Pleasure Beach Island in Bridgeport tells a profound story of urban and ecological transformation. Drawing on the island’s historical significance and its development from land reclaimed over 170 years through the dredging of Bridgeport Harbor, I aim to illuminate the intrinsic link between land management and urban development, reflecting on how Bridgeport was shaped by its interactions with the land.

I employed a series of digital and physical experiments, derived from the physical and environmental properties of the site. These included simulating the distribution of industrial contamination in the soil, mapping the soil dredged over the past 150 years, analyzing soundwaves from the site associated with different historical uses and activities, projecting local data based on the current location of trees on the site, aggregating modules based on projected patterns, and observing the sand accumulations around these modules.

Strategically positioned, these modules which are made out of 3d printed soil-sawdust mixture, promote the natural accumulation of sand. This design mimics sand accumulation process essential for responding to rising sea levels and shoreline erosion, which threaten natural habitats and disrupt human activities. The project aims to foster a self-sustaining ecosystem over time, integrating resilient plant species that thrive in saline conditions, like bald cypress and saltmarsh cordgrass, providing a habitat for native bird species, and ultimately creating an environmentally protected visitor space suitable for open-air music performances or as a locally accessible island park.

The aim is to form a living landscape that intertwines historical insight with ecological resilience. It proposes an approach to urban design where human history and natural history are intertwined, leading to an environment that respects its origins while adapting to future challenges.