The Water Lab [RS] | Jan. 2018

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THE WATER LAB _RYAN SELWYN DESIGN STUDIO PROJECT [2017-2018]



ABSTRACT UITKERKSE POLDER BLANKENBERGE, BE

Low-lying areas like the Uitkerkse Polder are the most vulnerable land masses to sea-level rise, as they are presented with less opportunites to drain inland water out to sea; increasing the risk of severe ooding without good water management solutions. Thus, a large water basin system is proposed to collect excess water during periods of heavy rainfall - easing pressure on the main vaart and its capacity to drain excess water. Tourism is a key driver in funding the purchasing of land and expenditures associated with maintenance and new land management projects. Annually, the Polder attracts local (a) and supraregional visitors (b); both of which present fantastic economic activity to the area. a) The site is an attractive spot for locals who utilise the road networks as cycling/ walking junctions. a) With the new visitor centre and learning centre; The Polder is a popular ďŹ eld trip destination for local schools. b) The Polder entices many photographers to document the unique bird migrations that occur seasonallly. With a focus on boosting tourism and linking the waterstory with the visitor centre; The proposal seeks to improve permeability and form a social platform where visitors can dwell, learn and interact together. 01


R A I LW

E AY L I N N

SITE PLAN - UITKERKSE POLDER SCALE 1:30,000 @A3

500m

1000m

2000m

3000m

K E Y: Information Lookout Bike/Walking track Fishing zone Dock Old Dike Railway Line Housing Zone Abandoned Farm Blankenberge Port Blankenberge Lock Farming zone

N AT U R E - B L A N K E N B E R G S E VA A R T

Beach


R E C R E AT I O N - H U M A N O C C U PAT I O N

R E C R E AT I O N - D O C U M E N T I N G W I L D L I F E / H A B I TAT S

N AT U R E - W I L D L I F E / H A B I TAT S

M AT E R I A L - R U S T I C B R I C K + W O O D


S E C T I O N A - A - L O O K O U T S H E LT E R SCALE 1:50 @A3

Located throughout the Polder are a series of small viewing cabins; though these are mostly employed as ‘bird-watching cabins’ they offer a new perspective of the polder’s typography and are insightful in understanding the watersystems. The small lookout shelter detailed above accessed via a narrow boardwalk, provides an intimate snapshot of a man-made water system & the various wildlife and vegetation that flourish02

around it. It serves as a good example of how simple human intervention can have a positive observed impact on nature - In it’s introduction of new vegetation and wildlife to the area. These small shelters located throughout the polder offfer contrasting moments of public and private and allow the user to become fully immersed and experience the polder from a different perspective. 03


2100 SCENARIO (+2m)

GROUND LEVEL W AT E R L E V E L

B

B


VA A R T VA N B L A N K E N B E R G E

SECTION B-B - DESIGN PROPOSAL SCALE 1:250 @A3

The Uitkerkse Polder is a 1,400 hectare coastal area formed by human relations with the tidal landscape. The formation of the polder enabled farmers to graze cattle and construct farms on fertile, peat-rich soil. A planned network of man made locks, canals and trenches exist to deal with excess inland water. This manufactured interaction between man and nature has resulted in a diverse and unique ecosystem. 04

However, many external inuences such as: rising tides, changing rainfall patterns, ooding, salinization of the soil and reduced drainage capabilities, have potential to threaten this ecosystem and its recreational & agricultural qualities. Thus, a design proposal that addresses resilience, mitigation and public accessibility is necessary. The proposal at a conceptual stage looks to form a social platform built around a large wetland: consisting of a series 05


LOOKOUT STRUCTURE

2100 SCENARIO (+2m)

of locks which allow water to be released or collected periodically for agricultural and general land management purposes. With tourism being a key driver in the funding of new land management projects - A social platform & lookout structure is proposed with the intention of attracting tourism and informing the public about the waterstory and the future challenges faced. 06

5m

10m

20m

30m


SITE PLAN THE UITKERKSE POLDER SCALE 1:50,000 @ A3

LITERATURE 01

WENDUINE

BLANKENBERGE

OUDLAND POLDER

NIEUWLAND POLDER

The largest land area of the Uitkerkse Polder can be observed as the oudland polder. The land winning of this area took place at the beginning of the 11th century with the construction of the Blankenberge Dike - Due to its longer period of subsidence the old-land polder is topographically lower than the newly claimed land. The focus area for the intervention will be at the centre of the oudland polder. BRUGES N 500m

