Forager's Gathering by Rachel Livesey

F o r a g e r ’ s G at h e r i n g

U n i t 11 C1805915 Rachel Livesey

Appendices

Appendix 1- Restoring the Social Culture of Farming through the Hedgerows* Appendix 2- Wildlife and the Hedgerow* Appenix 3- Food Production Research Appendix 4- Designing the Path Appendix 5- All Interventions Drawings on A2 Appendix 6- Auditorium Lighting Study

Contents

*This Work is part of the Primer Project

The Hedgerow*

Foraging

Introduction to the Site

Nature and the Community

Creating the Journey

Nature’s Calendar

Site Plan

Architectural Overview

The Carbon Store

The Path

The Market

The Bee Boles

The Greenhouses

The Tree Path

The Meadow

The Bee Hotels

The Fire Pits

The Fishing Huts

The Piers

The Seed Store

The Auditorium

Forager’s Gathering

The Hedgerow

The hedgerow has been part of the British landscape for centuries. Originally, hedges were strips of woodland remaining from clearing land for farming, used to prevent livestock from grazing crops and game escaping forests. In 1603, the first Enclosures Act was introduced and rapidly changed the rural landscape. The act gave right for the enclosure of open fields and common land, greatly increasing the number of hedgerows. Resultantly, tensions grew in rural communities as enclosure brought out the greed of many farmers who treated land as a commodity. Hedges continue to visualise tensions in the rural community today. Through mapping hedgerow conditions, it is evident that landowners use hedges to create barriers between each other, signifying unspoken conflict. Below an investigation of the hedgerow conditions in Llandeilo shows the hedge between the fields of two different landowners being the largest and most dense: containing layers of weeds, shrubs, fencing and trees. Foragers Gathering will try to change the way hedges are used in the landscape. Rather than indicating problems in the countryside, hedgerows should be used as a way to shape the landscape as well as tying the community together. (Please find more information on research on the hedgerow in Appendix 1 -Primer Booklet: Restoring the Social Culture of Farming Through the Hedgerows)

Field to Road

Woods to Road

Field to Field (1 Landowner)

Field to Field (2 Landowners)

Field to Woods

Woods to Woods

Investigating Hedgerow Conditions 4

Research Analoguous Map 5

The Hedgerow

Considering that hedgerows are a tangible representation of the underlying strains on rural relationships, Foragers Gathering shall use the hedgerows as an integral part of the project to restore the community bond. Inspiration has been taken from how animals interact with the hedgerow. Through research (see Appendix 2- Wildlife and the Hedgerow) it was visible that animals have positive interactions with the hedgerow. Mammals, birds, invertebrates and amphibians use the hedgerows for food, shelter and as a corridor to travel safely through the countryside. The hedgerow itself houses a diverse community of wildlife. Thus, hedges have become a vital part of the landscape for British Wildlife. The project has been influenced by this and as a result the hedgerow will motivate it to become somewhere to forage for food, connect with the natural landscape and become the heart of the local community..

Hedgrows are provide shelter for many animals. Small mammals use the hedges as an animal highway to safely navigate the countryside. Small birds roost within hedges which provides safety.

The berries from the hedgerows provide vital food for birds and small animals. In addition, the leaves of many hedge species are consumed by insects.

Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus

Hedgehog Erinaceinae

Waxwing Bombycilla

Farmers use hedges to enclose livestock to pre-

vent animals from escaping. Fences and wire to add another barrier. Sheep Ovis Aries

Road

Verge

Ditch

Bank

Hedge

Hedge Section

Field Edge

Crop

Dormouse (Gliridae)

Hedgehog (Erinaceinae)

Chaffinch (Fringilla Coelebs)

Waxwing (Bombycilla)

Spider (Aranae)

Butterfly (Rhopalocera)

Great Crested Newt (Triturus Crustatus)

