An Embracive Architecture: Soft Connections in New Orleans Sergio Riccardi Masters Thesis Boston Architectural College May 28th, 2021 Master of Architecture 1
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Dedication: This thesis is dedicated to my loving Nonna, Carmela Riccardi, who unfortunately passed during it’s creation and was unable to read it herself. Any accomplishments and success I have can be attributed to her love and dedication as a grandmother always pushing me to do my very best. Nonna you are loved and missed and my work is dedicated to you.... 3
Thesis An Embracive Architecture: AMF House Sergio Riccardi Boston Architectural College Thesis Review Panel Nicole Hetherington Philip Reville, III Sean Curran Daniel Nauman, AIA Brit Ambruson Thesis Review Dates Intro Review: January 22, 2021 Mid Review: March 14, 2021 Final Review: April 15, 2021 Acknowledgments Carmla Riccardi Tracey Riccardi Saverio Riccardi Hana Oji Prakriti Shukla Alicia Does Alex Anzovino Ryan Bateman Jacob Turner Sophie Hicks Anthony Paprocki Ian Taberner Yufeng Zheng Jeff Keilman Juliette Bowker Arlen Stawaz My Coworkers @ Perkins&Will Perkins&Will Zack Smith Photography Elizabeth Gittings Don & Brenda Oliphant All of the folks at apt #5 Shout out to the Nation! Sergio Riccardi, M.Arch Anthony Paprocki, AIA, Thesis Faculty Ian F. Taberner, AIA, Director of Thesis 4
Who Is Sergio? Thesis Preface: Sergio is a Masters of Architecture Student Studying at The Boston Architectural College and is from the Graduating class of Spring 2021. He Moved to Boston from Windsor, a small City in Canada in the Summer of 2019. As a Undergrad, He studied in Canada, at St. Clair College and in China, at Nanjing College of Information Technology. At the start of his masters he took a travel studio and studied at Academie van Bouwkunst Amsterdam in the Netherlands where he studied climate resilient strategies and design. Sergio is Employed at Perkins&Will’s Boston Studio and manages their model shop while working on their Healthcare Team as a Designer Ive always been fascinated by our interactions with water, both in nature and in the built environment. From early on in my undergraduate education, my work has always explored concepts of how architecture can co-exist with water in design, through materiality, programming, and aesthetics. This exploration of water’s role in the built environment has continued through my graduate work at the Boston Architectural College, where the travel studio #NetherlandsPlanBAC allowed me to study the history of the battles the Dutch have faced with sinking, flooding, and loss of due to their proximity to water. Through this experience I was able to see firsthand how solutions have been implemented for flood protection infrastructure and urban flood mitigation, raising the question - what will the relationship between architecture and water look like in 200 years? . This thesis has grown out of these experiences and is an extension of the research I conducted during my time in the Netherlands, but with a focus on how we can and should deal with designing for water in vulnerable areas across the United States. The Dutch people clearly understand that fighting the water is a losing battle, and that good design needs to properly understand and incorporate the water into the process. This is a critical concern for the Netherlands, which is 1/10th the size of America in terms of land - but what about for the United States, where the impacts of changing water patterns is negligible due to the size of our country? This thesis therefore proposes that we consider how we might design for our most vulnerable areas now, considering that abandoning these area as sea levels encroach might not be viable or equitable for most of the population who would be impacted. . The following pages explore how we can rise to this challenge in four parts, i. Temporal Understanding, ii. Planning for Now-ish, iii. the AMF-House and iv. Conclusions - exploring a solution starting with the past, dreaming to the future, and focusing on the now. 5
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Table Of Contents iv. Conclusions p.76-83 It can be done, but at what cost Bibliography Reflection, Whats Next? v. Appendices: p.84-161 Appendix A: Thesis Proposal Appendix B: Thesis Presentations Appendix C: Thesis Boards i. Temporal Understanding p.10-23 Understanding The Issue Challenges of Coastal Living Temporal Visioning: A Hopeful Future ii. Planing for Now-ish p.24-45 Urban Scale Upgrade Community’s and Water How could we Dwell? iii. The AMF House p.46-75 Site How It works How it Looks 7
