Serena Lo Monaco

Re Birding the Marlborough downs

This project provides neighboring SSSIs (Site of Special Scientific Interest) expansion through reforestation, ancient habitat emulations, and bird reintroduction on an agricultural field South of Swindon. The building and landscape design aim to act as ecology magnets, specifically for birds thanks to the abundance of trees, water, meadowland, and orchard habitats being restored as well as a landscape-led, environmental and wood-based architecture. 

The development aims to connect the SSSIs of the area southeast of Swindon cut in half by the M4 through green corridors and bridges where possible, as well as expanding the existing woodland of the SSSIs through copious reforestation on-site.  

Inspired by the breathtaking relief landscape of the Marlborough downs south of the site, the project will create artificial mounds for environmental purposes such as hiding and revealing views, visual or noise pollution, creation of artificial ponds from the excavation for water management and wildlife use. By doing this the project will also create a connection between the history of the landscape and ecology by restoring the magic of that barely touched landscape of the past where nature was still the main inhabitant. 

 Birds are one of the main affected species by habitat fragmentation due to the loss of woodlands from agriculture and urbanization; the project will provide woodland and ancient orchard habitats for the birds as well as freshwater and meadowland. The project aims to reintroduce 3 endangered bird species and will provide care and habitat for the surrounding ecology. 

This project provides neighboring SSSIs (Site of Special Scientific Interest) expansion through reforestation, ancient habitat emulations, and bird reintroduction on an agricultural field South of Swindon. The building and landscape design aim to act as ecology magnets, specifically for birds thanks to the abundance of trees, water, meadowland, and orchard habitats being restored as well as a landscape-led, environmental and wood-based architecture. 

The development aims to connect the SSSIs of the area southeast of Swindon cut in half by the M4 through green corridors and bridges where possible, as well as expanding the existing woodland of the SSSIs through copious reforestation on-site.  

Inspired by the breathtaking relief landscape of the Marlborough downs south of the site, the project will create artificial mounds for environmental purposes such as hiding and revealing views, visual or noise pollution, creation of artificial ponds from the excavation for water management and wildlife use. By doing this the project will also create a connection between the history of the landscape and ecology by restoring the magic of that barely touched landscape of the past where nature was still the main inhabitant. 

 Birds are one of the main affected species by habitat fragmentation due to the loss of woodlands from agriculture and urbanization; the project will provide woodland and ancient orchard habitats for the birds as well as freshwater and meadowland. The project aims to reintroduce 3 endangered bird species and will provide care and habitat for the surrounding ecology. 

Circus Circa at Parc de la Villette, Paris

This project creates a temporary structure as a base and performance space for the Australian circus company Circus Circa traveling by boat on the Seine and setting their performance space in Paris’ Parc de la Villette. The location, eclectic and vibrant as well architecturally distinct frames and is framed by the temporary intervention and the Parc’s follies create a dialog with the geometric building unites.  

 The design resembles Circus Circa performances and stage settings characterised by the use of draping as well as their performances’ deeper meanings dealing with human conditions and relationships of unity and support. Being driven by fabric and draping the building develops longitudinally through individual unites connected by drape-like organic ramps which create a journey of hidden and revealed views of the Parc, the building, and the Circus performances thanks to the hanging fabric also connecting the user to the world of theatre and performance. 

This project creates a temporary structure as a base and performance space for the Australian circus company Circus Circa traveling by boat on the Seine and setting their performance space in Paris’ Parc de la Villette. The location, eclectic and vibrant as well architecturally distinct frames and is framed by the temporary intervention and the Parc’s follies create a dialog with the geometric building unites.  

 The design resembles Circus Circa performances and stage settings characterised by the use of draping as well as their performances’ deeper meanings dealing with human conditions and relationships of unity and support. Being driven by fabric and draping the building develops longitudinally through individual unites connected by drape-like organic ramps which create a journey of hidden and revealed views of the Parc, the building, and the Circus performances thanks to the hanging fabric also connecting the user to the world of theatre and performance.