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Browsing Architecture by Subject "Agriculture"

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    Biophilic placemaking: rooting aquaponics in the landscape of the Eastern Free State
    (University of the Free State, 2021) Viljoen, Carissa; Smit, J. D.; Smit, P.; Ras, Jan; Raubenheimer, H.
    How can we as architects build a new world of sustainable beauty? This thesis posits that it is possible by learning from nature. Biomimicry and permaculture look at nature as a catalogue of products that have undergone a 3.8 billion year period of research and development. Given this level of sophistication, biophilic and permaculture theory argues that it makes sense to break down the patterns and principles of the natural environment into building blocks that can be applied to the built environment. This thesis explores the notion of how these sustainable design strategies, can be applied to the design of a site (an aquaponic Lifestyle Farm) to create a sense of place, or genius loci, that can connect us with the wider natural world in order to break down the human-nature dichotomy. By creating an evocative, emotional connection and interaction with the natural environment, the aim of this project is to bring humans into alignment with the natural world and the sustainable practices that we need to adopt in order to ensure our survival within it.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Seed Bank for indigenous sub-Saharan plant & crop species
    (University of the Free State, 2021-10) Du Preez, Phillip; Ras, Jan; Smit, Jan; Smit, Petria
    The proposed design aims to create a Seed Bank for indigenous sub-Saharan plant and crop species that will be located on the outskirts of Bloemfontein, Free State. This facility integrates on-site preservation processes in parallel with research on the preservation of seeds. The Seed Bank will function as a proactive catalyst for combatting climate change, food shortages, natural and made disasters pertaining to agriculture. It will be a point of exchange where the farmer can contribute seed samples and also have access to alternative seed species and research that can increase yield and preserve soil integrity. The facility is a statement of the importance that seed biodiversity holds for the survival of future generations that is in dire need of food security. Furthermore, the greenhouses will ensure the education and viability that non-indigenous plant species could contain as growing conditions will be simulated within a controlled environment. Local plant and crop species will be planted on large scales so to continuously retrieve new seed samples.