i. Understanding the Issue 8 “the dreamer” By: Sergio Riccardi
This thesis - An Embracive Architecture - aims to explore how embracing water in the architecture of coastal communities today can change the way we live with water now, as well as provide a catalyst to change the way we think about water and its role in architecture and urban planning in the future. Thesis Statement i. Understanding the Issue 9
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i. Temporal Understanding Understanding The Issue Challenges of Coastal Living Temporal Visioning: A Hopeful Future 11
What are the problems? 1. Flooding, Storm Surge, and Sea Level Rise 2. Sinking and Subsidence 3. Wasted Resource Physical and Spatial i. Challenges of Coastal Living 12
i. Challenges of Coastal Living Amongst the many issues that affect coastal communities all over the world today, three main issues can commonly be seen in almost all. The first and very obvious is flooding due to storm surge and sea level rise. This effects ecology, wildlife and an entire way of living for communities who have resided and inhabited these regions which were initially developed due to their proximity to water. Second, Subsidence, is the sinking or softening of the land causing all that is built atop to erode and degrade. This can make if extremely difficult for coastal Common Problems Require not so Common Solutions. communities to retain population and furthermore a strong tax base to support sufficient upkeep of degrading infrastructure. Lastly Space - With flooding and sea level rise brings the question “what do we do with this water?” Spatial planning and storing of water is an integral part of any resilient planning strategy and needs to be reviewed holistically. Often, areas that are zoned for irrigation infrastructure, pumping or storing with respect to water only exist as such and have not be vetted for additional potential use.1 1. Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan (Design and Research Publication) 13
Galveston Hurricane - 1900 The Great New England Hurricane - 1938 Cuba-Florida Hurricane - 1944 Hurricane Donna - 1960 Hurricane Andrew - 1992 Galveston Hurricane - 1915 The Great Miami Hurricane - 1926 Lake Okeechobee Hurricane - 1928 Hurricane Katrina - 2005 Hurricane Sandy - 2012 i. Challenges of Coastal Living 14
In the last 100 years, America has seen ten 100 year storms. These storms are named as such because the statistical probability of these events or large events like these occurring are ONCE in a hundred year period and unfortunately America has seen 10, in the last century. The frequency at which these storms or large storms like these that cause flooding, damage and displacement are increasing exponentially and this resulted in the way we systematically name and track storms in the year 1953 where initially they were named after women and then Americas Worst again in the year 1978 when more gendered names were introduced. One of the most vulnerable areas to sea level rise and flooding is New Orleans. In 2005, the City was decimated by flash flooding brought on by levee failure. This area did not have the proper infrastructure in place to handle that much water and systems that were previously deemed sufficient and unbreakable (some titanic level thinking) put hundreds of thousands of people in danger. Areas of New Orleans, like the lower 9th ward, today still are not fully recovered 15 years later.2 i. Challenges of Coastal Living 2. The Ten Most Damaging Hurricanes in U.S. History [Map]. In Www.arcgis.com 15
1,270,530 Live in Greater New Orleans 37.3% Live below the poverty line 4 MAJOR FLOODS 4 Major flooding events in the last 100 years 8 MAJOR FLOODS Who don’t have the means or wont leave 508, 212 People i. Challenges of Coastal Living 16
Looking more closely at the Greater New Orleans Area, we can see that Greater NOLA is home to about 1.27 million people.3 The area has seen four major flood level events in the last 100 years and is projected over the next 100 years to experience 8 major flood level events pushing their already failing existing infrastructure to its absolute limits. Why live here? Why Stay here? Why not relocate? Greater New Orleans These are all questions that in a vacuum seem valid but upon a closer look at who has been living here and why, we can see that 37.3% of Greater New Orleans residents live at or below the poverty line. That is 508,212 people all with there own stories, histories, excuses, and circumstances that are not allowing them or are keeping them from relocating.4 i. Challenges of Coastal Living 2. The Ten Most Damaging Hurricanes in U.S. History [Map]. In www.arcgis.com 3. Neighborhood Statistical Areas of New Orleans [Map]. 4. Normalized hurricane damage in the continental United States 1900–2017. Nature Sustainability, 1(12) 5. A multiple additive regression tree analysis of three exposure measures during Hurricane Katrina”, Disaster 6. Rising sea to DISPLACE 500,000 New Orleans area RESIDENTS. In www.nola.com 17
