ARKIOS

Integrating Non-Human Ecosystems

into Architectural Design

by Angelina Nguyen

About the Research

Architecture is often placed in the forefront of a city's success, shown in the towering concrete and steel skyscrapers that continuously grow towards the horizon. Yet, with the success and progress of a city comes the destruction of many natural habitats in favor of human interests. Human-focused architecture can be hostile to many species, with birds at an especially heightened risk. Studies show that up to one billion birds collide into glass every year in the U.S. alone.1 This figure is evidence of a lack of ecological knowledge in architectural education, resulting in negligence towards affected animal species and posing a threat to wildlife populations.

Research into integrating non-human ecosystems into architectural design aims to address the current neglect of wildlife in metropolitan architecture and promote urban biodiversity. By embedding these concepts into architectural education, this project aims to foster a new generation of architects who prioritize the natural environment and sustainable design practices to propose a better, healthier future.

My research aims to contribute to the conversation about the integration of ecology into the field of architecture with a prioritization of the health and welfare of native bird species. In order to effectively integrate bird habitats into the urban fabric of human architecture, this research proposed a living façade wall that incorporates different components of a micro-ecosystem. For ease of production and replication, one hexagonal module was designed to tessellate within a composition. The module's orientation determines the habitat that it will host: a sideways orientation will house the birds, a downwards orientation will house the bees, and an upwards orientation will house the plants. These components focus on the welfare and livelihood of birds by providing habitats and food sources all within the proximity of the wall.

Sideways Orientation

Housing birds

Downwards Orientation

Housing Bees

Upwards Orientation

Housing Plants

There were three major goals laid out at the start of this research:

1.) To design a singular, modular building façade that can house an array of different habitats for native Louisiana wildlife, such as the birds, the bees, and the plants, within a highly urban setting.

2.) To build and fabricate a scaled model of the building façade in order to understand the real-world relationships between nature, humans, and the architecture we build.

3.) To effectively communicate the importance of multi-species justice and the presence of biodiversity within the city to architectural educators, professionals, and the broader audience beyond.

With these three goals, we aim to begin setting ecological precedents within the field of architecture that will lead future architects to design better, healthier cities.

My Experience

This living design research project is not only a fairly new concept within the field of architecture, but it was also a new experience for me.

The research project began within the LSU Summer Undergraduate Research Program during the summer of 2024. As it was my last summer as an undergraduate college student, I wanted to participate in a project that not only tested my design abilities, but also allowed me to engage with fabrication. The idea for the living façade was proposed to me by the School of Architecture Assistant Professor Fabio Capra-Ribeiro, looking to pursue his research further. It was an enticing study that introduced me to diverse, alternative fields in architecture, so I accepted.

The process began like any typical design study with research, analysis, sketches, and lots of advising meetings. Because of the short two-month time frame allotted by the LSU Summer Research Program, time was our biggest issue. Scaled massing models were 3D printed for efficiency and accuracy. The final model, which took about two weeks to print and construct, was built to be a 4 foot by 4 foot wall with a frame constructed out of 2x4's and a façade that was completely 3D printed.

Being in the LSU Summer Undergraduate Research Program meant that I also had to participate in SURF, the Summer Undergraduate Research Forum. While I have presented projects in front of architecture faculty and classmates, I had never spoken to a general public crowd of about 60 - 70 people before. Luckily, my poster and model received lots of attention and curiosity, including with a group of people specializing in the STEM fields. SURF was a great way to introduce myself to the world of research conferences and provided me with the opportunity to improve my visual and oral communication skills.

There is something satisfying about presenting a finished product after days, weeks, and months of constant designing, modelling, and building. Despite the many, many setbacks that threatened the completion of this project, the support and advice from my friends and family was imperative to finishing it. While the final model was completed to the best of my abilities, looking back at the work that led to its completion makes it even more impactful.

Finally, I am grateful to my faculty advisor who placed his trust in my design capabilities and responsibilities. It is thanks to his guidance and the opportunity afforded to me by this research project that I have come to be highly regarded within the LSU School of Architecture.

Thank you!

About the Author

Angelina Nguyen is an undergraduate student in the LSU School of Architecture, class of 2025. Her focus is on urbanism, architectural history and preservation, and graphic communications. Angelina believes that architecture, as a field that is inherently connected to the people, is only as effective as its graphic and visual communications. Angelina aims to craft visuals that not only convey information effectively, but also evoke emotional resonance and inspire engagement. Through collaborative processes and a mix of hand sketches and technological methodologies, Angelina strives to create designs that not only represent, but also enhance understandings that leave lasting impacts on the community.

Sources: 1. Loss, S. R., Will, T., & Marra, P. P. (2014). Estimates of bird collision mortality at windows in the United States. The Condor, 116(1), 8-23. http://doi.org/10.1650/CONDOR-13-090.1

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