Research in Urbanism and Architecture II 2019-2020
Architecture as a response to flood resilience An investigation into five flood resilient elements to develop an architectural approach to flooding The built environment is facing challenges related to population growth, hasty urbanisation and climate change. Among the consequences, growing sea levels and urban flooding are actively changing the city. Considerably, an approach of resilient architecture is engaging the sustainable practice in designing and planning. This article investigates the different building approaches when dealing with flood resilience in the Netherlands. To expand the investigation, five elements of resilience (relief, resist, response, recovery and reflection) are used to derive building types and measures to distinguish an architectural flood resilient approach. The aim is to understand how these elements of resilience act in terms of architecture and physical building properties.Thus, this research seeks to bridge the gap between the knowledge available on resilience and its potential uses to architecture, essentially linking theory and practice.
The paper begins by defining the concept of resilience along with the related elements
in order to identify a framework for flood risk management. Secondly, the research becomes contextualized by reviewing the Netherlands flood protection system and policy. An interview and case studies are used to identify the elements that make architecture flood resilient. Then, the link between theory and practice is made by categorizing the flood risk elements to generate maxims, which act as rules of thumb for designing. The research will culminate in the re-definition of relief, resist, respond, recover and reflect into architectural terms.The results depict the adaptive and resilient capacity of architecture and the requirement for a shift in the way buildings are conceptualized, designed and built.
Written by: I. Birgaoanu, M. Jayaraman, N. Maraj, S. A. Pojar, J. J.Visscher
Keywords: Resilience, Adaptability, Flood risk management, Typology, Sustainability
Architecture as a response to flood resilience
1. Introduction Civilizations over time developed in a cyclic manner
few of the causes of extreme flooding induced by
when considering water management. At first the
people (Khan, n.d.).
need of protection against storms resulted in building
shelters. Then came the settlement approach, using
concepts that must be considered while assessing
water as a survival tool. Presently, the radical change
flood risk in the context of urban systems: carrying
of people’s consumption and behaviour towards the
capacity, vulnerability and resilience. Carrying capacity
planet has led to an imbalance (Tsambali, 2014). The
refers to a threshold of accepting flooding until a
treat of climate change and rising sea levels has led to a
certain level of damage. This capacity is measured by
similar stage to the past, where protection against the
the vulnerability and resilience of the urban context.
forces of nature are directing development.The present
Vulnerability can be defined as certain conditions that
condition is one of sever and low-level predictability
weaken the resistance of communities to disaster (UN/
for natural disasters. This undoubtedly is starting a
ISDR, 2004). Unfavourable conditions are determined
gradual shift towards a ‘risk culture’, which besides
by either social, economic, physical or environmental
protecting and preventing floods are now accepting
factors. A distinction must be made between resilience
and learning to live with water. The focus is no longer
and vulnerability as the concept of resilience does not
on mere technical solutions but on understanding
only refer to protection from damage but to the ability
the impact created by community actions, economic
to adapt, learn and self-organize.
change and policy making.
According to Burton (1983), there are three
“Resilience is the capacity of a system,
community or society potentially exposed to hazards
1.1 Resilience
to adapt, by resisting or changing in order to reach
Flooding is a natural phenomenon due to heavy
and maintain an acceptable level of functioning and
rains, overflowing rivers and storms. However,
structure. This is determined by the degree to which
human activities increase the severity and impact of
the social system is capable of organising itself to
flood events on multiple levels, creating extreme
increase this capacity for learning from past disasters
circumstances that damage entire communities. One
for better future protection and to improve risk
of the consequences of these activities is climate
reduction measures (UN/ISDR, 2004).”
change, the melting of the ice caps resulting in rising
sea levels and the increase frequency and intensity of
during the assessment of flood resilience (Batica,
rainfall. Parallel to that, other activities such as building
2013). Inflexible systems for flood prevention are more
in flood plains and unsuitable water management are
expensive to adapt and they cannot withstand higher
3
Climate change creates extra uncertainties
Research in Urbanism and Architecture II 2019-2020
levels of risk.Thus, using resilience approaches to adapt
is considered suitable for the scope of this paper
flood infrastructure to climate change prevents such
because it introduces the temporal dimension in
systems to become inflexible. Adaptability is a key
risk management and makes it possible to achieve an
aspect that contributes to improving flood systems and
integrated resilient approach to floods at an urban
was defined by (Walker, 2004) as ‘the capacity of actors
level. The methodology proposes a cycle of relief,
in a system to manage resilience’, meaning the ability of
resist, response, recovery and reflect that is initiated
actors to learn, to change the existing physical system
within the CORFU project. This is part of the Seventh
and to continuously develop the system according to
Framework Programme of the European Union,
an adaptive strategy.
which looks at advanced techniques for improving
Due to increasing risk and uncertainty of
flood resilience and management. This cycle aims at
severe flood incidents it became obvious that the
increasing the coping capacity of communities (Batica,
traditional risk approach must shift towards a more
2013).
integrated risk management. This takes place on operational, project planning and project design levels. It involves the analysis of risk which is the basis for long term decision making regarding the management of existing systems. Continuous development must be assured through reassessment of risks and hazards based on the most recent data (Batica, 2013).