0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 30° 3'33.26"N 89°57'59.30"W 30° 1'56.64"N 90° 3'43.20"W 29°58'35.16"N 90° 0'16.31"W 29°57'7.31"N 90° 3'46.35"W Little Woods Suburb at Lake Edge Population: 31,698 86% Population VTF At Risk to Flooding 1 : 27,300 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 30° 3'33.26"N 89°57'59.30"W 30° 1'56.64"N 90° 3'43.20"W 29°58'35.16"N 90° 0'16.31"W 29°57'7.31"N 90° 3'46.35"W 70% At Risk to Flooding Gentilly Population: 37,298 University of New Orleans Population VTF1 26,200 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 30° 3'33.26"N 89°57'59.30"W 30° 1'56.64"N 90° 3'43.20"W 29°58'35.16"N 90° 0'16.31"W 29°57'7.31"N 90° 3'46.35"W 30% At Risk to Flooding French Quater Population: 3,888 Woldenberg Riverfront Park Population VTF1 : 1160 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 0ft 25ft 50ft 75ft 100ft 125ft 150ft 175ft 200ft 225ft 250ft 275ft 300ft 300ft 0ft 5ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 30° 3'33.26"N 89°57'59.30"W 30° 1'56.64"N 90° 3'43.20"W 29°58'35.16"N 90° 0'16.31"W 29°57'7.31"N 90° 3'46.35"W 98% Lower 9th Ward At Risk to Flooding Population: 5,560 Lower 9 Fruit Park Population VTF1 : 5,449 i. Understanding the Location 18
When we look at areas of New Orleans zoomed in even further, we can begin to identify areas within the city itself that are the most vulnerable. The Lower 9th Ward in particular, is a community that has been hit by the hardest by storms, again and again. This community which is till dealing with the effects of Hurricane Katrina 15 years later, is still at a 98% risk to groundwater flooding and storm surge during any large storm event. When we look at the topographic conditions that exist in the Lower 9th Ward, and other vulnerable areas like Little Woods, Gentilly, and the French Quarter, we can see what types of minimal The Lower 9th precautions have been used to attempt to mitigate this flooding. However, more affluent areas of Greater NOLA shows a more engaging and fortified approach to the waterfront, reflecting the disparity in money, time, and planning spent to protect the inhabitants of these area.6 When looking to understand how to plan in vulnerable coastal communities to prepare them for the future, it really comes down to two situation - Stay versus Leave. Leaving might seem at first like a viable solution but it indeed is not an equitable solution for everyone who lives in Greater New Orleans. i. Understanding the Location Stay VS. Leave 3. Neighborhood Statistical Areas of New Orleans [Map]. 4. Normalized hurricane damage in the continental United States 1900–2017. Nature Sustainability, 1(12) 6. Flood Risk in New Orleans Implications for Future Management and Insurability [PDF] 19
Re-Urbanization Aquatic Farming Transportation Connections Temporal Visioning: A Hopeful Future 20
Understanding how to plan for NOLA’s future, first one has to identify parameters to design inside. Over the next 100 years, NOLA is project to see over 8 feet of sea level rise and over 200 years this number doubles to 16 feet.5 Understanding these conditions, imagining what re-urbanization could look like in this area is what is being showed in the diagram at the top of the left page. This change will require new thinking of our urban infrastructure, including new modes of transportation that utilize water and land to keep the city of New Orleans connected in a water logged 2200 In addition to sea level rise, places like barrier islands will also require new solutions, to manage the constant barrage of storm surge felt by these areas. Fortification of these areas, and construction of ambitious new barriers (such as the swoop illustrated to the left) will need to be included into our urban thinking to provide the right level of fortification. This continual coastal protection will help break the wake and calm the inner bay allowing for controlled development and infrastructure to exist along the new coastline. The bottom image on the left page depicts said development with respect to Agriculture and Aquaculture, protecting current industries of farming, while also allowing for immense additional growth over time within this inner bay. Temporal Visioning: A Hopeful Future 4. Normalized hurricane damage in the continental United States 1900–2017. Nature Sustainability, 1(12) 6. Flood Risk in New Orleans Implications for Future Management and Insurability [PDF] 7. NEW ORLEANS/ORLEANS PARISH UNINCORPORATED AREAS FEMA FLOOD MAP [Map] 21
