In an urban setting, the constant struggle between humanity's architectural control and nature's persistent intrusion shapes our environment. Despite our efforts to confine and curate nature within defined spaces, it inevitably infiltrates, inosculates, and expands through time. We selectively allow nature's entry, embracing curated and appropriated forms within our constructed landscapes. This tension between our desire to control and nature's inherent drive to propagate is evident in the permeability of museums, both socially and physically. Architectural envelopes become sites of tension as we negotiate the boundary between interior and exterior spaces, deciding what elements of nature to incorporate within. Our relationship with nature in urban settings oscillates between conflict and collaboration, as evidenced by practices of curating, appropriating, and confining nature within English gardens, birdhouses, and botanical gardens. Yet, amidst these tensions, there's a recognition of the need to create spaces where nature can flourish, where birds can sing and trees can grow freely. Playwright Jacques Deval's words resonate, reminding us of the delicate balance between human intervention and the innate beauty of the natural world. “God loved the birds and made trees. Man loved the birds and made cages”. Thus, the challenge lies in designing buildings that not only accommodate but also harmonize with nature, allowing it to perform and create habitats within defined spaces while respecting its autonomy and intrinsic value.

A grotto is a man-made cave-like structure often found in gardens or estates, designed to mimic the appearance of natural caves. It typically features rock formations, water elements like fountains or pools, and is crafted to evoke a sense of natural wonder and beauty. Grottoes are an ironic attempt at providing faux nature within man-made controlled settings.