WATERSCAPER

Diagram of living

Taking into consideration the analysis of coral reefs, this project proposes the creation of multiple islands that function as a system and succeeds to coexist with environmental and physical conditions. This system is responsible for the symbiosis between people and water. Through its porous structure that is composed of different size openings, it allows the natural flow of water and it uses the same principles in order to create habitable space. Moreover, there is not a specific categorization of landscape, water breaker or infrastructure because they all have the same function that of allowing the natural flow of water through the different size openings and protecting the people from the strong water currents while they create the infrastructure for habitable space.

The first priority in this proposal is the creation of a system– infrastructure that allows natural flow of the water and protects from the strong waves. In this way it not only prevents flooding but also filtrate the city in order to reduce pollution.  The city needs the water and it is designed according to this principle. The program of habitable space is based on the water management masterplan. In most architectural proposals the primary concern is where people go, while in this project it is where the water goes. The program is about creating environments that organically allow water to move, while every other decision is based on the same principle.

How do people inhabit this system?  There are different physical conditions that define the zoning and consequently different size, scale, density and thickness of the openings. Most of the islands are in-between the Arabian Sea and the creek. Small, dense openings create a strong infrastructure against the waves. This area cannot be habited because the strong waves will create uncomfortable places for living. The strong wave intensity will cause an unstable structure and the sound will make people feel stress. Moreover these place need to be dense enough in order to avoid breaking from the wave so the infrastructure cannot be hollow. Big openings next to the wave breakers are needed so the wave after hitting in the submerged breaker could pass through the openings under water with less intensity. Large openings allow the water to pass freely while they slow it down. In this area the openings cannot be filled, the most appropriate living type is inside the infrastructure. The same type is found to the side of the creek. This habitable space is defined from water tidal, some days it will be underwater and others above water. This space is mostly for manufacture area because it is uncomfortable place to live due to the uncertain tidal and water conditions but a functional space to work. In the center there is the most protective area from strong water currents as it is mostly above water and it is protected from the openings that are found on the periphery. There are brittle structures that have no limitation to the height but they stand on pilotes structure that allows the natural flow of water in case of flooding. The infrastructure on the center has microscopic opening that allow the water to pass through. The buildings are connected both above and on the infrastructure of the island.  They are constructed in the same principles of the island construction, that of different opening size that filter the water, protect from the environmental conditions while proving a comfortable habitable space. There are mostly housing and public facilities.

In-between the periphery and the center there are small structures function both as habitable space and wave breakers. These structures fill some of the smaller scale openings and are mostly enclosed. There will be commercial space, as it does not need to be completely open in order to function. The connectivity between the habitable spaces is through the infrastructure. The transportation is inside the structure; in this way it allows the top of the infrastructure to be public space free of vehicles. Green areas are found in parts of the structure. Close to the water are mostly mangroves that filter physically the water, while they increase the biodiversity of the city.  In the center green areas are found above the infrastructure, while in some parts that they need thickness in order to be developed they fill the openings. The city function as a system. Different typologies of buildings are defined from the water management. People live inside or above the infrastructure. In the center there is the possibility to fill some of the openings and create sky or water scaper. The transportation is happening inside the infrastructure. Moreover the tidal water level creates different experiences for habitats…