Breaking the Surface, Underwater Spatial Analysis
A Study of the Underwater Dynamics & New Opportunities for Sustainability in Landscape Architecture Sydney L. Shell. Barbara King Scholarship Proposal March 2013
Abstract: Explorations of underwater environments have lead to advances in fields such as mathematics and science. “By volume, the ocean makes up 99 percent of the planet’s living space- the largest space in our universe known to be inhabited by living organisms.”(Jordan) The objective of this study is to discover opportunities that lie below the surface for landscape architecture with regards to new developments in sustainable design, through answering questions about underwater spatial dynamics. Site visits conducted in Hawaii’s inter-island reefs will provide diverse and rich ecosystems to be analyzed. The basic design principles will be tested in underwater environments the same way as land environments looking for any variations. Where there is variation, there are prospects for discovery of new design approaches.
Introduction Water has always been an interesting topic for myself, no matter which direction it is taken; there is always something new to find above and below the water surface. In my course work I have emphasized water systems and how they work in an environment. A watershed assessment class, taught by Professor Mimi Wagner, was the first class that took the spatial elements of a watershed and consciously used that information while designing. The content of that class stuck with me as a tool and deeper understanding of living systems. I would like to explore and analyze underwater space in the ocean. With the ocean covering nearly threequarters of the earths surface it is surprising that we have not embraced it as valuable resource in the profession of landscape architecture. In recent years the study of living systems, such as coral reefs and sea slugs, have made leaps and bounds concerning spatial understanding in mathematics. Hyperbolic space is an idea that was thought to be impossible at one time. An unort¬hodox approach or new light can provide the solution.
“I once asked the mathematicians, why it was that mathematicians thought this structure was impossible when sea slugs have been doing it since the cerulean age? They said I guess there aren’t that many mathematicians sitting around looking at sea slugs...” -Margaret Wertheim “The Beautiful Math of Coral”
Wertheim takes this to the next level and questions the way we think and see things. Her same questions can be applied to the profession of landscape architecture, “what is it, what it is not, what can or cannot it do, and or represent.” This leads me back to the ocean and the possibilities it holds for landscape architecture. The project will investigate the ocean floors ecosystems by physical interaction with space. Experiencing space with different conditions (underwater) other than what is considered normal (air), creates opportunities for innovation that can be applied back into more common environments. Every ecosystem is unique in its own way. Just like being immersed into a new culture, ecosystems have much to teach us. With this new perspective, there is potential to uncover new ways to design sustainably.
Purpose What does the ocean have to offer Landscape Architecture? The goal of this project is to focus on the ocean as a new resource in the field, and to discover new shifts in methods and aesthetics of sustainable design. I am interested in understanding what makes an underwater space. What are its organizing principles and aesthetics? Our experience of place plays a huge role in the way landscape architects design. Over the years we have managed to overlook what is below the surface of the water. A spare few however, have found the ingenious life below and uncovered what it has to offer. “Here we are, back to our hero, the oyster. And again,, it’s this incredibly exciting animal. It accepts algae and detritus in one end, and through this beautiful, glamorous set of stomach organs, out the other end comes cleaner water. And one oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day. Oyster reefs also covered about a quarter of our harbor and were capable of filtering water in the harbor in a matter of days…” - Kate Orff “Reviving New York’s Rivers with Oysters”
A complete different world lies beneath the surface that encompasses inspiration, natural systems, movement, and life. Some of the oldest living things are in the ocean; we should be studying things like the Brain Coral, which is nearly 2,000 years old (Sussman). How is it sustaining life for centuries? What is its environment like underwater? New species are discovering almost every dive into the deep ocean. The biological make up and living environments of deep-water living organisms have taught us that life can be sustained without light. As a landscape architect, I not only have to work to improve the quality of life, but also sustain it. The ocean has been doing a pretty good job of it the past million years, how?
