ARCHITECTURE
Nature Meets Architecture: A Contextual Design for the Natura 2000 Site in Luxembourg
08 Jan 2025
Nestled in a protected forest within the city of Luxembourg, this innovative project addresses the challenge of integrating a 1000m³ drinking water reservoir into a fragile environment. The site is part of the Natura 2000 network, a designation for protected areas of high ecological value. The design of this structure takes into account not only the natural landscape and the surrounding ecosystem but also local and seasonal wildlife.
The building's primary aim is to blend harmoniously with the forest, aiming to become an organic part of the environment, more akin to another tree than an industrial structure. The project is divided into two distinct volumes, each meticulously designed to serve a specific function while minimizing human intervention. The first volume, built with prefabricated concrete, features swallow nests, which are strategically placed to ensure the welfare of these local birds. Additionally, a nesting site for peregrine falcons is incorporated into the design. The second volume is covered with cork, which provides thermal insulation for the water tank, with a second skin of untreated larch wood that will house seasonal bird species and bats. Over time, the wooden skin will be enveloped with vegetation, allowing the building to further blend into the forest environment.
The ground floor is encased in a permeable metal skin that prevents unauthorized access while also contributing to the strategic purpose of the infrastructure. The entire design is focused on sustainability, with rainwater collection being carefully integrated into the system. The use of natural materials, such as rammed earth for flooring and vegetation-covered roofing, ensures the project remains deeply connected with nature.
This project represents an outstanding example of how architecture can respect, coexist, and even enhance its environment, providing a space for both human and animal inhabitants. By thoughtfully blending the technical requirements of a water reservoir with ecological considerations, the design creates a truly contextual structure that goes beyond human needs and fosters biodiversity in an already protected landscape.
Tags:
architecture, sustainable design, Natura 2000, Luxembourg, eco-friendly architecture, bird conservation, seasonal species, environmental design, water reservoir, Cork, larch wood, rammed earth