When
related
to
buildings, resilience
considerably is based upon the contextual situation. Livelihoods and preordain adaptive measures are to be regarded. Resilience in the city is a causal change in the mind set to planning and organizing (Brownell, 2012). The idea that climate change is a conflict must be reevaluated and as a positional standpoint, resilience renders a nuance of an adaptive process. The conflict is transformed to be a measure of sustainability. While various measures have been discussed and applied to
Figure 1. 5 R’s framework
urban systems there is a disconnection between the Relief refers to all physical, technical and
theoretical frameworks found in literature and their
application to the building scale.Thus, this paper is trying
other measures that are implemented to prepare
to bridge the gap between the knowledge available on
before a flood takes place. It is a buffer element that is
resilience and its potential uses in architecture.
related to the concept of ‘living with floods’ and makes use of the existing structures to create controlled flood
1.2 Elements of resilience
plains such as various public spaces and green areas in
A framework of five dimensions is used to assess
general. Resist refers to the threshold capacity of the
the impact and ability to maintain proper functioning
system and it focuses on prevention of the incident as
before, during and after a flood. This framework
much as possible. In addition, it involves the planning 4
Architecture as a response to flood resilience
and adaptation of buildings, infrastructure, services etc.
elements are utilized effectively in an urban scale,
Responding is the crisis management actions taken
where flexible public spaces are present. However, in
during the event. It is a coping mechanism that reduces
the architectural level a practical application of these
the impact of flood by making use of the technical,
concepts is lacking. The building level is a small scale
physical, non-structural and procedural measures.
with built-in measures to be resilient in order to aid
Support, engagement and building capacity ease the
the designing and transformation of flood resilient
recovery process after the event has taken place.
buildings.Thus, this paper seeks to answer the following
The reflection stage is about learning from the past
research question: How are the elements of flood
and preparing for an uncertain future. It aims to raise
resilient risk management applied to achieve
awareness, increase engagement and adapt in every
resilient architecture in the Netherlands?
aspect of flood risk. Moreover, reflection is a means of
tackling the issue at the policy level, professional and
multi-variant components of an integrated building
public participation, which through collaboration will
design for flood resilience. It utilizes the case study
improve performance (Batica, 2013).
methodology based on documented evidence from a
What is lacking is the application of such
variety of sources, to explore current day developing
methodologies to the building level in order to aid the
mechanisms that allow architecture to embrace
design and transformation of flood resilient buildings.
flooding rather than fighting it. The case studies aim
However, due to the integrated approach of this
to throw light on the multi-dimensional benefits of
framework it can be suitable to devise strategies for
an integrated approach for flood resilience. Designing
designing and planning resilient architecture. In fact, the
through resilient measures leads to a forward looking
elements identified in the CORFU project are present
physical aware system, which engages risks in an
in both urban and building settings. Architecture can
integrate manner.
utilize relief, resist, respond, recover and reflect but it does so through different mechanisms. In practice, there are numerous examples and experiments done at the building level, but they lack a common theoretical framework that could guide new developments. As most of the research is based on large urban scales, there is little translation of the knowledge on resilience in architectural terms. Therefore, this research paper is trying to identify the elements that enable flood resilient architecture at the building level and to exemplify how several elements work in practice, according to the framework. 1.3 Problem statement Relief, resist, response, recovery and reflection are all conceptual elements that aid the designing of a resilient system which responds to uncertainties.These 5
In addition, this paper aims to define the
Research in Urbanism and Architecture II 2019-2020
2. Methods The process of investigating this article was upheld
Netherlands, provided the opportunity for conducting
by the gathering information through five different
the interview. The questions form the interview are
methods. Extracting relevant information in formulating
directed to understand floating buildings with resilient
the introduction required a comprehensive literature
adaptable measures, the view of the future and the
review with the aim to discover the state of the art
typological standards for flood resilient architecture.
in relation to flood resilience. Through the literature
review a selection of flood resilient elements were
conducted
extracted with the aim to apply other methods to
situated in the Netherlands that are based on flood
triangulate the research to a relevant finding.
resilience, in order to develop an architectural
A case study of the Maasbommel is to
research
architectural
typologies
A policy review is used to further describe
impression of the five elements of resilience.These are
the context of the Netherlands. Analysing existing
derived using a drawing analysis to depict the physical
governmental policies and the building code with the
representations of each flood resilient elements
focuses on primary and secondary defence mechanisms
represented in maxims, considering construction
that render urban contexts below sea level more
techniques, technological applications and adaptability
resilient against floods.A special interest is placed upon
of design to render a defined architectural approach to
the policies that are more selective in their approach.
flood resilient architecture.
Taking only a specified urban or architectural context into account. The analysis provides an overview of policies that are applicable on an architectural basis and the way they are implementable in real cases.
