Architecture, urban planning and research in, on and next to water
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Waterstudio team back from Korail slum

For the continuation of the Appgrading Wet Slums project, the Waterstudio team did a field research on the Korail slum in Dhaka

The Waterstudio team just returned from a field research with the goal to research on the possibilities of the implementation of the first City App in the Korail Wet Slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Waterstudio together with Dutch Docklands support the Flood Resilient Group by conducting and sharing beneficial research on City Apps for Wet Slums. The Flood Resilient Group is a multidisciplinary research group affiliated to UNESCO-IHE and Delft University of Technology.

Waterstudio wins Architecture & Sealevelrise Award

Waterstudio has won the prestigious “Architecture & Sea Level Rise” Award 2012 from the Jacques Rougerie foundation with their entry: App-grading Wet Slums.

“Architecture & Sea Level Rise” Award 2012 for App-grading Wet Slums

Koen Olthuis and his Waterstudio team have won the prestigious “Architecture & Sea Level Rise” Award 2012 from the Jacques Rougerie foundation with their entry: App-grading Wet Slums.

Koen Olthuis’ architectural firm Waterstudio aims to upgrade slums by using floating urban structures called City Apps. City Apps are, essentially, floating functions that can easily be added to a city by placing them on water where needed.

Wet Slums are characterized by high density, a scarcity of free space and are located by the water. By using floating solutions new space is found on water. City Apps offer a flexible and adaptable design, creating solutions for the specific needs of each area. City Apps are catalyst functions.

A set of City Apps are developed for Wet Slums that provide food, sanitation, shelter and energy. Floating technology that has been used in projects for the “rich” will now be used for the people that really are in need.

City Apps are envisioned as products instead of projects which makes them reusable as they can be easily moved elsewhere once they are not needed. In this approach, City Apps are leased out to the local community.

The prize money provided by the foundation will be used to implement the first City App in the Korail Wet Slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Official name of the award and foundation: Laureate 2012 – Promo Emmanuel Hervé – “Architecture & Sea Level Rise” Award from the Fondation Jacques

Rougerie – Génération Espace Mer – Institut de France.

Floating cities of the future, National Geographic

National Geographic, Daily News, Jul 2012

FLOATING CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL

This 5-million-square-foot (490,000-square-meter) floating cruise-ship terminal could host three large vessels while providing passengers a novel offshore experience, complete with open-ocean hotel stays, shopping, and dining, according to designers.

An inner “harbor” would allow smaller vessels to dock and would provide natural light for the interior of the terminal. Ten percent of the roof would be covered in photovoltaic cells that harvest solar power, according to Dutch architect Koen Olthuis of Waterstudio.NL.

The terminal is just a vision now, but Olthuis’s firm, which is committed to buildings that both adapt to and combat the challenges presented by climate change and sea level rise, has made other floating fantasies come to life.

Waterstudio.NL, based in the Netherlands, has worked on a floating city near The Hague and has started projects in the Maldives, China, and the United Arab Emirates.

FLOAT HOUSE

Making the most of waterfront views, Dutch architect Koen Olthuis designed this floating single-family water villa in Amsterdam to maximize privacy and versatility.

Completed in 2008, the building’s bedrooms and bathroom are on the first floor, partially below water. Large sliding doors on the top floor open to a wooden deck, offering the illusion of being on a boat.

THE CITADEL

Scheduled for completion in 2014, the Citadel could be Europe’s first floating apartment building, according to architect Koen Olthuis of Waterstudio.NL. The 60-unit complex is to be built in the Dutch city of Westland, near The Hague, and is meant to protect people from flooding in a country that sits, to a large degree, below sea level.

Holland is home to more than 3,500 inland depressions, which can fill with water when it rains, when tides come in, or as seas rise overall. These so-called polders are often drained by pumps to protect residents.

Floating single-family homes are not uncommon in this soggy country, but the Citadel—to be built on a flooded polder—will be the first high-density floating residential development. The complex’s floating concrete foundation will be connected to higher ground via a floating road.

Olthuis predicts the Citadel—and its five planned neighbors—will consume 25 percent less energy over its life span than a conventional building.

GREEN SEA STAR

Slated to open in 2014, the Greenstar is to be a floating hotel and conference center off the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. The island nation is the world’s lowest-lying country, making it among the most threatened by anticipated climate change-induced sea level rise.

