BECKENHAM BIOSCAPE

By reintroducing and allowing beavers to flood the eastern side of Beckenham Place Park, the idea of biophilic design is inverted; this scheme creates a new, “anthrophilic” landscape where the natural functions of the ecosystem are the primary drivers of the design and human inhabitation is reduced to an ancillary function. The scheme consists of a grid of carbon fibre columns with sensors for monitoring animal behaviour and water quality. Suspended amongst these “super reeds” are interchangeable modules catering to biological research and community education. This radical proposal shows us what a future might look like where we give back to nature as much as we take - returning to nature what was once suburban sprawl for the benefit of human and non-human users alike.