Master in Landscape Architecture (MLA)
Manchester School of Architecture
Atelier: Some Kind of Nature
Rucha Nalawade1. Research Question
2. Chiroptera species found in Manchester.
3. Chiroptera-Plan
4. Detail Plan
Sections 6. Planting Strategies 7. The Walkway
Selected work from Final Atelier Project
Project brief: Creating landscapes catering to chosen non-human species, i.e. Bats, in an urban environment to create a climate resilient and sustainable eco-system which would support other non-human habitats.
Project nominations
Best Regeneration and Sustainability Award
Best Planting Design and Technical Resolution
“How can areas, particularly in Manchester, be designed to effectively promote the conservation of Chiroptera species, considering the potential impact of urbanization, and what strategies can be implemented to protect bat habitats in these urban settings?”
Chiroptera species in Manchester
Proposed Woodlands
Proposed Wet Woodlands
Proposed Wetlands
Proposed Grasslands
River expansion area
Existing River
Urban zones inbetween habitat sites
Main Motorway
Proposed Tree Avenue
Identified main connector
Identified secondary connector
12 out of 17 bat species found in UK, are scattered around Greater Manchester. The territory is in south of Manchester city which includes suburban areas of Wythenshawe, Didsbury and Withington.
The main idea of the project was to create a connection using key stone sites in the given territory. Wythenshawe Park, Chorlton Water park and Manchester Cemetary were idenitfies as these sites with a north-south connecting corridor.
1. Woodland walk
2. Pollinator Gardens 3. Elevated Walkway
4. Weland Walk
Walkway detail model
Walkway detail model
The raised walkway through the park goes through different levels to experience and observe bats in their natural habitats. The shape of the bridge is inspired by the movement of bat wings to mimic the fluidity.
3d iterations of the walkway
Bat wing movements
Understanding habitats and foraging paths for bats was the main force behind planting strategies for the project.
Creating a rich and diverse habitat which would attract invertebrates, the main food source of bats, to the park.
Structural
C-S-R Triangle
Selection of plant species which would sustain in specific habitats was based on C-S-R triangle strategy by J.P. Grimes.
Section C-C' for Plan at C Column type C
perforated panel for Railing.
1 2 3 4 5
Cantilevered viewing platform overlooking Birch Forest.
steel hollow section of 3 mm thickness for railing, produced or recycled in accordance to EN 10025-5. Size:
Scale: 1:20 @ A0 Plan @ C
Project:
Fixing plate for
x
50 mm thick Cor-Ten steel hollow section of 3 mm thickness for railing, produced or recycled in accordance to EN 10025-5.
x 1270 mm (LxBxH)
of 3
Size: 50 mm x 50 mm x 1000 mm (LxBxH)
50 mm thick Cor-Ten steel hollow sections for railing. Sizes vary.
End-plate for fixing Metal Grating for Walkway.
Cor-Ten steel square section for base of pedestrian walkway, recycled in accordance to EN 10025-5. Thickness and size as per Structural consultant.
25 mm thick Cor-Ten steel Perforated panels for walkway of size 2000 mm x 1000mm, pattern size and slip resistant in accordance to BS 3049 Cor-Ten steel square section for base of pedestrian walkway, recycled in accordance to EN 10025-5. Thickness and size as per Structural consultant.
200 mm thick 'Branched' column custom made using recycled Cor-Ten steel I-sections in accordance to EN 10025-5. Size and thickness of individual members to be confirmed by Structural consultant.
Recycled wooden panel bench, custom-made.
5000mm x150 mm x 150mm I-section of recycled Cor-Ten steel (Readily available I-sections) in accordance to EN 10025-5. Size and thickness of individual members to be confirmed by Structural consultant.
Wooden Panels for seat:100mm thick sections made of Thermally treated Pine wood. The panels are fixed by steel screws with joints visible for easier replacement of wooden panel.
15 mm thick Recycled Square /box section of size 5000 mm x 150 mm x 150mm fixed to support mesh walkway panels. Size and thickness to be confirmed by Structural consultant.
6 Light-weight Planter box made of recycled wooden panel (discarded railway timber panels), fire-resistant in natural colour.
9 25 mm thick Recycled L-section of size 5000 mm x 200mm x 150mm fixed to support mesh walkway panels. Size and thickness to be confirmed by Structural consultant.
7 50 mm thick Cor-Ten steel hollow section of 3 mm thickness for railing, produced or recycled in accordance to EN 10025-5.
10 200 mm thick 'Branched' column custom made using recycled Cor-Ten steel I-sections in accordance to EN 10025-5. Size and thickness of individual members to be confirmed by Structural consultant.
Size: 50 mm x 50 mm x 1200 mm (LxBxH)
8 Handrail as per British standards Part K
11 Steel column embedded Concrete foundation/ footing as per Structural consultant.
9 Cor-Ten perforated sheet with customised design, CNC cut, buffed and finished edges. Size of one single panel: 2000 mm x 1000 mm (LxH) Thickness of sheet: 2mm
12 Steel base plate fixing with 50 mm bedding space and steel packing. Anchor bolts dia. 6mm or more. To be confirmed by Structural consultant.
13 Base layer of compacted gravel or rubble (rubble discarded from construction site). Size and thickness to be confirmed by the Structural consultant.
16
10 Cor-Ten steel metal mesh walkway panel, perforated hole size and slip resistant in accordance to BS 3049
Bark chip Mulch of 75mm depth around semi-mature tree.
Size: 10-40mm particle size; FSC certified and fire resistant in accordance with BS EN 4790:1997.
Existing Soil 17
11 Metal Tree grating panel to be fixed in the cut-out space as fall protection.
Drawing: P-03: Raised Walkway Wythenshawe Park
Dwg no:
12 25 mm thick Recycled L-section of size 5000 mm x 200mm x 150mm fixed to support mesh walkway panels. Size and thickness to be confirmed by Structural consultant.
13 25 mm thick Recycled Square /box section of size 5000 mm x 150 mm x 150mm fixed to support mesh walkway panels. Size and thickness to be confirmed by Structural consultant.
for Public Tower viewers.
Planter box of 2mm Cor-Ten steel sheet to be fixed for easy removal on the column with appropriate drainage.
Bark chip Mulch of 75mm depth around semi-mature tree. Size: 10-40mm particle size; FSC certified and fire resistant in accordance with BS EN 4790:1997.
9
8
steel hollow section of 3 mm thickness for railing, produced or recycled in accordance to EN 10025-5. Size: 50 mm x 50 mm x 1000 mm (LxBxH)
Cor-Ten steel square section for base of pedestrian walkway, recycled in accordance to EN 10025-5. Thickness and size as per Structural consultant.
200 mm thick 'Branched' column custom made using recycled Cor-Ten steel I-sections in accordance to
10025-5. Size and thickness of individual members to be confirmed by Structural consultant. Recycled wooden panel bench, custom-made. Wooden Panels for seat:100mm thick sections made of Thermally treated Pine wood. The panels are fixed by steel screws with joints visible for easier replacement of wooden panel.
6 replacement of wooden panel. Light-weight Planter box
10 Cor-Ten
email: rucha.j.nalawade@stu.mmu.ac.uk
linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ruchanalawade