1000m

2000m

4000m


R A I LW

E AY L I N N

SITE PLAN - UITKERKSE POLDER 500m

SCALE 1:30,000 @A3

1000m

2000m

3000m

Blankenberge Lock

K E Y: Public Road Private Road Historical Dike Main Arterial Blankenberge Vaart Railway Line

SITE ISOMETRIC - CRUCIAL AREA


1

R A I N W AT E R P O O L S Heavy rainfall causes fresh water ponds to form in low-lying areas throughout the Uitkerkse Polder These then require drainage via the Blankenberge Vaart

2

C O L L E C T R A I N W AT E R Construction of large man made wetland to serve as a water collection basin during periods of heavy rainfall Designed to ease peak drainage pressure on Blankenberge Vaart

COLLECT RAIN W AT E R

3

FORM SOCIAL DOMAIN Formation of structure and cycle trails to improve permeability. The large wetland becomes a social hub/ gathering point Introduce new bird habitats and plant bio-diversity

CONCEPT DIAGRAM


1

LOOKOUT STRUCTURE Formation of a tall, multi-storey lookout structure to generate visual interest from passers-by and to serve as an educational tool to teach visitors the waterstory and the importance of good water management in the Uitkerkse Polder

2

C R E AT E V I E W S H A F T S A simple manipulation of the form opens the structure out to the predominant view of the Blankenberge Vaart and the Northern end of the Polder

3

TWIST STRUCTURE 180° Twisting of the structure to achieve different viewshafts at the different levels. The orientation at the lower levels provides views out into the central wetland / social hub

LOOKOUT STRUCTURE


CASE STUDY 01

BENTHEMPLEIN WATERSQUARE ROTTERDAM, NL

Opened in December 2013, Benthemplein is the first full-scale water square in the world. During dry periods, the square is a dynamic recreational space for sport, play and gathering - During times of heavy rainfall the square changes function to accomodate 1.7 million litres of rainwater.

DRY: RECREATIONAL

The design ensures the spaces flood in a gradual manner - Three basins collect rain water: With periods of heavy rainfall the 2 shallow basins gradually fill up over time until the main sports field is required to flood and the square becomes purely a water storage basin. During times of light rainfall the flooding of the square is designed to be excitingly visible: with different channels forming detours and small ponds for children to play in and around.

WET: FUNCTIONAL

Rainwater remains in the square until it can be discharged into an underground infiltration device or into the nearest water body - Easing pressure on existing sewage systems 07

06

ARCHITECT_

DE URBANISTEN


CASE STUDY 02

MARITIME YOUTH CENTRE COPENHAGEN, DK

The Maritime Youth House (2004) by Bjarke Ingels Group is a good example of flexible, accomadative design. The initial brief had allocated a third of the project budget to the removal of polluted topsoil. In response to this, B.I.G. proposed to sweep the issue “under the wooden carpet” and construct an undulating wooden structure built on stilts above the topsoil. Two contrasting users had to share the facility: a sailing club and a youth centre with conflicting requirements: the youth centre wanted outdoor space for the kids to play; the sailing club required most of the site to moor their boats. The structure is a clever realisation of the integration of these two contradictory demands: The subtle lifts in the structure are elevated high enough to allow for boat storage and a built clubhouse space underneath while providing a dynamic, undulating landscape for the kids to run and play on above. 08

ARCHITECT_

BJARKE INGELS


LITERATURE 01

“EFFECT OF SPATIAL ADAPTATION MEASURES ON FLOOD RISK IN THE COASTAL AREAS OF FLANDERS”

65

km

THE NETHERLANDS

FLANDERS

BRUSSELS GERMANY

FRANCE

WALLONIA

125m²

400’000 RESIDENTS

LAND AREA

F U T U R E

35%

FLANDERS AGRICULTURE

R I S K S

2100

RISING SEA LEVEL / TIDES

CHANGE IN RAINFALL PATTERNS

INCREASE IN TEMPERATURE

THE ELEVATION OF THE BELGIAN COASTAL ZONE LIES 2m BELOW THE ANNUAL STORM SURGE LEVEL OF 5.5m (Koks, Moel & Bouwer, 11) 5.5m