Process What better why to start research than to go to Hawaii? I was recently accepted into the University of Hawaii Manoa for National Student Exchange. The university encourages collaboration between the different colleges and has an interesting program HURL, which is Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory. “HURL supports proposals to conduct undersea research in offshore and near shore waters of the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and waters of the central, southwestern, and western Pacific, including the new marine national monuments.� This program through the university will give me access to deep-water ecosystems and I plan on taking the corresponding oceanography course. While at Hawaii I will also conduct a series of diving site visits to reefs located around the islands. The off shore reefs will give context and assist me in be more spatially aware of the area. They also give me more flexibility in documenting sites and analyzing the spatial elements of the underwater environment. There are numerous reefs that surround the islands and I plan on doing site visits to two of the different islands. A combination of Kauai, Maui, or Hawaii island. Each island possesses unique underwater ecosystems, which will give a rich variety of analyzes.
Analysis & Project With the site analysis and information I gather form HURL and coursework, I will create a conceptual design implementing my findings. Deliverables are unknown at this point in time. Some options that are being consider are as follows: • Conceptual Interactive Model • Documentary • Verbal and Visual Presentation Site ideas include: • Hypothetical Setting • Urban Setting • Superfund Site The project will be documenting sites through video, photography, and field notes. The underwater site will be treated the same way as a land site. Three specific questions are being considered during the site visit. What formal qualities do underwater living environments and living structures have? And how do they help with efficiency and sustainability? - These outcomes will give insight and approaches to be applied to methods in sustainable design What effects do the natural elements have in an underwater space and how do they compare to on land? - The overall comparison will outline basic design principles that are consistent in the underwater environment. Inconsistencies in basic design principles ultimately lead to suggested new opportunities and outcomes. What is the design palette? -The palette is focusing in on the designer’s tools in creating a space, which includes but is not limited to pattern, form, color, texture, and movement. The palette can lead to advances in sustainable/efficient design.
Schedule May2013 Class registration @ Hawaii Phone Meeting with Academic Advisors HURL Program June 2013 Scuba Diving Certification August 2013 Flight to Hawaii HURL specifics 1st Site visit (off shore dive) September 2013 Inter-island Flight 2nd Site visit (boat dive &/or shore) Revisit 1st Site October 2013 Inter-island Flight 3rd Site visit (boat dive &/or shore) Revisit 1st Site November 2013 Wrap Up 1st Site Documentation December 2013 Departure to Iowa Project Site Search February 2014 Finalize Site Begin Design Phase April 2014 Finish Design Phase Begin Final Production Phase May 2014 Present Final Project
Budget Travel Round Trip Flight Inter-island Flights(2) $400 ($200 each) Accommodations (6 days) (try to find Hostels or Camp) Food
$1100 $720 $150
Research Site Visit Cost (3 guided visits) GoPro HERO3 Camera Wet Suit Snorkeling Gear Scuba Certification
$1000 ($100 per hour) $400 $700 $200 $70 $250
Presentation Materials* Materials for a model
$100
*Presentation of project my be digital therefore cost may not be applicable Total & Purposed Budget
$4990
Bibliography
The Beautiful Math of Coral â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Margaret Wertheim. Dir. Margaret Wertheim. Ecology Global Network. TED, Web. 25 Mar. 2013. <http://www.ecology.com/2012/11/24/beautiful-math-of-coralmargaret-wertheim/>. Hutchinson, S., and Lawrence E. Hawkins. Oceans: A Visual Guide. Richmond Hill, Ont.: Firefly, 2005. Print. Jordan, Jason. "OCEAN FACTS." Ocean Facts. Web. 25 Mar. 2013. <http://see-thesea.org/facts/facts-body.htm>. Orff, Kate. "Reviving New York's Rivers -- with Oysters!" TED: Ideas worth Spreading. TED, Web. 25 Mar. 2013. <http://www.ted.com/talks/kate_orff_oysters_as_architecture.html>. Sussman, Rachel. "Rachel Sussman: Portfolios: Oldest Living Things." Rachel Sussman: Portfolios: Oldest Living Things. Web. 25 Mar. 2013. <http://rachelsussman.com/portfolios/OLTW/braincoral.html>.