Legend Aquatic Farming Dike Reinforcement Rail based Public Transit Aquatic Public Transit Urbanization Mangrove Wetlands Temporal Visioning: A Hopeful Future 22
These ideas and new realities of 2200 will help create a smaller but fortified future in NOLA as shown in the dynamic illustration at the left, which responds to changing needs and better addresses current and future vulnerabilities. The dark red outline depicts where a new continual coastal protection system will be deployed which is integrated by new transportation systems (shown in blue) to help unify the new Greater NOLA Area. Aquatic farming then populates around these stops, creating connections where dense urban areas are expected to develop. Between the new urbanization and farming along the coastal edge, in time new mangrove forests and other natural barriers will flourish, providing further protection from storm and wake, but also to help attract sediment and help build back the wetlands over time. Now the question becomes how we as a society can implement that ideas shown in this Temporal Vision of NOLA in the year 2200 when today, many are still challenged by flooding? The next chapter will explore these ideas further on a smaller scale helping outline how to effectively start creating this new reality today through design. Temporal Visioning: A Hopeful Future 7. NEW ORLEANS/ORLEANS PARISH UNINCORPORATED AREAS FEMA FLOOD MAP [Map] 8. New Orleans Google Maps [Map]. 23
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ii. Planing for Now-ish Urban Scale Upgrade Community and Water How could we Dwell? 25
St. Claude Bywater Holy Cross Lower 9th Ward Arabi Claiborne Ave Canal Phase II Caf f n Ave Canal Phase I Main Outfall Canal Mississippi River Turning Basin Legend Vehicle Bridge Pedestrian Bridge Reservoir Park Embracive Block ii. Urban Scale Upgrade 26
Arabi At the urban scale, one opportunity is to rethink how we use our current infrastructure to help deal with water. In many of vulnerable areas like the Lower 9th Ward, existing roadways are already in poor condition due to recent flooding and are great opportunities to re-think how we can embrace water at the community level, by converting key arteries into canals. The master plan at the left illustrates one such opportunity, proposing that the stretch of Caffin Ave 1. Existing Road Condition Subsidences affects can be seen along the entire stretch of Caffin Ave and need to be constantly maintained. The diagram above illustrates the current state of The stretch from Florida ave to Derbigny St. between Claiborne and Florida are closed off, and replaced with an open canal. As illustrated above, this would involve the demolition of the existing deteriorating road, replacing it with a purpose built drainage system. Initially, this strategy would be implemented along a single street - such as Caffin Ave - but future phases could create a network of canals from former streets, connecting these drainage systems to existing retention and irrigation canals. 2. Proposed Canal Replacement To maximize storm runoff storage and to embrace water into urban life, Caffin ave would be ripped up and the road would not longer be usable by automobiles. Systems of docks and bridges would connect the canal to the existing urban fabric and transportation needs. 3. Flood Event In the event of a storm, the new canal would flood over, while still providing a clear evacuation path for first responders and residents with access to boats. Walkways along the sides of the canal are designed in sections that float, allowing portions to be removed and used in the transportation of goods or evacuation of people. ii. Urban Scale Upgrade The Master Plan 7. NEW ORLEANS/ORLEANS PARISH UNINCORPORATED AREAS FEMA FLOOD MAP [Map] 8. New Orleans Google Maps [Map]. 27
Main Outfall Canal Claiborne Ave Florida Ave 0 6’ 12’ 16’ Cafn Canal Main Outfall Canal Claiborne Ave 0 6’ 12’ 16’ Can retain 16,743,584 Gallons of Rainwater Before being pumped out to Outfall Canals 80% of all precipitation in the lower 9th ward during an average storm would fit inside the canal 9135ft Florida Ave Pump Park Selected Site Existing Road Condition Proposed Condition 80% of all precipitation in the lower 9th ward during an average storm would fit inside the canal Once pumped into the canal it can be stored in Parks and pumped out into the main outfall. ii. Urban Scale Upgrade 28
