CONTINGENCY ARK
[eVolo Skyscraper Competition, 2009/10]
Introduction
This project is working under the assumption that there may be no way to stop the melting of the West Antarctic ice shelf. Partly in an effort to remain as apolitical as possible, and moreso in an effort to study the physical possibilities of inundation, the project focuses on the “what” of this assumption instead of the “why.” What will happen to Miami and other low lying coastal cities if climate change reaches a level “such that ice sheets begin to disintegrate in a rapid, non-linear fashion on West Antarctica and Greenland?” Physicist James Hansen of NASA, in a 2007 article for New Scientist magazine, stated that such a scenario would be unstoppable once started. Multiple positive feedbacks acting on the melting process and surrounding oceans would accelerate the depletion of the Antarctic shelf and contribute to a projected average sea level rise of several meters. Such change could happen within the span of a century. This would affect different coasts in different ways. Projections for the Florida coasts vary, due to the many variables involved, but this project puts it high enough to inundate most real estate within downtown Miami and surrounding neighborhoods and the Keys.
If one takes this as an inevitability, the notion of an architectural reaction becomes intriguing. If there were adequate enough of a warning that large swaths of the city were to become uninhabitable in the traditional sense, what could be proposed to both adapt to and capitalize on these new conditions? This project has taken the shape of a proposal for adaptation. A skyscraper as deployment of a slightly altered way of dwelling, post-inundation. A center for exploring, educating, disassembling, bartering, and a place from which to start understanding the new state of the world’s coasts.
The parti of the structure was born from the study of previous structures that have withstood the sea (particulary the World War 2 era Maunsell sea forts still sitting in the Thames and Mersey estuaries off the coast of the United Kingdom), as well as natural structures of similar resilience (waterlilies in particular). The notion of a new type of RV park or vacation getaway was threaded into this, creating a building who’s identity is embedded in its layers of utilitarianism one discovers as they use it - to continue the people’s history of Miami by dismantling it.
Help Us Resume The History Of Miami
The flood has come, but that does not mean that the opportunity has stopped! Float-Now! wants you to be a part of the disassmbly and observation of the metropolitan area of Miami. The Contingency Ark offers a multitude of opportunities for those who wish to take part in a first for humanity - our attempt to adapt to the challenges of rising seas.
As it stands the condition of urban Miami is unsuitable for habitation, post-inundation. As such, there is literally billions of dollars in derelict real-estate and materials laying in wait in these waters. According to the auspices of the federal government, a majority of the collateral of the flood is now open to independent salvage and potential recycle and resell. The Contingency Ark affords would-be salvagers a number of starter packages, at varying scales of cost, to start their very own sojourn into the waters of Miami - to pull out their worth as pioneers of a very new sort.
As the seas encroach, they afford humanity a glimpse into a very distinct natural phenomenon: the re-colonization of urbanity by aquatic flora, fauna, and geography. The Contingency Ark also provides packages for science organizations to mobilize and analyze the denizens of this new geography of southern Florida. Most packages come pre-equipped with many precision amenities. See our website for more information.
The encroaching waters also accomodate a new way of appreciating nature. A majority of Ark packages are targeted toward the forward-thinking “camper.” Inundated Miami offers an exciting adventure for any family looking for a vacation off of the beaten path. Amenities include most all of which is currently available at any luxury resort or campground across the country.
As one can see from even this brief description, the Float-Now! Contingency Ark offers a wealth of opportunity for the forward thinking American. We do not necessarily have to suffer from adversity. All of these packages co-exist and interact within the Ark as a single, living monolith to human resolve. And the only way to take part in this is to act now. Please, contact us today and we will be happy help start your journey towards the Ark.
