Site as Education: Using Architecture to Communicate Nature's Behaviours

Abstract

This thesis is an architectural exploration of The Serpentine Fen Wildlife Area in Surrey, British Columbia as a public park and an opportunity for environmental education for children. As public education becomes more environmentally conscious, there is a need for architecture that supports how the child interacts with and perceives their natural environments. This thesis proposes the use of a single architectural element as a transition between multiple site conditions to create a dynamic link between earth, air, water which affords the abilitity for a relationship to be developed between the user and their environment. This element will consistently be present in the user’s journey through the site and serves to encourage interaction with the identified site conditions. The thesis investigates how this continous element acts as locus, datum, frame, reference, stage and devise to enhance the child’s experience of nature.