This site for this thesis is located at the intersection of Caffin and Florida Avenue. As illustrated in the section at the left, this area consists of a relatively flat and compressed topography, highly susceptible to flooding, protected only by a barrier along Florida Ave to the north. By applying the thesis ideas to this site, the overall goal is to create a more responsive infrastructure that would accommodate large volumes of storm water to help relieve flooding damage in this area. The addition of a six-foot canal along Caffin Ave for example, would have the ability to store 80% of the rain water of this area during an average storm, significantly reducing the risk of groundwater flooding and subsequent damage. This approach would also modify the existing barrier along Florida Ave, creating a “dune and dike” combination that would gently rise to a height of 16 feet, lessening the visual impact of the current levee flood wall on the neighborhood. These elements would work together, with water being pumped into the canal, and then routed through a pumping park at the end of Caffin ave, where water would be released into the main outfall canal which drains out into the Gulf of Mexico.6 ii. Urban Scale Upgrade Caffin Canal 7. NEW ORLEANS/ORLEANS PARISH UNINCORPORATED AREAS FEMA FLOOD MAP [Map] 8. New Orleans Google Maps [Map]. 29
ii. Urban Scale Upgrade 30
This pumping park would feature a walking path on the top of the dune allowing residents to utilize the infrastructure as a continuous park that connects the Lower 9th Ward back to New Orleans. Page left we can see a conceptualization of what this pumping park might look like, with terraced stone seating giving people the option to explore the lower parts of this landscape feature. The main goal and concept for this sketch was to understand how the act of pumping water can be celebrated. One can come to this park and experience the water cascading down the terrace into the Main outfall canal. ii. Urban Scale Upgrade Pump Parks 31
ii. Community and Water 32
Along the canal, a series of community level interventions would be created that allow for urban engagement to exist alongside storm water retention. This approach draws inspiration from ancient Aztec “Chinampas” or floating gardens, which were found at Tenochtitlan as a way to create land to farm and cultivate within bodies of water.9 The conceptual sketch to the left depicts a 21st century application for this floating garden idea, which allows for pockets of program to float within a reservoir. These floating pads can be moved, anchored, and rearranged to fit the needs of the community, with some dedicated to nature and others to urban programs like fields or running tracks. All of the pads would be connected via a system of interchangeable docks which can easily be removed and relocated. ii. Community and Water Floating Community Parks 9. “Hernan Cortés: from Second Letter to Charles V, 1520.” 33
ii. Community and Water 34
When considering how to best create flexible spaces for the community, parks, playgrounds and sports fields are a great place to start. Creating spaces that can flux in times of need like during a major storms play a vital role in creating communities that embrace the situation rather than shy away from it. Most often, during storms, these aforementioned community amenities sit unused due to the inclement weather. Understanding this, one can plan to allow these spaces to act as more than just a means of exercise and recreation but as a means to store ground water in the even that the current storm water management systems become overwhelmed or overworked. ii. Community and Water “Both , And” Programing 35
ii. How can we Dwell 36
In addition to community level interventions, embracive architecture must also suggest solutions for how our homes will adapt to provide human scaled solutions to living with water. The Lily Pad is a concept for housing that allows a dwelling to have a soft connection to the landscape, allowing its inhabitants to better adapt to changes in the environment. In the diagrams at the left, we can see that through the use of a central tether like structure, the Lily Pad is able to rise and fall with changes in the landscape without major impact to the house. The design also allows for a large roof canopy which can be used for rainwater collection, as well as power generation through the up and down motion of the structure, helping to make the home self-sufficient. ii. How can we Dwell The Lily Pad 37
ii. How can we Dwell 38
