Flooding Plains
with critic Emily Abruzzo
with critic Emily Abruzzo
“#欢迎到武汉来看海# #武大看海#”
“#welcome to the ocean (at Wuhan)# #oceanviews at Wuhan#”
-trending Weibo hashtags during the summer floods in my landlocked hometown, Wuhan
Our site for a NYC ferry terminal/food market is situated upon a FEMA flood
plain. During Hurricane Sandy, the site was inundated with 3-6 feet of water. The Flood Market proposes an sectional approach to designing public space over
water.
Depicted above are scenes from flooding in my hometown of Wuhan, China.
Unlike the threat of long-term ocean levels, event-based flooding is seen as a minor inconvenience, sometimes even a holiday to be celebrated. It is in this spirit that the Flooding Plains are made to be flood-proof and even occupiable in cases of mild flooding.
Depicted above are scenes from flooding in my hometown of Wuhan, China.
Unlike the threat of long-term ocean levels, event-based flooding is seen as a minor inconvenience, sometimes even a holiday to be celebrated. It is in this spirit that the Flooding Plains are made to be flood-proof and even occupiable in cases of mild flooding.
The entire walkable site is covered with galvanized steel grates and the building architecture is casted concrete - materials that are rated flood-proof and do not need to bereplaced after a flood event. Enclosed market programs are located above the floodline sectionally, and the ground place is made obstacle free to facilitate movement even when under a modest amount of water.
The Soundview Peninsula community does not have walking access to a subway line. In the case of a flood, an annual occurence, the community would be able to step up on the terminal roofs as an emergency evacuation dock.
The main architecture of the ferry terminal consists of an open air market on the ground floor, with enclosed kitchens and dining above. The elevational difference protects the interior from water damage and the need for replacement every hurricane season.
The main architecture of the ferry terminal consists of an open air market on the ground floor, with enclosed kitchens and dining above. The elevational difference protects the interior from water damage and the need for replacement every hurricane season.
