Third Place Winner
Vengai Vanam
Design by
Shebi S, Sowmiya M, Priyan D & Maria Antony Xavier M
"This design doesn't explain its relationship to the urban environment. Thought has been put into the plants chosen, but the plan on page 2 is unachievable. The trees chosen are very big and can't be too tightly spaced. There are sections on 3, 4 and 5 but no reference to where they come from."
-John Hobbie
Shebi S, Sowmiya M, Priyan D & Maria Antony Xavier M
Shebi S, Sowmiya M, Priyan D & Maria Antony Xavier M
Celebrating Creativity & Vision
Winner’s Spotlight: An Exclusive Interview
Discover the story behind the victory — from concept to creation.
Introduction
Myself, SHEBI S and my team members SOWMIYA M, PRIYAN D, MARIA ANTONY XAVIER M currently pursuing a Master's degree in Landscape Architecture 2nd Year at Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute in Chennai, India. We get to know about this competition from our college as they have given it as an academic design project. Our sincere thanks to our university for showing such an opportunity and special thanks to our professors for their support and guidance.
This is our pleasure to work under this topic and I think this is such a important thing to be discussed in various platform and raise up the importance of ecological balance and the cycle and the circulations has to get notified and get followed to maintain healthy ecosystem.
Design Concept
This site was selected as it already has a proposal for tiny forest. A diverse mix of native plant species is carefully selected to replicate the layering found in natural forests, including canopy, understory, shrub, and ground cover layers. Native species are chosen to support local wildlife, pollinators, and beneficial insects while requiring minimal maintenance.
The chosen plant species are not only aesthetically pleasing but also provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for birds, insects, and other wildlife. The diversity of plant species encourages a range of animals to inhabit the area, contributing to the overall ecosystem health. Miyawaki method has been used as it is one of the most effective tree planting methods for creating forest cover quickly on degraded land. Native trees such as Neem, Pongamia, Bamboo, Arjun, Banyan, and Peepal will help achieve the above goals.
It provides a habitat for various plant and animal species, helping conserve biodiversity. They absorb carbon dioxide, acting as carbon sinks, which helps mitigate climate change. It improves local air quality by filtering pollutants and can assist with water purification by reducing runoff and erosion.
A well-designed tiny forest contributes to maintaining ecological balance on our planet Earth. Tiny forests provide a habitat for various plant and animal species, helping conserve biodiversity even in urban areas.
Selecting the right mix of native plants and trees that will thrive and support local biodiversity is crucial but can be complex. Limited space in urban environments can be a challenge, requiring innovative design to maximize the benefits of a small area.
Ecological Relevance
If we have to live in an environment means it has to get balanced to build a strong ecosystem, it is a stable cycle that has to continue to maintain a balancing environment and living. They offer valuable ecosystem services, such as providing food and habitat for pollinators, supporting soil health, and offering recreational opportunities.
Biodiversity : Species were selected based on a diverse selection of plant species that provides food and habitat for various insects, birds, small mammals and reptiles.
Climate change : Selected trees can absorb carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, helping to reduce greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere will helps in mitigating climate change.
Overall health : Air purifying plants also selected which will filter pollutants from the air, leading to cleaner and healthier urban environments.
Sustainable Integration
Sustainable design principles such as native plant selection that are adapted to the local environment, as they typically require less water and maintenance. Promoting biodiversity by including a variety of plant species and creating habitats for local wildlife.
Lake near to the site is a prominent element and bringing the lake water to the forest offers several ecological, aesthetic and recreational benefits using bioremediation. Creating specific habitats like birdhouses, bat boxes, or insect hotels to promote biodiversity within the tiny forest.
Design Development
We classified tiny forest into various zones - Aquatic zone, Riparian zone, Lowland forest, Woodland forest, Upland forest, Grassland.
Creating a lake in a forest can offer numerous ecological, aesthetic and recreational benefits. Bioremediation, it is the process of using living organisms, such as plants, bacteria, and fungi to clean up and restore contaminated environments, including lakes in forests.
Miyawaki method has been used, accelerates forest development by constructing soil, utilising native plant diversity, growing healthy saplings, and planting them close together. In this method multi-layered saplings are planted close to each other. This blocks sunlight from reaching the ground and prevents weeds from growing, thus keeping the soil moist. The close cropping further ensures that the plants receive sunlight only from the top thus enabling them only to grow upwards than sideways. Growing the saplings close also ensures space for more trees to be planted.
Community Impact
Biodiversity Enhancement: A tiny forest can serve as a biodiversity hotspot, providing habitat and food sources for local wildlife. This can enhance the local ecosystem and educate the community about the importance of preserving biodiversity.
Community Green Space: Tiny forests can become valuable green spaces for communities, offering a place for recreation, relaxation, and social interaction. These spaces can improve mental well-being and quality of life for residents.
Air Quality Improvement: The trees and plants within the tiny forest can help improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen, contributing to a healthier local environment.
Climate Resilience: It can mitigate the effects of climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide and reducing urban heat island effects through shade and cooling.
Air Quality Improvement:
Air purifying plants in the tiny forest can absorb pollutants such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, contributing to improved air quality.
And, oxygen Production in which through photosynthesis, plants release oxygen into the atmosphere, benefiting both the local environment and the community.
Urban Heat Island Mitigation:
Shade and Cooling: The canopy of trees provides natural shade, reducing surface temperatures and cooling the surrounding area, which is especially beneficial during hot summer months.
Temperature Reduction: Evapotranspiration from vegetation further cools the environment, mitigating the urban heat island effect.
Community Engagement:
The tiny forest can serve as an educational hub, providing opportunities for workshops, nature walks, and ecological learning.
It offers a green space for residents to gather, relax, and connect with nature within an urban setting, improving the quality of life.
Advice for Aspiring Environmental Designers
Identify specific environmental challenges and work on innovative solutions to address them, and always base your designs on the latest research and data. Familiarize yourself with sustainability standards and certifications to meet eco-friendly criteria, and prioritize user-centered design, considering the needs and preferences of end-users.
Having clear and well-defined objectives on ecological balance. Thorough research and data analysis of the local ecosystem and environmental conditions. Adhering to sustainability principles, such as resource efficiency and waste reduction. Flexibility and adaptive design are key to accommodating changing conditions, while long-term planning guarantees the project's ongoing sustainability. Public education plays a pivotal role in garnering support and fostering environmental stewardship, and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms tracks the project's ecological impact over time.
Reflections on Winning:
We are very grateful and thanks for the opportunity. Being recognised for our work reminds us the passion we had when we decided to pursue this path as our career. This also tells us that we are in the right path and further fuels our passion to do wonders in this field.
Tiny forests, though small in size, hold a significant place in our world due to their multifaceted importance. It act as invaluable reservoirs of biodiversity, offering habitat for numerous plant and animal species and thereby contributing to the conservation of global biodiversity, especially in urban and suburban settings. They also serve as powerful tools in the fight against climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide, mitigating greenhouse gas levels, and fostering more sustainable land use practices. Beyond environmental benefits, tiny forests offer local communities cleaner air, improved air quality through natural filtration, and relief from urban heat through shade and cooling. They also provide spaces for environmental education, enabling people to connect with nature and fostering awareness of ecosystems. Furthermore, these green oases support community well-being by enhancing mental and physical health and adding aesthetic value to neighbourhoods. By absorbing and slowing down rainwater, tiny forests assist in storm water management and reduce the risk of flooding. In sum, these miniature forests, though small in scale, have a big impact, making the world a healthier, more sustainable, and more harmonious place.
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