Curves Through Symmetry

DALBY FOREST, SCARBOROUGH

The project explores the opportunity for the sensitive placement of a visitor hub in the remote rural landscape of Dalby Forest to celebrate its location and the dark sky status of the area.

 

MASTERPLAN DESIGN STRATEGY

Following an interview with the client and a subsequent visit to the site, one of the key parts I aimed to incorporate was a contrast to the man-made linear avenues of coniferous woodland. My plans aspire to immerse visitors into their surroundings, whilst fully experiencing the historical attributes of the site.

01. Night Sky Dome

02. Circular Tower

03. Canopy Walkway

05. Ground Walkway

04. Sandstone Maze

I wanted to create an understanding and experience of multiple layers and different habitats. This would originate from below ground level in the glass dome, up to the top of the circular tower, incorporating both a ground and canopy walk through the trees.

NATURE FROM EVERY LEVEL

I wanted to create a design that both contrasts and compliments the structured plantation woodland, by creating a curved, continuous shape which meanders and weaves through the conifers. This concept is designed to imitate the way wind would travel... swirling and meandering through the forest from the ground up to the canopy above, and beyond. The canopy walkway twists and snakes through the trees, whilst on the ground visitors will be surrounded by woodland shrubs.

MULTI-LEVEL FOREST WALKWAYS

This concept is designed to imitate the way wind would travel... swirling and meandering through the forest from the ground up to the canopy above, and beyond. The canopy walkway twists and snakes through the trees, whilst on the ground visitors will be surrounded by woodland shrubs.

GLASS DOME

As a designated dark-sky preserve, the astronomical attraction of the clear night sky is a key draw and advantage for Dalby Forest. My aim was to incorporate not only the clear night sky, but also simultaneously immerse visitors into the forest.

The concept of the glass dome was formed to achieve this. Visitors can get a real and immersive sense of their surroundings, whilst being completely enveloped by the coniferous trees of the forest. Upon looking up they can view the natural parting of the trees, with the clear sky above framing the stars.

  • Canopy walkway

  • Dark Sky glass dome

  • Forest playscape

  • Forest floor walkway

  • Multi level walkways

  • Multi level viewpoints

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