Architecture is the branch of knowledge that shapes and structures places for human activities. It gives an answer to several and various issues, where solutions
embody designer’s creativity and intellect. Architectural quest doesn’t simply resolve itself nor in a stylish, nor a functional, nor an economic, nor a technological answer. A genuine architectural answer comes through making a patchwork of all those issues, where designer manages to blend and structure them together with sensibility.
Cross-border/international
Italy
Italy
Member State(s), Western Balkans and other countries: Italy
Lagoon of Orbetello, Italy
Mainly rural
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
No
No
As an individual in partnership with other persons
First name: Andrei Petrisor Last name: Sain Gender: Male Age: 30 Please attach a copy of your national ID/residence card:
By ticking this box, I certify that the information regarding my age is factually correct. : Yes Nationality: Romania If relevant, please select your other nationality: Romania Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: Bughea de Sus, Street Bundoiu, No. 749 Town: Campulung Muscel Postal code: 117027 Country: Romania Direct Tel:+40745220699 E-mail:andreisain@yahoo.com
The natural setting offered as site has generated a detailed study of the phenomena that take place in the Lagoon of Orbetello. At first glance, the theme is intended for humans, but the greatest attention must be paid to animals and the environment in which they live, so that they do not feel the presence of people.
The concept that generated the idea started from the study of flamingo birds and how they follow their cycle in nature. 3 important stages are identified: birth and evolution in the terrestrial environment, dissolution and search for food in the aquatic environment and flight and migration to new locations proper to life. This whole cycle of their life creates a balance with the environment. Through this concept we created connections between the stages of the bird life cycle and the 3 distinct observation points. In order to better outline this concept of cyclicity of natural life, we wanted to offer people the experience of a continuous, uninterrupted observation path.
Starting from these premises, we created a circular path, to which were added the 3 points of interest, which represent the 3 observation points, thus making a parallel with the 3 hypostases in the life cycle of birds. Through the winding and unexpected path, visitors have a different approach that experiences the way animals live in nature. On the other hand, visitors have a 360 degree view of the lagoon, both outside the ring and inside, where they can observe the animals more closely. The construction is more like a nest for animals, in an environment where they can take shelter, an element perceived as part of nature.
Landscape architecture
Architecture and nature
Wildlife environment
Context integration
Environment conservation
The wild context and living environment of the animals must be protected and perpetuated. Maybe due to an increased eco-friendly awareness or an excess of healthiness and security, the contemporary era has rediscovered the importance of wetlands. Now their remnants are being protected and their redevelopment and consolidation guaranteed. As a result, new words as “renaturation” or “environmental protection” have been created. Such terms are the expression of a new awareness of what today is referred to as “humid zones”, which we could bravely call “wetlands” again. In the wetland of Orbetello new hospitable places are blooming to host hundreds of species with no home or fleeing from human activities that left little room for more timid and fragile species. In this sense, the integration of human curiosity in the context plays an important role in educating and signaling how we can conserve the nature, flora and fauna of this wild environment.
Through an architecture integrated in the context, in which man is a simply curious, the sustainable model of architecture can be created along the way. This is maybe because the animal world is the most suggestive materialization of nature. It is sufficiently close to human beings to generate empathy but at the same time different enough to arouse astonishment. There is no child that did not love and fear animals. Likewise, there is no primitive civilization that did not deify them and made them the expression of human faults and virtues: the bad wolf, the smart fox, the gentle dove. Designing an architecture to deal with the animal world means taking inspiration from the most intimate and archetypical image. It means rediscover activities and emotions that the urban life has obfuscated and somehow made even more sublime and engaging. Climbing trees, scanning the horizon, enjoying the illusion of living in a primitive world or the adventure of a castaway will be some of the emotions that observation points will have to arouse.
The project is also an opportunity to develop and understand the relationship between contemporary architecture and landscape. Designing architectures to live up to one of the most important natural oases worldwide does not necessarily mean giving up the visibility of one’s project. It means recognizing the significant expressiveness of architecture when it is perfectly integrated in its context. New interventions shall enhance the beauty and fascination of the landscape of the oasis. Here, the relationship between architecture and nature shall generate even more suggestive and picturesque views. At the governmental level, an archetypal model of integration in the context can be created, generating simple, low-cost forms, using the resources of the place, to generate an image similar to the place.
Humans can benefit after the integration of these concepts in the context given by the perpetuation of species, especially those on the verge of extinction. It can contribute to the improvement of the living environment, both its own (since the animals will not cause damage to areas populated by people) and the animals that will find a balance and a protected ecosystem.
This concept can involve both local authorities that know the specificity of the place and want to preserve and promote specific values, but also international organizations that pursue the promotion of certain cultural or specific values. In this way, key concepts such as integration into nature, environmental protection, environmental conservation can become priorities.
This concept can involve architects, urban planners, landscapers who can think about design and plan an archetypal organizational model, as well as specialists in environmental protection, representatives of the natural sciences.
I believe that the innovative character of this project is the creation of simple volumes - which in turn generate an ecosystem specific to life and the place where they were thought. Far from being a detailed picture of the complexity of a unique area with an inestimable natural, historical and landscape value, the project meets the mainstream actions regarding context integration and nature conservation rules.
The generation of a volume from the ground that continues the ground plane represents a trend already used in the practice of architecture. It is an architectural process that integrates the tectonics of the place with the proposed construction, whatever the function.
Natural aspects play the main role to the end of the competition. However, the area of Orbetello and Maremma of Siena is also a highly interesting historical stratification. As in most parts of Italy, such history comprises renowned dominations and personalities. Specifically, the area of Orbetello was an important Etruscan center. Orbetello used to be its main seaport to reach northern colonies. The splendid pediment of the temple of Talamone is what remains of such period. This is one of the most important artifacts of that time and the biggest representation of “Seven against Thebes” coming from the ancient world.
WWF was firstly established to protect biodiversity and ecosystems supporting it. Over the years, it evolved and changed according to new awareness of environmental issues. As a result, it managed to both maintain its original mission and adopt a more holistic approach to environmental sustainability and an aware use of natural resources.