An interview with a leading architecture
firm dealing with buildings on water helps to aid a practical architectural approach in flood resilience. The architecture firm Waterstudio in Rijswijk, the
1
2
3
4
5
Literature review
Policy review
Interview
Case study
Drawing analysis
Figure 2. Methodology
6
Architecture as a response to flood resilience
3. Results 3.1 The Netherlands as a context
not enough to deal with future uncertainties created
Sixty percent of The Netherlands has always been
by unstable climate events and the consequences
living with the risk of floods. For this reason, The
can be disastrous. This century the summers will be
Netherlands has developed one of the most advanced
drier which can cause the peat dikes to fail under
flood protection systems in the world. This uniform
increased water pressure. Events of extreme dryness
level of protection consists of dikes along primary
succeed extreme rainfall events ‘peak precipitation’
rivers which are constructed for a 1 in 1250 years
that recently began to occur in the coastal area due
chance of overflow (Klijn, 2004). This means that all
to the warming of the surface of the North Sea and
the dikes are built higher and stronger than needed but
increase by 25% annually. On the sides of the Oude
they can still hardly account for the extra uncertainties
Rijn there is soil subsidence of about a centimetre
created by climate change. The Dutch context is then
per year that will lead to an uneven elevation with
a suitable environment for learning how to live with
differences of 1 meter.The amount of the build-up area
water.
has doubled since the Second World War and facing
Around the year 1000, the diking of the
a further increase of 25%. This pace of urbanization
Dutch coastland began. Since then maintaining and
decreases the capacity of water storage and increases
improving the dike system has become one of the main
the speed of surface run-off that disrupts the whole
priorities. Throughout history, plenty of reclaimed land
water cycle (Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland, 2009).
was lost to water that resulted in reinforcing hundreds
The predicted future scenario is worse as it puts 4
of kilometres of dikes and levees (Bussel,2017). The
million people in danger, especially those in the delta
last fluvial flood that affected several polders happened
region who live outside the dike system. The sea level
in 1926 and was the highest Rhine discharge ever
is expected to increase between 15 and 35 cm by 2050
recorded. Then followed the disaster in 1953, which
that doubles the chances of flooding. For each meter
was caused by a storm tide over the North Sea. This
rise in water level, 5% more land will be flooded, and the
led to a water level rise of more than 5 meters above
economic damage will double every 30 years (Bussel,
average sea level and resulted in the deaths of 1836
2017). Taking all these into account it becomes clear
people (Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland, 2009).
that new protection measures are needed besides the
After this, another period of strengthening the flood
dike system. Such circumstances invite architecture to
protection system followed. Only after the floods in
play a role in the fight against climate change and its
1993 and 1995 debates began mainly on technical
contribution is proved by several examples.
protection solutions. Since then, however, a turn has been made to policies such as making ‘room for the river’ which will keep water levels low compared to higher dikes and purposeful inundation that helps prevent accidental flooding of downstream polders (Klijn, 2004).
Currently, all the kilometres of dike are
inspected annually and are regularly maintained. These measures provide a high level of protection, but it is
7
Research in Urbanism and Architecture II 2019-2020
Figure 3. Predicted scenarios of flood consequences from current situation until 2050 (Bussel, 2017)
3.2 Policy review ‘A dike ring (also: dike ring area) is an area in the Netherlands that is protected against outside water by a primary flood defense or by high soils. Areas are designated as dike ring areas in the Water Act (previously the Water Defenses Act)’
(Waterwet,
2009). A ring is divided up into several regions, each region has its own policy regarding daily management and maintenance of watercourses (Raadsinformatie, 2016). Each ring is classified with a safety standard, based on the number of inhabitants and the economic. The region Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland have the overall highest value.
The Delta Program steering group noted in
November 2017 that too little attention was paid to consequence limitation through spatial planning in the event of a possible flood (City Deal, 2019). Flood risks hardly play a role in spatial development decisions. A new policy was constructed to ensure the importance
Figure 4. Safety standard for dike ring (Deltacommissie Nederland)
of flood risks in future spatial development. Waterrobust and climate-proof construction is a condition
Delta Decision on urban spatial adaptation, must
for sustainable development in the Netherlands.
be anchored in policies and in concrete actions in
This condition, which has already taken effect in the
2020. The climate adaptation includes measures to 8
Architecture as a response to flood resilience
minimize the consequences of flooding or very serious
3.3 Interview
flooding through spatial urban planning. Consequential
Gathering relevant data on flood resilience was
limitation of floods must be considered for this in
collected by investigating experts in the field of
new spatial developments, but also in restructuring,
resilient designing. Waterstudio architectural office
management and maintenance, (business) investments
is one leader in the Netherlands that focuses on
and the preparation of emergency plans for both public
floating architecture. This firm was discovered through
and private parties.
literature while seeking case studies in the Netherlands
Urban context within a dike ring may still
(“Waterstudio.NL Architecture, urban planning and
be subjected to mediocre floods. The overall spatial
research.,” 2007-2020). The interview with architect
design and architectural design can be adapted to
Ankie Stam from Waterstudio is used to investigate the
account for this flood risk. Either by implementing
existing relationship with architecture and water. The
countermeasures within the urban context like the
topics for the interview are based on the approach of
Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge
Waterstudio, elements of flood resilience and selected
Channel Japan for heavy flood events or small water
case studies used as a reflection to discuss resilient
containment tanks embedded in parks, streets and
designing.
building plots. Another option is to create floating
architecture or semi-floating architecture. Floating
Waterstudio, questions dealt with the aim to
architecture has specific rules that are embedded in
understand floating architecture and the construction
the Dutch building code.
