The Bartlett
Autumn Show 2023
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Antifragile Poplar: Water as a Connecting Tissue

Project details

Programme
Design Studio Design Studio 2
Year 2

As the planet enters an era of extreme weather patterns, this proposal seeks to create an antifragile response, enabling the city to thrive under these unprecedented conditions. Antifragile Poplar takes the abnormal surging tides and rainfall levels as an opportunity to build social and ecological connections. Water is used as a connecting tissue that re-introduces its relational values and brings back the identity of Poplar.

The presence of water defined Poplar’s urban setting, culture, and identity, being the home of the docklands and waterborne commerce. With this proposal, the cycles of water will be celebrated, spawning new human and non-human relationships - co-evolving in parallel with climate change.

Flowing dynamics of water-bearing landscapes are introduced to the urban fabric, engaging the public with ecological cycles. New landscapes will emerge within multiscale interventions that become natural laboratories of landscape exploration; a “rooted-in” antifragility design that supports existing dynamics, land uses and commercial character while mitigating climate change, regenerating ecosystems, and drawing the intrinsic value of water into the community.

A series of small and medium interventions that bind the area. Chrisp Street Market remains the heart of Poplar, increasing biodiversity through permaculture initiatives and collaborative dynamics.

Masterplan, Poplar’s Urban Waterscapes

A series of small and medium interventions that bind the area. Chrisp Street Market remains the heart of Poplar, increasing biodiversity through permaculture initiatives and collaborative dynamics.

The principles of the project are proposing a flexible border (the canal) that would build a dynamic relationship with water, to celebrate emerging ecosystems and to use water as a social and ecological anchor.

Concept Physical Models

The principles of the project are proposing a flexible border (the canal) that would build a dynamic relationship with water, to celebrate emerging ecosystems and to use water as a social and ecological anchor.

The public realm becomes a platform that welcomes rain and showcases water. The theatre square harvests rainwater while creating playful experiences alongside cultural film events. The central piazza undulates to welcome sunken areas.

Views of Theatre square and East India piazza

The public realm becomes a platform that welcomes rain and showcases water. The theatre square harvests rainwater while creating playful experiences alongside cultural film events. The central piazza undulates to welcome sunken areas.

The market furthers its commercial values to become an educational area for water management. The retrofitted canopy captures rainwater to flourish rain gardens and supply the permaculture fields.

Moments of the Chrisp Street Garden Market

The market furthers its commercial values to become an educational area for water management. The retrofitted canopy captures rainwater to flourish rain gardens and supply the permaculture fields.

A water retention basin doubles as a basketball court with an amphitheatre hierarchy, giving life to flood and drought. The court area uses permeable asphalt, and the rest of the space oscillates between grasscrete and lawn areas.

Water Square Sports Court Technical Detail

A water retention basin doubles as a basketball court with an amphitheatre hierarchy, giving life to flood and drought. The court area uses permeable asphalt, and the rest of the space oscillates between grasscrete and lawn areas.

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The Bartlett
Autumn Show 2023
26 September – 6 October
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