Emergence: Nonlinear Ecologies of Future Airports 

By Sarah Fayad

Abstract

This project is in response to the pressures facing Badgerys Creek waterways as the second Sydney Airport emerges; specifically, focusing on the increasing threat of invasive algae growth and the rising issues with airport pollution. A foreseen rise in pollution, CO2 level and nutrient supply to creeks will result in detrimental algal blooms in surrounding waterways – causing disturbance and imbalance in the overall ecosystem.

What if an Airport infrastructure was more than just an energy consumer, but rather an energy source contributing positively to the globe?

In response to these ecological disturbances, the project employs the use of invasive algae --‐ challenges the stigma associated – and shows the potential of a landscape engineered system that is able to sustain the airport at various scales. The airport landscape becomes an algae farm and the terminals become a place for understanding the growth of algae and production of biofuel encouraging social interaction between travellers. In addition, two buildings become a laboratory for monitoring and a processing plant for the production of biofuel.

Emergence in nonlinear ecologies of Airports gives rise to questions of possibilities and acts as a model for other sectors of urban growth to do the same. The Airport will stand alive, living symbiotically within its environment, by using the creek’s invasive algae to drive its sustainability whilst creating a site specific airport. The variations of algae species will create an interactive airport which evolves throughout the year reflecting the changing state of the environment and climate of Badgerys Creek.