| The design for non-humans has historically been situated in the human dimension where shelter is the unit of measurement. Urbanization has isolated humans from nature, resulting in negative impacts on other species and the fragile ecosystem.;By focusing on birds foremost and humans secondly, the design attempts to compensate for the asymmetrical cultural and technological scapes in which architecture has been designed primarily for humans with little regard to other species. The choice of site, though small, does not attempt to be viewed as a 'bird sanctuary' since it does not fit the criteria to be categorized as such. Instead, it offers the possibility in converting other rooftops that together would provide substantial area to make places friendlier to migratory birds along with humans and other species.;This thesis aims to promote the mediation between species, in this case, birds and humans, in the context of the city. This is initiated through the proposal of a semi-public, forested bird garden atop the roof of an existing parking garage located in Downtown Toronto. The downtown core in Toronto, in particular, poses a fatal threat to migrating birds due to its light pollution and highly reflective glass towers. |
