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Aquifer of Hope

Spring. 2021

Austin. Texas

Landscape Design

Conceptual ideas and project themes are largely derived from the regional and local environmental conditions of central Texas. Through a thorough analysis of the site, complex issues of erosion and flooding were found to be resultants of various poorly identified land, vegetation, and soil conditions. With this, native limestone aquifer’s in Austin, Texas, which are largely responsible for maintaining water sources and harsh climates in the region, were dried up and unsuable.  This project strives to reactivate the existing aquifers to address the cycle of deteriorating environmental conditions. 
 

Material explorations and studies were conducted for design and idea generation strategy.

Process Images to the left describe a model-making approach to visualize initial formal ideas. Looking to the geographical and stone formations of aquifers for inspiration, porous holes inside of a concrete mass were created to imitate the function of water storage. This experimentation led to implementing different conditions of "holes" within the ground-- underground, penetrating the ground, and aboveground. These interactions configured different human activities where it was best suited for the intention of the program. Naturally, areas where holes connected and overlapped became the circulation for the project.
 

Proliferation of Dry Ground sites

Carbon Emissions in Texas from 2000

Flooding & Erosion Connection

Oil Drilling Effects on the Ground

Material 

Implementation

material study Final.jpg

This space is programmed as a seed distribution and educational facility that can be open to the environment and public in a harmonious way. Drones are stored in the main space within the walls and are periodically scheduled to fly out of the storage with various vegetation seeds. The drones release and distribute seeds to specified barren ground sites around the project where vegetation needs to be encouraged for a natural cure to increased erosion. Along with that, human programs and circulation of the project are designed to create awareness among local residents and provide knowledge of the current condition of the land, the causes leading up to the current state, and effects of drought and erosion on the future.

Interior View

Exterior View

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