Designed by Waterstudio.NL to blend in with its ocean surroundings, the Greenstar will have room for 800 overnight guests and 2,000 conference attendees.

Intended to be highly efficient, the development’s small environmental footprint is a tribute to the country’s determination to fight global warming, according to Waterstudio.NL architects. Appropriately enough, organizers intend the Greenstar to be the number one meeting place for global climate change discussions.

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Thai National Housing Authority visits Waterstudio

A group of high ranking officers (VP’s and Directors) from the National Housing Authority of Thailand have visit Waterstudio for a presentation about our expertise on flooding and concepts for flood zones and on the water. Thailand faced a terrible flood problem last year. The agency is now studying the possibility of using another typology for their housing development.

Floating Golf Course for Maldives

Troongolf’s press release for Dutch Docklands’ Floating Golf Course, conceptual design by Waterstudio.

conceptual design Koen Olthuis Waterstudio.NL developer Dutch Docklands

TROON GOLF TO MANAGE WORLD’S FIRST 18 HOLE FLOATING GOLF COURSE IN GROUNDBREAKING MALDIVES DEVELOPMENT

World’s leading golf management company trusted with delivering a state of the art golf product at unique island project Geneva, Switz. – Troon Golf®, the leader in upscale golf course management, development and marketing is delighted to announce its appointment as technical advisors in one of golf’s newest and most exciting projects recently unveiled in the Maldives. Developed by the world-renowned Dutch Docklands company, industry experts in floating technology, the $500 million project is due to be completed in 2015 and will include a world class golf facility that will be interconnected by revolutionary underwater tunnels. “We are thrilled to be involved in such a truly groundbreaking project in the Maldives. Dutch Docklands are a hugely successful and innovative company and we are excited at the prospect on working closely with them on helping them realize the golf aspect of their vision,” commented Bruce Glasco, Managing Director, Troon Golf Europe, Middle East & Africa. The idyllic Maldives development incorporates a set of groundbreaking artificial floating islands that include exciting new and unique opportunities for sustainable development such as watercooling, sweet water collection floating on saltwater and use of floating solar blanket fields. The scarless development, which has zero footprint on the Maldives region will include state-of-the-art golf courses that look set to bring a wealth of new tourism and investment to the country. The floating islands will draw on Troon Golf’s industry leading expertise in delivering a world class product and its experience at some of golf’s most challenging and unique locations. The project is located just five minutes from the airport and the picturesque site will boast luxurious accommodation which will overlook the golf course and reef. With world renowned companies behind the ambitious venture, the end product looks set to boost tourism in the region attracting travelling and golfing aficionados from around the world.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Troon Golf EMEA is committed to developing Troon Golf’s presence in Europe, Middle East and Africa. This rapidly expanding division now oversees operations at 36 courses in 13 countries including Dubai, England, Portugal, Russia and Spain with further expansion planned across all regions. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon Golf is the world’s largest golf management company, overseeing operations at properties located in 31 states and 26 countries. Additionally, 39 Troon Golf facilities enjoy a Top 100 ranking by national or international publications. Troon Golf properties include Castiglion del Bosco, Tuscany, Italy; Turnberry Resort, Ayrshire, Scotland; Classic Club, Palm Desert, Calif; Brookwater Golf Club, Queensland, Australia; Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E; Palmilla Golf Club, Los Cabos, Mexico; and The Grove, London, England.

conceptual design Koen Olthuis Waterstudio.NL developer Dutch Docklands

Zaluma yra gerai, bet vandens zydryne-dar geriau

June 2014

Structum, Jurgita Siliuniene

Architektūriniai sprendimai ant vandens nėra įprasti ir kasdieniški, tad kokios klientų ir kolegų reakcijos sulaukia jūsų projektai?

Gyvename laikais, kai technologiškai beveik viskas yra įmanoma. Mes naudojame įprastas ir laiko patikrintas technologijas, kurios jau seniai taikomos projektuojant plūduriuojančias naftos platformas ar didelius kruizinius laivus.

Didžiausias iššūkis, su kuriuo susiduriame šiandien, – tai žmonių, tiek klientų, tiek valstybinių institucijų, mąstymas ir supratimas apie gyvenimą ant vandens. Manau, kad ateityje plaukiojantys pastatai ar net plaukiojantys miestai bus kasdienybė ir nedaug skirsis nuo įprastų miestų, prie kokių esame įpratę šiandien.

