Botanic Revive
Location: Cattedown Plymouth
Year: 2024
Client: Plymouth University
Botanic Revive: The Phyto Park
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Initial Inquiry and Contextual Analysis: The project's inception focused on addressing the impact of anticipated sea level rise by 2054. Early analyses revealed concerns about land-based pollution and its potential to enter the sea as sea levels rise. This led to a deeper investigation into urban pollution management strategies.
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Site Selection and Natural Depollution Strategy: The chosen site, with its industrial legacy, was identified as a key area where pollutants could adversely affect marine environments if unaddressed. Emphasizing natural depollution methods, the project explored Phytoremediation—using plants to detoxify soil and water—as an innovative approach within the urban context.
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Community Engagement and Site Transformation: Engaging with local primary school children, aged 6-7, highlighted a stark contrast between their proximity to the sea and their lack of access to it. This insight galvanized the vision to transform the site into a vibrant community space, reintroducing public engagement with the sea and revitalizing an area that had been neglected for over 150 years.
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Integration of Phytoremediation and Green Space: The project is designed to combine pollution mitigation with the creation of green space and enhanced community access to the sea. Phytoremediation will be at the core of the site's ecological strategy, providing both environmental cleanup and recreational benefits.
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Innovative Structural Approach: Utilizing an evolved version of the Segal method, the project will incorporate structures that embody Assembly-Adaptability-Disassembly-Reuse principles. This approach allows for modular construction that supports the Phytoremediation process, with structures adaptable to changing needs, dismantled when no longer required, and repurposed for future remediation efforts.
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Long-Term Vision: Upon completion of the Phytoremediation process, the site will transition into a community asset, seamlessly connecting residents to both green spaces and the sea. This transformation will restore the area’s historical connection to the waterfront while fostering ongoing community engagement and environmental stewardship.
OPERATIONAL SITE LOCATION STRATEGY From the strategic planning stage, a vision of integrating recreation and interaction with water emerged, transforming a formerly industrial space into an urban oasis. This playful approach was rooted in the project's initial context and evolved through ongoing site analysis and functional considerations. The design aimed to blend urban revitalization with natural elements, creating a harmonious and engaging environment.
THE PHYTO PARK The Botanic Revive initiative is a community-led project focused on phytoremediation, combining environmental restoration with active community involvement. At its core is the Phyto Hub, which educates and empowers the community while providing space for gatherings, workshops, and collaboration. The Grow House nurtures plants essential to the remediation process, while the Phyto Laboratory conducts soil and water testing to optimize strategies. Educational Pavilions and the Sound Gateway offer interactive experiences, highlighting the impact of plants and the ocean. A Small Scale Biomass Production Facility supports a circular economy by converting biomass into bioenergy. Botanic Revive fosters environmental awareness, community collaboration, and green innovation.
BOTONIC REVIVE: THE PHYTO HUB This initiative targets the local community interested in environmental issues and those keen on exploring phytoremediation. It involves creating a dynamic space to educate, empower, and unite residents, offering educational resources and interactive exhibits on environmental challenges and the innovative phytoremediation process. Additionally, it provides a much-needed communal hub for residents to gather, exchange ideas, and collaborate on sustainability and resilience initiatives. Addressing the lack of a dedicated community space, this program enriches lives, strengthens community bonds, and catalyzes positive change by showcasing phytoremediation's transformative potential and fostering community engagement.
BOTANIC REVIVE: THE GROW HOUSE The grow house is a beacon of hope for urban communities with contaminated land, aiming to revitalize these areas into vibrant community hubs through phytoremediation. It is a bustling ecosystem of diverse plants selected for their soil-cleansing capabilities, transforming neglected spaces into parks, residential developments, and sustainable agriculture sites. Addressing the urgent need for effective soil remediation due to rapid urbanization, the grow house offers a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, fostering environmental health and strengthening community bonds.
BOTONIC REVIVE: THE PHYTO EXPERIENCE The interactive walking experience in the former fuel store at the Phyto Hub begins with the site's varied history at Cattedown, highlighting the contamination legacy. Visitors follow the phytoremediation stages, defined by borders and walls, in a single direction. Starting on the first floor and descending to the ground floor, the journey showcases the site's transformation through phytoremediation. Designed for all ages, it educates on the process and changes, featuring twists, turns, and natural forms inspired by the surrounding environment.
THE PHYTO LAB AND WORKSHOPS The testing laboratory and workshops cater to diverse stakeholders dedicated to environmental remediation and sustainable land management. The program features a cutting-edge testing laboratory and two workshops: one for site maintenance and adaptation and another for the phytoremediation process, equipped with essential materials and tools. The testing laboratory is vital for monitoring phytoremediation effectiveness by analyzing soil samples for contaminants, providing critical data for tracking remediation progress and informing site management decisions. The workshops support teams in maintaining, adapting, and executing the remediation strategy efficiently on-site..
SMALL SCALE BIOMASS FACILITY The small biomass production facility serves a wide range of stakeholders, including environmental enthusiasts, researchers, and visitors interested in sustainable energy solutions. It converts waste byproducts from the phytoremediation process into renewable biomass energy, promoting a circular economy within the operational field. By repurposing organic waste materials, the facility minimizes environmental impact and generates valuable energy resources. This renewable energy can then power various operations and facilities on-site, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and furthering the site's commitment to sustainability. The facility represents a crucial step towards enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of the entire operational field.
THE SOUND GATEWAY The sound gateway serves as a recreational haven for both locals and visitors, offering an immersive and unique experience of the surrounding waterfront spaces. By elevating individuals above the water's surface, the gateway provides a new perspective that allows them to interact with and appreciate the beauty of Plymouth Sound in ways they may not have imagined. This innovative structure creates an opportunity for people to connect with the water and the environment in a deeply engaging manner, enhancing their overall experience of the waterfront.
Nature Pavilion: Inspired by the Sunflower Stem The Nature Pavilion seamlessly blends biophilic architecture with environmental conservation, drawing inspiration from the intricate structure of a sunflower's stem. This design not only celebrates nature's beauty but also highlights the resilience of plants in rejuvenating ecosystems. The timber structures, echoing organic forms, create a space where visitors can reflect on the vital role of phytoremediation and our connection to the natural world.