UNIT 5

The project proposes a storage facility for housing and preserving seeds across Scandinavia in order to protect the unique archipelago ecosystems in the future as the world enters the Anthropocene. The facility is located on Kuninkaansaari, a small island south east of Helsinki.

 

The scheme aims to educate and engage visitors in the biodiversity of the site and the issues mankind faces in a new geological epoch. The site is intended to become a ‘testing ground’ for enhancing the island's biodiverse ecosystems through the introduction of experimental architectural fragments constructed on site. This builds upon the existing remnants of the island’s military past that have been overrun by nature for the past 70 years. The design reflects the unique process of seed preservation and storage, ensuring their benefits are available for centuries to come. The scheme engages visitors and provides a grounding within the island’s unique biodiversity, ensuring nature becomes the central focus.