architecture - Sam Fox School - Washington University in St. Louis

Fall 2010
18
Simply, this studio will be about architecture’s relationship to
water. More specifically, about water mixing zones that are out
of whack and how we as optimist architects – or mixologists –
can spatially strike balance in these zones – like a well-mixed
cocktail – like a sazerac. We will engage existing water mixing
zones, at multiple scales from the water droplet to the water shed,
and re-address their delicate balancing acts. But mixology is by
no means just an act of seductive shape-making. It begins first
with questioning contemporary architecture’s role within water
mixing zones. Whether or not we should build or not build within
these zones I think is a moot point, as the above quote reinforces.
However, what is imperative is a better understanding of how we
define what “building” is within these zones; and, how we build
more intelligently to mutually live WITH water, across space and
time. Fundamental to mixology will be the ground, and water’s
primacy within the ground. Intelligent mixology only will result
from thorough research, documentation, re-organization and representation
under the following comparative global framework
– Deltas and their Watersheds. As Dean Bruce Lindsey says – “The
world is one big watershed.”
The studio will build upon previous work and teaching titled
GUTTTER TO GULF (www.guttertogulf.com), a multi-year
collaborative effort between the Sam Fox School, University
of Toronto department of landscape architecture and Dutch
Dialogues (www.dutchdialogues.com), that advocates for multiscaled
water management strategies for New Orleans, Louisiana.
For the United States, the New Orleans region unfortunately has
become the crucible for all-things-human-made-water disasters.
But New Orleans is not alone. Water is a continental issue and of
course water is a global issue. I would argue the water crisis is
THE crisis. As a result, significant attention is being brought to
comparative studies of deltas and their developments, now coined
“Delta Urbanisms.” However, to become better architects, I believe
it is crucial to take an even bigger step back and understand
delta urbanisms, not just within and among themselves, but
within their larger distribution contexts – Watersheds. GUTTER
TO GULF GOES GLOBAL will set the stage for comparative delta
urbanisms and watersheds research around the globe that lead
to architectural prototypes and interventions at multiple scales,
programs and venues – inextricably related to water’s multiplicity
of issues. In making research and proposals legible, we will strike
up debates to the merits of comparing different places, places that
may share similar ecologies, but may exhibit radically different
political contexts. In addition, Hoeferlin has been awarded a
2010/2011 Sam Fox School Creative Activity Research grant for
“GUTTER TO GULF GOES GLOBAL – Comparative Watershed #1
– Mekong.” The work conducted by students in this studio will be