Sharing Ground Portfolio

Contents

Ground and Soil

Reading

Reading

Reading

Reading Case Study 1 Task 1

Reading

Water

Talk

Reading

Trees and Vegetations

Reading

Reading Site Visit Task 1 Task 2

Reading Architecture Sharing Space by Louise Wright

There’s an intricate relationship between the built environment and ground it stands upon. “Architecture Sharing Space” calls for a fundamental rethinking of how we design and interact with our built environments. By viewing buildings as part of the larger landscape and advocating for non-disruptive, integrative designs, Wright’s approach promotes a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between human activities and the natural world. Her ideas challenge us to reconsider the role of architecture in our lives and to embrace designs that are rooted in respect and coexistence with the earth.

Reading Up here from high is Nura [Country] by Daniele Hromek

Daniele Hromek explores the concept of “Nura” or “Country” from an Indigenous perspective, emphasising the deep, interconnected relationship between land, people, and culture. This piece reflects Hromek’s insights as an Aboriginal designer and academic, advocating for a profound respect and understanding of Indigenous knowledge in relation to the land. It calls for a shift from seeing land as a mere resource to recognising it as a living, integral part of cultural and spiritual identity. By respecting and integrating Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, we can develop more sustainable and meaningful ways to engage with the land, fostering a deeper sense of connection and stewardship.

Deborah Bird Rose’s insights call for a profound shift in how we interact with our environment. By seeing ourselves as part of a broader community that includes the land and all its inhabitants, we can begin to move towards a more respectful, sustainable, and harmonious existence. Respecting and nourishing the land involves recognizing its inherent value, understanding the intricate web of life it supports, and ensuring that our actions contribute positively to its health and vitality.

But how do we? We do not view the Country the same way Indigenous people view Country as. We understand that we exist and live on the ground but to “nourish the country” implies actively participating in its care and well-being. This means more than just physical maintenance; it involves understanding and respecting the cultural and spiritual connections that communities have with the land. So how do we shift our way thinking and seeing Country to better nurture and respect it?

The text emphasises the historical and contemporary significance of concrete in architecture and construction, citing its widespread use in various contexts from infrastructure to residential buildings. It underscores concrete’s durability, tracing its origins back to ancient civilizations like Rome. However, the text also highlights the environmental implications of concrete usage, particularly its lifecycle impacts and carbon footprint. It argues for a broader environmental perspective that takes into account the effects of raw material extraction and processing. In the context of Victoria, the authors advocates for a deeper examination of the environmental consequences of local concrete production, urging a reevaluation of traditional metrics that primarily focus on carbon emissions.

Refill and Soil Displacement

It highlights the significant reduction in soil permeability after the refilling process due to the disruption of natural soil structures.

How do we make sure we don’t oversimplify the refilling process in order to maintain soil structure? Would just classifying soil that has been excavated enough to reduce the environmental impact we cause from excavating and refilling? Wouldn’t the soil horizon have been mixed up and alter the stability of the soil?

Task 1 Building with open ground

A traditional Finnish sauna is a wooden room or structure that uses heated stones and water to create a hot and humid atmosphere. The absence of traditional flooring in structures like traditional saunas points to an even deeper connection with natural elements and sustainable practices.

The lack of traditional flooring in these structures speaks to a broader philosophy of minimising barriers between human-made environments and the natural world. This approach fosters sustainability, encourages the use of local and natural materials, enhances energy efficiency through thermal mass, and supports the health of ecosystems by allowing water and plant roots to interact with the soil directly.

Located in the Aveyron Department, the soil consists of an ancient high rocky plateau of great geological diversity. The limestone areas of southern France tend to be swept almost bare of soil by erosion; the soil then collects in valleys and hollows. The soils of the higher mountains are naturally stony and unfavourable. Limestone and chalk enrich soils with lime, which is generally favourable, but there is a marked north-south contrast.

Section Silty Loam

1:20

Silty loam is characterised by slightly acidic soil that is well drained. Being nearby a pond makes this soil loamy, high in clay and silt content while also supports the beech forest in the valley of southern France. The top horizon is silty loam and contains moderate nutrient content, suitable for diverse vegetations and accommodates a range of soil organisms. The rest of the subsoil horizon varies from silty loam to clay while being moderately webb drained and often have lower organic content. The calcerous rock beneath is the parent material derived from limestone bedrock.

Topsoil:

- Depth: Variable, typically around 20-30 cm

- Composition: Silty loam

- pH: Slightly acidic

- Texture: Loamy

- Characteristics:

- Well-drained

- Moderate nutrient content

- Suitable for beech forest growth

- Supports diverse vegetation

- Accommodates a range of soil organisms

- Colour: Typically dark brown to brown, indicating the presence of organic matter and mineral content.

