Hilsea Lines: Initial site thoughts collage.

 

Here's  my messy collage of the Hilsea Lines, Portsmouth. These are my initial thoughts on the plan views, the site ecology and the connections I can make to this great city.

I have identified the beech trees in Foxes forest and it actually reminded me of a project that took place in Surrey, England in which there was a Pine-cone like shelter comprised of cedar wood pebbles with inscriptions on. This gave me an idea for the potential to use the wood in the surrounding environment so that way we're not introducing foreign materials which may weather under different conditions. 

I want this project to be something that has great beneficial impact environmentally and socially. I do not want to take anything away from the grounds.. so any area of land taken, I wish to cover with green roof, or potentially elevate the building from the tiny ecosystems below. 

This got me looking at projects where you could actually walk up onto the green roof and use it for something good. 

This would also encourage the children to take safely measured risks of their outdoor environment and understand what it is to explore and use imaginative setting as opposed to glued to a screen.

I think the idea of incorporating the inside and outside are crucial to children's outdoor development and how they perceive and appreciate nature. This is where the idea of actually having a section of the building open up to the elements. Whether that may be bi-fold doors, a sliding wall or even a shutter type system, this could be really important in the children's learning.