As climate change is becoming increasingly harmful, the Arctic is facing drastic changes. The permafrost is melting, sea levels are rising, and many other phenomena are occurring that threaten much of the landscape and the people inhabiting it.
Arctic permafrost is a layer of frozen soil, rock, organic material, and embedded ice that holds significant amounts of carbon dioxide and methane. When thawed, it can release large quantities of these gases into the atmosphere while also forming unique landforms known as thermokarsts. These ponds typically form in clusters, influenced by the patterns of ground ice and ice wedges that provide strong foundational points.
In response to these challenges, the proposed design archive is situated in Tuktoyaktuk, a small hamlet in Canada’s Western Arctic which is heavily affected by permafrost thaw and land loss. The archive is divided into two main sections: one dedicated to a methane capture system utilizing inflatable structures placed over existing thermokarst ponds to produce biogas for local energy use, and the other designed for community engagement. Anchored to the foundational structure of the underlying ice wedges, the community-focused section includes a communal kitchen for fishing-related activities, a research hub supporting the methane capture efforts, and recreational spaces intended for the hamlet’s younger residents.