- Density: Moderate density, providing good structural stability and water retention.

- Thickness: Variable, typically ranging from 20 to 30 centimeters (but can vary depending on specific environmental conditions), serving as the uppermost layer where most root activity and organic matter accumulation occur.

Subsoil:

- Depth: Variable, extending below the topsoil layer

- Composition: Silty loam with increased clay content

- Characteristics:

- Contains higher clay content (around 5-30%)

- Moderately well-drained

- Provides stability and support for plant roots

- Influences water movement and drainage

- Colour: Often lighter than the topsoil, ranging from light brown to yellowish-brown, reflecting lower organic matter content and mineral composition.

- Density: Moderate density similar to the topsoil, providing structural support and nutrient availability.- - Thickness: Variable, extending below the topsoil layer, typically composed of a mixture of silty and mineral-rich materials.

Parent Material (Calcareous Rock):

- Composition: Calcareous rock

- Characteristics:

- Derived from limestone bedrock

- Contains calcium carbonate

- Provides nutrients such as calcium

- Influences soil pH and alkalinity

- May contribute to well-drained characteristics

- Colour: Can vary widely depending on the parent material and mineral composition, often ranging from light gray to reddish-brown.

- Density: Moderate density similar to the topsoil and subsoil layers, influenced by the underlying geological formations.

- Thickness: Variable, extending further below the subsoil layer, composed of weathered parent material and bedrock.

Task 2 Le Sauna De Veillac

Although traditional saunas tend to be on the ground, most architecturally designed saunas prioritise the view and connection to landscape. Le Sauna De Veillac is a family sauna project that also aims to reduce its footprint on the site and minimise its impact on the ground on top of being in a picturesque landscape. Since its environment is sensitive, the sauna is built on light micro piles so that it does not impact the fragile structure of the sheet rock underneath.

The elevated design of Le Sauna De Veillac allows the natural environment beneath to continue thriving. Vegetation can grow in the shaded areas provided by the raised structure, and water can run off naturally into nearby bodies such as ponds. This not only supports local flora and fauna but also maintains the natural water cycle, which is crucial in areas prone to erosion and soil degradation.

Task 1 Building with open ground

House with Earthen Floor usually is prepared by having compacted aggregates with natural soil mixed with straw as the first layer then insulation (optional for hotter climate) sublayer of the rice husk and finishing layer of lime mixture is used last to seal the floor and give it a smooth appearance, oil can also be used to finish off and protect the floor.

The absence of manufactured flooring materials reduces the environmental footprint of building construction and maintains a natural aesthetic and connection to the earth. It embodies a holistic approach to sustainability, intertwining the health of the environment, and the ecological balance of the planet by fostering a direct connection with the earth beneath our feet.

Task 1 Building with open ground

House with Earthen Floor usually is prepared by having compacted aggregates with natural soil mixed with straw as the first layer. then insulation (optional for hotter climate) sublayer of the rice husk and finishing layer of lime mixture is used last to seal the floor and give it a smooth appearance, oil can also be used to finish off and protect the floor.

Earthen Floor in typical Japanese homes are called “doma”. It refers to the space between indoor and outdoor that is used as a workshop, kitchen or storage area. Due to the nature of the activities around doma (meaning ‘dirt place’), doma is made of compacted dirt that extends the size of the entrance way.

The absence of manufactured flooring materials reduces the environmental footprint of building construction and maintains a natural aesthetic and connection to the earth. It embodies a holistic approach to sustainability, intertwining the health of the environment, and the ecological balance of the planet by fostering a direct connection with the earth beneath our feet.

Task 1 Building with open ground

House with Earthen Floor usually is prepared by having compacted aggregates with natural soil mixed with straw as the first layer. then insulation (optional for hotter climate) sublayer of the rice husk and finishing layer of lime mixture is used last to seal the floor and give it a smooth appearance, oil can also be used to finish off and protect the floor.

Earthen Floor in typical Japanese homes are called “doma”. It refers to the space between indoor and outdoor that is used as a workshop, kitchen or storage area. Due to the nature of the activities around doma (meaning ‘dirt place’), doma is made of compacted dirt that extends the size of the entrance way.