ANNUAL STORM SURGE

BY THE YEAR 2040: WITHOUT ADAPTATION MEASURES, FUTURE FLOOD RISK WILL INCREASE BY 40-50% (Koks, Moel & Bouwer, 20)

W E A K E S T NIEUWPOORT

RAVENSZIJDE

AUTHORED BY:

BREDENE

L I N K S BLANKENBERGE

E.E. KOKS, H. DE MOEL & L.M. BOUWER

KNOKKE-HEIST


2 0 4 0 :

F L O O D

30-40% FLOOD RISK INCREASE

R I S K

6%

FLOOD RISK INCREASE

SOCIO ECONOMIC CHANGES

CLIMATE CHANGE

S O C I O - E C O N O M I C GLOBAL ECONOMY:

T R A N S AT L A N T I C M A R K E T:

GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE

GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE

P O P U L AT I O N

P O P U L AT I O N

ECONOMY

ECONOMY

RESOURCES

RESOURCES

A G R I C U LT U R E

A G R I C U LT U R E

ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT

URBAN SPRAWL

URBAN SPRAWL

STRONG EUROPE:

REGIONAL COMMUNITIES:

GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE

GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE

P O P U L AT I O N

P O P U L AT I O N

ECONOMY

ECONOMY

RESOURCES

RESOURCES

A G R I C U LT U R E

A G R I C U LT U R E

ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT

URBAN SPRAWL

URBAN SPRAWL

A D A P T A T I O N

50%

B A

C

FLOOD RISK REDUCTION

COMPARTMENTS

Splitting a system into multiple parts. In the event of flooding, compartments can be used to lessen the surface area affected. “The most convenient way of implementing this adaptation measure is to use old dikes, roads, railways and other line elements that are already present. Often these structures are already topographically higher in the landscape and can thus be easily transformed into secondary water defence structures.” (Koks, Moel & Bouwer, 20)

M E A S U R E S

A G R I C U LT U R E

10% FLOOD RISK REDUCTION

RESIDENTIAL R E C R E AT I O N A L

LAND-USE ZONING

The concept of local planning & restrictive building of residential & industrial areas. Instead of building in areas with high inunduation depths “Restrict building sites to areas with little or no inunduation. Areas with a high flood probability and high inunduation depths can be better used for recreational land use.” (Koks, Moel & Bouwer, 18)


6

5

4

3

2

A.00


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

7

8 9

10

11

12

1

LOOKOUT CHEMISTRY LAB_01 INTERACTIVE LAB TEACHING LAB_01 TEACHING LAB_02 BICYCLE STORAGE WATER-STORY LAB LOCK KEEPERS OFFICE KINETIC LAB_01 CHEMISTRY LAB_03 DATA LAB KINETIC LAB_02


4

4

3

4

4

A.01

SITE PLAN - UITKERKSE POLDER SCALE 1:5000 @A3

Witihin the focus area selected along the Blankenbergse Vaart, very few recreational activites exist -The current points of interest are; 01 02 03 04

-

VISITOR/LEARNING CENTRE BIRD WATCHING CABIN FISHING ZONE BIKING & WALKING TRAILS

4


VISITOR 1

CENTRE

4

2

4

N

50m

100m

200m

400m


2

6 4 140,000,000 L capacity

5

350,000,000

7 8

A.02

S I T E P L A N - W AT E R L A B SCALE 1:5000 @A3

9 160,000,000 L capacity

The water lab has been designed as an interactive research centre for climate change where visitors can come and learn, observe and expirement with nature. With the intervention promoting tourism, the existing infrastructure will be upgraded alongside to provide pedestrians with a dedicated walking & cycling trail & bicycle rental sheds which direct the pedestrian trafďŹ c to the water lab, and around its perimeter. The water lab both improves awareness of climate change, and adds to the recreational value of the polder.


