Our stories begins with a 'seed'
A Public Condenser, a place to nurture, learn and grow
Huang (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
H.J. Bultstra – Mentor (TU Delft - Public Building and Housing Design)
H.F. Eckardt – Mentor (TU Delft - Teachers of Practice / AE+T)
A.M.F. van Dam – Mentor (TU Delft - Public Building and Housing Design)
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Abstract
The design brief calls for a public condenser — a space that concentrates and amplifies public life. In this research, the public condenser is envisioned not merely as a place of gathering, but as a catalyst for lifelong learning, rooted in both social and ecological dimensions.
At its heart lies the concept of the “seed” — a symbolic and spatial starting point:
• Ecologically, the seed fosters biodiversity, creating a cradle where human and more-than-human lives intertwine.
• Socially, it bridges divides, nurturing kinship across generations and communities.
To realize this vision, the proposal introduces a multi-layered intervention: an urban-scale socio-ecological corridor, a public condenser, and a prototypical design.
Architecture as Catalyst: Interventions Across Scales (XS, S, M, L)
The project embraces multiplicity in design, with interventions at different scales that respond to the needs of diverse communities and ecosystems.
XS — Nesting and Non-Human Sanctuary
At the smallest scale, the design fosters human–nature interdependence by creating sanctuaries for non-human life. Ethical micro-farms — including guano, feather, worm, and insect farms — along with façade-integrated nests, enhance urban biodiversity. These interventions address overlooked ecosystems and promote coexistence within the built environment.
S — In-between Spaces for Reflection and Recovery
For individuals facing mental health challenges, architecture holds the power to heal or harm. This scale introduces small, quiet spaces designed for reflection, self-care, and mental well-being — not as isolating enclosures, but as supportive environments that foster recovery and personal growth.
M — Public Typologies for Education, Creativity, and Healing
At the mid-scale, the Public Condenser offers communal spaces that promote learning, creativity, and cultural exchange. Children participate in play-based education, guided by university student mentors through storytelling, art, and therapeutic activities. These intergenerational interactions nurture mental health, intellectual development, and social cohesion. Outdoor areas for sports and recreation further reconnect people with nature and with each other.
L — The Learning Field / Green Mile Garden
At the largest scale, the project envisions the Green Mile Garden — a continuous green corridor linking Ørestad Fælled, the University, and Sundholm. This urban thread fosters movement, interaction, and unity, bridging marginalized areas with the wider city. It weaves ecological and human elements into a shared landscape of connection, renewal, and resilience.