Nature & Construction
"Its principles are founded on simple nature, and nature’s process clearly indicates its rules.” by Marc-Antoine Laugier
What is Nature in architecture? Nature generally is an important part of context in traditional architecture.Architecture responds to local conditions such as climate, geology and seismic conditions. Local building materials and their properties are key in the technical design.
Architecture has become independent from its natural context since early twentieth century. With becoming an independent art, architecture found references in its own realm. The design does no longer primarily reflect the natural conditions it is dealing with. The materials used do not necessarily indicate the geographical location of the project. The context of the design does no longer include the natural context. The context is based on references in architecture itself.
Nowadays ,city are getting bigger and the nature is starting leaving us. In my view ,the importance role of nature today is how to integrate the nature with the architecture and find out a balance between nature and building . Architecture today should be more close to nature but not banned the nature,because humans seeking nature is the start of architecture.
The Tartu Nature House
The Tartu Nature House is a symbiosis between a zoo, botanical garden and school inspired by tree stump.
The building is situated on a site which has a strong natural character with its steep hillsides and gentle slopes that curve around the building. The central atrium is the heart of Y-shaped plan and its wings are directed towards the exterior environment. The Tartu Nature House is a result of an Open Architecture Competition held in 2010.
The house is structured into different functional zones. The study wings with workshops, classrooms, laboratories, kitchen and a library are directed to west and north. The south- oriented two- story high greenhouse wing with a rising floor accommodates birds, animals and proliferating flora and is related to the outdoor activities and courtyard areas.
The courtyard areas, set between the wings of the building, are designed for outdoor activities (outdoor lectures, concerts, planting, woodwork) and work in symbiosis with the interior. Park area study paths, viewing platform and plantation zones create growth rings around the building.
The Y- shape building is combined by simple cube- like forms, archetypical steep gable roofs and a dense row of upright windows. Finishing materials are natural in tone and nature. Various treatments and surfaces of wood is used on the facades continuing inside on walls, floors, furniture and detailing. The seamed metal gable roof is typical to the historical Karlova district.
Although the building is designed for children and used very enthusiastically, it is quite remarkable how densely the park area is used by the inhabitants of the city. The absolute favorite attraction in the park is the beaver nest. The various plant types give a real educational impact.
The building is constructed with masonry blocks, reinforced concrete and, glue- laminated timber and cross laminated timber. All constructional decisions are influenced by the Clients wish to incorporate as much natural materials into the design as possible. The greenhouse glue- laminated timber columns and beams are exposed, just as well as the reinforced concrete elements are exhibited in the interior.
To analyze the buildings energy efficiency, Tallinn Technical University conducted an energy simulation. According to the analysis of the simulation less window space was incorporated to the design, thermal conductivity of the windows was improved, demand- based ventilation systems were designed and solar panels were placed. The Y- shaped buildings greenhouse wing has the most glass surface and therefore is directed to the south, the study wing directed to the north has less window space.
From case study , we can see that the architect actually design based on the nature , we can see that the building is actually successful blend into the nature , the material he chosen with using the natural material to design as possible , and even he design a solar panel to absorb solar as energy , from this design we can see that the architect give how much intention in the project .
In my opinion , nature is a design metaphor and a set of physical factors to emulate. In today architect , lots of architect using metaphor of nature as design concept , a very good example which is zaha hadid design , her design mostly organic shape .In her project Beijing National Stadium which is inspiration from bird nest , from this project , Zaha has did success job of integrating the building between the nature . Another is the physical factor of nature , I think most of the architect should give more affect in this kind of development .Human are start from nature , so the very first shelter of human which is in nature , so i think we should keep more connection with nature but not avoid , to have a connect nature and building ,that's easy but a tough project .
Another example is from seksan project, Sekeping Serendah ,its a very good example of blending building to nature .
