RESISTING THE WAVES: A Case Study for Interactive, Protective Coastal Infrastructure in Massachusetts
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There are multiple lines of defense and hybrid solutions. But these techniques are not always perfect. We’ve been trying to harness nature for a long time. -Peter Hanrahan Certified professional in erosion and sediment control
Colleen Loughlin | Advisor: Prof. Cordula Roser-Gray
Recreational Kayak Dock
A Ne wb ury por t
B
H arbor
Phase 1 2016
Fish Prep. Kitchen View into Community Wing
Storm Event East Perspective
aluminum structural mullion metal gutter on perimeter of glass roof
Pop. Density Population Density 700-1,600people/sq.mi. per sq.mi 700-1,600
marsh marsh
mainland mainland
sand flats
sand flats
barrier drumlin drumlinfreshwater freshwater marshmarsh
barrier beach beach
residential
commercial
educational
restaurant
Area of Critical Environmental Concern
hotel
City of Newburyport
Coastal erosion, rising sea-levels and man-made development on barrier islands pose high levels of risk to coastal communities, environments and ecosystems. Natural and artificial processes are exacerbating erosion and habitat loss in coastal areas, yet the existing on-shore built defensive measures fail to protect the coast without damaging the ecosystem further. Taking advantage of existing offshore coastal protective breakwater systems, a new architectural breakwater typology will benefit the local marine industries and protect the coastline while catalyzing awareness of the coastal situation through its interactive design.
typical pre-fabricated concrete sloped roof component
North Jetty
aluminum mullions and glass wall at entry
A
sand accumulation
0.3 miles
wbury Town of Ne
8 $1
1905-08
2 $60,48
$4,600
$8,814,541 $1,489,000
1917-18 1925
C
cu ua
2
Adjusted present day value
Sea Wall
0.5 miles
water collection in prefabricated concrete base component
Offshore Sandbar Demonstration Lab
C
Breakwater Component Exploded Axon | Commercial Fishing Education Space
32.8
radiused tetrapod legs assembly
12.7 Hands-on Classroom
sand accumulation
Massachusetts’ economy is driven by the maritime industry, with approximately 82,000 jobs contributing to the state’s revenue and economy. Acknowledging that coastal development and habitation is predicted to increase, an architectural infrastructure that defends the developed coastline while simultaneously furthering the local marine fishing industry, collecting sediment for beach replenishment, creating habitats, and raising community awareness is critical.
Dredging
0.9 miles
Public Dock + Water Taxi Station
Lobby
Plum Island Center
Average Earnings (thousands) of Marine Industry
adjusted present day value
Sandbag Revetments
sand accumulation
transportation + shipping
15
1968-70
typical pre-fabricated hollow concrete leg component
d
1936-38
,21
fish prep. kitchen and walk-in freezer
Public Deck
oo
1925
co
1968-70
c
t
c e r +
lobster trap storage and lockers
commercial fishing boat at fuel pump
natural aggregation of prefab tetrapod components
+f
Jetty 1905-08 Repair Costs 1917-18
$2 ,34 6
al t s a
39.2
m s i r ou
n
tio c u tr
ons
19.6
.
ail
, 70 0
1936-38
environmental services
ret
$1 43
Groin Field
re ed sea uc rch at ion +
re
0
,60 0 3 $3
aq
Jetty
44.6
ltu
$8,730
$223,0 00
32
wooden floating commercial fishing dock
Coast Guard Tower
B
0 ,4 0
Phase 1a 2020
Breakwater
100 year storm flood zone
typical pre-fabricated concrete wall component
rigid architectural form responding to tetrapods
D
Lecture Room
concrete tetrapod breakwater component
Tetrapod Analyzation
Food Prep.
Plum Island Center
D
Fish Prep. Kitchen
Phase 2 2025
Freezer
Lobster Trap Storage Accessible Walkway
9’
180
Lockers 160
8’
140
7’
120
6’
Annapolis Way Erosion
10
9
8
100
7
Pre-fabricated Tetrapod Leg
5’
Tide Predictions By Month (ft)
6
Flood Events Per Year
5
80
4’
N
Sea Level Rise
<20
MLLLW datum
4
3
60
3’
40
2’
2
20
1’
0
0’
Storm Center Site Plan 1/8” : 1’-0”
1
0 Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
1975
2000
2025
2050
2075
>300
2100
Sea Level Rise
High Tide
Norfolk, VA Flood Events
Low Tide
Portland, ME Flood Events
Storm Frequency
Boston, MA Flood Events
Massachusetts Tide Averages and Storm Frequency
Sea Level Rise and Increasing Flood Events Per Year
Flood Insurance Policies per 1000 Residents
Support with Tetrapod Aggregate Coast Guard Section n.t.s development
Commercial Fishing Section n.t.s .25” aluminum plate
1/8” glass
spider clip Continued residential development and population movement to the coast creates a need for new coastal protection
Eroding sand dunes are diminishing in size and are not as protective for the developed coastline
Existing infrastructural protection such as rock jetties aim to slow wave energy and gather moving sediment to increase the shoreline
A calm intertidal water zone results from the breakwater and allows for recreational water sports as well as swimming
Tetrapods break wave energy and create spaces for marine habitats and an artificial reef
Sand accumulates The breakwater slows behind the breakwater down wave energy from and naturally travels storms and water flow downshore for beach replenishment
The storm center responds to existing infrastructure and takes on a similar rigid construction to defend the coast
gutter
Phase 3 2030
typ. exterior roof
.5” circular pipe
typ. exterior wall 1’ reinforced concrete .25” rebar
Education Center Section n.t.s
.75” flooring vapor barrier
Attach Pre-fabricated Arms coast guard tower
bea c
h ero
sio n stance about 3/4 breakwater to shore di
hollow precast concrete leg
education
sand accumulation
natu ral sand deposit onshore
commercial fishing
Detailed Typ. Exterior Wall Section 3/16” : 1’-0”
miles
precast concrete tetrapod
recreation
public dock
2-3ft beach lost per year
erosion
Attach Glass Skylight
sediment movement
water storage
artificial reef calm intertidal zone wave energy
breakwater attenuates wave energy sediment collection
Program Adjacencies | Mutual Stabilization | Approach
Perspective Underwater West Side
Detailed Typ. Roof|Ground Section 3/16” : 1’-0”