Thesis Design: Evolution of a Coastal City

The premise for this thesis is the issue of climate change resulting in rising sea levels. This is particularly relevant to the UK, as a densely populated island nation.

This thesis explores a future focused scenario of a 2m sea level rise by 2120. Within this timescale, other major issues are likely to emerge including increasing population  and the depletion of  fossil fuels  resulting in more localised commodities and high density living.

It focuses on the Case study site of Portsmouth as the basis for developing generic solutions applicable to UK coastal cities. Portsmouth is a low lying and densely populated city with an important maritime heritage and a declining marine based industry .

The intent is to take an embrace approach to rising sea levels – using this as an opportunity to take advantage of water as a valuable resource.

A strategic Masterplan of South Portsmouth demonstrates alterations and changes to infrastructure and public spaces ; areas of adaptation; and the growth of water based industries and material technologies. The strategy harnesses wave power to generate electricity offshore. This powers both the local district and sea plantations where construction materials are formed through electrified mineral accretion. This ‘seacrete’ material, akin to concrete, is then used in construction and development of the city. These industries utilise existing skill sets and rejuvenate the local maritime economy.

Southsea district is focused on in greater detail – looking at how new and adapted structures can embrace the sea as this area becomes inundated with water.

Conceptually the architectural language of the ‘water’ city highlights contrasts; utilising robust existing structures and seacrete anchors to counterweight lighter implemented elements.

City Wall view

Existing structures of historical or architectural value are re-appropriated in order to retain the essence of the city and replace public spaces lost to the sea.

Firstly the City wall represents the threshold of old and new creating a public promenade.

Reinterpreted spaces

Secondly Southsea castle redefines a defensive fortification as a contemplative and accessible public space.

Spitbank Fort - Swimming Baths

Finally Spitbank Fort –embraces the power of the waves through hydroelectric generation, while intertwining public baths with sustainable energy production.

New elements consist of buoyant structures which fill the voids in the existing urban grain and extend the city scape seawards. These structures constitute prefabricated and modular floating units  – dealing with the constraints of the water environment while accommodating an increasing population.