The border between land and water is one that is dynamic and constantly changing. Sea level rise due to climate change will complicate an already often contentious relationship between water and the built environment. For my graduate terminal studio I was given the freedom to design my own project, program and site. As a Boston native with a passion for resilient coastal design, I chose a harbor-front site in East Boston, a neighborhood that is in need of flood-conscious, equitable design strategies.
This project proposes a flood resilient amphibious manufacturing incubator that serves as a prototype for urban coastal development and an economic catalyst for the neighborhood of East Boston. And because water is both our greatest risk and our greatest asset, there is a need for resilient urban design solutions that both protect vulnerable neighborhoods from flooding and storm surges, while utilizing that same water sustainably within the architecture. The urban design strategy proposes a resilient way to live, learn, and work with water.
Building off Boston’s history of innovation and production, the manufacturing incubator offers local entrepreneurs and innovators the opportunity to launch their businesses by offering rentable space to build prototypes, experiment with new ideas, and learn from each other. The building also provides space for local students to learn from experts through vocational education programs and hands-on internships with mentors.