Celebrating the natural romantic landscape of the Diepwalle forest through man’s explorative experience
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Date
2019-10
Authors
Doman, Janeske
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
The focus of the dissertation stems from a personal interest and experience in the mystical Knysna Forest. This curiosity was further strengthened by Dalene Matthee’s novel ‘Circles in the Forest’. This mystical forest was partially threatened in June 2017, due to the raging Knysna wildfire. The drought South Africa experienced since 2016 strongly contributed to this devastating threat. The wildfire led to the question of man’s ethical responsibility toward nature. The notion of providing layers of protection and conservation of the lush indigenous Knysna forest, became the golden thread that informed the aim of this dissertation. The aim for this dissertation is for man to celebrate and re-connect with nature, rather than being two separate entities. The site for this dissertation proposal is located 22 km east from Knysna, within the Diepwalle Forest Nature Reserve. The proposed Forest Exploration Hub offers the visitor a platform to experience and discover nature, through the various functions of the proposed design. The intention of the proposal is not to conserve the forest through the separation of man and nature, but rather to inform and educate the visitors on conservation measures, forest histories, facts and myths. Celebration of the indigenous forest take place through various sensory experiences that enhance man’s connection with the forest. Theoretical notions such as embodiment, narrative and architectural promenade steered the investigation towards creating a place where man and nature can co-exist.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.Arch. (Architecture))--University of the Free State, 2019, Ethical responsibility, Conservation, Celebrate, Exploration, Experience, Connectedness, Co-existence