of buoyant concrete. The aim to understand buoyant
When
discussing
the
approach
of
The building code (blg-43112,2017) in the
concrete came from investigating the architectural
Netherlands is a set of rules that specify standards for
approach of Waterstudio. Stam states: ‘Waterstudio is
constructed objects such as buildings and non-building
an architectural office that is focused on building on
structures. Within the code a section is devoted to
and next to the water. We use the water to upgrade
construction projects for housing on the water. The
the performance of the city, this can be in using the
building regulation classifies two options for water
space available, and for safety.’ Waterstudio’s mindset
housing: a building or a houseboat. For constructing a
is to impact the urban environment with floating
floating building, a building permit is required as stated
architecture, and the element that allows their
by the housing act. However, a houseboat is not a
architecture to float is buoyant concrete.
‘building’, therefore it does not fall under the housing
act but rather the municipal houseboat policy. If a
utilising foam and lightweight concrete to shape a
construction project is meant to be in one place all
hollow hall like the base of a ship. This flood resilient
the time, both anchored and wired to the quay, then
element of designing is used as a method of resisting
the project is classified as a building rather than a
floods.The construction mechanism engages the upper
houseboat. A hybrid version of a building that is meant
building elements to be downward pushing, while the
to flow only when water is introduced is regarded as
concrete base elements push upwards (Carl & Brook,
a floating building. Furthermore, the code specifies
1985). In application different types of water requires
a group of floating buildings not as a conventional
further research before construction. These different
residential area, but rather as a building body of which
types of water can refer to low lying lakes, for instance,
the quays and walkways are regarded as public area.
or even more dynamic bodies of water such as the 9
Buoyant concrete is a construction method
Research in Urbanism and Architecture II 2019-2020
ocean. Nevertheless, each different type of water has
buoyant concrete and additionally using the amphibious
a different impact on the use of buoyant concrete.
housing typology, are a means to resist and relief. The
These refer to the limitations regarding the height
concept of recovery is attached to the developing idea
of the building in relation to the depth of the water.
of using floating pre-built building, which can be added
When stabilizing the structure, calculations are done
to a city when the need of a function is present. For
before construction with room for later modifications,
example, a school can be built and when a region is
allowing the design to be as balanced as possible.
in need for an additional school the building can be
transported through water and added on as a floating
One project of Waterstudio that engaged
in designing on the water is The Waterbuurt floating
building.
neighbourhood located on IJmeer lake in Amsterdam.
The homes are designed with concrete floating tubes
The New Water Project designed by Waterstudio. The
and stabilisation of the building due to disturbing waves
region of the project is in a low-lying polder landscape.
is facilitated by two anchorage posts on opposite areas
Situated in between The Hague and Rotterdam, the
of the house. Placed roughly 7 metres into the bed
area is of high-water accumulation due to the number
of the IJmeer lake. These posts allow the house to
of greenhouses occupying the landscape. Therefore,
rise and descend with the water. (“Buoyant buildings:
the client OMW a public-private partnership aimed
better than boats? Waterstudio,” 2016.) Stam noted in
to return the area back to the water instead of
the interview, ‘...when you build on water you always
pumping the water out (“New Water, Naaldwijk, The
have to take into account that the water level can rise
Netherlands - Waterstudio,” n.d.). Waterstudio then
to a certain level, so mooring piles have to be long
designed a masterplan depicting a flooded region
enough and connected to shore.’
with buildings floating on the surface. The aim of
The element of reflection is best described by
reflecting on the present technological applications and understanding the needs of a landscape allowed room for an architectural vision countering the norm. Reflection in this aspect is an application of designing that has learnt from the past.
3.4 Case study In 1998 Dura Vermeer, Boiten Raadgevende Ingenieurs and Factor Architecten were appointed for the design of 14 floating and 32 amphibious houses near the river Maas in Maasbommel. The project (completed in 2004) illustrates how buildings can be adapted for Figure 5. Building section of Waterbuurt house (Based on “Buoyant
withstanding the rising in sea level, increasing rainfall
buildings: better than boats? Waterstudio,”. 2016.)
and lack of land to build on, while still coexisting with
the river’s ecosystem. It features two different types In conclusion, Waterstudio’s approach to the
of houses, where fourteen houses are floating in
flood resilient elements are based on resisting floods
water permanently and the other 32, under normal
through construction techniques. The appellation of
circumstances, rest on a concrete foundation in a
10
Architecture as a response to flood resilience
dock dug out of the dike. They are also termed as
seas. To keep both houses that share a set of mooring
amphibious houses, as they can adapt to the context
pylons stable, they are further connected by a steel
and float as soon as the water level rises.
framework.
The architecture and engineering of both
houses was to abide with Archidem’s law, the center of gravity is kept as low as possible with a concrete base and timber frame structure and about 70% of the entire weight is concrete. The services and facilities of the houses hardly vary from those in an ordinary house. Therefore, it is heated by central heating on natural gas and equipped with radiators. Each pair Figure 6. Maasbommel aerial view with amphibious and floating houses.
of houses are connected to the water, sewage and
(Studio van Hesse)
electricity from the bottom of the dock to the side of the house.The length of the connection is long enough
“The basis for all floating objects is
to resist during crisis.
