Nestled into a woodland clearing in New Zealand, the Nest Pavilion will enhance natural habitats while also creating a meditative space for human visitors to reconnect with nature. An open-plan multipurpose space at Earth Energies Sanctuary for meditation and other activities will be created from lightweight and natural materials, treading lightly on existing natural habitats while creating new ones!
A flexible multipurpose meditation space that engages with nature
A natural timber log framed structure will define a simple open-plan space: perfect for guided meditations, casual reflection or other activities. Generous transparent pivot doors on all sides of the structure will create an activity platform floating within 360 degree nature views. During good weather, the space can be completely open to the external environment. During inclement weather or winter, the space can be sealed up as a tempered bubble in the forest.
Anchoring opposing corners of the open-plan space, a custom steel altar and fireplace will provide function. Made of hard wearing and natural materials that will patina with age, the steel altar is placed towards the northern sun for use in the processing of natural flower essences. The hanging steel fireplace towards the south will allow the space to be used comfortably year round.
A structure that catalyses biodiversity, providing a habitat for nature and people
The existing grassy grove will continue seamlessly below the pavilion, keeping 100% of the woodland intact for native birds, frogs, and other wildlife. The structure has been conceived as a series of stacked timbers in varying scales, supporting the building and blurring boundaries between interior and exterior with a filigree shelter.
The smallest of the stacked timbers will be natural hollow bamboo, creating a nest-like assemblage that creates additional habitats for birds, insects and bees. This will contribute to local biodiversity and support the bee yards on the property.
Construction conceived in harmony with nature
Constructed from natural or lightweight materials, the pavilion will tread lightly on the natural surroundings. The 30 square metre footprint will be simply assembled from manageable materials on site without any carbon-intensive concrete, high-skilled trades, or wet works.
The foundation of the building will be supported on proprietary steel ‘ground screws’, which are drilled into the existing soil with minimal machinery and disturbance to the environment. The site will not even need to be cleared of native grasses during construction, limiting disturbance of natural habitats.
The primary structure will be created from locally sourced sustainable timber logs of varying diameters. The filigree shading elements would be made from sustainable bamboo, creating insect and bee habitats within the hollows. This timber structure will sequester carbon, and is likely to be carbon neutral!
The pivot doors and roof can be framed in lightweight metal frames, which can be easily transported to site (timber frames could also be considered). The vision panels of the pivot doors could be made from glass if desired. Alternatively, a roll of ETFE polymer can be brought to site and stretched into the door frames. This creates a transparent facade with a high insulation value similar to glass, but without the difficulty and carbon footprint of forging and transporting glass to the site. These flexible materiality options can be considered to optimise cost, constructability, programmatic requirements, and environmental impact.
