In our current Across RCA course, we've chosen the direction of Climate Crisis. Our ultimate focus is on guerrilla gardening transformation in the old building areas of London.
The inspiration for selecting this direction came from our field research, where we observed widespread water seepage and leakage from external pipes in many of London's old buildings. Various areas of these old buildings have created conditions conducive to the growth of moisture-loving vegetation on their facades. Additionally, numerous cracks and damages on the walls have allowed for the growth of moss and epiphytic plants. Given London's rich historical background and abundance of old building areas, the aging infrastructure and lack of greenery resulting from initial designs have affected living experiences and created stark contrasts between old and new residential areas. Thus, we see this as an opportunity to utilize the microclimate conditions of these buildings to cover the old and damaged surfaces with vegetation, forming new architectural skins, and achieving urban renewal in London's old building areas.
After finalizing our direction, we conducted thorough research and discovered guerrilla gardening as a form of urban greening. We believe this approach aligns well with London's metropolitan character and complements our idea of micro-scale architectural greening. Therefore, we aim to draw inspiration from guerrilla gardening techniques and engage in gamified urban exploration to guide users through understanding the old building areas of the city while simultaneously implementing transformations on these buildings. By addressing issues and garnering attention, we hope to spark public interest in our project.