The Wave

The project is rooted in addressing the rising seawater levels attributed to the climate crisis and melting of the polar ice caps. Forced to adapt to the changing landscape, the proposal is located off the coast of modern day San Francisco and offers a unique solution to the overarching problem.

On the modular architectural scale, a connection to units in close proximity to promote an efficient use of space. The project in terms of the site scale provides a cohesive design embracing the modularity of the individual units while introducing larger scale community spaces. The community spaces and housing pods have pathways that provide connections to any location on the site. Therefore, on the urban scale, the modular pods and community spaces work together to emulate the natural wave forms of the ocean. 

Final project form was the result of approximately five iterations that were explored; each arrangement showing different program, circulation, and scale.  The habitat hosts fifty families within the four-person residential units. Additionally, the habitat includes community centers, outdoor play areas, grocer, clinic, and other amenities. Each residential unit has visual access to the ocean which was enabled by the removal of pods throughout the interior of the site. Program was then driven by the proximity of the pods to the larger public spaces. With the program driving the location and amount of pods within the site, the circulation could then take space in and between them. This creates a consistent connection throughout the site which  allows for ease of travel between residential and community pods. Ultimately, The circulation paths provide panoramic views of the ocean and immerse you within it. The circulation path forms the connection or interaction with the community. To address the monotony of the module, several pod units were scaled to add variation and visual hierarchy of spaces within the community. The pods were scaled in a way that prevented the breaking of the modular system. The modular system by design has a basis of scalability and the ability to be arranged according to the requirements of the site. 

As we approached our conceptual iteration, we started to explore form through massing. Inspiration of the massing form came from We wanted the massing to relate with the same movement the wave was able to achieve. 

Program was condensed into the file form to allow for circulation throughout the site. Pods that were originally approximately 25% were shrunk and made efficient use of space to encourage circulation outside of the pods and enhance the community experience. Program was distributed throughout the site equitably so that the interaction was encouraged among everyone. 

The construction of the pods will be mostly of sustainable materials such as fiberglass and Bamboo. Both of these materials are long lasting, water proof and corrosion free which is highly effective in a high-humidity and wet environment. These materials also allow for design freedom more than metal and other wood based structures because of their ability to shape to the pod form. Fiberglass additionally acts as an acoustic buffer which helps reduce the natural heightened noise level of living on the ocean. In addition to the more sustainable project, the pods are equipped with solar control glazing that adjusts its level of tint to help aid in providing comfortable temperatures within the pods.

Resulting from the modular nature of the forms and the components of the overall site, the community is easily expanded to meet the needs of the growing community by attaching to the exterior boundaries of the existing site. One of the larger pods would act as a powerhouse of production of the necessary pieces to aid in the expansion. 

In addition to the expansion of the project horizontally, we expect the project to transform vertically through the greenery implemented within the site. The larger pods can house trees and other plants that reach 7.6 meters (25 feet) in height. The greenery and greenhouses throughout the site will become denser with time and work to make life on the water more sustainable. As part of living on the water, several health and amenities pods have been added to the community. The amenities entail a clinic / medical facility to provide necessary healthcare for the members of the community. Additionally, Community Gardens are scattered throughout the site that provide necessary fruits and vegetables for a healthy diet. A local grocer provides the community with a centralized location to collect other items that may not be available or producible in the living pods such as toiletries, medications, and other commonly used household products and goods. All these programs combined aid the growth of the community / habitat for years into the future.