Buoyant Scapes : Adaptation to sea-level rise

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate and express the embodied potential of the architectural profession, as an influential actor against global climate change. The study investigates and proposes a hybrid floating intervention that helps adapt to sea-level rise and in length helps counterbalance the carbon emissions connected to fossil fuel consumption. The paper is divided in 3 parts. Part 1 outlines the understanding of three terms ‘infrastructure’, ‘landscape’, and ‘architecture’, and questions whether these distinctions are reasonable and beneficial for designers, or if we should instead focus on the intersections of these divisions. A dynamic discipline must be studied at its borders while yet being conserved at its center. Such crossings become especially important in large-scale projects. Part 2 outlines the concept of Aquatecture, a typology, water, and architectural design that can unify to produce dynamic and positive sea-level rise mitigation solutions. The article is devoted to the investigation of aquatecture’s key components, providing autonomous functioning of a floating structure as an artificial close-loop ecosystem. An architectural ecosystem is subdivided into four main functions: extraction of resources and water, energy production, waste disposal, and automated systems. Part 3 outlines the historic past, present, and future of Malmo and reflects on the role of the architects in today’s society and global conditions. Furthermore, it consists of a hybrid architectural proposal floating on the aquatic medium, ultimately answering the United Nations' global call against climate change, with sequestrating action. Most importantly the project proposes a new paradigm to alter climate change.