The Bartlett
Autumn Show 2021
Explore
About the show

unit-code



Close

Beastly Ark: Embracing Flood and Biodiversity

Project details

Student Zichao Lin
Programme
Design Studio Design Studio 8
Year 2

We are in an era of accelerated climate change. Rising sea levels caused by global warming will affect large numbers of people living in coastal areas through unpredictable floods. This rewilding project is about the patience needed to embrace the unpredictable.

The site, an extensive low-lying area protected by an embankments system, is located on the London/Kent border. The proposal aims to enhance ecological diversity by demolishing some embankments and allowing the river to re-enter this area, transforming it back into wetlands and tidal marshes. The changes in the river's course and the daily tide enable people to perceive and participate in the uncertainty of nature. The keystone species, Eurasian beaver, will be introduced to enhance biodiversity over time. Topography takes the form of a boat, scaled to beaver habitat. These lush islands, like the Ark, sustain human and animal activities after the river is introduced.

Small-Scale Test Model

Experiment for observing change on a set of rhombuses under water-flow scouring.

Flood Map, 2036

Flood Map, 2036

Although the tides can cause flooding, the time span of daily high and low tides is about six hours. Most of the time the areas between the islands are shallow and swampy.

Zoom Image
Close

Landscape Change from 2021 to 2100

The site environment, the construction process, the activities of human and non-humans and the site atmosphere imagined between 2021 to 2100.

Master Plan, 2027/2036/2051

Site status and changes in several key periods: 2027 (after tree planting), 2036 (after river introduction)) and 2051 (after beaver introduction).

Master Plan, 2036 (Low Tide)

The topography and the river course through the sitemas well as the facilities at a key moment.

Share on , LinkedIn or

Close

Index of Works

The Bartlett
Autumn Show 2021
30 October – 13 November
Explore