Environmental Awareness Center at Haputale -Thriving Among Verdant-

-Thriving Among Verdant- The design for an environmental awareness center in Haputale, Sri Lanka identifies the clear and impactful problem of pine tree overgrowth in the region and proposes an innovative and effective solution. Extensive research on the negative impacts of pine trees on the environment, as well as alternative tree species and sustainable construction techniques, informs the design. The center aims to completely remove pine trees from the region and replace them with alternative species such as jack and Kumbuk within the next 30 years, addressing the negative impacts of pine trees such as drying water sources, halting underplanting, and degrading soil quality. The center combines technology and sustainable construction techniques to create a unique and interactive learning experience for the community. It aims to educate the community about the negative impacts of pine trees on the environment and teach them how to grow and care for alternative trees. Through residential workshops and activities, the center also provides job opportunities and skills training for the community. Built using a modular system and inspired by the skeleton of a tea factory, a familiar structure in the community, the center is constructed with discarded railway lines and materials from surrounding tea factories, minimizing its environmental footprint. The units are raised off the ground to encourage under planting and preserve the natural surroundings. In the design phase, the arrangement of the modules was carefully considered with the locations of the trees on the site, ensuring that no trees needed to be cut down during construction. The complex consists of three cores: an activity core with movable modules for workshops, exhibitions, and lectures; an administration core; and an accommodation core. The use of pine wood and wood panels made from sawdust, as well as steel corrugated sheets from tea factory roofs, adds to the sustainability of the design. The modules are powered by solar panels, providing a clean and renewable energy source for locomotion on railway lines. Upon completion of the pine tree removal program, the center will be converted into an adventure basecamp and an entry point to the nearby bird sanctuary. It will also serve as a wildlife information and education center, providing further opportunities for nature enthusiasts and educational experiences for the community. In addition, the center's involvement of the community in its construction and operation helps to preserve the existing culture of the Haputale community and uplift their lives while living harmoniously with the natural environment. This design demonstrates critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as originality and relevance to the community. Its impact on users is multifaceted: it provides education and job opportunities that uplift the lives of the community, while also preserving and protecting the natural environment and promoting eco-tourism in the region. The combination of innovation, sustainability, and human interactivity makes this design a valuable addition to the community and a model for similar projects in the future.