Lifeline xref 2015

what is the true value

of water to a city?

how does water change a what are the

city’s identity?

challenges that lie ahead for society?

LIFELINE

2 15 20

the lifeline that gives birth to and sustttains a city

[ P E R·S P E C · T I V E ]

THREATS | CUTOFF FOOD | WATER | SHELTER SUPPLY | DEMAND

[GAINING PERSPECTIVE ] growing up in a developed country, water is often taken for granted. it runs from our taps and navigates in ‘hidden’ conveyances that distributes, circulates and always appears with a turn of the faucet - i.e. clifton forebay aqueduct. unfortunately, water is running out in much of california- drought. sadly,it is only during its demise does it truly become a concern. as this lifesource continues to deplenish while also being threatened by the next big earthquake, we need to begin to understand the scale and effects in which the absence of water will cause. in order to gain a real perspective on the value of a city’s water system, i seek to research this query through examining the its juxtaposition - [exploring cities in which water gave life to [by means of aqueducts] and how its arrival served three main intentions that greatly changed and influenced the lives of those living amongst its presence.]

P R E S E N T. [can man win against nature?]

[ T H路R E A T (S) ]

FUTURE? [ how will our lives change? ] [ at what costs? ]

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water conveyed via gravity on a constant downward slope for miles from its source and into the city

[ A Q路U E 路D U C T (S) ] an artificial man-made channel constructed to convey water over physical obstacles through gravity

[ S I G·N I F ·I ·C A N C E ] this ingenious engineering became the lifeline to any city’s existence. in addition to conveying fresh water over vast distances, the design of the aqueduct proved to add beauty to its landscape while also proving structural integrity over the hundreds of years in which they were built and are still standing today.

with the perfection of the aqueduct, the Romans influenced & built one of the most powerful empires that has existed to date

1.

[ UTILITARIAN ] providing public drinking water and public baths

2.

[ BEAUTIFICATION ] feeding the city’s fountains

3.

[ POWER ] Where aqueducts still stand today, help to mark the extents in which the Roman Empire’s power reached

[ T H R E E·G O A L S ] After the Romans perfected the aqueduct, eleven total aqueducts fed the city. Rome became the centerpiece that showcased how water greatly influenced the city that it served. By improving the livelihood of the people who lived within its limits, beautifying the city’s fabric and significantly influencing the cities in which it conquered and beyond, the Roman’s sought to address issues that had never been resolved before.

Aqueducts built by the Roman Empire forever changed the cities in which it served by focusing on three goals:

[ G O A L ] + [ D E S路T I 路 N A 路T I O N (S) ] In my journey, I seek to explore the meaning behind the three goals laid forth by the aqueducts. Each goal will be individually matched to a specific location that offers the best application/demonstration of that goal. This journey will be taken in one trip allowing for cohesion, continuity and comprehension of the great significance aqueducts/water gave to a city.

//place Public Drinking Fountains – Nasoni (in Italian) can be found at almost every street in the center of Rome. Till this day, the idea of safe and public drinking water is an ideal that lives on. This public amenity is an alluring feature that is prized and celebrated, and uniquely Roman.

//documentation Mapping out the Nasoni via images and sketches through observation of its surrounding context and the interactions that take place at each unique Nasone.

[ UTILITARIAN ] + [ ROME¡ITALY ]

1.

Beyond water being an essential life source, providing public access to safe potable water was a revolutionary concept. As cities grew, relying on local springs and wells were no longer reliable sources as pollution and quantity were constant threats. Water brought in from aqueducts was protected and equally distributed to all. Providing public drinking water and public baths helped citizens improve in hygiene and sanitation, thus leading longer and improved lives.

//place The ancient Roman Baths of Caracallas are now ruins of the second largest Roman Public Baths to have ever existed. Romans were very hygienic and sanitary people. It was important to them as cleanliness was associated with power and status. Because of this and the arrival of water via the Aqua Marcia aqueduct, the birth of public baths originated. Such public baths became the epicenter of recreation, relaxation and socializing.

//documentation Journal, sketches, and images to document the size, scale and programming of this public space.

Beyond the physical location, a city is identified through its art, culture and architecture. For Rome, there are many alluring factors that attract visitors from far and wide. Although many of the aqueducts that once fed the city are no longer in commission, those that still work provide water to some of the most celebrated features the city has to offer. Unlike many of the renowned aqueducts that still stand today, most of the aqueducts feeding Rome where hidden from view, located underground. But rather than celebrating a free standing aqueduct itself, the reward from this form of infrastructure comes from the source in which it feeds – fountains.