Building upon the ideas of soft connections established in the Lily Pad, the Launch Pad explores the idea of a more free roaming connection to the landscape. This unit is softly connected to a concrete pad or foundation, allowing it to break away and float free during large flood events. This “free-to-roam” concept allows residents to “sail” or maneuver their dwelling during a storm event, preventing flood damage by moving with the water. The Launch Pad idea would ideally be implemented all along a block of housing, allowing the individual structures to cluster and anchor together during storms in order to better weather movement and disruption caused by flash flooding and storm surge. ii. How can we Dwell The Launch Pad 39
ii. How can we Dwell 40
Fixed connections also have design potential for how dwellings can embrace flooding while still remaining connected to the landscape. One such idea is the Gap and Elevate approach, where two large mounds are created using fill from the creation of new canals, which then host a dwelling that is elevated above the landscape. The area created below offers resistance to flood damage, while also creating an opportunity for aquatic gardening. Individuals enter the structure from below, drawing them up through the water, into the floor, and arriving at the center of the home above. ii. How can we Dwell Gap & Elevate 41
ii. How can we Dwell 42
Combining the ideas of soft and fixed connections, the AMF or Aquatic Moored Foundation House, proposes a solution which allows a dwelling to be floating while at the same time landlocked. Constructed within a pit of water, the home is constantly floating, set into the community rather than above it. The idea for this embraces the thought that “you can not flood what’s floating”, accepting water as a constant variable of coastal living. The unit would sit inside of a concrete slip blurring the line between boat and building through its construction and nautical architecture inspiration. Overall, the idea of floating while landlocked is meant to offer protection from flooding, while also acting as a catalyst for the community, illustrating how building for a floating future can help change the way humans live with water now, while also crafting a vision for how this might actually work in vulnerable areas. ii. How can we Dwell AMF House 43
2.0 1.0 3.0 1.0 Residential: AMF-House 2.0 Community:Caffin Canal 3.0 Urban: Fruit Park Dunes ii. How can we Dwell 44
Building on the three scales explored in this section, the remainder of the thesis will focus on the ideas behind how humans will dwell or can dwell in areas like the Lower 9th Ward, where flooding is an active part of their ecosystem. The overall goal is to craft a better understanding of how humans and their architecture can live symbiotically with environmental conditions such as flooding, bringing about a drastic shift in how people react to the term “prone to flooding”. This shift in perception of how people dwell and reside in vulnerable areas is a necessary catalyst that will help initiate change on a large scale, so places like NOLA can indeed look embracive in the year 2200. The following pages will focus on the first step, exploring design ideas for how futuristic, floodembracive housing can be built and implemented today, as a key initial step in the overall three tier foundational process outlined as a guide for Embracive Architecture. ii. How can we Dwell 2021 -2200 7. NEW ORLEANS/ORLEANS PARISH UNINCORPORATED AREAS FEMA FLOOD MAP [Map] 8. New Orleans Google Maps [Map]. 45
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iii. The AMF House Site How It works How it Looks 47
Ca ffin Ave Caffin Ave Florida Ave Main Outfall Canal 2609 Caffin Ave, 48
The proposed site for this thesis is one of many infill properties that exist in the Lower 9th Ward along Caffin Ave, which contains roughly 12 similar vacant sites. The site, 2609 Caffin Ave, was chosen for its proximity to the main outfall canal as well as its adjacency to open public park space (for future community scale embracive design solutions). Interestingly, while the site is currently vacant, the adjacent properties on this block all illustrate different approaches to the conventional “elevate” solution for flood design, providing an excellent backdrop to illustrate a new approach in contrast to traditional methods. Site Selection 10. 2609 Caffin Ave Looking Down 55’ [Persona/Zack Smith Photography] 11. Main Outfall Canal 105’ [Persona/Zack Smith Photography] 49
Florida Ave Caffin Ave Lamanche St Charbonnet St Flood St Law St Ground Water Floodin g Levee Failure iii. Site 50