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

BIKE CABIN_01 BIRD WATCHING CABIN BIKE CABIN_02 BIKE CABIN_03 WATER BASIN_01 WATER BASIN_02 BIKE CABIN_04 WATER LAB WATER BASIN_03

1

VISITOR CENTRE

500m

6.00 min. walk 1.30 min. bike

3

750m 9.00 min. walk 2.15 min. bike

5

0 L capacity

1000m 12.00 min. walk 3.00 min. bike

N

50m

100m

200m

400m


58 59

57

56

16 55

54

53 52

51 15

50

A

14

49

48

47

46

45

A.03

_ 0 F L O O R P L A N - W AT E R L A B

44

SCALE 1:250 @A3 43

42

41

13

40

B

39

38


C

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

1

1

64

5

2

63

3 4

62

6

61 7

60

LOOKOUT CHEMISTRY LAB_01 INTERACTIVE LAB CHEMISTRY LAB_02 TEACHING LAB_01 TEACHING LAB_02 BICYCLE STORAGE WATER-STORY LAB STORAGE TOILETS TECHNICAL ROOM OBSERVATORY KINETIC LAB_01 CHEMISTRY LAB_03 DATA LAB KINETIC LAB_02

8

9

10

C

11

12

13

14

15

16

A

17

2

18 3 19

20 4

21

B 22

5

23

12

N

6 24

11

25

10 8 9

27

7

26

37 36 35

34

28

33

32

29

31 30

5m

10m


A

47

46

45

A.04

+ 1 F L O O R P L A N - W AT E R L A B

44

SCALE 1:250 @A3 43

42

25

41

40

B

39

38


C

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

OUTDOOR DECK_01 F L E X I B L E S PA C E OUTDOOR DECK_02 F L E X I B L E S PA C E F L E X I B L E S PA C E CAFE CAFE SEATING LOCK-KEEPERS OFFICE OUTDOOR DECK_03

6 7

8

9

10

C

11

12

13

14

15

16

A

17

17

18

18 19

20 19

21

B 22

20

23

N

21 24

24

25

23 22 27

26

37 36 35

34

28

33

32

29

31 30

5m

10m


58 59

57

56

28

55

54

53 52

51

50

49

48

47

46

45

A.05

- 1 F L O O R P L A N - W AT E R L A B

44

SCALE 1:250 @A3 43

27

42

26

41

40

39

38


26 27 28 29 30 31 64

OBSERVATORY MAIN LOCK_01 MAIN LOCK_02 LOCK_03 LOCK_04 LOCK_05

1

5

2

63

3 4

62

6

61 7

60

8 29 9

10

11

12

13 30

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22 31 23

N 24

25

27

26

37 36 35

34

28

33

32

29

31 30

5m

10m


+4 +11300

+4 +8600

+4 +5900

+4 +3200

+0 +500

B.01

W E S T E L E VAT I O N - W AT E R L A B

B.02

N O R T H E L E VAT I O N - W AT E R L A B

SCALE 1:200 @A3

+4 +11300

+4 +8600

+4 +5900

+4 +3200

+0 +500

SCALE 1:200 @A3

The Water Lab utilises a simple wooden cabin style architectural typology as a sympathetic response to the soft undulating topography of the polders, and it’s existing built structures. The typology of the cabin represents its intended function. As seen in the Northern elevation, the densely arranged skillion roof typologies on the left hand side are the accessible public spaces 09

where visitors can interact with the laboratories and learn about the water-story. Whilst, the pitched roof typologies on the right hand side of the elevation represent private work-spaces for the on-site scientists. The lookout structure located furthest North along the boardwalk serves as a beacon to approaching pedestrian trafďŹ c to the lab, and provides 10


unobstructed, panoramic views of the polder Allowing visitors to observe the intricate network of water channels and better understand the water story.

11

4m

8m

16m

24m


C.01

S E C T I O N A - A - W AT E R L A B SCALE 1:200 @A3

Section A-A shows the cut between the main water basin, the central basin, and Blankenbergse Vaart. The control mechanism of locks along the perimeter of the central basin allows for water to be diverted into 4 different locations as required for water storage during rainy seasons, or for scientiďŹ c experiments. With the ability to release water in 5 different directions, a number of different water scenarios can be tested; 12

A) Fresh water // salt water intrusion B) Fresh water // brackish water intrusion C) Brackish water // salt water intrusio D) Water storage during high tidal periods With these scenarios, a series of microclimates can be created within the ponds, which can be used for experimentation or for external use such as diverting water to farms for cattle grazing. 13


+2 +5900

+1 +3200

_0 +500

4m

8m

16m

24m



+1 +3200

_0 +500

-1 -2200

C.02

SECTION B-B - MAIN LOCK_01 SCALE 1:100 @A3

+4 +11300

+3 +8600

+2 +5900

+1 +3200

_0 +500

C.03

SECTION C-C - LOOKOUT SCALE 1:100 @A3


D.01

AXO_01


D.02

AXO_02


E.01


E.02



E.03


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