Archidem’s law: Any floating object displaces its own weight of the fluid“(Floating homes ‘De Gouden Kust’, 2011, p.7). The 14 floating houses in the Maasbommel project achieved this by creating a hull and building a lightweight house on top of it. The hulls weight more than 70 tons each and were fabricated on site. The floating structure is additionally anchored to an underwater support pylon and enables orderly rise
Figure 7. Cross section of an amphibious house. (Unknown (Drawing).
and decent of the house with the water level.
Retrieved from : https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/case-studies/
amphibious-housing-in-maasbommel-the-netherlands)
The amphibious houses have an advantage
over the floating houses, as in most conditions they act as an ordinary home including features such as a garden and access from the road. The inhabitants in these houses will only feel that they are floating when the area of Maasbommel floods indicated by water levels above 7m which occurs once in every 12 years. During such situations the houses can be accessed via boat. The orderly rise and descent of these houses are ensured by mooring pylons, that keep in place sets of two residences. These are steel columns that have been mounted deep into the ground and which extend
Figure 8. Amphibious house floating during 2011 floods. (Unknown
up to 12 meters above the NAP level. In the extreme
(Photograph). 2011. Amphibious house afloat, Maasbommel [Photograph].
case of floods flowing over the dikes, these houses are
Retrieved from : https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/case-studies/
kept in place and can withstand currents found in open
amphibious-housing-in-maasbommel-the-netherlands)
11
Research in Urbanism and Architecture II 2019-2020
In January 2011, the amphibious homes had
stay afloat. In the Maasbommel project and Citadel,
their first encounter with staying afloat.The water level
floating apartments lay on hollow concrete hulls
rose above 7 meters since 1995 and the surrounding
that were used as foundation. The dimensions of the
area flooded. Warnings were issued prior to the flood;
concrete hull are equal to that of the house footprint.
hence cars were removed, and the residents were
This foundation needs to be watertight if it is more
aware. On 12th January 2011, when the residents
than 20 cm thick. The Maasbommel project uses a 23
woke up, they found that there was no longer any
cm thick concrete hull weighting over 70 tons.
connection to dry land, thus they had to use boats to get to the land. The houses proved to comfortably coexist with the rise in water levels and descended with
Design element
Rule of thumb
Foundation
Width of the house = width of the foundation
ease as the water receded. Table 1. Relief characteristics
3.5 Maxims According to Cambridge Dictionary, a maxim is “A brief statement of a general truth, principle, or rule of behavior “.
The case study of Maasbommel and works
of the Waterstudio, such as the Citadel project and Waterbuurt are used to extract generic design ideologies. These aim to provide a framework of maxims designers can follow in order to build with water. The maxims are further categorized based on the flood resilient elements (resist, respond, recover and relief).
The Maasbommel Project acts as the primary
source of extraction for the maxims, as the project was the first of its kind and has been in use since 2004. As a result of its longer life cycle and experience with flooding, it proves to be an accurate case to analyze with respect to the five flood resilient elements.
3.5.1 Relief - Buoyancy The basic principle on which any object can float is Archimedes principle. “The upward buoyant force that is exerted on a body immersed in a fluid, whether fully or partially submerged, is equal to the weight of the fluid that the body displaces.“ ( Wikipedia, 2019).
The foundation of a floating/ amphibious
house needs to act like the hull of a ship, in order to
Figure 9. Rise and descent of an amphibious house on a concrete hull
12
Architecture as a response to flood resilience
Advantages
Disadvantages
Advantages
Disadvantages
It can be casted on site
Restriction in hight of the building compared to depth of water (extracted from the interview)
Both steel and wood can be locally sourced and recycled
Difficult to modify the design of the house (includes adding extensions or even furniture, as it could hamper stability)
Table 2. Advantages and disadvantages of the relief characteristic
Table 4. Advantages and disadvantages of the resist characteristic
3.5.2 Resist - Proportions in construction
3.5.3 Response - Stability and adaptability
In order to achieve stability, a lightweight top structure
Each Pair of floating/ amphibious houses can be
is ideal for construction. Steel or wood can be used
kept in place by two pylons. These steel columns
to create the structure of the house that can be, then
have been drilled deep into the ground and extend
mounted on top of the concrete hull.
up to 12 meters above the sea level (in the case of
Design element
Rule of thumb
Proportions
Mass of foundation > mass of house
Material for foundation
Material for house
Concrete
Wood/ steel
the Maasbommel project). In situations of extreme floods, the houses can withstand the current as they are additionally connected by a steel framework along with the pylons.
Design element
Rule of thumb
Mooring pylons
The height of the columns should extend above NAP level
Table 3. Resist characteristics
Table 5. Response characteristics
Light
Heavy
Figure 10. Volumetric representation of the floating house typology, in
Figure 11. Floating house on mooring pylons
order to maintain stability.
13
Research in Urbanism and Architecture II 2019-2020
Advantages
Disadvantages
Advantages
Disadvantages
A pair of houses can be attached to the two pylons
“Some residents say they feel their house sawing when the wind kicks up� (P. Kennedy, 2016)
Stable and adaptable houses for flood prone regions.
