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The Century of the Small

Part 2 Project 2008
Michelle Williams
 Birmingham City University | UK
A theoretical design project, based on the idea that small scale water sourcing interventions could provide sustainable alternatives to destructive dam and pipeline projects.

The brief for the design project is a reaction to the water restrictions put in place in Australia, to deal with the drought conditions that the country is currently facing.

The project deals with the conflict between environmental sustainability and the sustainability of modern lifestyles.

Sited on Perth's coastline, the intervention sustainably sources fresh water from sea water, in order to provide water to recreational uses affected by Australia's water restrictions.



Michelle’s project was a very refreshing one if you excuse the pun. Not a large “designer ego” project or one inspired by “starchitects” but a somewhat understated design that delicately emerged out of the Perth coastline yet tackling a critical issue head on. The project started with a series of exquisite diagrams that investigated water as a resource worth fighting for. This attitude was then shifted to Western Australia to generate a self-sustainable beach-front leisure complex which cherishes water as if it were gold. Michelle’s achievement is all the more remarkable for a student studying part-time.
Tutor(s)
Mr Kevin W Singh
2008
A series of exploratory diagrams document the development of ideas which lead to the brief for the design project. PROJECT INVESTIGATION STRAND i - Forced Migration (the impact of the construction of large dams on the number of forced migrants globally)
The investigations centered around the competition for water resources, looking particularly the enviromental and social impact of these situations. Australia was of interest because of its current water shortages. Perth, WA, was chosen as the site.
'...perhaps that's what the 21st century has in store for us. The dismantling of the Big, Big Bombs, big dams, big ideologies, big wars, big mistakes. Perhaps it will be the Century of the Small.' Arundhati Roy, 'The Greater Common Good' 1999
The brief is to provide the uses threatened by the water shortages with locally sourced fresh water, using sustainable methods. the cut - a void cut into the landscape allows wind to be funnelled to drive turbines and lift the intake of sea water.
The orientation of the scheme, and its form are driven by the local climatic factors, and the basic programmatic requirements. The intervention cuts through the landscape to form a relationship with the beach area.
The horizontal planes tunnel through the landscape, forming internal and external spaces, as well as the apparatus for the distillation process. 'Ice Surfaces' (heat exchange freezes the water) absorb heat from the sun which is used for evaporation.
The contours of the landscape allow connections to be formed at all levels. The lower level partially extends over the sea to form the plant nursery area. The platforms step up the hillside, forming a collection of cantilevers and cavern like spaces.
the beach showers are set on the sea front on two levels, they connect with the beach area, and tunnel entrances lead to the changing areas and brine baths.
the changing area is buried in the landscape, creating cavern like spaces, slits in the ceiling cut through the earth above, and reflect the daylight into the space. During a storm, the spaces would become inhabited by the sea.
The brine baths sit at the bottom of a large void in the landscape, the distillation process leaves the sea salt as a by-product, which is used to salinate the water of the brine baths.
Main Entrance Stair - the entrance from the beach takes visitors to the upper levels of the site, allowing views from the bar area over the beach and other facilities.
The cafe / bar area is at the top of the plan overlooking the rest of the site, it sits adjacent to 'the cut', which is bridged by a link to the car washing area beyond.
The car washing area allows people to wash their cars using the sustainable water source and efficient reclaimation and recycling apparatus. Steps from this area lead down to the bait shop and on down to the shore.
Reclaiming water used in the faciliy is key to the efficiency of the proposal, this canopy is designed to condense and collect evaporated water from the car wash area.
3D form - physical model of the final scheme.
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