Nøha

| Not Only Human Architecture |

Nøha explores both human and non-human subjects, with a central focus on environment-based research.

Nøha is committed to collaboration and cross-disciplinary partnerships, emphasizing research-driven design and novel perspectives.

Nøha translates future visions into SPACE — physical, digital and ethereal.

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Nøha is a collaborative lab that challenges the design process of space-making Nøha is a collaborative lab that challenges the design process of space-making

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FORESTPRINTS

Competition for Conceptual Design of Leškopoljska Gorica Forest Park
organized by the Municipality of Podgorica, Montenegro
3rd Prize

A one-month long sprint squeezed between two full time jobs and an entire art installation to organize on distance. June 2024, we are working from Zürich and Beijing.

the process

Before even starting to look into the site we do a crash-course on forest ecosystems. We are fascinated with the thought that with time and no-human disturbance almost every ecosystem will eventually end up forest-like. A forest is the endpoint of ecological succession. Without any significant disturbances, the forest will endure indefinitely... This gives us an impulse to define a strategy, where we as architects and landscape planners would only do the first boost to activate the land, and then would step back letting the forest to evolve and to hide the marks that the initial human intervention left.

With this strategy in mind we start to study carefully the site, its soil and the climate - everything starts with a healthy soil!

FOOD FOREST

This area will evolve into a dynamic food forest which will enrich the soil and foster a thriving ecosystem. By implementing contour plantings and smart water retention systems, inoculating the soil with beneficial fungi and focusing on decomposing fungi cultivation, we are able to transform this area from grass and shrubs to a food forest and eventually into a mature forest with a self-sustaining habitat.

Food Forest

CULTURE FOREST

The area next to main access is the place where we focus on community inclusion, education and development of a sense of ownership for the forest. The focus is on native and ornamental species, with prominent protagonist trees creating a cultural connection with the church park bellow. Two main elements of the culture forest are its ephemeral stage and the education center. The decision to design the stage vertically was driven by a desire to minimize its footprint on the forest floor. By extending upwards rather than outwards, the stage preserves the integrity of the natural environment while providing a dynamic platform for performances and events. The stage’s technological appearance stands in stark contrast to the lush, green surroundings of the forest.

The educational center, on the other side, is not just a place of nurturing but also a a naturally integrated piece of art that showcases and educates the public on the reforestation process in its entirety. Its architecture reflects the overall topography of the steep terrain, creating a cascading series of spaces carefully divided into three sections, mirroring the phasing stages of the reforestation process. A highlight of the Educational Centre is the family café serving food and drinks made entirely with locally sourced products from the forest, utilizing various processes of fermentation and collection. This culinary experience showcases the circularity that can be achieved through a strong re-connection with nature. The cherry on top of the Forest Park Study Center is the stunning sunset-facing terraces.

Culture Forest - The Stage

Culture Forest - Edu Center

Culture Forest - Famiily Cafe

SILENT FOREST

A serene forest designed to enhance soil health near the cemetery and establish a historical path connecting the archeological Grot area with the cemetery chapel and throught the forst park to the ancient tumulus on the hilltop. The area features a therapeutic garden and bioengineering techniques for slope stabilization (krainer walls, hugelkultur and mulching), as well as integrated benches, insect hotels and a bike and service station with a canopy roof following the slope topography. Initial planting focuses on native species and therapeutic plants, evolving into a tranquil and biodiverse habitat resistant to the sun.

CLIFF FOREST

Here we focus on establishing a resilient forest connected with the nearby river biotope. Main actions in this area concern stabilizing the rocky terrain, remediating the soil and establishing a diverse vegetation cover. The actions for forest’s human visitors consist in a safe pedestrian connection with the river side, a system of hiking paths and low-impact recreation facilities: an outdoor gym and fitness area and a forest-hut cafe with a view.

We are not the protagonists! Let's respect the forest and its inhabitants for our better common future!

If you are interested in our ongoing research on afforestation and minimal intervention park design, drop us a line, we will be happy to plan a forest/park for you or your city!

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