After the water level goes down, debris could get trapped in the dock, preventing orderly decent.
Table 6. Advantages and disadvantages of the response characteristic
Table 8. Advantages and disadvantages of the response characteristic
Rise and descent The concrete hull of an amphibious house rests on six concrete foundation piles. The same six piles are used to give a level basis for the floating homes at extremely low water levels.
As water level rises the houses slide up along
the mooring pylons. The amphibious houses are lifted out of their docks, the dock then fills up with water.
Design element
Rule of thumb
Concrete piles
Pile foundation placement to follow the grid of house plan
Table 7. Response characteristic
Figure 13. Behaviour of a floating house when the water level rises
3.5.4 Recovery - Access and infrastructure Post flooding recovery is an essential strategy that needs to be planned out. In the Maasbommel case, the amphibious houses can be accessed by road that runs along the dyke at 7.4 M above NAP level. In the case of severe flooding, the houses can also be accessed by boats.
A floating pier is connected to the houses
and all the mainline piping for heating, sewage and electricity have been placed above flood level, allowing the houses to fully function in case of high-water levels. Figure 12. Concrete piles
14
Architecture as a response to flood resilience
Design element
Rule of thumb
Advantages
Infrastructure
Mooring pylons, mainline piping and road must be connected to the shore.Â
Houses can be mobile Not enough data has and be moved in case of been published on flood warning. this technology being implemented.
Table 9. Recovery characteristic
Disadvantages
Table 11. Advantages and disadvantages of the recovery characteristic
3.5.5 Reflect The stage of reflection in terms of architecture is related to the aspect of flood resilient awareness. New technologies and developing ideas reflect the past problems and solutions. As described in the interview, areas can be redesigned to be flooded as a process of reflection to the urban situation and the architectural technologies. Adapting policies and expanding the awareness of flood resilient designing would allow advancements in technical flood resilient building. Reflection is the learning stage for future architecture.
Figure 14. Urban set up of floating/amphibious houses with access road and floating pier
Design element Research into the resilient past, present and future
Technology In future scenarios floating city apps could enable the
Table 12. Reflect characteristic
Changes in policies
houses to be mobile and can be easily moved from one destination to another.
Higher dikes
Design element
Wider surface of water by intentional flooding
Floating city applications - mobile houses
Loans for building on water
Table 10. Recovery characteristic
Implement resilience
Live with water
Increase the awareness
Improvement in technologies
Fighting against water
R&D
Figure 15. Technology driven applications that could activate the houses to act like a motor boat , turning them into mobile houses
Figure 16. Schematic diagram of flood resilient awareness
15
Research in Urbanism and Architecture II 2019-2020
3.6 Re-definitions
level, developing
Adapted definitions based on the definitions of Batica,
community co-operation, financial preparation and
2013:
experimentation of new measures.
Relief – Preparations (design stage/research stage) made before execution. Making use of existing infrastructure
and
services.
Implementation
of
measures related to the concept of “living with floods”, such as making room for the river, controlled flooding and dike rings. Resist – Prevention of flood risk, threshold capacity, the outcome of the research done at the relief stage. Limiting flood damage through active and passive mechanisms such as buoyant concrete, adapting the dimensions of the foundation to equal the dimensions of the house and its mass to be less than the mass of the upper construction (wood/ steel). Response – Mechanisms working with the floods that focus on crisis management coping capacity. Flood impact is reduced by implementation of pylons for stability which should extend above NAP level and mooring pylons that allow the rise and descent together with the water level. Recovery – Providing support to recovery processes to cope with the impacts after flooding events. A floating pier should be connected to the houses to ensure access and infrastructure. Both the pier and the water, sewage, gas and electricity infrastructure must be built above NAP level. In the near future, new technologies could be as well used to help re-locating the houses to another destination. Reflect – Increasing awareness and adaptive capacity, learning from the past and preparing for an uncertain future. Enhancing the awareness and engagement in all aspects of flood risk by managing it at the policy 16
existing
technology, increased
Architecture as a response to flood resilience
4. Conclusions By analysing flood resilient strategies on a national and urban scale this paper aimed to illustrate how flood resilient risk management can be applied to achieve resilient architecture in the Netherlands. Using five elements Relief, Resist, Response, Recovery and Reflection for validating the aid of designing for flood resilient systems.
By
interviewing
the
architecture
firm
Waterstudio combined with an analysis of existing case studies, such as Maasbommel, a better understanding of the Dutch practice for creating flood resilient architecture was given. This led to the identification of the elements that make architecture flood resilient. These elements were translated into maxims that illustrate the benefits and drawbacks of the application of each architectural element. Together with the redefinition of the 5R framework in architectural terms, an integral framework can provide the essential overview for designing and redesigning urban and architectural contexts. This method of designing through resilient measures, leads to a forward looking physical aware system, which engages flood risks in an integrate manner.
Potential research in the field of flood
resilient architecture can further fill the gaps in the flood risk elements. Recovery and reflection would benefit from additional research, which can be investigated by utilising life cycle research into the technical recovery of flood resilient buildings. Research into new technology and innovative ideas would consolidate more resilient awareness and experimentation. Monitoring of floating projects with the aim to study the adaptive life span of a building can aid in clearer ideas to the elements of relief and resist.
