Wouter Mosselman

Five spatial narratives on the encounter between humans and animals

How can a place be shaped where humans and animals can come together in harmony?
For the Oostvaardersplassen, a unique natural reserve in the Netherlands, five locations have been designed to foster interaction between humans and animals — from majestic sea eagles to the small moles inhabiting the Marker Wadden. The designs aim to stimulate encounters and synergy between human presence and animal life.

Motivation and design brief

The Oostvaardersplassen, a true bird sanctuary and an expansive steppe-like landscape for large grazers, is home to countless species of birds and animals within this new wilderness. In recent years, discussions have intensified about how humans create, manage, delimit and ultimately relinquish control over nature.

The boundaries of this area play a crucial role in shaping the freedom and accessibility of both animals and humans. These boundaries became a central element in the design process. Rather than seeing them as limitations, they were approached as points of connection between two worlds: that of humans and that of animals.

Theoretical approach

This research is firmly grounded in the theoretical framework of post-humanism and the more-than-human approach. These perspectives assume that humans and animals do not inhabit separate worlds, but that their existence and wellbeing are closely intertwined. By integrating this lens, the designs become not only practical interventions but also manifestations of a philosophical vision that blurs the boundary between humans and nature and emphasises their mutual dependence. This relates, for example, to Jakob von Uexküll’s concept of the Umwelt: how does an animal perceive and experience the world?

Who inhabits the Oostvaardersplassen?

The research focused primarily on the inhabitants and visitors of the area. Who are they, and how do they behave? How do they experience the world around them, and what constitutes the essence of that experience? This approach led to the development of specific design elements that respond to the needs of the animals.

Perception as a foundation

In the design process, not only the human perceptual world was considered, but also how different animal species perceive their surroundings in their own ways. The way we experience a place differs greatly from how animals do, and this can vary significantly from one species to another. How do animals experience architecture? Visualising what animals perceive therefore becomes essential. Through drawing techniques such as watercolour, an attempt was made to represent these experiential worlds as accurately as possible.

Places for encounter

To this day, there is still limited knowledge about how animals experience the world and what specific aesthetic needs they may have. Designing for animals is about offering multiple possibilities, ensuring they always have choices about where to be, depending on their needs. By writing and visualising narratives, it becomes easier to empathise with their world, to understand the routes they follow and the needs they express.

Five locations have been designed that foster encounters between humans and animals at the edges of human-shaped nature. This represents an outstretched hand from humans to animals, made possible through architecture. These places not only offer opportunities for people to come closer to nature, but also contribute to a deeper understanding and respect for the indigenous flora and fauna. They create a symbiotic relationship between humans and the animals that inhabit this remarkable environment.