ARISE
A flexible, explorative, and educational water experience for Virginia Beach
Madison Hutchings hmadison@vt.edu
CONCEPT
An experience showing the push and pull between the natural and built through immersive vertical elements.
Studying the context of the site, the presence of sea level rise and human mitigation is apparent throughout the city. I was most struck by the verticallity; the use of berms and raised built environments brought a stilted and resilient landscape to mind. I wanted to create a space that can be immersive, explorative, relatable, and educational by showing practices reflective of mitigation.
80 year sea level projection in Virginia Beach
Inventory and analysis from site visit. Reveals best areas for entry as well as opportunity of large crowds already in proximity to site. It’s current sense is a lawn space good for unstructured activities or to pass through towards other destinations.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 1. Provide a space for chaos and spaces of recluse by creating a central active point and then more secluded areas throughout. 2. Show human response of mitigation upon rising sea level through symbolization of the main water feature which will envelop the visitor in an experience of nature taking over. 3. Design an asset for the community and tourists by creating a flexible, enduring space that is also fun, playful, and explorative for all ages. 4. Maintain interest throughout the seasons and years by designing an ever changing space that allows for varied experiences. Also being conscious of material and plant choice that will maintain interest and the concept/message during off-months.
INITIAL DESIGN The first design presented to the city drew a visitor in through curiosity. The water feature was sunken and only revealed after wandering through a bermed landscape. The water levels of the space fluctuates, completely covering the built structures or revealing them, representing nature overtaking the built. It becomes a lively place of chasing water, impromptu performaces, gathering, sunbathing, and play. Because of the sites landfill history, this concept became impractical with the city’s apprehension to dig too deep.
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1. Sunken splash feature 2. Raingarden 3. Lawn 4. Mounded lawns 5. Focal planting
Site plan and perspectives drawn with charcoal and ink.
FINAL DESIGN The final design brings a visitor in through curved paths framing glimpses of the water feature. The pavement pattern is reflective of a topographic map, giving a tactile first impression of the concept of verticallity. One has the option to enjoy mounded lawns, hidden sandpits, and restorative sensory raingardens before reaching the crescendo of the site. When the visitor arrives at the splash pad, they see a structure rising and overtaking the pavement below, like a wave washing up the shore. Underneath are a variety of more mystic or chaotic water types, as well as a fluctuating floor and ceiling creating moments of compression and release. To represent the human push against nature, an option exists to wander up an ADA accessible ramp and overcome the chaos, enjoying the sound of unseen water and the views of the park from above.
LEGEND
1. Splash pad canopy 2. Sensory raingarden 3. Mounded lawns (typ.) 4. Sandpit 5. Crushed shell path
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A view from on top of the splash pad canopy. The material is a perforated and kinetic metal draped and moving to represent the surface of water.
A view from under the splash canopy. The supports are laid in a grid, representing the built environment overtaken by nature. Water pools, flows, pours, mists, and erupts to represent phases of a storm.
PLANTING CONCEPT
The idea of a topographic map is carried through within the planting. The all native plant choices provide year-round interest, water cleansing abilities, and a variety of senses and feelings. The ground plane is in swaths of planting in varying heights to represent waves rising and falling and creating further immersive experiences.
CurioCity Studios Madison Hutchings hmadison@vt.edu