Supervisor:
Giambattista Zaccariotto
Karin Genevieve Helms
The increasing frequency and severity of avalanches, exacerbated by climate change, necessitate sustainable protection measures.
Traditional avalanche defenses, such as large protective walls, offer efficient and quantifiable risk mitigation but at the cost of altering the landscape’s character, ecology, and cultural heritage. In contrast, the proposed design leverages natural landscape features and ecological processes to create a dynamic, integrated avalanche protection system. This approach emphasizes ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR), which aligns with sustainable development goals by conserving, restoring, and managing ecosystems to mitigate disaster risks.
The design methodology begins with a detailed analysis of the landscape, considering historical transformations and the existing ecological and cultural values. The strategy includes three main stages:collecting guiding models from similar projects, testing these models through simulations, synthesizing the results into a cohesive spatial concept
The core elements of the design involve:Wooded Stripes: Rows of trees are strategically placed to slow avalanche velocity by emphasizing the terrain’s concave shapes and considering surface hydrology patterns to determine spacing.
Deflecting Structures: Wooden walls and tripods are positioned to deflect and further slow avalanches while minimizing disturbance to the surrounding woodlands.
Morphological Changes: Terrain modifications direct avalanche flows and meltwater, creating new waterways and pathways that enhance both safety and hydrological dynamics.
This multi-faceted approach enhances safety, ecological diversity, and aesthetic value, fostering a dynamic landscape that benefits residents and visitors. By recognizing and managing avalanche disturbances as ecological succession events, the design promotes woodland regeneration, increasing biodiversity and ecological resilience.
Overall, the project aims to establish a prototype for a large-scale, landscape-integrated avalanche protection system. This approach provides an alternative to conventional infrastructure, creating a dynamic and engaging environment that maintains and enhances the region’s ecological and cultural integrity while ensuring long-term safety and sustainability.
Contact
Nipun Hettiarachchi / nipunhp@gmail.com / +47 486 70 643