17
Research in Urbanism and Architecture II 2019-2020
5. References Raadsinformatie, WATERAGENDA DEN HAAG, 2016, retrieved December 9 2019, https://denhaag.raadsinformatie.nl/document/3761375/1/RIS294793_ Bijlage_Wateragenda_Den_Haag_2016-2020
(2019). Archimedes’ Principle. Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Archimedes%27_principle. (2019). Maxim. Retrieved from: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/ english/maxim.
Rijksoverheid, (2009) waterwet, retrieved (december 6 2019) https://wetten. overheid.nl/BWBR0025458/2020-01-01
AECOM. (2018). The Hague 100 Resilient Cities: Preliminary Resilience Assessment. (January), 76. Retrieved from http://100resilientcities.org/wpcontent/uploads/2018/03/The-Hague-PRA-English.pdf
Rijkswaterstaat VNK Project. (2015). The National Flood Risk Analysis for the Netherlands. Final Report, 119.
Baan, P., Klijn, F. (2004). Flood risk perception and implications. Intl. J. River Basin Management Vol. 2, 113-122.
Schoessler, J. P. (1987). The corneal endothelium following 20 years of PMMA contact lens wear. CLAO Journal, 13(3), 157–160.
Batica, J., Gourbesville, P., & Hu, F.-Y. (2013). Methodology for Flood Resilience Index. International Conference on Flood Resilience: Experiences in Asia and Europe, 3.
Studio van Hesse (Photograph). Floating and amphibious houses with access road and floating pier. Maasbommel [Photograph]. Retrieved from: https://climateadapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/case-studies/amphibious-housing-in-maasbommelthe-netherlands
Blg-43112,2017, (2017). Drijvende woningen en bouwregelgeving, blg-43112,2017
Tsambali, A. (2014). Water and Human Civilization. Thessaloniki.
BROWNELL, B. (2012). Resilience Is the New Green. Architect, 101(12), 30. Retrieved from https://login.ezproxy.net.ucf.edu/login?auth=shibb&url=http:// search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ofm&AN=84417667&site=e ds-live&scope=site.
Unknown (Drawing). Retrieved from: https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/ metadata/case-studies/amphibious-housing-in-maasbommel-the-netherlands Unknown (Photograph). 2011. Amphibious house afloat, Maasbommel [Photograph]. Retrieved from: https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/metadata/casestudies/amphibious-housing-in-maasbommel-the-netherlands
Buoyant buildings_ better than boats_ waterstudio - Waterstudio. (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.waterstudio.nl/buoyant-buildingsbetter-than-boats/buoyant-buildings_-better-than-boats_-waterstudio/
Waterstudio.NL Architecture, urban planning and research. (2007-2020). Retrieved January 26, 2020, from https://www.waterstudio.nl/
Bussel, S. G.Van, Fisscher, J., Heuvel, R.Van, Kemenade, R.Van, Kortekaas, M., Laurence, B., Curulli, I. G. (n.d.). Resilient Architecture. Carl, B., & Brook, S. (1985). United States patent. Geothermics, 14(4), 595–599. https://doi.org/10.1016/0375-6505(85)90011-2 City Deal Klimaataddaptatie, (january 2019). Advies werkgroep gevolgbeperking overstromingen , retrieved December 9 2019, https://www. citydealklimaatadaptatie.nl/2019/01/24/advies-werkgroep-gevolgbeperkingoverstromingen/ Floodsite, (2008).Veiligheidsnorm, retrieved december 9 2019, http://www. floodsite.net/juniorfloodsite/html/nl/student/thingstoknow/geography/ veiligheidsnorm.html Gersonius, B., Ashley, R., Pathirana, A., & Zevenbergen, C. (2012). Adaptation of flood risk infrastructure to climate resilience. Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers: Civil Engineering, 165(6), 40–45. https://doi.org/10.1680/ cien.11.00053. Haag, D. E. N., & Strategie, R. (2019). Facts en figures - Den Haag. Hague, T. H. E., & Strategy, R. (2019). City Facts - The Hague. Hoogheemraadschap van Rijnland (2009). Flood control in the Netherlands. A strategy for dike reinforcement and climate adaptation. Khan, D. M., & Cfm, P. E. (n.d.). Contemporary Approach to Flood Risk Management, 1–3. New Water, Naaldwijk, The Netherlands - Waterstudio. (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2020, from https://www.waterstudio.nl/projects/new-water-naaldwijk-thenetherlands/ P.Kennedy. (2016). Buoyant buildings :Better than boats?. Retrieved from: https:// www.waterstudio.nl/buoyant-buildings-better-than-boats/ Plate, E. J. (2002). Flood risk and flood management. Journal of Hydrology, 267(1–2), 2–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(02)00135-X. Project review: Floating homes ‘De Gouden Kust’. (2011). Maasbommel, The Netherlands, 1998-2005 [PDF file] Retrieved from: https://climate-adapt.eea. europa.eu/metadata/case-studies/amphibious-housing-in-maasbommel-thenetherlands.
