Degree Project - education center with temporary living
For.rest is an education center and temporary living for the nature preserve, in partnership with Airbnb, with the goal of awakening the preciousness of nature. Through looking close up how nature was affected by the extensive fire, observing how life will returns to the forest as it recovers, and revisiting for nature’s recovery. For.rest helps visitors not only escape from city life but also offers personal rejuvenation for those that engage For.rest in a new way.
System
In forrest, there are two different buildings, 3 day living and learning center. It is surrounded by previously burnt forests where visitors can feel sadness because of all the dead nature, but then also feel of hope because they can see that it is recovering and revisit later to see the difference of how it has recovered even more.
Journey
People who grow up in large cities tend to get disconnected from nature, this can also make people care less about the environment overall.
"Your brain needs a break from technology and everyday stresses; it takes 3 days in nature for your brain to relax." - 3-day effect
Target Audience
These are diagrams showing how I divide the two buildings, a 3-day living and learning center based on how people experience in each space.
Material Strategy
Material Collage - transition/gradation of the space, dark to light(burnt to regrowth)
Transition/gradation of the space, dark to light(burnt to regrowth), using dark materials to match the tones of the surrounding landscape. Inside, using light-toned materials makes the contrast of inside and outside, the transition from sad to hopeful. Organic materials make the space feel more live, meaning that small creatures are returning to this burnt area.
Site Location
There is road next to the site, but there is a small hill between, so people would not see cars from first floor. Parking is on the east side of the building, which is easy to approach.
For.rest is located in Angeles national forest, where previous wildfire had happened, which is two hours to drive from city using Angeles crest freeway.
Technical Drawings
3-day living(left) and educational center(right)
The education center is for the public, and it is separated from a 3-day temporary living, up to the middle viewpoint.
Rendered Images
Bio-Lab: Visitors will see stairs going up and a bio-lab next to it. In the bio lab, people will discover the return of biodiversity by looking screens. Mycelium acoustic wall helps visitors to feel nature is alive. There are cameras on the ground showing the live recordings from outside on the screen.
Screen room: Then, they will walk a bit down to see the video streaming of what had happened to the area before. Use of pet felt acoustic panels will absorb sounds, and wall is tilting here where people can lean back sit on bean bag chairs.
Library: When people go up to the second floor, they would see the timeline of forest, and see the forest by the window. The use of light toned materials give hope in the library. I’m making the space feel like a gallery, and the space where people also can sit down next to the window reading books and relax.
Library: On the other side of the library, visitors will see the sun lights come in through the facade.
3 Day Living: Forrest consists of two parts, the observation center which is open to public and the private 3 day living area, which is the part of Forrest that you can book through airbnb. Visitors who booked the place by airbnb, thinking of relaxing and creating a memory with his friends or family.
Concept Video
Scaled Model
Scaled model 1:40
Scaled model 1:40
Scaled model 1:40, bio-lab and library
Scaled model 1:40, from screen room to bio-lab
Scaled model 1:40
Scaled model 1:40 (Displayed at Grad Show Fall 2022)
Material Display (Displayed at Grad Show Fall 2022)