Grass Snake (N. Natrix) Animals in the Hedgerow 7

Concept Analoguous Map 8

Foraging

The food production industry detrimental to the environment. The transportation of food produces 19 million tonnes of CO2 annually. Land changing for agriculture is responsible for 75% of deforestation, which decreases the net carbon sink. In the UK, 6.6 million tonnes of food is wasted each year. 86% of Welsh farming is focused on livestock. Livestock is responsible for 14.5% of global greenhouse gases. Globally, 8.8 million tonnes of plastic packaging waste enters our oceans annually. Foraging is an alternative to the standard supermarket and could combat the environment issues of the food production industry. Foraging also has the possibility to improve community relationships through social gathering. UK landscapes have many foraging opportunities in woodland, meadows and, significantly, the hedgerows. However, legislation and bylaws omit access to land. Notably, The Countryside & Rights of Way Act 2000 which gives the right to roam, but not to forage. Alongside the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which prevents foraging through conservation. This makes foraging difficult and less appealing to the public. Most would not replace a quick stop at the local supermarket with a 3 hour walk which does not guarantee the availability of specific foods. Foragers Gathering responds to these issues by providing a designated site for foraging which will make foraging more time-efficient, social and give people a greater awareness of where their food comes from. It will also educate on what foods are safe to forage giving the community skills which can be transferred off site.

Storyboard: A Typical Foraging Trip

I n t r o d uc t i o n

to the

The Site

The site chosen for Foragers Gathering was a strip of unused land, SouthWest of Llandeilo’s town centre. This ensures an immediate connection with the town. The river Towy passes across the South face of the site, which will give opportunities for the project to interact with inland water. However, this does mean that the site is in long-term risk of flooding. Therefore, minimising the effects of flooding shall become a fundamental principle of design throughout the project. Also the site is flat, which exacerbates the risk of flooding. Woodland stretches across the North face of the site and relevant opportunities of interaction will be considered in the proposal.

National Trust

The site lies within a National Trust boundary. Hence, the project will work with Trust and abide by its regulations. The project follows the National Trust’s 2025 strategy as a guideline. It shall champion the importance of nature in our lives and improve outdoor experiences, encouraging cooperation from the local community. It will also renew on the nation’s most important landscapes: the floodplain meadow. Resultantly, Foragers Gathering cares for the nature, beauty and history of the site.

Site Analysis Plan 0

Site

100

National Trust

500

Inland Water

1000

Long Term Risk of Flooding

Woodland

N at u r e

and the

Community

Three aims have been set out for the project for it to fulfill the objectives of restorung rural relationships and tackling the environmental impacts of food production.

Reconnecting with Nature Foragers Gathering must reconnect the public with nature. Encouraging foraging through architectural interventions and landscaping shall bring awareness to the possibilities of nature as a food source. Advocating foraging will also educate about the environmental issues within the food production industry alongside promoting healthier eating habits. Offering outdoor leisure activities such as fishing shall also inspire more to explore the potential of our native landscape. The landscape and the public will experience re-wilding.

Forming Comm

Reversing the damage of rural relationship vital for the project. Foragers Gathering will of Llandeilo, for the people of Llandeilo. B build the project, collaboration will ensue. A the project is built, the people of Llandeilo project. With the hedgerows being at the he the damage they c

munity Relations

ps still lingering from the Enclosures Act is be a community project; built by the people By having the community come together to A sense of community pride shall arise. After will also have to maintain and care for the eart of Foragers Gathering they shall mend caused in the past.

Preserving Wildlife Rewilding the landscape by restoring the floodplain meadow will encourage local wildlife to flourish. Land clearing for agriculture decreases natural habits as well as our global carbon store. Thus, providing a safe habitat for British wildlife which allows for carbon sequestration and storage is crucial. Furthermore, a focal point shall be supporting pollinators such as bees which will be caretakers for the meadow and the hedgerow. Without them foraging will not be possible.

C r e at i n g

the

Journey

4. Water Tank 2. Bee Boles

6. Biofuel Plant 3. Greenhouse

7. Water Mill 1. Market

5. Tree Tower

9. Steps

8. Path

11. Bridge

13. Bin 18. Auditorium 14. Water Pump 16. Fishing Hut 12. Firepit 15. Toilets

17. Pier

19. Seed Store

Building Catalogue 0

In response to the aims set out for the project, a building catalogue was created. The elements in the catalogue will combine to create a holistic design which benefit nature and the local community.

