Agar Life Discovery Centre
Sydney, Australia 2019
Collaboration: Ellyse Malone
Within the Sydney Olympic Park the delicate ecosystem of the Narrawang Wetlands faces destruction from rising sea levels, increased levels of salt inundation, and encroaching urbanisation.
Agar Life Discovery Centre offers an innovative architectural solution to provide the means for a new habitat for displaced flora and fauna in a controlled ecosystem. The architectural habitat is envisioned to become self- sustaining by the year 2120.
Agar Life Discovery Centre offers an innovative architectural solution to provide the means for a new habitat for displaced flora and fauna in a controlled ecosystem. The architectural habitat is envisioned to become self- sustaining by the year 2120.
The form of Agar is based on a parametric design scheme dictated by current levels of biological activity. The scheme is optimised to create pockets of habitatable spaces both above and below water in its many folds and alcoves. Underwater a semi-permeable salt membrane is engineered to control levels of salt inundation through the priciple of osmosis. These membranes are suspended between the original boardwalk below water levels, and new boardwalk which will float up with rising sea levels. Above the ground a structural membrane forms scaffolding which supports plant growth and in turn provides a sanctuary for displaced terrestrial wildlife.
Guests are invited to interact with Agar in their educational journey through a non-intrusive path into or around the structure, as though it were a butterfly enclosure. In the early years of Agar, a sapling can be purchased for a small donation and replanted in a designated section of the structure. Over time these donations form the flora of the Agar ecosystem, signifying the catalyst for positive human contribution in our relationship with our natural environment.
Guests are invited to interact with Agar in their educational journey through a non-intrusive path into or around the structure, as though it were a butterfly enclosure. In the early years of Agar, a sapling can be purchased for a small donation and replanted in a designated section of the structure. Over time these donations form the flora of the Agar ecosystem, signifying the catalyst for positive human contribution in our relationship with our natural environment.
