Pearls Airport's Urban Village

Abstract: On the north east coast of the Caribbean island Grenada, there´s an abandoned airport. This extraordinary environment is located in a valley between tropical mountains covered by lush rain forest. The landing stripe is a 1,5-kilometer-long runway of history, facing the rough Atlantic Ocean. Grenada has already suffered badly from hurricanes and tropical storms. While climate changes are evolving the island is in risk for more frequently and more intense weather appearances. Damages can be reduced with well-constructed buildings and overall more hurricane safe design solutions. This project is addressing site specific qualities and challenges while aiming to create an affordable and sustainable living environment. By transforming rural wasteland to energy smart and hurricane proof housing surrounded by programed and flexible public spaces, the design proposal aims to solve the local problems with low quality housing and the lack of accessible performable outdoor environments.