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King's Cross Aquaculture

Part 1 Project 2008
Benedetta Gargiulo
 Architectural Association London | UK
King's Cross Aquaculture is an urban landscape that playfully explores and re-imagines industrial food production, inviting visitors to examine the complex interrelationships between the private consumption and mass production of fresh fish.

Formed as a sinuous pedestrian network extending along the sides of Regent's Canal, its central structural element is water. Aquaculture is characterized by continuous waterfalls and levelled terraces, which co-exist with the topography of Central London. It is a fish-farm that doubles as an innovative architectural body, providing a network of bridges, multi-level pathways and accessible connections across the riverbanks, while contemporaneously purifying and treating the canal's water. The cultivated fishes are treated, filleted, and packaged on-site for instant consumption or for take away. The visitors participate through the entire industrial process, by crossing the Aqua Bridge, entering in the Aqua Tunnel, glancing at the mackerel or cod production line from the sushi bar or simply by crossing the canal.

Benedetta Gargiulo

Beginning with an analysis of contemporary urban issues, focusing in particular on areas of food consumption, Benedetta Gargiulo skilfully investigated how a fish farm can contribute to the welfare of the King’s Cross area in London. Through a close reading of speed maps and analytical models, and the dynamic interweaving of programme (farm, market and sushi restaurant), technology (fish tanks, conveyor belts) and network infrastructure (closed and open bridges) she explored the transition between work and leisure with a project full of wit and intelligence. Her driving idea of creating a local food farm offered obvious environmental, social and economic benefits while at the same time delivered an exuberant sensory experience for the centre of London. Proposed, as it was, in this age of large suppliers and chain supermarkets, Benedetta’s Aquaculture not only creates a local outlet for fresh food in King’s Cross but also successfully celebrates a diverse and rich urban habitat.
2008
Between extremely fast and dense zones King’s Cross area is translated via speed/motion networks. Quiet and isolated niches are also identified and catalogued unveiling manifold implications and secrets.
Site analysis model visualising King’s Cross speed topography. Each layer represents 5mph. Areas of up to 140mph (main roads and railways) appear to be the densest, highest and most disturbing zones while slower areas (around the canal) seem to be confine
Based on ‘speed’ parameters and non-inert models of organisation site and programme are interwoven. Farming common UK fish species like rainbow trout, sea bream, cod, sea bass and haddock the project maintains the natural reservoir‘s health.
Using raceway methods water is diverted and filtered at high level and fills up 4 tanks positioned at lower levels, one below the other. Created waterfalls ensure continuous oxidation for the fishes. A natural low-tech treatment system purifies the canal’
Model of King’s Cross Aquaculture and the sites new topography. The new landscape connects the existing canal to the urban level above and thus fills the present urban gap.
Diagrams explaining multiple layers and process of the landscaping offering different programmes and creating a continuous cycle throughout the site.
Site Plan showing the complete intervention in King’s Cross. The new speed of Aquaculture transforms the present dynamics and generates a continuous flow throughout the canal.
Exterior view of the existing canal with newly inserted fish tanks, viewing platforms and pedestrian bridges rendering a hybrid of work/production and leisure.
Roof plan indicating covered areas (public zones and work places). ETFE membranes are spanned between the ribs to protect from the prevailing winds from south-west and acoustically isolate from the adjacent traffic.
Plan visualising the whole cycle of King’s Cross Aquaculture: fish production line, fish market and restaurant zones.
Longitudinal section and views of the Aqua Tunnel and pedestrian promenade.
Transverse section through fish tank and conveyor belts. Close interaction between wet and dry areas, the product and the consumer, the professional and the freetime user.
The Aqua Bridge. Ramp systems span long distances throughout the site while enclosing rib structures constantly vary in size, forming balustrades, seating spaces and canopies.
Interior view of sushi bar.
View of fish production line.
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