Level V (Landscape Architecture) Project in 2017
by Nipun Hettiarachchi
University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
A Moving story “National Geo-Monument Park” at Alagalla Mountain Range in Sri Lanka, is a landscape architectural project with a whole new concept of appreciating nature in form of natural state. Making an awareness of the nature and its processes through sequence of spaces to the people and to blend the nature and human instinct.
The UNESCO Geo-park concept has created the base for this project formulation that the Protecting and conservation the heritage of the earth crust, which considering “Geo-Heritage” are more valuable and sustainable approach to the 21st century’s concept of Nature as Habitat.
The concept is to not only to giving an awareness on nature and its processes, but to working with local communities and give them the opportunity to develop cohesive partnerships with the promoting the area’s significant geological processes, features, periods of time, historical themes linked to geology are established through a bottom-up process.
Through “A Moving Story”
The genetic attachment between man and the environment is basically called as “Biophilia”, which giving an idea that human beings are always attached with the nature as its follower or its challenger. Both ends are ending with nature and complex natural systems.
This attachment is adaptive connection to the behavior of human. Interpreting different kind of objects and things as its form is a materializing nature, making the nature and its forces more tangible.
Defining Geo-forms are one of them, which is simple example by size or by shape. This is taking a long journey along the natural and social history through the time. Taking its advantage, this project is based on the, not any other than alien subject, but hidden connection to the nature.
Also creating new avenue of sustainable design by using natural setting of geo-forms to stretch an opportunity for the people to make unique definitions for the geo forms with an awareness along with value earth surface, evolution and history. Which is more supportive tactic to Inhabiting Nature.
National Geo-Monument Park is specifically dedicated to the conservation and protection of geological importance as a geo-heritage, managed with a holistic approach of protection, education and sustainable development in combination with all other aspects of the natural and cultural heritage of the area.
Development Vision
The project uses areas geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, such as using Earth’s resources sustainable, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing the impact of natural disasters.
By raising awareness of the importance of the area’s geological heritage in history and society today, giving local people a sense of pride in their region and strengthen their identification with the area.
The creation of innovative new jobs and training courses generated through geo-tourism, while the geological resources of the area are protected and conserved.
Typology of Landscape: Educational & Conservation, Recreation, Research
Project Objectives
- Develop a Geo – Heritage Site
- Managed geo – tourism for the country’s economy
- Enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society by use of the earth surface
- Raising awareness of mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing the impact of natural disasters
- Raising awareness of the importance of the area’s geological heritage
- Location: Alagalla mountain range, Poththapitiya, Kandy, Sri Lanka (7°17’50.9″N 80°28’10.5″E)
- Client: Geological surveys and mines Bureau /Sri Lanka tourist board
- Investor: Sri Lanka Board of Investors/ Aiding UNESCO, Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
- User: Local and Foreign Tourists, University Students, Researchers, Academics and General Public
Concept
Earth has been moving from the beginning of its birth. The evaluation time frame made the earth more heterogeneous.
The processes of earth have modified the surface while making ultimate landscapes. Mountains, Valleys, Plains, faults, with more surprisingly Geomorphology. With time those were become features.
Geomorphology is more remarkable to human beings who named and defined those. The shape and scale always appeared as kind of an image. Used to name and get know. The movement of the earth also effects on the definitions made by people, though earth is moving and the definitions moving too.
A moving story concept emerged with the ideology of introducing exploratory Geo forms to the users to make unique definitions and to be updated with moving earth while taking a form with feature into form with features and functions.
Design Approach – Process of Design
Based on the conceptual idea of moving earth flow, an opportunity for the people to make unique definitions for the Geo forms with an awareness along the story.
A form of the design will take major part of realization the concept and idea of giving awareness. Contours inspired form followed to achieve the goal.
01. Pattern
Existing Geo-form is making a unique pattern for each and every detail of the surface. The line that connects points with same heights called Contours.
02. Highlight
Contour lines making a rhythmic flow towards up and down making upliftment and downfalls. While making heterogeneous geo-surface with rich diversity of shapes and forms.
03. Flow
While making uneven surface the lines makes direction difference to each other without crossing one on another.
04. Contrast
Flows along the opposite forms will add contrast in to the design communication with the user.