Earthen floors are made from natural soil, often mixed with aggregates like straw and sometimes sealed with natural oils. The absence of manufactured flooring materials reduces the environmental footprint of building construction and maintains a natural aesthetic and connection to the earth. It embodies a holistic approach to sustainability, intertwining the health of the environment, and the ecological balance of the planet by fostering a direct connection with

Soil Profile Nagano Prefecture

In Japan, soils are categorised from northeast to southwest into a weak podzolic zone, a brown earth zone, and a red earth zone, with some regional variations. The northern Tohoku area of Honshu has brown forest soils, while Hokkaido’s northern tip features podzolic soils and the rest has acidic brown forest soils. Western Honshu is a transitional zone. Yellow-brown forest soils stretch along the Pacific coast from southern Tohoku to southern Kyushu, and red and yellow soils are found in the Ryukyu Islands, products of a historically warmer, more humid climate. Volcanic ash soils are common on uplands.

Kuroboku soils, rich in humus, are significant for agriculture and are found on terraces, hills, and gentle slopes throughout Japan. Considering the location of Nagano Prefecture and the evidence of the case study being on a hill, the most likely estimation for the soil profile here is Kuroboku soil also known as andosols.

Section Kurobuko (Andosol)

1:20 Forest Andosol is soil found in volcanic areas around Nagano Prefecture. They are locally known as Koruboku soil characterised by black coloured rich in hummus content found on terraces, hills and gentle slope. Developed under well drained conditions vand the horizon varies in colour typically brown to black and accumulates organic matter within the upper soil surface.

Topsoil:

- Depth: Variable, typically within the upper 50 cm from the soil surface

- Composition: High accumulation of organic matter

- Characteristics:

- Contains decomposed plant material

- Contributes to soil fertility and structure

- Colour: Typically dark brown to black, indicating high organic matter content.

- Density: Relatively low density due to the presence of decomposed organic matter. It tends to be loose and friable.

Subsoil:

- Depth: Variable

- Composition: Mineral soil with clay mineralogy dominated by allophane and imogolite

- Characteristics:

- Low bulk density

- High phosphate retention

- High organic matter content

- Presence of highly humidified humic acid

- Colour: The colour can vary depending on the specific subgroup and mineral content. It may range from dark reddish-brown to yellowish-brown, reflecting the presence of clay minerals and organic matter.

- Density: The density is generally low to moderate. While the presence of allophane and imogolite contributes to low bulk density, the presence of clay minerals can increase density compared to the organic horizon.

Parent Material (Volcanic Rock):

- Depth: Variable, extending below the subsoil

- Composition: Large fragments, with gradual changes in properties

- Characteristics:

- Continuation of clay mineralogy dominated by allophane and imogolite

- Gradual decrease in organic matter content

Task 2 House with Earthen Floor

1:20

Earthen floor in Japan functions as a space for ‘dirty’ activities as well as where the shoes are. It sits between the entrance and the private area, the passage connects the user and architecture directly with the outside and its culture and history, allowing the raised floor to b used as a private space.

Reading GROUNDED by Alisa Bryce

Reading GROUNDED by Alisa Bryce

Life

We are all utterly dependent on soil but we don’t take notice of it.

If where there is soil there is life, then soil supports all types of lives. But does soil also depend on us to continue to hold more life?

It seems other species engage with soils in such a non disastrous way and even create a more nutritious content in soil except us.

Where death and life meet

We die - we become soil - soil supports other lives inside it and above it - the lives that soil support also support other life forms. Soil holds the content to our livelihood. Is this the only way we are giving back to soil?

Talk

Water, modifications, typologies by Peter Breen

Built Form Mitigation in order to help the built environment from water modification

- harvest rain from the building and use some to passively water the landscape and maintain soil moisture

- take basement pump out (groundwater) and reintroduce it to previous surface

- if design impacts on a natural pathway try and compensate

- passive water like running it through a garden bed before it goes into the drainage (permeable pavement?)

- if everyone has a water tank storage - it reduces flood risk

Talk Water, modifications, typologies by Peter Breen

Built Form Mitigation in order to help the built environment from water modification

- harvest rain from the building and use some to passively water the landscape and maintain soil moisture

- take basement pump out (groundwater) and reintroduce it to previous surface

- if design impacts on a natural pathway try and compensate

- passive water like running it through a garden bed before it goes into the drainage (permeable pavement?)

- if everyone has a water tank storage - it reduces flood risk

Reading The Place for a Village by Gary Presland

The development of Melbourne required significant alterations to its natural waterways. Swamps were drained, streams were redirected, and wetlands were reclaimed for urban use. These changes had lasting impacts on the local ecosystem and the natural water flow. As Melbourne grew, industrial activities along the river contributed to pollution, affecting the quality of water and the health of the aquatic environment.