//place Public Fountains – Beautiful fountains such as the Trevi Fountain and fountains at Piazza Navona are as famous as its city in which it resides.

These fountains are still fed by the Acquedotto Vergine (of Aqua Virgo) and is one of the most important Roman aqueducts that has been built.

//documentation images and journal entries to document the interactions of people at these monuments and to question how such spaces would be affected if there was a lack of water present.

2. [ BEAUTIFICATION ] + [ ROME·ITALY ]

[ aqueduct THREE ] LISBON, PORTUGAL [ AQUAS LIVRES ]

[ AQUEDUCT O OF SEGOVIA ]

SEGOVIA,, SPAIN

[ aqueduct TWO ]

[ PONT DU GARD ]

NIMES, FRANCE

[ aqueduct ONE ]

3. [ POWER ] + [ LOCATION ]

The greatest builders that have ever lived were the Romans. Their advanced thinking and ingenious application built some of the grandest architectural and engineering marvels that have ever come to fruition. Because of their mastery, they were able to dominate vast lands beyond the Motherland and helped to develop cities that still thrive today. Even after the Roman Empire fell, their teachings still live on and continue to impact the built world. Fortunately for us, the precision and accuracy of their construction has allowed such aqueducts to survive hundreds of years and can be visited today.

Documentation for each aqueduct visited: Each aqueduct offers a unique experience as access to it varies upon location. Through images, sketches, and journal entries, the influence of each aqueduct will be diverse in nature. In addition to the grandeur and scale of these structures, comparing and contrasting each aqueduct in regards to its setting and the city in which it helped to develop will offer insight to the magnitude of its impacts felt by the residents who live there.

//information a. Conception: 1840 b. Tiers: Three tiers peaking 155’ high at its greatest depth. c. Length: upper /902 ft, mid/794 ft, low/466ft d. Materials: limestone blocks, breeze blocks joined together with mortar e. Source: spring

//why here This aqueduct is highest of all elevated aqueducts and one of the best preserved. This aqueduct was built under Roman influence. Visitors to this aqueduct can traverse across the lower platform, getting a view from the center tier allowing for a unique perspective as it spans across the Gardon River. In addition to transporting water, it served as a bridge transporting goods across the river as well.

[ aqueduct ONE ] [ PONT DU GARD ] [ NIMES¡FRANCE ]

//information a. Conception: 98-117 CE b. Tiers: Two levels at its greatest dip at 93’ c. Length: 2667’, 165 arches, 30 feet high d. Materials: 24,000 dark-coloured Guadarrama granite blocks without the use of mortar e. Source: Fuente Fria river in mountains

//why here The placement of this aqueduct is located at the heart of the city - Segovia, Spain. Also a Roman aqueduct, this aqueduct is laid bare for all visitors to see as no mortar was used in its construction. Labeled as one of the most significant and best preserved aqueducts today, visitors to this site are offered a view from the ground up and can gain a perspective from below its massive arch ways.

[ AQUEDUCT OF SEGOVIA ] [ SEGOVIA·SPAIN ]

[ LISBON·PORTUGAL] //information a. Conception: 1744 b. Length: 58km c. Tiers: 1 tier, highest point 65m, 35 arches d. Materials: stone e. Source: springs at the Free Waters

//why here The Aquas Livres in Lisbon showcases the largest (highest) stone arches of its kind pointed Gothic. This aqueduct offers access to its visitors from the highest vantage point - at the top. The termination of the aqueduct also is located at the heart of the city. known as the Mãe d’Água (Mother of the Water) reservoir of the Amoreiras - with a capacity of 5,500 m³, makes its presence. This large reservoir is now deactivated and can be visited as part of the Museu da Água (Water Museum) where the great journey of water from the aqueduct is ends.

The construction of this aqueduct is quite impressive as it survive the famous 1755 Great Lisbon Earthquake that measured approximately 9.0 on the richter scale.

With the availability of water at great peril today, it is imperative to seek inspiration and continue to learn lessons being taught from aqueducts still standing today. By exploring the original intentions of bringing water into the city, we can begin to grasp why water is so critical in our everyday lives. Inspiration from the past can change how we live in the future.

The aqueducts that are still standing have become grand landmarks that serve as a reminder of the forward thinking ideals that not only changed the lives of so many since its conception, but continues to impact those living today.

Thank you for your kind consideration.