Design thesis Zvarde; the forgotten landscape emphasizes its research of a remote, unattended and unique landscape, exploring the site’s particular nature in attempt to find a suitable design solution. The research is a joint process of examining the landscape through various different layers of information. These layers include history, culture, local infrastructure as well as a particularly interesting existing ecology and nature. Notably, Zvarde’s natural conditions could be used to attract visitors and former residents, however one of the more significant questions in concern is ‘whether Zvarde needs such attention. Perhaps there are other mediums which can be used to display a site like Zvarde?’
Thesis research aims to gather and analyse the aformentioned layers of information in order to propose a coherent hypothetical design intervention which would suit the existing conditions. Given the particular situation, such design solution would be a mixture of understanding both; the physical and theoretical environment surrounding the site.
Situated in Saldus region in South-Western Latvia, Zvarde is a 205,21 km² large parish with population of less than 400 people. Zvarde’s population density is just under 2 inhabitants per km² while nearest town Saldus has population of 12 000. Latvia’s average population density is 34,2 people per km² - more than 18 times that of Zvarde, implying that Zvarde is currently the least inhibited parish within Latvia. Majority of of the territory (134,75 km²) are forests, 32 km² are used as agricultural land, while 8,6 km² exist as marshes.
Zvarde is also a host of 2 Natura2000 protected areas:
Nature reserve ‘Zvarde’s forest’ - 81,73 km² in territory, established in 2004. Labaled as internationally significant Natura 2000 bird protected area, including 24 protected bird species among other protected flora and fauna.
Natura 2000 protected marshland - 30,72 km² in size, established in 1999 described as a territory of valuable preservation plans towards swamps, marshland and territories significant to bird migration.
Europe’s largest mammal Bison bonasus used to inhibit this territory in 19th century. Wisent’s dynamic movement forces change in plant cover, biomass and soil allowing further increased effects from photoshynthesis through more exposure. Less selective grazer than cattle. Can often diversify the plant structure due to the unique grazing behaviour and cycles.
Zvarde; the forgotten landscape was my design thesis as an undergraduate UCD landscape architecture student and the project has proven to be both; at times challenging, as well as exciting. Throughout the in-depth research of the site, the design intervention and proposed solution continued to change accordingly. The layers of information concerning the existing and historic context provided the link of thought which enabled the thesis research to arrive at the concept of rewilding. The thesis and the proposed design solution with regards to natural aspects of the site allowed further exploration of the boundaries of landscape architecture and means through which contemporary design can be practiced. The research process was particularily valuable in terms of information obtained not only through design and trial and error, but also in terms of strategy and management of certain design implications. Site’s particular natural condition allowed close interaction with various instututions and organizations which were helpful and provided considerable amount of interesting information from their knowledge and experience, which can prove to be very valuable in pursuing a career in landscape architecture.