Strategy Plan 0

250

1250

2500

A strategy has been created to aid in massing. A path has been decided through a series of massing studies (see Appendix 4- Developing the Path). The strategy informs where to place elements from the catalogue above to create relationships with the existing landscape. Acknowledging 1km milestones and key views will be integrated into the massing by highlighting the requirement of rest spots and areas to admire nature.

Massing Plan 0

150

750

1500

Seed Store

The massing for Foragers Gathering was completed in an abstract manner. This is due to the scale of the site being large. Moreover, the relationships created between the different elements was essential for designing a path which flows rather than the scale. The route across the site is arranged to be taken anticlockwise. The journey without stopping is approximately 1 hour long.

N at u r e ’ s C a l e n d a r

Phenology Wheel To promote connecting with nature it is necessary that the project recognises natural phenomenon related to the seasons. Research on the concept of phenology has inspired the path to change through the seasons. It cannot be expected that the availability of plants will stay the same all-year round. Therefore, access to different buildings/ areas of the site shall be controlled through junctions on the path. The plans to the right show what buildings are expected to accessible with each season. Yet, in action each building will be opened once an act of natural phenomenon occurs. For example, the fishing hut shall be opened once the first trout of the year has been recorded swimming in the river Towy, expected around early April. There is a selection of buildings which are accessible all year round, such as the market, auditorium and fire pits. This is because their use does not depend on nature, rather they are buildings for community gathering.

Seed Store 16

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter 0

250

1250

2500

Site Plan

Site P 0

Plan

500

Architectural Overview The buildings of Foragers Gathering have been treated as a series of interventions responding to specific needs of the site. A shared material palette creates a sense of unity. Yet, each piece of architecture seeks to use the materials to benefit its purpose; thus, exploring different construction methods to exhibit the versatility to a limited material palette. The forms of each building stem from regular geometric shapes. As the project is built by the community, using regular forms where suitable will make construction more time efficient. Also, the project aims to teach the community skills through building the project which can inspire their own builds in the future to expand the site.

Market

Tree Tower

Pier 20

See

A group of volunteers will work across the site. Beekeepers will care for the bee boles. Maintenance will trim hedges, look after the greenhouse and ensure everything is well kept. Foragers will collect goods to be traded in the market. Guides will teach visitors how to forage and about its importance.

ee Bole

Greenhouse

ire Pit

Fishing Hut

ed Store

Auditorium 21

The Carbon Store To combat the emissions from the food production industry, the landscaping of Foragers Gathering focuses on creating a carbon sink. The meadow, hedgerows and woodland allow for carbon sequestration with carbon from the atmosphere being stored in the vegetation after photosynthesis. This carbon is then passed into the soil through the roots of the plants. Hence, the site as a whole becomes a carbon store.

Carbon Sequestration

Carbon

Local Farms

Hemp

Local Woodland

Cereal Crops Trees

Hempcrete

Straw

Timber

Carbon Store Materials

In regard to materials, there is also a focus on storing carbon. Where possible, the materials will be limited to timber, straw and hempcrete. All three materials store carbon. Furthermore, to combat the issue of transport emissions materials will be sourced from local farms and woodland if possible. As it is a community project, the sizing of timber will be standard to what is found in local hardware suppliers. There is also an initiative to reuse materials members of the community have collected themselves.

Material Collage

T h e P at h

The path is what keeps the project connected. It controls the access to the site, guiding through the interventions to form an ideal foraging journey like a hedgerow guides someone walking along a road in the countryside. The design and landscaping around the path are inspired by the structure of the hedgerow (Hedgerow Section on p.g. 6). The path is raised onto stilts to remain practical in the event of flooding, assisted by the strategic ditch below. Banks either side raise the hedgerows, so they are accessible for foraging. The hedgerows create boundaries between the meadow and path. This ensures that visitors will not step off the path and disturb wildlife which resides in the meadow. Moreover, the hedgerow is helping the public to navigate the site. This keeps the hedgerow at the heart of the project so it can repair rural relationships.

