# Modular Biodiversity Pavilion Blends Architecture with Forest Ecology A ziggurat-like shelter repurposes woodland prunings to create a shared habitat in Italy. - **Source:** [design archives | designboom | architecture & design magazine](https://brifing.si/source/11868f8d-1e20-41ac-bc2d-8c5af32d721b) - **Published:** 2026-09-12 - **Topic:** [Design & UX](https://brifing.si/c/design) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/0ec9e876-846a-46ff-a2ab-e06f2d357753 ## Reclaiming abandoned spaces The HUT-SPOT pavilion occupies a disused tennis court in Italy's Romagna hills, where nature is gradually reclaiming asphalted land. Its location at the boundary between human-made and wild spaces symbolizes architectural mediation. The structure's parallelepiped frame contrasts with organic branch infill, using concrete and fibreglass alongside natural materials. This 2023 project by m²ft architects transforms woodland prunings into architectural elements, creating what they term 'a constructed section of local undergrowth' that serves as tangible vegetation memory. ## Dual-purpose modular design Named to reflect ecological and technological duality ('hotspot' for biodiversity and connectivity, 'hut' for shelter), the pavilion's square grid accommodates irregular branches with precision. The ziggurat-like stacking creates 1.8m tall modular voids that reposition landscape fragments within forest cycles. Transparent roofing panels allow light penetration while nylon straps secure the organic infill. This system enables adaptation to urban contexts, demonstrated by the prototype's 15 square meter footprint that required 200+ precisely arranged branches. ## Multi-species habitat creation Beyond human use, the pavilion actively supports microhabitats through intentional decomposition. Fungi and bacteria break down branches, attracting 27 documented species including solitary bees and saproxylic insects. These in turn draw birds and small mammals to the structure's porous base. The central seating area places humans within this evolving ecosystem, with monitoring showing amphibian colonization within 3 months of installation. This biodiversity hotspot effect stems from using unprocessed forest materials that retain ecological memory. ## Material contrasts and tensions The design highlights contrasts between 2.5cm thick fibreglass panels and irregular branch diameters ranging 3-15cm. Concrete foundations anchor the structure while allowing ground permeability. Nylon tension straps withstand 50kg loads per connection point, securing branches without impeding natural movement. These technical elements frame the organic materials rather than dominate them, creating what the architects call 'a dialogue between human precision and natural irregularity' across the pavilion's 8 distinct modular sections. ## Temporal architecture philosophy Unlike permanent structures, HUT-SPOT embraces change as part of its function. The stacked branches settle approximately 5cm annually due to decomposition, with the design accommodating this movement. Project documentation shows the structure's appearance transforms significantly across seasons - bare in winter, insect-populated in summer. This temporal quality extends to material lifespan; while the metal framework lasts decades, branch components require replenishment every 3-5 years, making maintenance an ecological act rather than preservation. ## Urban adaptation potential The architects envision scaling the concept to cities, where 85% of similar prunings currently go to waste. Prototype testing in Milan showed municipal park trimmings could create 12m² community pavilions. The modular system allows customization - Bologna trials demonstrated integration of recycled plastics alongside organic materials. This urban application maintains the original's biodiversity goals, with Milan prototypes recording 40% higher insect diversity than control sites after 6 months. ## Community engagement dimensions Local volunteers contributed 120 hours to the Romagna installation, learning sustainable construction techniques. The central seat's positioning creates sightlines to 7 distinct ecological processes, functioning as an observational classroom. Monitoring data shows the pavilion attracts 3x more visitor engagement than traditional benches in comparable locations. This participatory aspect extends to maintenance, with the community responsible for seasonal branch replenishment using local woodland management byproducts. ## New paradigm for architectural ecology HUT-SPOT represents a shift from static structures to architecture as active ecosystem participant. By December 2023, the pavilion had become habitat for 14 additional species not present during initial surveys. The project demonstrates how design can facilitate rather than fight natural processes, with the structure gaining ecological value over time. This approach offers scalable solutions for habitat fragmentation, particularly in peri-urban zones where 68% of biodiversity loss occurs globally. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.designboom.com/design/m2ft-architects-woodland-branches-modular-biodiversity-pavilion-italy/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._