Life Above Water
Adaptive Architecture for a Changing Climate
Climate change is intensifying, bringing rising seas and extreme weather to coastal regions. This project explores how architecture can adapt existing structures into resilient, self-sufficient systems—offering both protection and shelter—while supporting long-term strategies like managed retreat.
Inspired by traditional stone warehouses, the model features a new, self-sufficient structure connected by a floating bridge. The original structure becomes an exhibition center and water level archive, featuring a glass tunnel for observing tidal changes. The new addition demonstrates off-grid living with solar power, water filtration, integrated wetlands, and flexible public spaces. It can also convert into a shelter for over 20 people during severe weather.
The bridge system is engineered with a dynamic hinge-and-lock mechanism that allows it to respond seamlessly to fluctuating water levels. During low tides or normal water conditions, the bridge locks firmly into place, creating a stable and level connection between the original stone warehouse and the new floating structure (The shape is specifically designed to meet ADA requirements). As water levels rise, the buoyant addition begins to lift, and the bridge gradually tilts, reducing its angle to accommodate the vertical movement. This adaptive design ensures continuous accessibility regardless of tidal shifts, while the pivoting motion also becomes a visible indicator of environmental change—subtly reminding visitors of the ongoing transformation of our coastal landscapes. The bridge not only serves as a physical connector but also as a responsive architectural gesture that embodies the fluid relationship between built form and nature.
Bridge at Current Water Level
Bridge at 500 YR Flood Water Level
The bridge system is specifically designed for changing water levels. During the current water level, the bridge will be locked in with the pilar system, provide ADA accessible ramp in between the two structures. In the event of a 500-year flood, the new structure will be significantly elevated, and the bridge will rise accordingly, creating a gentler slope. The difference in water levels can also be experienced through the tunnel in the old structure, offering a powerful, nature-driven exhibition.
Off-grid Living Lifestyle - Electricity and Water (Collect, Reuse, and Reclaim)
The floating bridge, acting as both a connective element and a symbolic threshold between the old and the new, is designed with embedded lighting elements that illuminate the path with a gentle, inviting glow. These integrated lights not only ensure visibility and safety during nighttime or stormy conditions but also create a sense of warmth and comfort—offering psychological relief in an otherwise stark and shifting environment. At night, the illuminated bridge becomes a striking visual beacon, casting a soft reflection on the water and serving as a landmark that can be seen from a distance. This subtle radiance embodies hope and resilience, guiding visitors toward the future-facing addition while reinforcing the structure’s identity as both sanctuary and symbol in a changing world.
