This project proposes a new ecological edge condition along the coastline of the park that remediates and stabilizes the fragility of this site. Through a multifaceted approach, addressing not only the physical division between the landfill and water but also the underlying ecological processes that sustain a healthy environment. The primary layer of the coastal redesign uses soil terracing to divide this zone into layers for phytoremediation. Aquatic estuary-based plants (Sparganium), salt-tolerant species, and flood-resistant trees make up the new ecological coastline.
This approach uses plants to extract and remove elemental pollutants that may leak from beneath the ground and heavy metals within the soil. Central to this vision is the integration of public programs and sustainable infrastructure. Beyond mere functionality, our architecture embodies a narrative of environmental stewardship and community engagement. Public walkways, terraced seating, and an on-site fabrication lab that produces the secondary layer of the coastline.
The secondary layer of the coastal remediation uses coral carbonate modules to line the terracing. Calcium carbonate hosts similar properties to coral in its porosity and filtration ability. This biogenic material links our anthropocentric built environment and surrounding natural ecosystems. What once was a hard edge, being our coastlines and interface with water bodies, is now being explored as a softer edge as we reconsider our interface between the world beyond buildings.
