REGENERATION

The primary design process concept of this project is the regeneration of nature. The approach to this concept is by creating several cubes with different functions representing plant growth throughout these cube facades.

The first cubes are made of manufactured materials such as glass and concrete, while as we proceed through the next cubes, we come into the plant growth on the cubes facades and the usage of wood as a natural material. The artificial and natural materials merge more and more as we walk through the project, and as we reach the last cubes, it is only the natural material and plants used as the symbol of nature.

In other words, as we get to the last cubes of the project, we realise that nature has penetrated and dominated the building through the mentioned approach, and human intervention has reached its least level. Besides, to represent nature's life-cycle, reproduction, and regeneration, the last cubes are rearranged compared to the first cubes

Other sub-concepts of the project are as follows:

1.Applying cycle of life in nature

2.Applying growth and sequencing approaches

3.Nature penetration into the project

4.Applying different layers in various parts of the project as a symbol of layers in the nature

Creating a peaceful place for the visitors is also of great importance achieved through the dominance of nature over the project.

As providing communication without any border is a vital issue, the project design should appeal to the public to attract more people. Therefore, the following features are considered:

1.Being a landmark in the area

2.Emphasising the attractions of the area

3.Being a tourist attraction to attract more visitors

Design features based on the context:

1.Paying attention to imperfection that has been created deliberately

2.Paying attention to the climate humidity

3.Paying attention to the wind direction of the region

4.Paying attention to the view from the site to essential viewpoints

5.Paying attention to the design of open and semi-open spaces for convenient access to nature along with closed spaces

The region humidity and the West prevailing wind are two critical factors in the design process. Proper air circulation leads to humidity reduction; hence, cubes are considered detached in some parts to embrace the airflow resulting in a more enjoyable environment.

As limiting human intervention is one of the project's main concepts, the land slope is used to develop the building. The height alterations of the cubes have been occurred according to the height changes of the site. Besides, cubes are accurately positioned so that none of them obscures the view of the other, and they all have the maximum interaction with the surrounding. Moreover, large floor-to-ceiling windows are used to maximise landscape interaction, provide the ultimate view to the adjacent forest and the lake, and create an attractive facade that avoids a repetitive and boring building facade.

In addition, visitors can enjoy a more suitable view of the natural landscapes around the project and the sky by using the vast spaces of the roofs. Especially in the highest part of the visitor center, which has the best view of the environment, more space is considered to accommodate more visitors and create mass communication. So, this building is a place to share the cultures and beliefs of the visitors in a borderless communication environment.

In addition, due to a large amount of deforestation in Australia's forests, such as annual bushfires and human activities, it is concluded that the most important element of designing this project is paying extra attention to nature and the surrounding forest.

Generally, there is a two-way relationship between humans and nature. This two-way relationship has a significant effect on the design process. Hence, not only should we study nature and its characteristics, but also we should examine the relationship between man and nature and vice versa.

Each forest has exceptional features. It is a collection of complex textures, including trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, soil, animals, insects and other living elements. The forest is a dynamic system. In other words, it's a living ecosystem that has a regular cycle of self-healing with a certain lifespan.

Trees, as an essential element of nature, have unique characteristics. One of their features is that as they get old, their body layers increase. Also, we can see layers in different parts of nature, like deciduous trees, which cover the soil with a layer of leaves and bring about more strength in nature, soil and ecosystem. In the end, this soil coverage provides natural fertilisers.

As mentioned earlier, the forest is a dynamic ecosystem with a domino relationship, which means each element can have a crucial role in other elements growth, survival, and even death. So, the death of one of them can be the beginning of the others. In this process, the end of existence leads to the life of others. Therefore, another element grows when a tree is cut down or dies for a reason. Meanwhile, the human interaction with the environment is the most crucial factor of this project. Human beings are always looking for a way to dominate their surroundings resulting in nature destruction and destroying the cycle of life in nature. The human and nature relationship takes place in three stages:

Initially, humans and nature had a friendly relationship, and people used nature to meet their basic needs such as shelter, food, and clothing. In other words, nature dominated humankind. But, over time, their relationship turned into a hostile one, and the arrogant human aggressively started seizing the land and using it for his living. They became the dominant form of life on Earth, which led to more deforestation. After the Industrial Revolution, due to the expansion of communication and technology enhancement, nature has been exploited and destroyed by humans more and more every day. Humans activities and illegal constructions have increased the pace of deforestation. So, as the biggest threat to nature, increased the speed of deforestation, making forest regeneration almost impossible.

Humans and nature are two separate individuals, and the former is not supposed to dominate the latter. However, they need to interact and benefit each other. Humans should behave like a mother to nature and a caring gardener for the surroundings, while both the gardener and the surroundings grow simultaneously.

Although nature might seem disordered at first glance, it is based on orders. Hence, designing in such an environment has many challenges. Order in chaos makes us realise perfection is not needed to be enough, and that's the definition of nature, exquisite with beautiful imperfection.