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GALLERY 2020

RUNNING DRY:
HOW WATER WILL DESIGN OUR FUTURE

​To incorporate an element of the diversity of environmental conditions addressed in the architecture field, the 2020 Open Studio explored the intersection of water and architecture, focusing on micro and macro interventions related to water. As major cities around the world prepare for critical water management challenges in the near future, designers will be called upon to deliver solutions within the built environment. Students were asked to address how equity, specifically access to water, factored into their model. Final designs showcase a unique storyline of how individual student designers confronted these issues.

This exhibition is a collection of work that demonstrates how students examined historic innovations in water harnessing and how it played a critical role in determining the successes and failures of civilizations. Illustrated through multimedia and text, students share how future prosperity is inextricably linked to our ability to find new design solutions that place genuine value on water. Students and design teams share their explorations and celebration of water through paint, sound interpretation and spatial form making, ultimately demonstrating how water management can be integrated into our built environment.

Anchor 1

"COLLECT"

TEAM 1

Naomi Hailu & Eytan Chen

  • Roof form is inspired by traditional and local roof forms but reinterpreted to collect water more efficiently and made from a more modern material.

  • Structures are cloaked in metal mesh that is durable and a bright warm color that is reminiscent of the colorful roof of Samarinda.

  • Water is collected through:

    • Roof for rain

    • Metal mesh to collect in the humid environment

    • Irrigating from the river

    • Wastewater from local homes  

Anchor 2

TEAM 2

"COLLECT"

Leslie Diaz de Leon

  • Housing units are stackable, which provides stand-alone home or multi-family home.

  • Roof shape directs water to growing vegetation on the façade of the living units.

  • Creation of open space highlights tree, natural vegetation and location of the water cistern.

  • Site works as a system of collecting and storing water before sending it to the water treatment plant “CLEAN.”

  • Local materials are used for cladding homes, while native trees and flowers are used to beautify the space and allow for an enjoyable aroma.

Anchor 3

TEAM 3

"CLEAN"

Eleni Gebrehiwot, Arianna Phillips & Andrew Parker

  • The site is organized to keep as much open park space as possible and have frontage to the street west of the site.

  • Partially exposed water treatment tanks have backup cisterns for overflow, maintenance and future growth. Resilient for the future.

  • Water tanks display educational material on how water is being cleaned below the viewers feet.

  • Admin and offices greet the street with large windows as an entry to the site. The building is held up by large modern stone and has a roof that is reminiscent of the surrounding buildings.

  • The pump station:

    • Is made of local lava rock that changes color and texture with the amount of wetness or dryness. It is symbol of strength.

    • Has opportunities for the community to look into the facility and learn about the water treatment process.

    • The interior encourages an education experience through use of glass portals for visitors to see the pumps and inner workings of the systems. 

    • The exterior has a belt of texture and color that is a reflection of Indonesian art, clothing details and roof colors.

    • The balcony overlooks the community and local river.

    • The roof is made of a series of planted terraces that grow flowers and vegetation. It is a reference to the local agriculture of the land.

TEAM 4

"CELEBRATE"

Niyat Efrem & Afomeya Hailu

  • The big design move diverts the river to run through the site, allowing people to recreate and experience the river firsthand.

  • Allows the river to split the site into two sides. One side is for recreation that is closer to an existing community and one side for administration.

  • Free public facilities are provided to people coming to get water, swim in water and drink water.

  • The use of local Rainbow trees, native to Indonesia, populate the site on the exterior and interior of buildings.

  • The project provides different-scaled water filling stations across the site to allow people to fill large or small vessels.

  • The filling station design integrates into neighboring communities. This design can be plugged into any community.

Anchor 4
Anchor 5

TEAM 5

"CELEBRATE"

Anika Patel & Harold Churchill

  • Water filling station has a relationship to forms.

  • Water filling stations are flexible and can become an indoor and outdoor space.

  • Filling spouts take ques from historical and local fountains.

  • Roof is made of clear material that allows light to pour in while the community fills their water supplies.

  • The rest and admin areas are formally seen as a protective roof that allows people to gather, collect, wonder and rest.

  • The roof has the same slope as the grade of the site and is held up by columns that are reminiscent of trees.

  • The admin area has a view over the local community.

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