1. MAPPING THE MULTISPECIES CITY
We are seeing the city through the eyes of the Black-backed meadow ant, the Marbled white butterfly, the Common wall lizard and the Stock pigeon. They belong to the group of animals thriving in dry areas, each being differently adapted to urban space and human life in the city.
The Black-backed meadow ants and Marbled white butterflies are able to live in spaces in the context around the city where meadows grow and are not too domesticated, meaning that the unmown grass can provide a shelter. Lizards can be found living in stone walls, which can be found more easily inside the city. Being well adapted to urban life, pigeons have the ability to nest in various locations such as tree cavities and buildings. In addition, they rely on humans for food such as grains or seeds that they find in populated areas all year round.
As the cold season arrives, the ant and the lizard slow down and go into hibernation, finding their spot in the ground. The butterfly has a four stage life cycle, going from the stages of the egg, the larva, the pupa to the emergence as the imago around the month of July. In the warm months the four species share their diurnal activity.
Due to global warming, summers are becoming hotter. In cities especially, sealed and dark surfaces make the heat spread quickly. The rising heat has a direct impact on our species, leading to severe consequences if not prevented by interventions or adjustments.
The dry network which is going through the city of Lausanne is interrupted by the area around the station, including Platform 10, a space of museums and restaurants. The former depot of trains has now lost its ability to contribute a flourishing part to the infrastructure of trains, where plants from carried seeds would find their spaces to grow. The area with its sealed up surfaces gets unusually hot in the summer and lacks the continuation of green spaces which can be found further away from it or in between the train tracks, where a considerable number of plants developed on its own.
2. DETAILS OF COEXISTENCE
The analysis of the existing site has highlighted the issue of an urban heat island in this location and the lack of habitat for our animals (ants, butterflies, lizards and birds), explaining the interruption of the dry network at this particular spot.
The urban heat island in this public space poses several challenges for our species because elevated temperatures induce them stress. Ants are particularly vulnerable to temperature variations, impacting their physiological processes. Butterflies, as cold-blooded insects, face higher energy expenditures in elevated temperatures. Birds like pigeons may experience thermal stress, affecting their behaviour, feeding habits, and reproductive success.
In addition, impervious surfaces, such as concrete, tend to absorb and retain heat, contributing to the urban heat island effect. Ants may struggle with changes in food foraging and nesting opportunities, while pigeons may see alterations in their urban feeding areas. Butterflies, reliant on specific nectar-producing plants, may face challenges due to the lack of vegetation.
The hostile environment on Plateforme 10 and the abundance of concrete soil can limit habitat and food sources. This has led us to seek a way to cool this area by excavating a cool garden below the ground level, thus modifying the soil nature to make it porous. Porous soils allow water to penetrate, promoting cooling through evaporation and reducing ambient temperatures. We provided habitat for our species on the façade of the museum and at the entrance of the square underlining the cohabitation with humans for whom we wanted to provide more than a place to pass by.
Efforts to mitigate the urban heat island effect, such as integrating green spaces, create an environment more conducive to wildlife in this public space. The intervention we have undertaken with this project aims to create a pleasant space for both animals and humans.
The point cloud section provides a detailed representation of how the intervention, involving the creation of a sunken cool garden, significantly impacts the temperature within the area. This transformation includes the establishment of a lower-level space situated deeper underground. This level is surrounded by soil that maintains a consistent temperature and is now comprised of porous ground with the addition of various types of vegetation. As a result of these changes, we have successfully lowered the ambient temperature by a notable two degrees Celsius.
Moreover, this drawing also reveals the various ways in which this newly transformed urban space can be enjoyed and utilized. The introduction of a fast lane on the lower level primarily serves transportation purposes, connecting daily commuters to the Lausanne train station or the subway network. The animal lane has been designed to provide a new habitat for specific species addressed in the project. Additionally, the second road designated for humans functions as a peaceful walkway. Here, visitors can take in the natural beauty of the meadow and partake in the activities offered by the existing museums, all in a tranquil setting
3. MULTISPECIES VISIONS
As previously explained, our architectural proposal seeks to establish a space where diverse groups of urban users can coexist seamlessly. These groups comprise a wide range, including daily commuters who rely on this road for transportation, leisurely walkers, museum-goers, restaurant visitors, and a recently introduced community of animal inhabitants, consisting of ants, butterflies, lizards, and birds. These animals have been thoughtfully integrated by recreating their natural habitats within this public space.
To cater to the varying preferences and paces of each use, they have been divided into three distinct categories: the fast lane, the slow lane, and the animal lane, forming the core structure of our project, the three platforms.
Access to these lanes is facilitated directly from Lausanne’s central train station through a newly established underground connection. Upon reaching a certain point, the users are presented with a choice: to continue along the fast lane, designed for efficient passage through the urban landscape, or to ascend to the slow lane. The last one is designed for those who wish to enjoy the views of the newly introduced wildlife or explore the museum’s latest exhibitions, offering deeper insights into the cohabiting species within this unique urban environment.
The path’s decision point occurs at the vertical circulation area, designed to facilitate the movement of pedestrians and cyclists between these levels. Beyond its utilitarian function, this entrance point also addresses the challenge of pigeon population management, a common concern in urban public spaces. This area provides a secluded housing for pigeons, often deemed unwelcome and overly abundant. The project tackles the issue of pigeon overpopulation by incorporating nesting spaces for pigeons within the structure of this circulation point. Furthermore, it enables humans to access and safely remove pigeon eggs from designated areas, contributing to population control.
Continuing further into the project, one finds themselves enveloped by additional vegetation, designed to attract the white marbled butterfly species to the urban setting. This is achieved by incorporating wild meadow plants, such as thistles, scabious and marjoram, known to be favoured by this butterfly species.
Another animal intervention unfolds directly at the Musée des Beaux Arts, where an analysis of the museum’s architectural elements has led to the creation of various series of animal shelters. These shelters, diverse in form and function, serve as additional homes and habitats for the cohabiting animals. Among these accommodations are birdhouses, butterfly breeding shelters, and ant farms. Architecturally, these structures seamlessly blend with the existing museum façade, creating a continuation of its language unto the now unveiled underground level.
Finally, the project creates a native habitat for lizard species with rocky walls descending from ground level into the sunken courtyard of the Musée de l’Elysée. These rock structures are purposefully positioned to the south, ensuring optimal sunlight exposure for the lizard species, renowned for their affinity for sunny environments.