Jonathan Medina — SSA Independent Projects

Hibernacula

Jonathan Medina

As the anthropocene is continually redefined by the forces of natural disasters, the boundaries between species erode and the search for a new hibernaculum begins. The zoological term ‘hibernaculum’ is defined as a place in which a creature seeks refuge. When faced with environmental calamity, humans typically remove and rebuild in place. However, non-human species react to crisis by shifting laterally, and adapting to new opportunities for shelter. This project explores this shifting boundary of dwelling and speculates on its potential to disorient the conventional hierarchy between human and non-human within the landscape.

Located on the southeastern tip of Puerto Rico, this design serves as a refuge for displaced animals. This project uses something I have called a cata·formal approach in design that explores the way in which material failure or collapse provoked by disaster generates its own morphology and programming by re-scaling structural and spatial relationships. This approach displaces the human and generates moments of opportunity for inhabitation by non-human life-forms. Through the creation of speculative hibernacula, the project explores both the limits of symbiosis between animal species, and the cultivation of new human-non-human symbiotic relationships. The project questions the conventions of post-disaster rebuilding by placing greater focus on the expanded environment and its ever-shifting territories of occupation and movement.

Contact: jonathanf.medina@outlook.com

Recognitions:

NYCxDesign Architecture Graduates Showcase 2020 https://info.nycxdesign.com/architecture-graduates-showcase?hs_preview=iTVKiCeM-29637896925

the language.

the site.

Site Map of Maunabo, Puerto Rico. Highlighting Nature Reserve Punta Tuna

wreckage studies.

This series of studies explores the concepts cata·formes and cata·lepis of the collapse. Using different methods and techniques in the effort to visualize spatial pockets.

Imagery of damaged home by the forces of Hurricane Maria.

Vector drawing depicting the image to the left. (Software: Photoshop)

Found materials model study of image to the left.

Topographical translation of above image, perspective axonometric view.

orthographic drawings from model studies.

Model Plan Cut at 0.5 inch with Line Drawing

Model Section Cut at 0.5 inch with Line Drawing

Model Plan Cut at 1 inch with Line Drawing

Model Section Cut at 1 inch with Line Drawing

Model Plan Cut at 1.5 inch with Line Drawing

Model Section Cut at 1.5 inch with Line Drawing

species hibernaculum and locomotion.

Centipedes and Earthworms burrow into the ground and create a variety of different tunnels, shown above is an J- and U-shape.

Puerto Rican Tarantula burrow into the ground and set trap doors to capture prey

Mosquitoes early stages spent on water until flight

Honey Beehives are mainly found in tree crevices or attached to tree branches

Butterflies live in colonies and create nests in plants

Iguanas and Anoles dig holes in the ground or under rocks

Coqui (Tree Frogs) are small reptiles, 1-2 inches, that are habitat generalists. Can be found in dead, fallen leaves, shrubs, or other plants

Puerto Rican Racers (Snake) dig burrows into the ground as deep as 42 inches

Puerto Rican Parrots make nests in tree crevices

Herons and Woodpeckers nest in mangroves at different tree elevations

Fruit bats are a tree roosting species are either solitary or heavily colonial. They sleep on tree branches or shrubs

Mongooses and Rodents burrow into the ground. Mongooses are predatory species and live in colonies while rodents can co-habitat with other species.

species speculative habitat and behavioral studies.

This series of speculative drawings represent the cata·symbiosis of different species, mapping the habitat zones and movement found in the natural environment.

Multi-Species Movement Drawing in Elevation

cata·eco·column studies.

Drawings and models explores the species mixtures and vertically stacks them within the collapse. Identifies the cata·formes, cata·lepis, and replaces the spaces with these shapes and forms found in different species habitations.