Joshua Allen, Repairing the False Landscape
Glen Nevis has suffered a loss of plants and trees, leading to a dramatic loss in biodiversity with the mountain side dominated by grass with enclosed patches of trees, continued by overgrazing which prevented regrowth and worsened conditions for rare species. Despite this it has a long list of endangered or rare plants, especially those that thrive in acidic soil. To correct the loss of bio diversity and increase the amount of ecologically valuable plants, I have designed a set of buildings to create a comunity dedicated to rewilding, the goal is to incentivise the community to spread native plants by attaching them to their community thereby the spread would bring more success and prosperity to the community. To do this the community will turn rewilding into way of life by processing plants and a small scale retreat as outreach to spread knowladge of rewilding and how it has progressed. As part of this it will offer a place of observation to show the height and scale of the mountain, showcasing the change brought about by rewilding and the progress it had made. This should make the buildings seem small and emphasise the impact the community has had and continues to have on the landscape. The community’s goal should be to leave the mountain side covered in native plants and trees. Natures return will mean the community becoming hidden is the ultimate success, after which it will return to nature by letting it be taken over when the community is no longer needed. This will be done by having a building which touches lightly and is biodegradable while leaving a subtle but useful mark behind which will fit into the highlands as a reminder and a warning of the work that needed done.