Project Background

Mankind has lived in proximity with non-human species from time immemorial. This symbiotic relationship has been vital to our evolution and ability to thrive as a specie. However, as mankind progressed in the culture of aggregating within communities, the interaction with non-humans waned.

Non-human species quickly adapted, in spite of the hostile and unnatural habitat cities provided. But we cared less, as majority posed no direct threat to our existence. This however changed due to advancement in science, following waves of epidemics such as the black death, which made it known that certain non-human species were vectors, thereby widening the rift between us and nature.

Ironically, we use the term nature, to refer to non-humans, when we humans are indeed products of nature. And our entire existence depends on an entity we have ostracized. More like self-ostracization. Let’s just assume, we succeeded in creating a pristine environment, bereft of all non-humans. Would we be willing to take out the plethora of microorganisms in our gut, that help us digest food? Or the ones on our skin, protecting us?

As products of nature, mobility is an integral part the human experience. Therefore, the need for mobility solutions motivated the investment in techniques of mining, forming, and assembling a multitude of materials, driven by numerous energy sources, for the development of artifacts as basic as a wheel barrow, to highly complex machines such as interplanetary rockets. The most commonly used of all these artifacts, is the automobile, as it has being the last mile transportation, spanning a period of three centuries, beginning from the 19th Century till present.

The automobile has evolved from requiring complete human intervention or control during operation to a fully autonomous machine. This new capability eases the vehicle occupants from the responsibility of mobility. Thus, a mobile house or living space.

As earlier noted, we are nature and nature is us. Therefore this project seeks to explore the inclusion of vegetation in mobility systems. Taking inspiration from the symbiotic relations of plants and other living organism within the urban environment.

 

Initial Direction

The modern city is built around automotive mobility, hence roads take up a significant portion of space in urban environments. One of the downside of road constriction is that trees and other vegetations are required to give way. considering roads do not have the potential to accommodate plants on active surfaces, like buildings, my initial thought was to have vegetation integrated with vehicles’ exterior claddings. The idea for interior was explored by the Tata Design Team for the Tata Sierra concept car.

Sketches

This concept experiments with the possibility of a vehicle with vegetation, as part of its exterior cladding. The possible arrangement is to have to plants running across the roofline, with more at the rear inclination, stacked on terraced platforms. The sort of arrangement is inspired by the terraced farming on mountainous regions in Asia.

 

Direction Review

The project direction was changed due to considerations of the seasonal effects on plants in the outdoors. The images below were taken at different times in the project, showing the transformation of the Klatercentret’s facade. On that basis, a decision was made to consider an interior solution. as it enables better control of the climatic conditions, thereby creating a thriving space for the plants all year round.

 

Greenhouse Design Inspiration – Climate control & exoskeletal frame

The greenhouse has the capacity of protecting plants plants from unfavorable weather, seasonal, or climatic conditions, while providing access to an ample supply of natural light. A prominent component of the greenhouse is its distinct architecture comprised predominantly of exoskeletal frames held together with linkages. The frames fold the glass panels in place. This setup, allows ample light to access the interior controlled environment. Giving the opportunity for maintaining any climatic condition of choice. A visit to the tropical section at the Bergianska greenhouse, in Stockholm Sweden, transported me back to Nigeria, my home country.

 

Concept Sketching – Interior

The interior comprises of four seats, in the combination of two and two teaching each other. This provides a large uncluttered common leg room space that could be utilized as a play area for non-humans.

 

 

Concept Sketching – Exterior

This concepts explores the use of exoskeletal structures, similar to the greenhouse, with large glass panels to allow ample lighting into the interior.

 

Renders