Social Pharm – Conserving Bats for Social Prescribing
Under the ongoing climate challenge and human ignorance on the environment, many species have been living under the threat of extinction, bats being one of them. Although bats are not usually an appealing species to humans, it is an important bioindicator which suggested the quality of ecosystem overtime. An environment that wipes out bats will inevitably wipe out humans in no time, there is an urgency to conserve our environment for different kinds of species. With the background set in Stockport, where deprived communities are under the state of deteriorating mental health, this thesis explores how humans, nature and architecture could synthesize into a mutually beneficial relationship where humans could take care of nature and nature could also take care of humans.
The project takes place at Weir Mill, a cluster of abandoned old mill buildings by River Mersey. It is transformed into a centre for social prescribing and conservation with new natural reserves around. Social prescribing is where health professionals refer patients to different kinds of activities for a better social life and improved mental health. People in Social Pharm could take part in activities that conserve bats and their environment to improve their wellbeing. It features spaces for health consultation, meditation, workshop, bat exhibition, bat nursery and different kinds of roosting and foraging opportunities for bats. It is a healing ground for both bats and humans.
