II
MAKE WAY
FOR NATURE.
The opening of those structures and, at with it, the opening up of our minds, should have a twofold purpose. In addition to being a symbol of rupture with the gone-by eras, it should allow the elements of nature to enter and conquer the heart of our spaces.
It is, therefore, necessary to understand
nature’s rhythms, the necessary conditions for her birth and how to establish a dialogue with them.
The artificiality that characterizes
post-industrial places could be counterbalanced or complemented with vegetation.
Counterbalanced when spaces are hostile, narrow, cold, dark and lifeless.
Complemented when the ingenuity behind such artificialities offer, as a result, peculiar shapes and proportions that, at least, highlight the uniqueness of our species and our previous needs.
It is said that nothing will ever please everyone.
However, vegetation and other natural elements are indeed
perceived by a big majority as being able to
improve the conditions of an environment.
Whoever rejects the presence of a tree or a flower probably has problems that
architecture cannot solve.
This is due to the capacity that natural elements have to shelter life and unite all the living creatures on this planet we dwell, including their
complex differences.
PS: In the case of urban contexts in which nature is absent or has been reduced to vegetation
planted in an orderly way, our architecture must be conceived as a plentiful reserve of natural life
in the heart of our urban spaces.
We should make the most of every opportunity whenever vegetation layers are concerned!
I. OPEN THE RUINS. MATERIALIZE THE RUPTURE.
III. A WILD, ALMOST DESTRUCTIVE NATURE.
IV. CREATE INNER LANDSCAPES.
V. PALIMPSEST. THE TESTIMONY OF SCARS.
VI. WHEN SCRAPYARDS BECOME OUR
QUARRIES AND LANDFILLS OUR FORESTS.
VII. THE LEAST SOPHISTICATED ASPECT OF THE SOLUTION.
VIII. HONOUR HER (HONOUR NATURE).
IX. BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE.
X. A STRUCTURE FOR HOMO LUDENS.
XI. TELL THE STORY.
XII. MAKE ARCHITECTURE AS (IF YOU WERE) NATURE.