estudio arkiz: amazon research network

‘amazon research network’ by estudio arkiz, amazon rainforest, brazilimage © estudio arkiz

designboom has recently met with the sao paulo-based estudio arkiz team where they shared with us their concept for a new project in the denseamazon forest. home to over 500 species of mammals, 175 species of lizards, a third of the world’s avian population, and over 30 million types ofinsects the rainforest is at a constant need for protection, especially considering the few people there to do so. as a result, forest burning, illegallumbering, and biopiracy increasingly threaten the existence of the delicate ecosystem. the solution posited by the brazilian firm is a form of temporary occupation that takes advantage of the efficient river systems for mobility, leaving virtually zero carbon footprint. the ‘amazon researchnetwork’ is comprised of a fleet of buoyant catamaran-like scientific vessels that could regulate and study several aspects of the intricate environmentwhile maintaining a presence that would deter criminal activity.

the system would work with the cooperation of two components, the mobile research units and the docking stations. the floating research platforms are made to house a team of 12 members with the appropriate services, accommodations, and six modular laboratories equipped for work in the fields of biology, geology, meteorology, and zoology. they can also be converted into medical facilities to treat riverside inhabitants. built of light aluminum and wood members with a sail and rooftop photovoltaic panels, the units are capable of navigating the rivers for up to a week without refueling. the modular research stations are located at points equidistant from one another, with enough space for larger laboratories and living accommodations for the regular on-site scientists and guest teams from abroad. they are built of local materials with a canopy covered in solar panels and a biodigester plant that breaks down solid waste to generate bio-gas that can be used as fuel.

aerial viewimage © estudio arkiz