Designing for a future crisis: Architects envision floating habitats for survival in a world submerged in water.

The Climate crisis is one of the issues faced by the human race at the forefront, requiring our immediate attention. But due to its vast generalization around the world, the level of urgency for action is constantly underestimated. 

Now, with everything said and done, we are left with the repercussions of our actions. Sea level rise is one of the most significant consequences, and its wrath can cause destruction that might be too difficult for even humans to overcome in time. 

The global sea level is estimated to rise 30 centimeters by 2050. Chronic floods will affect 300 million coastal communities by then, and the home of 200 million people will be permanently underwater by the end of the century. These staggering statistics are pushing us to take action.

But as we are on the path of adopting sustainable ways of living, the efforts we take towards global flooding may be in vain. Some experts say that our efforts are not at par with the pace of sea-level rise, and we might not be able to combat it in time. 

How can we ensure our survival in this scenario?

Although we were preparing for this eventuality to occur in the next thousand years, if the situation of submerging comes up sooner, it could potentially lead to the obliteration of our species. The image of the world, if we were to survive this eventuality, will be extremely different from what it is now.  Consider, if humans as a species still exist and haven’t evolved gills to survive underwater, we need to come up with habitats that can give us a chance to not only survive but thrive. We will have to embrace the idea of a water world habitat, as less or no land may be available for respite.   

Besides the mental preparation, the physical input to be put in, is immense, even with advanced technology to back us up. The habitat must be resilient to not just the old, but the new disasters that might come up in the water world. What kind of infrastructure would we need to adapt to the water world? What are the pitfalls that would come with being afloat? Can we overcome the issues with an efficient system?

What would our lifestyle be like in this new world?

Can preparing for such harsh conditions, highlight the need to protect our current resources, in the process?

Technology today makes it possible to create floating habitats for hundreds of people to survive well, for a limited time. But as humans will evolve with this circumstance, habitats can be made to survive humans, even permanently.

Brief: Challenge was to design a floating habitat for humans for a distant future where the world is imagined to be completely submerged in water. 

The future water world will have limited resources so optimization of every element will be key to creating these habitats. The layout is critical as it will be shaped by the new way of living of people. The water habitat must be self-sustainable in the event that all land resources are flooded. It must be able to withstand unexpected adversities.

The aim was to design a safe, functional, and convenient floating habitat, to protect life, in a water world crisis.

Creative designs and inventive solutions can be futuristic but be seen from a scientific viewpoint. Strategies employed must be sustainable, for even when we are surrounded by water and facing calamities so that we do not repeat the same mistakes that we made on land.

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Some of the Best competition projects are as follows:

 

Winning Project: The Wave

By: Tyler Kazimierczuk, BobiJo Lingle

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Description: The Wave is a project that addresses the climate crisis by providing a home to a community off the coast of modern day San Francisco. With sea water levels rising at alarming rates, this proposal offers a unique solution to this problem through influences of the natural environment and its benefits.

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People’s Choice: ATLANDIS

By: Michael Massu 

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Description: A powerful civilization once existed above the surface of the ocean. Later, floods of extraordinary violence swallowed all types of sophisticated construction and advanced technology. The story redacts back in 2100 when a night of misfortune all things above the surface of the ocean sank into the depth of the sea, starting a completely new era for us.

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Editor’s Choice: CORAL CITY

By: Jacob Smith

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Description: Coral City allows for a direct connection to the existing wildlife in the San Francisco Bay. Coral is a major element in the natural ecosystem in our oceans across the globe, giving the project a strong base to be expanded out into many cities and countries. Coral's natural growth overtime allows for its strength to grow as the years progress.

                             

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