber 2011) 7 (Dan Blazer, MD, PhD; Linda K. George, PhD; Richard Landerman, PhD 1985) 8 Wolf, Kathleen. 2018. “Mental Health :: Green Cities: Good Health”. Depts.Washington.Edu. https:// depts.washington.edu/hhwb/Thm_Mental.html. (accessed October 31, 2017) 9 (Wolf, Green Cities: Mental Health and Function - A Literature Review. In: Green Cities: Good Health 2010)

representation and socio-political importance of the garden typology in the first civilisations, specifically Mesopotamia. These models will be studied and analysed with keener attention being placed on specific case studies of the Hanging Gardens and specific royal gardens throughout the region. Lastly, an exploration of the biophilic relationship between man and the natural environment will be done. With the culmination of prior studies and the undertaking of this research, it is anticipated that a model which can intuitively be applied to developing an architectural language will be derived.

The importance of nature to humans is something that is well known, but has been rarely studied empirically10. This study will seek to analyse those avenues in an attempt to explore architecture as a restorative and medicinal art. The importance of the natural environment to humanity is existential, and human beings are 100 percent dependent on it for light, food and oxygen. Subsequently, empirical evidence has shown that the key to man’s contentment is found through his symbiosis with nature. It was here in the ‘natural realm’ that man was born, and it was here human bodies and brains evolved, and consequently where man belongs, and performs their best.

“Your deepest roots are in nature. No matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of life you lead, you remain irrevocably linked with the rest of creation.”

Charles Cook

10 (R. a. Kaplan 1989)