Path Section 0

0.4

The Market

The market is the entrance into the site, the first building to greet visitors. The market also acts as the exit to the site, connecting the loop. It offers a space for the public to trade foraged goods. These can be collected from site by volunteers or by locals who have foraged elsewhere. It allows an opportunity for the public to be introduced to the different foods which can be foraged without them having to forage themselves. It is accepted that not everyone would take a couple of hours out of their day to walk around the site foraging. Nonetheless, it is important to encourage as many people as possible to switch to locally sourced groceries to begin a more sustainable life.

Market Plan 0

The market has been design started as a single stall. The purpose-built stalls allow for foraged goods to be displayed clearly for costumers to see. Shelves to the back offer additional display space or storage. The stall is also part of the structural system of the market; thus it is integrated fully into the design. There are a total of 40 stalls available in the market. Yet, there is a possibility for a vender to occupy two at once as they are grouped in pairs. The market is two halls separated by pathways and the meadow. The open-air design ensures that the market is connected to the landscape with the meadow growing up into the market halls. The market is also raised off the ground. This helps in the event of a flood as well as exposing soil to enable more carbon sequestration to occurs, consequently removing more carbon from the atmosphere.

Market Stall Module Axo

Market S 0

Market Interiori Perspective

Section

The Bee Boles

Bees are vital for foraging to occur. Pollinators are needed to allow plants to flower, fruit and seed. Therefore, a series of bee boles have been designed for the site. The location of the bee boles connects to the placement of greenhouses allowing the bees to pollinate the plants inside. The decision to design bee boles specifically derived from research into traditional Welsh beekeeping which showed that in Llandeilo bee boles were favoured, with some still standing today. Inside the alcoves of the bee boles are hives. The bees housed in these hives will be honeybees. In summer honey will be collected and sold in the market. Though many alcoves are offered in the bee boles, not all will be used at once. Rather, it allows more hives to be added to meet the demand for honey to be sold at the market. Access to the boles is controlled through a junction on the path. This restricts access to only be during summer.

Traditional Bee Bole in Llandeilo Eva Crane and Penelope Walker, ‘Letters to the Editor’, Folk Life: Journal of Ethnological Studies, 24.1, (1985), 121-123 (p. 122), in <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/ pdf/10.1179/flk.1985.24.1.121> [accessed 22 January 2021].

Bee Bole Plan 0

Bee Bole Section 0

0.5

2.5

Greenhouse Section 0

0.5

2.5

The Greenhouses

The greenhouses hold a curation of carefully selected native plants which are safe for consumption and cannot be grown in the meadow or the hedgerow. There are a total of 3 greenhouses on the path which accommodate for different types of vegetation; grasses, shrubs and mushrooms. If a particular greenhouse is popular, it can be expanded (see Appendix 5: Project Drawings). The design of the greenhouse was based on a single planter. The planter is inspired by the hedgerow, plants grow vertically allowing them to be in arms reach and at eye level. A drain is inserted in the top of the planter. Like the ditch in the structure of a hedgerow it is able to collect water and distribute it into the soil for the plants to use. Drains will also be connected to a rainwater tank to the rear so the greenhouse is self-sustaining. Another part of the planter design is that it stores a large amount of soil to increase carbon storage.

Planter Axonometric

Greenhouse Plan 0

T h e T r e e P at h

The tree path is a stretch of pathway separated from the main path. It traces the woodland and houses four tree towers. The purpose of the towers is to allow visitors to observe natural phenomenon. They also provide the opportunity to forage for flowers, fruits, leaves and nuts of the trees. The triangle plan of the towers establishes a relationship with multiple trees, which is preferred for foraging as more species of trees can be accessed. The towers are positioned at the North edge of the site and allow for the meadow to be observed as well as the woodland. The phenomenon observed by using the towers will be recorded and consequently used to determine when access can be granted to buildings or areas of the site. The tree path is closed in spring and summer to protect breeding wildlife which use the trees such as nesting birds.In the event that the tree towers are very popular for foraging, the path has the ability to be extended to include more towers increasing the number of trees reachable.

