RE-MORPHING THE QUARRYSCAPE OF THE METN EXPRESS HIGHWAY: HYBRIDIZED THEORIES, BETWEEN ECOLOGICAL RECLAMATION AND LAND-ART

My proposal is using the science of ecological reclamation and the theoretical understanding of land-art in order to achieve the ecological revival of the site through the creation of new functional relationships between the area’s different natural resources whilst giving it a new political and cultural meaning. Therefore, I am working with the topography, re-morphing the land and the different surfaces left over by the excavations in order to bio mimic different natural conditions, making topography the key element of the design. This will lead to the formation of different habitats on a small scale, achieving spatial heterogeneity on the larger scale, in order to accelerate the natural succession process and establish a healthy system. Therefore, the design of berms with different physical properties, terraces, cliffs and embankments will create unique micro-habitats for a highly diverse landscape. Moreover the site is completely stripped of any cultural meaning, becoming merely the background of the everyday commuter. This led me to the study of land-art projects in post mining landscapes. These projects aim at conveying a political message rooted in the frustration towards nature’s destruction. Therefore, the way I translated this frustration into a physical design, was again, the sculptural re-morphing of the land, achieving striking moments. This new type of landscape aims at challenging our understanding of the space. The landform was designed with the commuter in mind, creating a visual layering of the landscape that transforms with the motion of the driver through the different parts of the highway.