THE ARCHITECTURE
of water
The Architecture of Water... Examines the relaaonship between humanity, nature, and me. Phoenix exists in an almost eternally dry and arid state, except for the few strong storms that occur over the year. These short rains are then piped away underground for the convenience of ciizens. All contact with water is avoided and then it just... disappears. However... what if that water is not piped away? What if it is lee exposed to human senses? What if the architecture of our ciies becomes flooded... intennonally? Si Sited in Paolo Soleri’s Cosann, the “Architecture of Water” exists as a living thing that connnues Soleri’s experimental architecture, using the landscape itself as architecture. By altering the topography, we take responsibility for understanding and controlling the fate of water on the site. During precious moments of rainfall, the water is allowed to permeate the shell of the building, and allows humans to reconnect with nature, with water.
Water Path 1 Starrng from the roof, water cascades into a roooop courtyard. It then flows down a channel in the stairway, creaang a sound sensaaon as well as allowing one’s feet to experience the water. At the base of the stairs, a low channel in the wall runs out into the front of the house and desposits into a larget basin.
Water Path 2 The Second path begins in the natural pool. As the water level rises, overflow runs into a chest-height interior channel. This creates a visible and touchfriendly experience. The water then winds up in a interior pool, blocking access to the room beyond. From here, the runoff joins the other water path in the front of the building.
ADE 422: Spring 2016 Barrett Honors Independent Thesis
Students: Taylor Huston, Zhaohang Zhang Instructor: Elena Rocchi