All of these changes impact not only the environment but also the way the Indigenous people had used the river before settlement. Recognising and respecting the cultural heritage associated with Melbourne’s waterways, particularly the deep connections of the Indigenous peoples to the Yarra River and surrounding landscapes, is crucial. This includes preserving sacred sites and promoting understanding of traditional land and water management practices in order to foster a sense of connection with the waterways.

Task 1 Buildings that flood

Case Floodproof House / Studio Peek Aconda Study

Floodproof House is located in Stinson Beach, California where it is susceptible to flooding from the ocean during high tides and storm surges. The Floodproof House addresses these challenges with a hybrid foundation utilising steel connection and thickened edge concrete slab designed to float in wet soil and withstand wave forces. Its prefabricated steel frame elevates the main living spaces above ground level, providing protection from floodwaters while the ground floor is dedicated to parking.

A key element of this house is its hydraulic door system. These doors open during floods, allowing water to pass through the structure rather than pressing against it. This not only reduces the pressure exerted by floodwaters but also converts the door panels into docks, facilitating boat access. By allowing water to flow freely around and through the structure, the Floodproof House acknowledges and accommodates the environmental realities of its location.

Task 2 Stinson Beach

Stinson Beach was formed through a combination of tectonic activity, coastal erosion, sediment deposition from rivers, and human efforts to preserve and maintain the area. However, after decades, the city of Stinson Beach is at extreme risk from flooding. Gradual sea-level rise due to climate change increases the baseline water level, making flooding events more frequent and severe in addition to the high rain fall, high tide and storm surges.

Task 2 Stinson Beach

Stinson Beach was formed through a combination of tectonic activity, coastal erosion, sediment deposition from rivers, and human efforts to preserve and maintain the area. However, after decades, the city of Stinson Beach is at extreme risk from flooding. Gradual sea-level rise due to climate change increases the baseline water level, making flooding events more frequent and severe in addition to the high rain fall, high tide and storm surges.

Section Stinson Beach

Reading The Hidden Life of Trees

Chapter 1: Friendships

It seems to insinuate that trees can only form a strong bond if it was undisturbed in a forest. Does this mean the trees in the city that receives human care cannot establish the same bond? Is it because they are reliant on the human that it loses its ability to survive?

This reliance on human intervention can make them more vulnerable to stresses when compared to their counterparts in natural environments, which develop robust ecosystems to protect and sustain themselves collectively.

Chapter 2: The Language of Trees

We know that trees communicate with each other in order to help one antoher survive which makes a lot sense when they are surviving in the wild as a forest. This also explains why in the images on the right, the trees that are alone or planted on the city sidewalk are attacked by other organisms because they are “weak”.

Reading Round the Tree Houses

The text and case studies underscore the need to move from symbolic gestures of having trees in their building towards meaningful actions that address the root causes of environmental degradation. By acknowledging and mitigating our broader impacts on ecosystems, we can foster a deeper and more genuine connection to nature. This involves rethinking how we develop land, using sustainable materials, and prioritising the conservation of all layers of the natural world, from the soil to the canopy.

It juxtapose how the “spidernethewood” project by R&Sie(n) approach their integration of trees rather than surrounding it with concrete and glass. The “architecture that ‘frames’ or ‘observes’ nature but ‘gives it no confidence.” perfectly describes the project, leaving the olive grove to grow naturally while observing it from the openings inside the mesh.

“this potential for structure, space and material depends on how one understands the forest, the tree and what lies latent within them.”

“trees may be able to dismantle our houses, but it is down to us to deconstruct the exploitative economic system on which they are built.”

the statement is a call to action for humanity to take responsibility for and transform the economic systems that harm both the environment and society, suggesting that while nature has its ways of reclaiming space, it is up to us to consciously change our approach to economics and living sustainably.

Reading Round the Tree Houses

The text and case studies underscore the need to move from symbolic gestures of having trees in their building towards meaningful actions that address the root causes of environmental degradation. By acknowledging and mitigating our broader impacts on ecosystems, we can foster a deeper and more genuine connection to nature. This involves rethinking how we develop land, using sustainable materials, and prioritising the conservation of all layers of the natural world, from the soil to the canopy.

It juxtapose how the “spidernethewood” project by R&Sie(n) approach their integration of trees rather than surrounding it with concrete and glass. The “architecture that ‘frames’ or ‘observes’ nature but ‘gives it no confidence.” perfectly describes the project, leaving the olive grove to grow naturally while observing it from the openings inside the mesh.

It’s interesting life finds every way to survive, even through tiny cracks.

Task

1 Buildings around/with trees

Case Spidernethewood / R&Sie(n) Study

The project’s vision is to blur the lines between the built environment and nature, making them indistinguishable from one another. This is achieved through a unique design where a labyrinthine structure of polypropylene mesh surrounds a central summer house. Over approximately five years, the surrounding trees are expected to grow and intertwine with the mesh, creating a dense, seamless blend between the habitat and the natural environment.

