“I ask: why can not we design a building like a tree? A building that makes oxygen, fixes nitrogen, insulates carbon, distills water, strengthens soil, uses solar energy, produces food, creates microclimates, changes colors with the seasons? This means using nature as a role model and a mentor, not a disadvantage”
McDonough, Broungart, 1998
This thought embodies the idea behind the the design of Ecotone by the French architecture studio. Ecotone is designed to be the largest timber construction in Europe, situated at the Coteau site, in Arcueil, south of Paris, along the A6 motorway. The project intends to combine natural elements within the cityscape and seamlessly marry nature and the city. The term ‘ecotone’ symbolizes a transition zone between two ecosystems which the construction is meant to embody.
The structure consists of two hills that combine timber and trees growing on top. The building takes the shape of a big staircase with many terraces which let natural light into the working and social spaces. The interior functions as a multi-use space consisting of offices, a hotel, restaurants, shops and a sports hall. A lot of greenery is incorporated into the design making the structure look like hills, almost a part of the natural environment.
This connection between the city and nature is clearly visible in all of Duncan Lewis’ projects. Ecotone is meant to bring attention to the topic of the future sustainable city, showing that Paris is committed to green development “at the time of the global ecological crisis”.
Dutch design collective Droog has shaped contemporary design practices through their modern, minimalistic and innovative products. In recent years, they've expanded their scope, now spearheading urban-related projects. What is co-founder Renny's take on the drastic changes we witness in our cities?
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo garnered international praise when she launched her plan for the 15-Minute City. In her wake, similar but different concepts sprang up around the world — from 1-Minute Cities to 1,000-Minute Cities. We discuss a few of them.
We spoke to musician, biologist and plant enthusiast Karel Hendriks while taking a stroll around the local neighbourhood in Amsterdam North to investigate some of the city’s urban wastelands, rethinking how we could look at weeds in the city.