Living Archive

Abstract

This graduation project explores the often-overlooked ecological damage caused by large man-made landscapes. It focuses on creating architecture that critiques, analyzes, and suggests new norms for evolving environments and ecologies. The project blends scientific knowledge with architectural design, using data from environmental science disciplines to make the space an educational tool.
Living Archive aims to break the isolation of Barro Colorado Island. It is an extended space, accessible to more visitors, enhancing the knowledge of a local unique ecology. It introduces a third mediating scale that addresses both small (micro) and large (macro) environmental aspects. The design features spaces that reveal ecological conditions and promote direct sensory experiences.
Inspired by scientific methods and Donna Haraway’s "Situated Knowledge," the project uses architecture as a tool to study Gatun Lake and Barro Colorado Island. Through various experiments and iterations, the project developed into a response driven by curiosity and site-specific needs.
The final structure, a "living archive," marks the space with unique floral features in each room and enhances natural processes like rainwater collection and sun path movement. It includes a series of rooms accessible by boats, creating a new connection between scientists and local inhabitants. This shared space fosters dialogue and a deeper understanding of the environment.
In summary, this project offers a new architectural approach to addressing ecological trauma, integrating scientific collaboration, and creating a dynamic and inclusive environment.