Competitions
Feb 2012
Life Saving - First Step Against Disaster
Authors: Paz Herrero Romero, Irene López García
Objectives
The aim of this proposal is to mitigate the effects of natural disasters on the people through prevention and protection systems, increasing the effectiveness of management strategies used to deal with natural disasters like tsunamis and the sense of safety and life quality of communities and urban centres exposed to this kind of events.
Proposal
Based on the natural benefit of these trees, the purpose is to create an artificial mangrove system to form a new barrier to reduce the effects of tsunamis.The proposal is developed in two phases:
In the first one the structure itself acts as the barrier while at the same time it holds the sprouts until they are ready to be transplanted.
In the second phase the mangroves are moved to the surroundings of the structure, creating a natural wall to dissipate the impact of any future disaster and, therefore, leaving room within the design created to a new urban space for the benefit of local people.Given the project takes shape by the repetition of one module it can be adapted to many different places around the world. Materials are affordable and easy to obtain and doesn´t required specialized labour for the installation.
Construction Process
-Foundations:
With the same principle as mangroves, it is created a reticule of roots to hold onto the land, and a grid of precast concrete piles following the hexagonal shape.
Advantages: Structural stability and soil cohesion. Subsequent reuse of excavated soil to fill in the planters. Mangroves would grow in the same conditions as their future spot.
- Decking:
The hexagonal platforms consist of equilateral triangles resting in racks supported by the structural piles.
Advantages: Easy to configure in different positions given the regular size of the triangles. Lightweight construction. The grid finish filters the water in case the tide rises.
- Posts:
The parasols will be settled at the end of the posts, embedded in an additional stainless piece to connect them to each other (see pictures on the right). These structures would be connected to those nearby for increased stability and resistance.
Advantages: Their design allows light to pass through so the future planters will get enough to grow properly.
- Parasol:
Right at this moment the setting out of the planters starts. The planters have the same height as the additional stainless steel pieces connected to the posts.Advantages: The planters can rotate around the post in order to not restrict the growth of the future mangrove sprouts. All together they give the appearance of an open permeable fence, (see elevation) which in the event of a tsunami would be the first obstacle and could help protect the urban areas behind.
- Planters (installation, nursery, transplant and removal):
Once mangroves are adults they can be transplanted to the soil easily around the structure. The structure would then mark a space between the jungle of mangroves.
Advantages: The design of the planters has a removable bottom lid, making it even easier to transplant the plant to its final place. As a new promenade, it provides visitors/residents with an accessible way to get to the coast from urban areas.
- Blinds:
The parasol structure is designed to hold blinds on its top surface, so sun radiation would be filtered, making the space beneath more comfortableAdvantages: Blinds can be of different fabrics, materials and can also be placed alternatively according to local requirements.
