Mangrove Resilience

Nicholas Ulanowsky Award for Detail in Design

The island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands is becoming severely effected by the frequency of powerful hurricanes due global heating. The brief asked for a play area that could also be used as a shelter in an extreme weather event.

Historic accounts of boaters using the mangroves for shelter during hurricanes began to inform the design, while further research found that 80% of these mangroves had been lost causing soil to be washed away creating additional detriment to the local environment.

The proposal introduces a resilient interface between the ocean and the land. Rather than a barrier to try and prevent storm surge, a mangrove lagoon invests in the natural area making it more resilient to damage, especially as the roots deepen, preventing soil erosion. The reintroduction of mangroves on the site creates a lagoon and reed bed rich in biodiversity. The nature reserve incorporates play areas designed for younger children, while others can participate in kayaking, snorkelling, bathing and relaxing around natural pools.

The structure of the shelter responds to the root system of the surrounding mangroves. Internal spaces are naturally well ventilated and provide plenty of shade.