Native plants and animals make ecosystems thrive, but we force them out of our built environments. Haven welcomes them back to our shared home.

Haven Fall 2025, 14 weeks

Restoring the rich connection between man and nature Tools: Expanded cork, Woodworking machinery

THE PROBLEM

“the nature-knowledge deficit, whereby we, as modern human-centric beings, have abandoned our understanding of the connection to and reliance upon nature.”

- LEYLA ACAROGLU

Human-centered design excludes all species on the planet but one. I sought to explore why we have become so disconnected from nature, and how we play a role in multi-species design, to the benefit of all creatures.

A focus on pollinators, especially insects, is vital to improving ecosystem health

How can we begin to dismantle our tradition of controlling and reducing nature, if we don't know what that looks like, in the context of our homes and communities?

THE PRODUCT

Each module, molded out of cork, has its own distinct purpose. Some are for people, such as the benches, and some for the plants and animals, such as the planters. People, together with nature, can work to create a thriving micro-habitat, entirely unique to their community.

Introducing Haven, a modular system of ‘living’ outdoor furniture designed for the people, plants, and animals who maintain it.

Haven’s design features emphasize its intention of nature-forward design, and co-creation between people and the surrounding nature.

Modules can be joined together with an interlocking mechanism or stacked

As an open-ended system of modules, Haven allows you to choose predefined sets or create your own, to fit any outdoor space and level of expertise.

Haven’s virtual design tool, where users can select modules and play around with placement.

Cork oak, known as sobreiro in Portugal, where much of the world’s cork is produced. It is one of the only truly renewable materials; no damage is done to the tree in harvesting, and the bark grows back every nine years.

I chose cork for its versatility, familiar to nature yet distinct. Harvested renewably, it is comfortable, safe, and durable, lasting for years outdoors. Over time, worn edges and aging become signs of care, before the material eventually returns to the earth, entirely decomposable.

Providing a space for nature to thrive

Asphalt and mowed grass keep living things out. Haven supports thriving nature and overgrowth by removing barriers and using accessible materials.

Changing and growing through co-creation

People, plants, animals, and the natural forces work together to create an ever-changing structure.

Unique to each owner, backyard, and locality.

Bringing people closer to the vibrant natural world in their backyards

Inviting people to pause, observe, and reconnect with nature, while removing the barriers of constant maintenance and upkeep.

A view of Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA

DEVELOPMENT

In my research, I found few examples of truly participatory design between people and nature--one being the TERRA! chair, and another being the practice of permaculture, a design system which imitates natural processes in manmade habitats.

In fact, this kind of design was most present in homemade solutions found in backyards as I walked around Pittsburgh; birdhouses, insect hotels, a kid’s wooden playhouse overrun with nature, and more. This led me to realize that people are recognizing this disconnection from nature, and searching for solutions.

TERRA! chair, designed by Studio Nucleo: ‘ The armchair is born in your garden and becomes part of your landscape.’

Ideation, where I explored participatory design, co-creation, and aging.

Form exploration

Marrying form, function, and material qualities of cork