The reciprocal relationship between people (culture) and nature (ecology and environmental processes) grows in disbalance. The trend of urbanisation puts culture in a dominating position over nature. Additionally, people lose the connection to nature and their own biological rhythms through fast and digitalised environments. In the field of heritage architecture, we see that traditional practices prioritise the value of culture. The value of nature is often overlooked. Both have value to exist in a landscape. It is relevant to understand how to regenerate the reciprocal relationship between people and nature in heritage architecture.
This research aims to explore reimagining heritage architecture as a landscape. A space where culture, ecology, and environmental processes balance. It will explore this through an architectural intervention for a nature school at the Air Shelter Area at Airbase Soesterberg. The central question in this research is; How can adaptive reuse of heritage, reimagined as a landscape, transform the Air Shelter Area of Airbase Soesterberg into a nature school that restores a reciprocal relationship between culture, ecology, and environmental value?
To answer this question the research will use literature studies, case studies and a design-driven reflection. Literature and case studies provide relevant available knowledge to explore design scenarios within the contextual framework of the Air Shelter Area of Airbase Soesterberg. The research concludes with a design proposal for a nature school at the Air Shelter Area. The design reimagines the heritage as a landscape where future generations learn to slow down and experience environmental, biological and cultural processes. A landscape where nature is not suppressed by a human-centric philosophy but flourishes equally with culture. ... Read more