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Summer Show 2023
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Aqua Frontier

Project details

Programme
Unit PG20
Year 4

Aqua Frontier is an innovative case study architectural project located in the heart of the Venice Biennale. The project pushes the boundaries of designed ruin, exploring the symbiotic relationship between human creativity and the natural environment. As a living canvas of art, ecology, and collaboration, Aqua Frontier embodies the concept of the ‘symbioscene,’ an integration between the Anthropocene and nature. The project serves as artist residencies and a creative hub for the public, fostering a sense of community through collaboration and shared experiences.

Central to Aqua Frontier's design is the commitment to biodiversity. The technical investigations demonstrate a unique integration of human inhabitation and natural ecosystems, underscoring the importance of environmental consciousness in contemporary architecture. The project ultimately serves as a net-zero retrofit prototype that questions the Venetian relationship with flooding and the longevity. Over time, Aqua Frontier undergoes a gradual transformation, reflecting the eventual reclamation of the site by nature from 2060 to 2100: embracing the potential for harmony between humanity and nature.

Building Sectional 3D Slice

Building Sectional 3D Slice

The residence pods roofs will progressively be adorned with moss and ivy, while the ocean regains biodiversity through bio-rock and coral. This blend of calculated design and nature's spontaneity symbolises heritage in harmony with the environment.

Construction Sequence and Residency Pods Resolution

Construction Sequence and Residency Pods Resolution

This section delves into Aqua Frontier's construction sequence and an in-depth analysis of the residency pods, focusing on their environmental sustainability and technical intricacies, to achieve a harmonious integration with the surroundings.

Experimental Design Process

Experimental Design Process

The experimental design process employs controlled erosion and digital growth simulations. By simulating natural processes, architects can design spaces that evolve with time, providing diverse experiences and engaging users spatially.

Physical Fabrication

After the resolution of the roof tiling and roof chunks, the roof fabrication was investigated with an assembly of 1:10 and 1:20 scaled test pieces. These were 3D printed in clay and polymer resin, which are further pieced into a 1:20 physical model.

Full Portfolio and Design Processes

Full Portfolio and Design Processes

The portfolio serves as a visual and descriptive narrative, showcasing how ideas evolved and transformed over time through a combination of illustrations, diagrams, models, and animated drawings.

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The Bartlett
Summer Show 2023
23 June – 8 July 2023
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