Waterfront Design
Design and architecture work along rivers, harbors, coastlines and canals, covering buildings, public spaces and floating structures at the water's edge.
Waterfront design concerns buildings, landscapes and public spaces where land meets water. Designers working here must account for flooding, tides, shifting edges, and the access and visibility that water frontage can offer. Projects range from floating saunas and wharf houses to large-scale urban riverbank redevelopment.
Community work under this topic includes floating and amphibious buildings, reconnected river channels, harbour and coastal projects, and pedestrian-oriented renewal of city centres and riverfronts. Submissions tend to examine how water edges can be made inclusive, public and resilient.
Popular projects
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Latest journals
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The market as a place to gather: a fish market that leaves its lot to meet the water
A shortlisted Street City Vietnam proposal spreads a folded solar roof over an open single-level grid and lets the market spill onto a stepped waterfront.
Trosten Floating Sauna by Estudio Herreros: A Landmark in Oslo’s Waterfront Design
The Trosten Floating Sauna by Estudio Herreros in Oslo combines sustainable design, vibrant architecture, universal accessibility, and waterfront leisure with community engagement.
House on a Wharf by ElliottArchitects: Coastal Living Redefined in Brooksville
House on a Wharf by ElliottArchitects is an elevated, sustainable coastal residence in Brooksville, featuring waterfront views, native landscaping, and energy-efficient design.
Pier 22 Vienna – Transforming the Danube Waterfront into an Inclusive Urban Oasis
Pier 22 transforms Vienna’s Danube waterfront into an inclusive public space with promenades, work areas, native landscaping, and vibrant recreational platforms.
