DAMAGED EARTH

The project explores bio-regeneration as a tool for future urban development using natural systems for the creation of renewable energy, food, and bio materials while mitigating against the effects of climate change.

Climate change is the fundamental design problem of our time. The threat climate change poses are existential, and buildings are hugely complicit. Buildings consume 40 percent of energy in the UK, and account for nearly 1/2 of annual global GHG emissions. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the chief agent of climate change, making buildings—and by association, the architecture profession—profoundly responsible. As architects we are faced with a choice: we can remake our buildings, or, carry on business as usual and live with the consequences. What are the consequences? Wetter winters, rising sea levels, extreme flooding, heat waves and droughts to name a few. 

Damaged earth is designed to mitigate climate change by using natural air purifiers, renewable energy resources and sustainable food solutions. The 3 main facilities include algae based research centres into both facade systems to create bio fuels, as well as kelp farms for nutritional experimentation. Damaged earth will also have the facilities to research into innovative Bio-materials which the architecture itself will practise by providing the specific growth conditions for vegetation on its various facing façades. Several laboratories will also cater to the needs of expert scientists that will work, teach and discover technologies to battle global warming.