taeliablack

"The poetry of the Earth is never dead."   The sensual imagery of John Keats is an apt descriptor for the natural beauty which still manages to cling to existence.  On the current path, his masterpiece's adulation of the natural realm will become a relic of a past age, when the wildness of the planet was still remembered; a romantic vision of a time when humans were enthusiastically in love with nature and its spiritual dimensions.
    Architecture is one and the same as the trees in the forests of the world, in that each possesses the spirit of existence, providing shelter for many creatures; creating spaces to be inhabited.  Through architecture, a reflection of the natural realm is possible.  Architecture has the unique ability to do this, as well as enhance the place in which it resides.  It is able to celebrate place by being intimately woven into the fabric of its environment through careful consideration of construction materials and detailing, as if the spirit of the forest was manifesting itself through the long passage of time.  Designing with nature is not anything new.  Every single product, construction material, or building manufactured and built, even those resultant of capitalistic consumerism, are of the Earth.  However, a disconnect often exists between the final product and its connection to the environment.  Designing with a clear vision of how architecture relates to its environment is crucial in creating a building that is responsive and responsible.  Energy use, materials use, and land use, are all issues addressed by architecture which directly connect to nature.  These issues cannot be ignored in the design of a building.  Embracing these issues and being attentive to the finite resources the world has to offer, fully understanding the biosphere they exist in, and examining the complex relationships between man, nature, and Earth, architecture has the potential to leave as little impact as possible, and can even begin to give back to the environment.  Architecture is not the iconic box on the landscape, but a series of spaces within nature, celebrating it, reflecting it, and providing basic needs to its inhabitants without destroying the spaces in which it resides.
    'Conservation' is an oft preached headline, receiving much attention in the current 'green movement'.  Unfortunately, when it comes down to the individual's responsibilities, the tune of stewardship is often forgotten.  Irresponsibility, largely as a result of ignorance, can be seen every day.  The result of the irresponsibility—the use of fossil fuels, the fires of industry, and the waste produced by those sources, all have far-reaching effects on the environment.  Granted, these issues are entirely too large to be dealt with in a single blow.  It will take time and a concerted effort to bring about change, and anyone claiming they have the end-all answer is simply deluded.  However, small, concentrated efforts to induce change can have a domino effect, and are often the most effective.
    One of the first steps, and easiest solutions, is to offer awareness to the public about the issues the world is facing.  Ignorance is the greatest threat to our planet's vitality.  Information can be disseminated in a variety of ways; it can be through word of mouth, in written form, even in advertisements on the television.  Any way that the public can be informed is better than none.  Even better, is the utilization of places that the public already visits on a regular basis.  Places that the public enjoys merely for its existence and natural beauty.  National, state, local—parks of every type are celebrated by almost everyone as islands of relaxation; spiritual fountains of youth that keep men and women alike invigorated by the green splendor of the natural realm.  For many, hiking offers greater spiritual communication than an hour in church.  The pure wildness of certain places captures the mind and spirit of many.  It is a tonic for the soul.
    It is therefore a deep regrettable shame that these places are quickly being gobbled up by the greedy industries that merely desire to use the land for profit.  To rape it, and squeeze out every last drop of value.  Thankfully, many places of natural significance are being conserved by those who have the power to do so.  Many states have departments of natural resources and conservation, which strive to protect the integrity of the land.  This can be achieved in many ways.  As architects and designers we have the responsibility of making sure our creations do not harm the environment in which they are placed.
    A new, ambitious movement, called the Living Building Challenge , is perhaps the most responsible approach to designing a building.  It involves strategies to reduce carbon emissions and reduce dependence on fossil fuel, as well as actively assessing every component in a building to ensure that it is actively sustainable.  The LBC involves the building creating enough energy to feed its own electrical usage, utilizing natural ventilation as much as possible, using local materials with as low embodied energy as possible, and following green construction guidelines, to minimize waste and preserve the site.  One component of the LBC is 'Net Zero'.  Net Zero essentially means that the building does not consume any more energy than it can produce.  Precise data collection and analysis will allow for the prediction of the efficacy of a design.
    In order for people to be educated, they need to visit a site.  Local ecotourism is an excellent way to provide the public with both the wildness of nature and the educational information pertaining to the local environment.   Sustainable and responsible development at a small-scale is an effective strategy for both utilizing the land to the extent that allows for the enjoyment of the area by the public, and to create capital that can be directly input back into conservation and educational efforts.  The ability to serve as economic generators to the communities that surround state parks has been proven, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.   It also allows for the retention of the unique Pennsylvanian character of the region's landscape.
    An excellent example of conservation is the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).  The DCNR oversees hundreds of thousands of acres of Pennsylvania land available for public enjoyment.  
    Pennsylvania has abundant and beautiful natural resources and wildlife.  These resources are cornucopias of educational opportunity and aesthetic enjoyment.  A love of being outdoors is a part of almost every inhabitant of Pennsylvania, with many pursuing sport hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities such as hiking, running, and bicycling. Unfortunately, there are many environmental issues in the area that the public is unaware of.  This creates the opportunity for education and awareness to promote stewardship of the natural resources of the area.  One of the most popular state parks of Northeast Pennsylvania is Rickett's Glen State Park.  This park is approximately 10,000 acres and has game lands as well as a 250 acre Lake.   Some of the environmental issues that area has faced include:
• a near extinction of white-tailed deer in the area,
• acid rain affecting the pH of Lake Jean,
• recreational overuse,
• inappropriate development, and,
• overgrazing by deer.  
    Other conservation issues include tree pests and diseases which threaten much of the forest.  One of the greatest ecological disasters of our current time also occurred here.  A fungal blight in 1904 killed off almost all of the Chestnut trees in Pennsylvania within several decades.   This was caused by unregulated trade of plants from other countries.  The education of the public—locals and visitors alike, will bring awareness and foster stewardship of their own local environment, wherever that may be.
    A wildlife and nature educational/research center on Lake Jean, Ricketts Glen State Park, Pennsylvania is a natural response to this problem.  The public needs to be educated on how to be a good steward to the environment, especially when visiting and hunting on delicate environmental areas.  In addition to this, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation of Natural Resources has several environmental specialists who give guided tours of the park during the summer.   Because this park has so much to offer, being a national landmark, possessing the largest tract of old-growth forest in Pennsylvania, as well as being a local destination for decades , an expanded educational program would benefit both the park and it's visitors.  The project would be jointly funded by the state and a private party.
    Beyond actively addressing conservation issues, a park that is as beautiful and diverse as Ricketts Glen should be shared by any and all individuals who wish to spend time in the park.  Responsible small scale development of this site would allow for year-round recreational opportunities, and have a positive fiscal impact for the surrounding areas from ecotourism.  Areas of Northeast Pennsylvania are already small-scale tourist destinations  
    The project will also explore the use of timber framing as both an environmentally friendly construction type as well as an aesthetically pleasing treatment.  The trees removed from the site will be used in the construction of the building, as if the dust and the debris of the forest had accumulated naturally over millennia, becoming a manifestation of the spirit of the forest.  Timber framing has many benefits which are examined in Chapter Two.
Other aspects to be explored include the educational center as a building type, the ecology and history of Rickett's Glen, state park law, designing with nature, and demographics of individuals who visit the park.
    Through responsible development and precise detailing, a fully responsive net zero building will emerge, both receding into the woods, and celebrating them, leaving nature to take the center stage.  This building will provide the public with knowledge, the number one weapon against ignorance.