ECO- LANDSCAPE: De Knip as a Biodiversity Instrument

Abstract

The Second life studio focuses on the value of existing building stocks in our built environment. Five office buildings with low monumental value that lost their relevance in time are chosen as case studies, the primary interest of the studio is to explore possibilities of such building stock and to extend building life by external and internal interventions. De Knip in Amsterdam Sloterdijk representing the office tower typology in the 1990s is the subject of this project, situated in the green wedge between two extensive ecological resources, the urban goal of the district is to become a stepping stone green connection, a livable neighborhood for both human and nature. Currently used as the government tax office, the future use of the building is open for discussion. The inherent characteristics of tower typologies, changing working culture and change of demographics of the area are challenges and potentials of the building. In parallel to the global phenomenon of office vacancy problem is the growing tension between urbanism and biodiversity and the prolonged disconnection between nature and human in built environment. This thesis reflects on the role of buildings in urban ecology, it proposes a systemic change in addressing nature inclusiveness in architecture. It shows a spectrum of possible influence on design when considering nature as a potential user. Topics regarding urban ecology in building design is rather new, the value of this study is to encourage discussion and imagination. the project aims to explore the meaning of design for biodiversity in two levels. Firstly, is to understand the limitations and opportunities of buildings in conservation performance which help to anticipate alternative strategies to achieve such conservation goal. Secondly is to understand the meaning of biodiversity design to human and to human- nature relationship. Human aspect is important human can be co- conspirator that facilitate radical changes. Both directions look into adding extra dimensions, either spatial or programmatic to animal conservation in building as a way to strengthen the power of architecture. In the end, research and vision is translated into various forms, including a design toolbox for future nature inclusive design in building, multi- scale nature inclusive design application in De Knip, replicable habitat facade prototypes, typology innovations concerning the challenge of nature management and human acknowledgement; and the advocate of an Ecological building database to foster urban ecology development. Concerning the constantly changing working culture and unpredictable public health crisis, the project also seeks to open discussion regarding social resilience in work space, It questions the boundary of publicness and public ownership of a building as a type of flexibility. Taking inspiration from current public building development, parklet typology and vertical urbanism, the project proposes a two-operation model dedicating half of the building to public domain free for access. what is the impact if architects only design a robust background rather than an articulated foreground for users? The thesis experiments a bottom up approach in building management, addressing the theme of co-fund, co-build, co-create, co-design for future design.