Inside the summer house, polyethylene plastic is used to mirror the exterior mesh design. These translucent walls give the impression of an unbroken continuation from outside to inside, evoking the feeling of wandering through a tunnel or camping amid the forest.

The choice of lightweight and flexible materials like polypropylene and polyethylene serves a dual purpose. Not only do they integrate the habitat with nature, but they also diminish any sense of permanence or ownership, reinforcing the idea of living in harmony with the natural world rather than dominating it. Observing the trees growing rather than interfering with them in any symbolic way is one way to integrate the habitat naturally with nature.

Task 1 Buildings around/with trees

Case Spidernethewood / R&Sie(n) Study

The project’s vision is to blur the lines between the built environment and nature, making them indistinguishable from one another. This is achieved through a unique design where a labyrinthine structure of polypropylene mesh surrounds a central summer house. Over approximately five years, the surrounding trees are expected to grow and intertwine with the mesh, creating a dense, seamless blend between the habitat and the natural environment.

Task 1 Buildings around/with trees

Case Olive Tree Study

In Nimes, France, the native olive groves thrive due to the region’s Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This climate is ideal for olive trees, which are well-adapted to withstand periods of drought and prefer a warm environment for optimal growth and fruit production.

Growing Conditions

Olive trees in Nimes flourish in calcareous soil, which is common in the region. This type of soil is generally well-draining, moderately fertile, and often has a slightly alkaline pH, conditions that are highly favourable for olive cultivation. The limestone-rich soil provides good drainage, which is crucial for olive trees as they are susceptible to root rot if waterlogged.

Winter Survival

During winter, olive trees in Nimes can survive because the region rarely experiences extremely cold temperatures. Olive trees are hardy enough to withstand occasional frosts, but prolonged freezing conditions can be damaging. Nimes’ winter temperatures typically do not drop too low, allowing the trees to enter a dormant state without severe stress. Additionally, olive trees have a natural resilience to cold, especially when they are mature and well-established.

Soil Characteristics in Nimes, France

Nimes is located in the Occitanie region of southern France, known for its Mediterranean climate, which is ideal for olive trees. The soil in this area has several qualities that make it suitable for olive groves:

1. Well-Drained Soil: The soil around Nimes tends to be well-drained, which is essential for olive trees. Poor drainage can lead to waterlogged roots and diseases.

2. Calcareous Content: The soil in Nimes often contains a significant amount of limestone. Calcareous (lime-rich) soils provide the alkalinity that olive trees prefer and contribute to the characteristic flavor of the olives produced in this region.

3. Sandy-Loam Texture: The mixture of sand and loam provides a balance of moisture retention and drainage, ensuring that the olive trees receive enough water without becoming waterlogged.

4. Mediterranean Climate: The hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters typical of the Mediterranean climate in Nimes are ideal for olive cultivation. This climate helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases and provides the long growing season olive trees require.

Task 2 Buildings around/with trees

1:20

Bibliography

Mauro Baracco, Louise Wright (eds.), Repair – Architecture actively engaging with the repair of the places it is part of, The Australian Institute of Architects and Actar Publisher, New York, USA, 2018

Mosè Ricci, Sara Favargiotti, Leaf Plan – Towards the Ecological Transition, Actar, New York and Barcelona, 2023

Deborah Bird Rose, Nourishing Terrains : Australian Aboriginal Views of Landscape and Wilderness, Canberra, ACT :Australian Heritage Commission, 1996

Linda Tegg, Wetland, at Perth Festival, 9 February-3 March 2024 in: https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2024/feb/22/perth-festival-carillon-city-shopping-centre-wetland

Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World, Greystone Books, 2015

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Stinson-Beach-study-area-direct-SLR-inundationand-SLR-driven-groundwater-emergence-and_fig2_290034455

https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/flood-map-stinson-beach

https://www.archdaily.com/1878/spidernethewood-rsien

https://lightslategray.wordpress.com/2009/10/25/francois-roche-on-spidernethewood/

https://www.we-find-wildness.com/2009/11/francois-roche-spidernethewood/

https://www.archdaily.com/1006807/le-sauna-de-veillac-atelier-ajo?ad_source=search&ad_ medium=projects_tab

https://www.interactiongreen.com/modern-machiya-architecture/

Graham McKay, Misfit Architecture 2014 https://misfitsarchitecture.com/2014/07/20/ kazuo-shinoharas-houses/

https://matcha-jp.com/en/1930