18
Architecture as a response to flood resilience
6. Acknowledgements We would like to thank the tutors of “Research in Urbanism and Architecture“, especially Torsten SchrĂśder that guided us into this research, by giving critical feedback, but at the same time by pushing us to have a similar attitude towards ourselves and to take the best decisions, which challanged us to always seek for improvement. Furthermore, we are grateful for Ankie Stam, our contact from the Waterstudio office, for taking her time in communicating with us and answering our interview, while showing enthusiasm for our interest in the topic.
19
Research in Urbanism and Architecture II 2019-2020
7. Appendix - Interview A list of questions was emailed by the authors of this report and answers were given by Ankie Stam MSc architect from the Waterstudio Office.
Topic 1: The approach of Waterstudio 1. How would you describe the approach of Waterstudio to flood resilience? a. Why floating architecture? What are the benefits of floating architecture? Answer 1a: Waterstudio is an architectural office that is focused on building on and next to the water. We use the water to upgrade the performance of the city, this can be in using the space available, and for safety b. What inspires you personally when creating floating architecture? Answer 1b: See answer on A c. Could you describe the process of constructing buoyant concrete for floating projects? Answer 1c: Quite the same as on land, only our research on the type of water is longer than a research on land since all water is different, we always have to find the most feasible way of building. d. What are the existing limitations of using buoyant concrete? Answer 1d: Hight of the building compared of the depth of the water. e. How do you test the performance of your buildings in terms of floating architecture? Answer 1e: Balance and stabilization is calculated upfront, in floating buildings we keep space to trim the building after completion. f. To what extent are future users involved in the design process? Answer 1f: Depends on the client, private clients are very much involved, by a developer client are involved less or not. g. Are the above flood risk elements used in the design approach? Answer 1g: Depends on the location, when you build on water you always have to take into account that the water level can rise to a certain level, so mooring piles have to be long enough and connections to shore.
Topic 2: Future applications of floating architecture 2. What is the future of floating architecture in The Netherlands? a. What national agencies do you work with in understanding the flood risks regions in The Netherlands? Answer 2a: Climate initiative in Rotterdam, NEN for regulations on floating buildings, Municipalities, Province. b. What challenges is Waterstudio facing for future development of floating architecture? 20
Architecture as a response to flood resilience
Answer 2b: Regulations, technically everything is possible, but when a city/country does not allow to build you cannot do anything. c. What current strategies/policies support environmental urban planning, encouraging floating architecture in the Netherlands? Answer 2c: You see more and more floating living areas in new build areas (Urk we delivered some months ago and Zeewolde is under construction).
Topic 3: Elements of flood resilience 3. Do you view relief, resist and response as one conceptual architectural approach? a. For the concept of relief, we are aware the construction technique of floating architecture is present. However, could you describe other construction methods that have been used by Waterstudio? Could you give an example of one of your buildings? Answer 3a: Have a look at the Arkup, this is a floating villa that can also function as a stilt house (much available online). b. Is the concept of resist used in your designs? Could you give an example of one of your projects, which resist is applied? Answer 3b: New Water, and Hainan china project, where we made decisions what areas could be flooded and what needed to stay dry (raising land, placing dikes) c. Is the concept of response used in your designs? Could you give an example of one of your projects, which response is applied? Answer 3c: No d. Can you tell us how the concept of recovery is used when designing new projects? Answer 3d: Floating City Apps, small floating units that you can bring to a location fast. e. Can you tell us how the concept of reflection is used when designing new projects? Answer 3e: New rules been set to make sure the event will not occur anymore, this is in rules for areas, higher dikes, allowance of higher rise of water.
Topic 4: The New Water Project 4. How did the involvement of Waterstudio in this project start? a. Could you explain how this project was obtained? Answer 4a:The region of the New Water project is in a low-lying polder landscape. Situated in between The Hague and Rotterdam, the area is of high-water accumulation. This is due to the number of greenhouses occupying the 21
Research in Urbanism and Architecture II 2019-2020
landscape area. In the Netherlands, majority of polder regions are given for use of greenhouses and this ultimately reduce the amount of uncovered soil. Therefore, throughout the years the natural draining system of the area was affected by additional water excretion. The client is OMW a public-private partnership. The aim of the design is to return the area to the water and designing with the water. (“New Water, Naaldwijk, The Netherlands Waterstudio,� n.d.) b. What is the design aim for this project? / What is the project trying to achieve? Answer 4b: Building on/in a flooded area. c. How was the designed project received by the region? Answer 4c: Good, but because of crisis the project was scaled down and put on hold. d. What are the current causes for the project to be on hold? Answer 4d: Just waiting for the next flood. e. For the Villa Traverse project, could you describe the construction method used to resist flooding? Answer 4e: The living area was raised; boathouse and entrance are situated on water level. f. How was the building tested to identify the recovery stage? Answer 4f: Not tested. g. For the Citadel floating apartment project, could you describe how buoyant concrete will be used. Answer 4g: It is a hollow concrete hull, like a ship. h. What are the dimensions of buoyant concrete in relation to the building dimensions? Answer 4h: Same as building
22
Architecture as a response to flood resilience
23