Žinoma, taip pat svarbu užtikrinti, kad plaukiojantys pastatai turėtų tą patį komforto lygį ir kainuotų tiek pat, kaip ir pastatai ant žemės. Vienintelis tokių architektūrinių sprendimų skirtumas – plūduriuojantis pagrindas, sudarytas iš plūduriuojančių platformų junginio, kurį prireikus galima praplėsti, prijungiant papildomas platformas. Tai mes vadiname „City apps“ – plūduriuojančių miestų komponentais. Tai gali būti papildomas stadionas, golfo aikštynas, naujas namų kvartalas arba nauji keliai.

Naudojant „City apps“ plaukiojantį miestą galima transformuoti ir pritaikyti pagal gyventojų poreikius. Tokie architektūriniai sprendimai labai tinka prie vandens įsikūrusioms bendruomenėms, yra mėgstami salynų kurortuose, be to, tai puiki galimybė tankiai apgyvendintoms teritorijoms, pavyzdžiui, Kinijoje.

Kokia buvo jūsų idėjos įgyvendinimo pradžia?

Jaunystėje mane labai žavėjo Olandijos kraštovaizdis, šalies vandens ir žemės struktūra. Tuo metu gyvenimas ant vandens buvo įmanomas tik specialiai tam pritaikytuose laivuose. Taigi siekdamas įgyvendinti savo idėją – apgyvendinti žmones ant vandens – 2002 m. pabaigoje įkūriau pirmąją pasaulyje miestų ant vandens architektūros įmonę „Waterstudio.NL“.

Esu šios rinkos pradininkas, tad teko įdėti nemažai pastangų, norint pakeisti plačiosios visuomenės suvokimą apie gyvenimą ant vandens.

Ar gyvenimas ant vandens turi tradicijų?

Olandijoje žmonės ant vandens gyvena jau daugiau nei 100 metų – čia yra įprastų laivinių namų, kurie plaukioja upėmis, miestų kanalais.

Kuo skiriasi architektūra ant žemės ir ant vandens?

Vienintelis dalykas, kuris skiriasi nuo sausumos, – plūduriuojantis pagrindas. Taip pat, jei namai statomi ant jūros paviršiaus, naudojamos sūriam vandeniui atsparios medžiagos.

Kiek ir kokių projektų esate įgyvendinęs?

Įgyvendiname savo sprendimus visame pasaulyje – Maldyvuose, JAV, Indijoje. Nyderlanduose jau pastatėme daugiau nei šimtą plūduriuojančių namų ir pastatų. Šiuo metu įgyvendiname ypatingą projektą – nedidelio biudžeto būsto sprendinius lūšnynų bendruomenėms.

Milijonai žmonių gyvena lūšnynuose prie vandens, jiems kyla nuolatinė potvynių ir cunamių grėsmė, tad mūsų tikslas, naudojant plaukiojančių namų architektūrinius sprendimus, padėti žmonėms susikurti tokį būstą, kuris nebūtų suniokojamas gamtos stichijų.

Tačiau ar saugus toks būstas ant vandens, ypač turint omenyje , kad jūros lygis kyla?

Taip, kai kyla jūros lygis, saugiausia vieta ir yra ant vandens.

Kokią įtaką miestai ant vandens turės architektūros tradicijoms?

Tai niekaip nepakeis pačios architektūros, tik pakeis mūsų mąstymą apie miestus, gyvenamąjį ar pramoninį būstą.

Šiuolaikiniai dizaineriai yra klimato kaitos karta, tad turėtų pradėti mąstyti apie dinamiškas, o ne statiškas statybų konstrukcijas.

Ar ši architektūra yra nekenksminga gamtai?

Mums labai svarbus ekologinis tvarumas. Ant vandens galime išgauti tvarią saulės energiją, be to, nenaudojamus namus lengva perkelti į kitą vietą. Palyginkite – ant žemės stovintys nenaudojami, griūvantys pastatai metų metus niekieno neprižiūrimi darko kraštovaizdį ar miesto architektūrą.

Vanduo mums suteikia unikalią galimybę kurti tvarias technologijas, taigi žaluma yra gerai, bet vandens žydrynė – dar geriau!

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