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The Nest Garden

Spring. 2022

Florence. Italy

Groundscapes

The Bird Sanctuary facilitates a reclamation of the marshland typology in order to emphasize the ecology of the Maremma area and provide refuge for the various bird species whose environments have been threatened since the start of Bonifica Integrale. The visitor is encouraged to reflect on this soft landscape by wandering the site within a conglomeration of design platforms and vegetation.

DESIGN PROCESS

1

FIGURE GROUND DRAWING

Key traits and attributes are identified from the figure ground drawing to serve as formal catalysts in the project

Rotation 
Extrusion
Excavation
Zoning

2

PHYSICAL MODELLING

The key traits above are used as an "instruction manual" for the physical model. 

New key traits are developed from the model to inform the formal design strategy and ground manipulation of the project site.

Rotation
Dragging
Pattern
Overspill
Void
Extrusion

3

3D PHOTOGRAMMETRY SCANNING

Lidar technology allowed for nuanced perception of the ground in 3-dimensional spaces, plans, and sections.

Site Translation

A porous tufa pattern is used through the site at three scales to encourage movement of humans and animals in different moments. Solid tufa platforms welcome people to move across freely, whereas patterned tufa proposed more care and conscious behavior. This pattern increases in scale and becomes even more distorted as it gets closer to potential habitats, and as it extends onto the walls of observatories, which are intended to invite bird occupation. Certain Voids will naturally fill up with flooding water from the river to create ecosystems that flourish throughout different times of the year. 

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