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By 2090, more than 70% of Madagascar's rainforests will be devastated due to climate change and unsustainable human activities. This includes the destruction of their own environment to fulfill the consumption demands of the rest of the world. Given that 80% of plant species on the island are endemic, urgent protection is required, and this is precisely what this project advocates for. Working alongside the Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre, Oliver's Island serves as an extension of Kew Gardens, drawing attention to this critical issue.
The delicate structure of the greenhouse establishes a personal connection between the observer and the ecology of the Malagasy rainforest. Within the laboratory, a restricted space exclusively accessible to employed personnel, both the study and cultivation of protected and endangered plants take place.
If, after 50 years, the project succeeds in slowing down the destruction of Madagascar's rainforest, it will be disassembled and repurposed or relocated. However, should it fail to protect this environment, the site will become a haven for several extinct plant species. The building's longevity is contingent upon its own failure.
The buildings are situated on the island's periphery, extending its boundaries into the River Thames. The portrayal showcases the activities and interactions of individuals on and around the site.
While the Malagasy plants are kept in complete isolation from the external environment, the project highlights the connection between local and foreign ecologies, underscoring the significance of safeguarding them from the impacts of climate change.
Contoured to the shape of the island, the greenhouse acts as a moored ship, safeguarding endangered plant species. The landscaping is carefully designed to provide optimal conditions of moisture, humidity and sunlight for the plants it houses.
This render offers a perspective from the exterior layer of the greenhouse, allowing the viewer to gaze into the protected rainforest. The re-created environment is designed to be experienced as both an observer and an inhabitant.
Situated on the edge of the island, the laboratory has minimal impact on the surrounding land. The render shows people and wildlife experiencing the island from both external and internal perspectives.