My treatise grew out of an interest in the relationship between humans and non-humans and how we can maintain peoples experiences of nature as a city grows. 

In the current ecological crisis in which we find ourselves today, never has the conversation surrounding humans interaction with the natural world been more prevalent. 

A predominant driver for the development of suitable environments within the context of the city, that allows for the co-existance between humans and non-humans is the ‘Extinction of experience.’

This concept explains that as humans drift further apart from their connections to the natural world, they develop a lack of empathy and interest for their environment.

The morphology of the city of Gqeberha has always been in relation to the valley structures. The result of urbanization has meant that Happy Valley, has become fragmented from Gqeberha's other valley systems. 

My decision to position the project in Happy Valley means that the conservatory for pollinators can act as a connector of the main valley systems in the city, which, due to the flight radius of pollinators, can then operate as one ecosystem to help sustain and drive populations of pollinators. 

The typology of the conservatory for pollinators lies at the intersection of education and entertainment, representing a captivating form of a themed and immersive space. 

The linear nature of the structure grew out of design iterations where the main focus was to create a journey along the valley edge, this manifested to become a single linear structure that contains and manages all neccesary program.

The building makes use of the edge condition of the south bank of the valley, immersing the structure in the natural environment. 

Theoretically the journey of the visitor was a driver in how I structured the various spaces within the building. 

This journey explains that a visitor is first exposed to the relevance and important of pollinators, they are then given the opportunity to learn from experts, they move on to experience pollinators up close and they leave with a gained appreciation for pollinators and their contributions.  

The buildings construction makes use of a timber frame structure. This was chosen due to the light weight nature of timber, and it's ability to blend in with its natural surrounds.