SCARRING THE LANDSCAPE: DESIGNING FOR A FIRE PRONE REGION, KELOWNA, B.C.

Abstract

This thesis explores architectural and design principles for fire-prone regions. A number of these principles are identified and developed in the design of a recreational infrastructure for Kelowna, British Columbia, at both the scale of the city and the building. At the city scale, the project proposes the integration of a fuel break into the southern border of Kelowna, providing a corridor of defensible space between the city and an approaching fire. This fuel break, a landscape “scar”, is developed as a linear park that links points of interest along its 16 kilometre length. One point of interest is selected as a building site for a community centre and lookout. The design principles for forest fire safety provide the necessary framework for the design decisions of siting and materials.