This project, in its ambition, tackles complexities in the wicked problem of undesirable ‘dryness’ that persists in Barcelona’s postindustrial waterfronts and urban fringes, aims to leverage the concept of ‘wetness’ in its various interpretations and representations in order for reimagination of a better future by building resiliency, vitality and adaptability.
Through rigorous cross-scale analytical processes to unfold the multidimensional existing qualities surrounding the site and its larger regional settings, a robust design inventory and strategy systems through typological investigation as well as articulated spatial manipulation, orientation are distilled to address issues at hand. In its essence, the design uses a diverse yet interconnected set of tools in an attempt to reach a level of comprehensivity that begins to resolve the different “dryness” in social, economic, ecological, geographical and infrastructural terms under a dynamic urban scale inclusive of a waterfront, riverscape and urban center. It is a design by inquiry, through research, realized via investigation, expanded from exploration and projection.
Lok Tim Chan, MLA ’22; Echo Xingjian Wang, MLA ’22; Eric Zhenrui Mei, MLA ’22
Course:
LA 6010 Integrating Theory and Practice I
Maria Goula, Faculty Advisor
Semester:
Fall 2020
Recognition:
Honor Award, General Design
ASLA Student Awards, 2021
Comprehensive System of "Wetness"
A design overview of coastal, river, and urban zones which involved five conceptual strategies of "wetness",
Historic Evolution and Hydrology
A comprehensive regional analysis to identify what sort of dryness, wetness exist in the districts. The industrial expansion caused the environment dryness of the Besos river in the history evolution and the site is lacking hydrology but occasionally has floods.
Zonal Typologies
These preliminary concept diagrams re-introduce wetness as the primary move across scales, where the major zonal typologies were identified: the coast, the river, and urban fabric to imagine transformations that reconnect these zones to rejuvenate the larger neighborhood.
Artificial Wetland
The floating islands re-establishes wetland and riparian conditions that provide a new riverine habitat.
River Corridor
The river corridor focuses on the reconnection of neighborhoods with the riverside.