Nature Station

Nature Station is an experimental project by Nomaji and Abau Design that introduces a new way to create biodiversity in urban spaces and highlights the importance of soil. Nature Station consists of modular elements filled with soil from nearby areas. The vegetation and seeds in the soil continue to grow at Nature Station. The goals of Nature Station include creating and defining space, utilizing and recycling soil materials, increasing nature contact and awareness, and providing habitats for organisms and microbes.

Nature Station can be adapted according to location and purpose. The experimental project provided an opportunity to test the functionality of Nature Station on a smaller scale. When scaled up, Nature Station could enable the storage of topsoil and soil during construction. The filled elements can also be used as retaining walls, allowing soil to be collected in a confined area. Local biodiversity benefits as soil organisms remain close to their original location. Additionally, the carbon footprint of the construction site is reduced as soil does not need to be transported elsewhere.

The modules were constructed with steel frames and designed to accommodate grates, steel mesh, or panels. The top of the module can be left open or fitted with a wooden cover or steel mesh, allowing for seating.

The suitable topsoil for the experiment was received from the Kivikko landfill area in Helsinki, as there was no suitable soil available in or near Suvilahti. A flowering annual meadow seed mix was sown in the boxes for the experiment.

The experiment found that the soil remained well-contained within the boxes despite heavy summer rains. The seeds germinated well, and the meadow vegetation also grew through the vertical surfaces of the modules, which was one of the key goals of the original concept. The modules successfully created vertical greenery without complex structures and intensive maintenance.

The pilot project in Suvilahti is part of Forum Virium’s PilotGreen experimental project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund.