NSF COMPETITION

Urban Shorelines: RE-Designing the Seawall

The National Science Foundation (NSF) had awarded a grant to teams to further the research on sustainable innovations in relation to our built environment. Contracted via Philip Parker Architects, our project, Urban Shorelines, centered on how to re-design the typical seawall, and re-imagine it as a living shoreline.

Instead of viewing the seawall as the partition which draws a distinct line between what is built and what is natural, Urban Shorelines looked to challenge this notion, by blurring the zones between city and water. In addition, these strategies could be used to expand the city’s infrastructural connections to its ocean setting, and to increase urban resilience.

The new design of the seawall included components varying in form from curvilinear grass-like strands, to disks, to sponge-like blocks, all designed to house various marine life. How these components are arranged on the wall in relation to the zone of marine habitat, creates a rich textural mosaic, instead of an abrupt hard seawall.

The living seawall could be modularized as well, to accommodate various profiles, ranging from vertical, to projected, to gradually sloped, facilitating different interactions with the water’s edge.

It was a great experience to work in a cross-disciplinary project from the start. Having the opportunity to work with ecologists, engineers, as well as other designers and architects, added to the overall strength of the design from its conception.