Becoming Forest | Sara Fernandes
DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE EDIT
This project starts with questions- questions that have probably always crossed our minds, but one we have never stopped to truly ponder: are humans considered a part of nature or not? And how does architecture, something deeply embedded in human life, the thing that acts as an interface, a mediator, help with the process? Can we be part of the ecosystem, being that grows, participates, and shares resources together? How can architecture create this connection as a part of the living ecosystem? Forest economies today are largely driven by extraction, often prioritizing short-term yield over long-term ecological health, and with increasing pressure on forest ecosystems, there is a need to rethink how we engage with them, not as resources to manage, but as systems we are part of. Therefore, supporting systems like forest farming and forest gardens helps with regeneration rather than depletion, leading to an architectural intervention that helps facilitate the growth of this industry.
The intention, therefore, is not just to reduce damage but to create a connection that restores, regenerates, and supports life. The structure has elements of the forest (layered, interdependent, and constantly changing). This project also accepts that nature is not clean, controlled, or predictable. Hence, growth, weathering, and imperfection become part of the design, bringing architecture and landscape into a closer, more integrated relationship.
About Sara Fernandes: Sara is an architectural designer whose work explores the intersection of architecture, ecology, art, and community. Originally from Mumbai, India, she recently completed her Master of Architecture at the University of Oregon, where she also pursued studies in design ecology and environmental thinking. Her work is driven by a curiosity about the relationships between people, place, and the natural world, with a particular interest in creating meaningful, story-driven spaces that foster connection and environmental stewardship.
Drawing inspiration from architecture, landscape, and artistic practice, Sara approaches each project through research, observation, and storytelling. She believes design can serve as a bridge between human and ecological systems, creating experiences that are both impactful and deeply rooted in their context. Through architecture, art, and interdisciplinary collaboration, she aims to contribute to projects that strengthen communities and cultivate a more thoughtful relationship with nature.
Rhino 3D, D5 Rendering software, Photoshop
Take a look inside Issue Fourteen.
Subscribe
Discover unlimited access to FOREIGN LOOK
PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION
Complete access to Foreign Look-Online archive & the Latest printed edition delivered straight to your door.
Related Stories
