The Skip of a Stone…: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Mental Health and Biodiversity in Bath
ABEE 3007 Integrated Design Grade 75 _1st
In this project, developed in conjunction with my final thesis, I explore an innovative solution to address two critical challenges facing Bath: the silent pandemic of men's mental health issues and the declining biodiversity in the River Avon ecosystem. My concept revolves around creating a "personal touchstone" that integrates with and informs my final thesis project by relating to the issues I aim to mitigate through design.
The main themes I examine are the alarming rate of male suicides and the need for inclusive spaces to combat isolation and stigma; the threat to local biodiversity due to excessive phosphorus levels in the River Avon; the integration of stone skipping as a therapeutic activity to foster male bonding and communication; and the development of biodegradable skipping stones that act as catalysts to reduce phosphorus levels in the river.
I critically analyse how a single solution can bridge these seemingly disparate issues, proposing the creation of specialised skipping stones that serve both as a tool for male social interaction and to combat the growing phosphorus levels in the River Avon. These high phosphorus levels, resulting from agricultural runoff, sewage treatment effluent, and fertiliser use in cities like Bath and Bristol, are destroying habitats, disrupting ecosystems, and increasing algal blooms and eutrophication.
I find the integration of stone skipping with environmental problem-solving fascinating. The project's interdisciplinary approach, combining material science and ecology, demonstrates how simple activities can impact both mental health and environmental conservation. This innovative solution addresses complex community challenges through a single, well-designed intervention. The "personal touchstone" concept effectively connects to my larger thesis work, showcasing a holistic approach to architectural problem-solving that considers both immediate and broader impacts.
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