The {tag:studenci} from Warsaw University of Technology is the author of a project for a set of nature observation points that could be built in the Biebrza Marshes. Her goal is to draw attention to the need to preserve unique natural landscapes, which are being degraded in an era of intense climate change.
The form of the observation point is to be inconspicuous and blend in with the landscape
© Marta Mysliwiec
Marta's project is an engineering thesis carried out in the Department of Design and Theory of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology under the direction of Piotr Kudelski. The premise of the project was to create a new element of infrastructure that would allow people to interact with and observe the unique flora and fauna of the Biebrza Valley.
The rich landscape of the Biebrza National Park
© Marta Myśliwiec
paying attention to the landscape
In an era of intense global climate change, the need to preserve unique natural landscapes is intensifying. Consumptive lifestyles and the growing needs of humanity are leading to a worsening climate crisis, the devastating changes of which may be irreversible. The consequences of these global processes are, for example, fires and droughts, which greatly threaten unique plant species, bird sanctuaries and the extinction of already endangered creatures. Because of the disturbing trends, I felt the need to create facilities that direct attention to the uniqueness of flora and fauna that we may lose within the next few decades. Looking for a suitable place to locate the project in my area, I found the Biebrza Basin, which is largely distinguished by its natural wealth and landscape features. The Biebrza National Park area is noticeably suffering from the degradation associated with global warming, so it seemed the perfect place to direct the attention of my project," Marta Mysliwiec introduces the content of her work.
The project was placed in the Biebrza National Park, a place known for its abundant bird population
© Marta Mysliwiec
observation of Biebrza Marshes
The Biebrza Mars hes, chosen as the project site, are located in the northern part of Podlaskie Voivodeship and are a unique point on the map of Poland and Europe. The abundance of rare and nowhere else to be found plants and animals, and above all birds, makes it an extremely unique natural landscape. As the author says, the creatures floating in the wind, their delicacy and lightness became the inspiration for the title "air spaces."
Each unit provides accommodation and basic functions
© Marta Mysliwiec
Both the theme and form of the project originated from the location and its needs. The result of considering the form and the desire to fit into the existing infrastructure are observation units that allow for a few days' stay. The author suggested that it should not be a single site, but a set of sites spread over the almost one hundred kilometers long area of the Biebrza National Park.
This would not only allow visitors to move around the Biebrza Marshes, but also create an innovative attractor that could attract travelers, the student added.
The external structure of the observation posts took the form of camouflage
© Marta Mysliwiec
camouflage
The idea behind the project was to create an object that fits into the wild landscape. The means used to do this are to hide the observers and the functions necessary for their stay. The form of cam ouflage was taken by the external structure of the observation points. The combination of these assumptions led to the division of the facility into three main elements: a base made of floats that is the support of the entire structure, a modular core that contains the basic functions, and a shell that is the covering of the entire structure. The self-sufficiency of the facilities is also an important element, making their use more nature-friendly.
axonometry of one of the designed points
© Marta Mysliwiec
"air spaces"
The inspiration for the title of my engineering thesis comes from birds, extremely abundant in the Biebrza Valley. Some species that have their refuges there account for up to twenty percent of the world population. It was with their observation in mind that I shaped my project from the beginning," says Marta Mysliwiec.
The technologies and materials used do not interfere with nature
© Marta Mysliwiec
The designed units are meant to allow birds to be observed from hiding. Meanwhile, window openings located at different heights and directed in different directions make it easier to follow the flying birds with your eyes.
The form and function of the facilities are a response to the underinvested nature conservation structure and the negative global processes affecting its degradation. The technologies and materials used are intended to disturb the original landscape of the Biebrza Marshes as little as possible, and the structure of the units is intended to be a kind of combination of architecture and nature," the author concludes.