Tree Tower Plan 0

Tree Tower Section 1

The Meadow

The meadow is left untouched and unreachable for the most part. This allows for it to grow undisturbed so it can be a habitat for wildlife and carbon store. Floodplain meadows are an important natural landscape as they decrease damage caused by flooding. The plants allow for water to be absorbed into the soil at a quicker rate. A mix of plants with varying root lengths ensures that water is absorbed into the soil at different depths. Nevertheless, the meadow will be accessible at selected locations so it can be foraged. These areas are where desire paths previously existed on the site. To access the paths, steps have been located where desire paths cross the loop. At these locations, signs have been placed to educate the public on what is safe to forage and what is not. It is understood that the plants which grow in the meadow cannot be controlled, thus the public must receive guidance. Volunteers from the local community will also be available to guide visitors around the meadow to help forage.

Great Burnet

Meadow Sweet Nettle

Red Clover

Meadow Vetchling

Ribwort Plantain

Sweet Vernal Grass

Meadow Section 0.1

0.5

The Bee Hotels

Bee hotels will be placed in the meadow to support solitary pollinators. 90% of the UKs bee species are solitary and do not produce honey therefore would not live in the hives present in the bee boles. Thus, small bee hotels placed throughout the meadow will provide the much needed accommodation. In addition, it is a beneficial way of reusing waste materials from the construction of the project.

Type 1

Type 2

Bee Hotel Forms

Type 3

Type 4

The bee hotels shall be available in four different forms. The different constructions will encourage different species of bees and invertebrates. Some are able to be free stand whilst others can be attached to existing trees of posts within the landscape. Bee hotel kits will also be available for sale in the market, promoting preserving wildlife beyond the site boundaries.This will allow locals to start reconnecting with nature at their own homes

Bee Hotel Kit 1

The Fire Pits

The fire pits allow visitors to cook the goods which they have foraged whilst exploring Forager’s Gathering on site. Fire pits provide a space for the community to gather and share recipes alongside advice on foraging and opinions on the site, prompting community interactions. They also offer a space for rest whilst out foraging. Seating is built around the perimeter with the fire pit placed in the middle to create a comfortable and open space to socialise. The floor of the fire pit is made of hempcrete due to its resistance to fire, the pit itself is a black iron bowl. The facade is designed to be a log store, accessed from a path surrounding the structure. This prevents the need to carry fire wood around the site. The fire pits are located near water pumps, so water can be collected for cooking, as well as being close to the toilets.

Fire Pit Plan 0

The landscape surrounding the fire pit uses a ditch, acting like a moat. This ditch will collect water when the site floods, decreasing the water level which will lessen water damage experienced. As the fire pit stores firewood it is important that this does not come in contact with flood water, or it will be rendered unusable. In the case of a fire, the fire pit is distanced from the meadow through the inclusion of the ditch. This will help protect wildlife by preventing the likelihood of spreading to the meadow. The weathering of materials has been acknowledged. To avoid deterioration due to water, decisions have been made to apply waterproof coatings to external timber to increase the life span of the buildings. Not all timber will receive treatment as it will affect how much can be recycled at the end of the project’s life.

Weathering of Natural Spruce

Weathering of Treated Spruce

Fire Pit Section 0

0.5

2.5

The Fishing Huts

The fishing huts are small interventions along the river’s edge. They provide a secluded space for fishing or resting beside the river. The huts extend from the path into the river. They are built on stilts so it can be used no matter the water level. A small bench is situated to the rear of the hut, facing out towards to river. Two openings can be used to access to river: a large one at the front and a smaller one to the side. This gives the hut the capability to be used by more than one fisherman and at time. The fishing huts are detached from the main loop to offer privacy so the general public will not cause a disturbance. The design turns its back on the path and focuses on the river to create an ideal atmosphere for fishing.

Fishing Hut Plan 0

Fishing Hut Section 0

0.5

2.5

Pier Section 0

0.5

2.5

The Piers

The piers are resting locations on the site at the water’s edge. They are directly attached to the main path to promote engagement. Benches are provided for lounging, gathering and observing the surrounding environment. The pentagon plan allows for those sitting to face each other and talk or look across the river and meadow monitor wildlife. An outlook is created at the rear of the pier, this allows visitors to study a greater area of the river and the meadow. The views offered by the piers differs from those seen from the tree towers, providing a complete picture of the site between the two interventions. There is also an opportunity to forage water-based plants only accessible from the piers, however, this is limited to only winter when wildlife does not use occupy the riverbed.

