Uploaded July 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
ECOncrete hosted a webinar that focused on Nature-Inclusive Design. Architectural and landscape projects that work together with, and not against, nature.
Participants heard from three experts who each gave unique insight into how we should consider nature when constructing both on land and sea.
Fokko van der Goot, Senior Environmental Engineer at Boskalis, a maritime infrastructure company, and Programme Manager at environmental engineering company EcoShape, spoke about his project titled Building Nature with Indonesia. Local farmers of fish and shrimp ponds in Java, Indonesia, were taught how to arrange coastal field schools. They also integrated mangrove trees in the area, in order to stabilize the muddy environment. This not only resulted in a healthier coast, but increased farmer income by 3x.
Next up to speak was Edmundo Colón Izquierdo, the principal and co-founder of multidisciplinary company ECo, a landscape architect and associate professor at Puerto Rico’s landscape architecture school. Edmundo focused on two major hurricanes in 2017 that demolished all infrastructure in Puerto Rico. As a response, Edmundo and environmental engineers created the Alianza la cuenca del río piedras group. This environmentally-focused alliance meets with local community groups in Puerto Rico, engineers from the army corps and politicians in order to rebuild infrastructure sustainably.
Lastly, Gena Wirth, Design Principal at SCAPE Landscape Architecture, discussed nature-based design specifically as it relates to invertebrate species. While small and seemingly insignificant, invertebrates are extremely important to all life on Earth. They aid in pivotal biological processes such as pollination, pest control, and medicine and research. Invertebrates are at risk, as many landscape designs such as lawns and mulch beds are harmful to the over one million invertebrate species. However, landscape design that supports invertebrates is possible! Gena provided examples of this by showcasing projects from a design class she taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. For example, one project proposed that homeowners with a backyard could devote 30% of their land to more diverse insect habitats.
ECOncrete hosted a webinar that focused on Nature-Inclusive Design. Architectural and landscape projects that work together with, and not against, nature.
Participants heard from three experts who each gave unique insight into how we should consider nature when constructing both on land and sea.
Fokko van der Goot, Senior Environmental Engineer at Boskalis, a maritime infrastructure company, and Programme Manager at environmental engineering company EcoShape, spoke about his project titled Building Nature with Indonesia. Local farmers of fish and shrimp ponds in Java, Indonesia, were taught how to arrange coastal field schools. They also integrated mangrove trees in the area, in order to stabilize the muddy environment. This not only resulted in a healthier coast, but increased farmer income by 3x.
Next up to speak was Edmundo Colón Izquierdo, the principal and co-founder of multidisciplinary company ECo, a landscape architect and associate professor at Puerto Rico’s landscape architecture school. Edmundo focused on two major hurricanes in 2017 that demolished all infrastructure in Puerto Rico. As a response, Edmundo and environmental engineers created the Alianza la cuenca del río piedras group. This environmentally-focused alliance meets with local community groups in Puerto Rico, engineers from the army corps and politicians in order to rebuild infrastructure sustainably.
Lastly, Gena Wirth, Design Principal at SCAPE Landscape Architecture, discussed nature-based design specifically as it relates to invertebrate species. While small and seemingly insignificant, invertebrates are extremely important to all life on Earth. They aid in pivotal biological processes such as pollination, pest control, and medicine and research. Invertebrates are at risk, as many landscape designs such as lawns and mulch beds are harmful to the over one million invertebrate species. However, landscape design that supports invertebrates is possible! Gena provided examples of this by showcasing projects from a design class she taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. For example, one project proposed that homeowners with a backyard could devote 30% of their land to more diverse insect habitats.
