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Rural revival,
curing cultivated scars to live lightly on the Danish landscape.      Tastum Sø, Denmark

This Project was Featured in Strathclyde 2023-2024 Year book as an example student project. 

This project was displayed at Strathclyde Degree show 2024.

Year 5, Aarhus School of Architecture & University of Strathclyde

 

Denmark is one of the most intensively farmed countries in Europe its agricultural land covering approximately 62 % of the country.

 

Tastum Sø was selected due to its commonality in the Danish Anthropocene as a “cultivated scar”.  This former shallow lake was once one of Jutland’s largest.  In the early 19th century against local wishes, it was drained and channelised for farming.  The site remains controversial, its arable land now at increased risk due to flash flooding & sea level rise. Alongside the local community’s desire to re-establish the former lake, a revitalisation they hope will have regional impact.

 

This project outlines a future for Tastum Sø following the ambitions of the local community with the transformation in two stages: to first cure its “cultivated scars“ with a nature-based development re-establishing the former lake and secondly to “live lightly” in a mixed-use collective housing proposal.

Phase 1: tourism & landscape architecture
Researched and developed while on exchange at Aarhus School of Architecture August 2023 – January 2024.

A landscape architecture & rural development strategy transforming Tastum Sø back into a lake, following 21st century interests. By repairing its biodiversity, reintroducing native species, reducing eutrophication of local streams, safeguarding freshwater from farming pollution while also boosting leisure & nature tourism in the area by introducing new infrastructure at key interest points around the lake so it can be enjoyed by a wider range of visitors.

Phase 2: collective living housing & master planning,
Researched and developed at The University of Strathclyde February 2024 – May 2024

The mixed use and 45 home collective living development is arranged in a fishbone-like pattern down a sloping site.  The visitor centre, sauna & workshop sit at the edge of the lake, the village green with football pitch in the centre and orchard with cider production at the top, creating various employment & leisure opportunities for the residents & wider community. The homes are a mix of 1,2,3,4 beds arranged in clusters of 9-12 with a central shared “common house”, allotments, & communal gardens
 

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