Pier Plan 0

The Seed Store

The seed store archives the meadow. It stores seeds collected from the meadow plants, alongside other specimens, which can be analysed to determine the condition of the site and whether changes need to be made for the well-being of wildlife. Furthermore, it gives the National Trust the opportunity to use the seeds to start similar projects on future sites, increasing the impact of the project. The seed store is also available to the public who can pick from a slection of seed samples to start growing food at their own homes. This extends concepts of the site out into the local community. The seed store is raised off the ground to ensure that the samples are not damaged in the event of a flood. Samples are collected by volunteers and are then dried using the frame using sunlight. The seeds or dried plants are then stored in boxes which form the walls of the building.

Archive Plan 0

Archive Section 0

0.5

2.5

The Auditorium

The auditorium is created as space for education on the environment, climate change, foraging and the site. It will house talks on these topics as well as providing a space of discuss community matters and running the site. In addition, it acts as a meeting point for guides to collect groups to tour the site and teach about foraging. Beneath the auditorium is a small gathering space which can be used for resting or socialising. It sits visitors down into the meadow underneath the shade of the building above.

Auditorium Plan 0

Stone Henge Casa Rinconada Pantheon

Traditional Gathering Spaces The design for the auditorium is inspired by traditional gathering spaces, including Stone Henge, Casa Rinconada and primarily the Pantheon. The circular plans encourage social interactions in these precedents. Yet, the circular section of the Pantheon was a large influence due to its connection with sunlight which is associated with natural phenomenon. Thus, the form of the auditorium is a dome and windows are inspired by the oculus (see Appendix 6Auditorium Lighting Study for daylighting development). Due to restrictions in materials already set in place, it would not be possible to design with curved materials needing expensive engineering. The building takes form of a geodesic dome using triangles to create the circular plan and semi-circle section whilst using standard sized materials from the hardware store. Acoustics issues have been addressed using a diffusion wall created from waste timber from the project. Similar to the fire pit, the auditorium is surrounded by a ditch to decrease water levels when the site floods.

7.5 mm Smooth Spruce Cladding 50/50 mm C16 Battens (in 50 mm Cavity) 25 mm Chipboard 170 mm Straw Slab Insulation(between 50/170 mm C16 Studs) Vapour Barrier 25 mm Wood Wool Impact Insulation (between 25/25 mm Studs) C24 Diffusion Wall

18 mm Spruce Floorboard 25 mm Wood Wool Impact Insulation (between 25/25 mm Studs) 170 mm Straw Slab Insulation(between 72/170 mm C24 Joists) 25 mm Chipboard 50/50 mm C16 Battens (in 50 mm Cavity) 7.5 mm Smooth Spruce Cladding

Argon Gas Double Glazing

18 mm Plywood 70 mm x 45 mm C16 Timber

18 mm Plywood 25 mm Wood Wool Impact Insulation (between 25/25 mm Studs) 25 mm Chipboard 50/50 mm C16 Battens (in 50 mm Cavity) 7.5 mm Smooth Spruce Cladding

12/ 25 mm Pine Decking Board 70/45 mm Timber Hempcrete Foundation

4 5

Auditorium Detail Section 0

0.25

1.25

2.5

F o r a g e r ’ s G at h e r i n g Forager’s Gathering is a project which reconnects the public to nature by encouraging interactions through leisure activities and observation. It repairs rural relationships by supporting community gathering through community ownership. It also works to preserve Britain’s native wildlife as a result of reintroducing important, lost habitats which will be cared for and maintained. A collection of architectural interventions conscientiously have been designed to benefit the environment and educate the public on the importance of nature in our daily lives. The hedgerow is at the heart of the project, guiding visitors to a more conscious and sustainable life ahead. Forager’s Gathering hopes to inspire new projects across the UK to use waste land and turn it into a fruitful landscape for the public and wildlife to enjoy.

Project Analo

oguous Map