Through Water - A Symbiosis with Coral:
Fall 2019 | Semester III | University of Pennsylvania
Housing Studio with Gisela Baurmann & Timothy Wang
Publications:
Nominated for Pressing Matters IX
Nature Art and Habitat - Reflections, Coexistence in times of COVID
In nature, organisms co-exist together in every sense, working in tandem with one another in order to survive. As humans, we’ve grown to put ourselves above nature and our environment, creating a hierarchy that places our well being above all others. This inter-species housing studio challenges the traditional idea of “humans first” and examines the results and benefits that can come from a cooperative non-hierarchical relationship between two species living together.
symbiosis noun
sym·bi·o·sis | \ ,sim-bē-ō-ses , -bī- \
plural symbioses \ ,sim-bē-ō-,sēz \
Definition of symbiosis
1: the living together in more or less intimate association or close union of two dissimilar organisms (as in parasitism or commensalism) especially: Mutualism
mutualism noun
mu·tu·al·ism | \ ,myü-che-we-li-zem , myü-che-li-, myüch-we-li- \
Definition of mutualism
1: the doctrine or practice of mutual dependence as the condition of individual and social welfare
A living precedent study was used as an introduction to the co-habitant housing. An analysis and examination of elements in nature was done to create a better understanding of embedded organizations and systems found within the natural world.
The study of the organism above began as an inquiry into the mundane but essential species of grasses. In addition to the vertical nested system of the plant, a formal inspiration and typology evolved from the blooming organism.
This study served as a basis for creating the residential housing units that would make up the urban site. Seen below, are two of the housing typologies that would be explored in this inter-species apartment complex.
Generative Paper Unit Models
Choosing a species to co-exist alongside humans, coral came to mind as posing both a multitude of opportunities as well as challenges. With a focused interest on the idea of public versus private space, water introduced a mediator, blurring the edges between the two realms. Concept ideas bloomed to propose coral flowing between the aggregation of units, creating a connection as well as barrier for those living inside.
Seen below, a public spine runs vertically up through the middle of the space, dividing the private residencies and creating a medium between public and private.
To help restore dying coral reefs around the world, each housing unit is design to be extracted from the building after a critical mass of coral has begun to grow. Once this point has been reached, the unit is removed and sunk into the ocean where it will become a new habitat for reefs to be born.
This modularity allows for a flexibility of the building itself too. Over time, the building can grow, shrink, or change in form to accommodate the changing city and the residents within.
Due to the flexibility of the building, the facade and massing consists of stepping blocks, designed to grow horizontally and vertically depending on the demand and availability of units. As the stepping grows, views and light are prioritized to allow maximum comfort.
