Designing with Disaster

Penapa Hildebrand

The project site in La Boca, Buenos Aires, is virtually flat and approximately one meter above sea level as the land approaches the Riachuelo river edge. As the river waters vary between 0 and 1.5 meters above mean sea level, the area would frequently flood. In response to this, the city introduced a +2m seawall that doubles as a pedestrian path. While this seawall is protective, it is also a hard-edged separation from the river. This may be desirable for the polluted river, but it also blocks direct awareness and the ease of maintenance from a neglected river in need of much care. The Riacheulo is extremely polluted. The river contains waste from the chemical, pharmaceutical and petrochemical, meat and dairy industries as well as raw sewage and garbage. The soil in the area is also heavily contaminated.

While the flooding from the Riachuelo has been halted for now, data from NASA satellites predict that if the water levels continue to rise due to global warming, La Boca will again have serious flooding concerns. Along with the potential water damage to homes and businesses, there is also a potential for contaminant spread.

This project is about a place that reveals itself through flooding.

The site strategy is to mitigate flooding in the area to protect the neighborhoods beyond.

An enlarged flood plain allows the river to expand with minimal damage to the neighborhood. In the event of a natural disaster, the parts of the structure can also be used as an emergency shelter.

Tectonic logic includes landscaped berms and swales that allow for programmatic intervention as well as neighborhood protection. Terraced levels double as a flood plane and park space. T he distinction between roof, shelter and ground are blurred.

Programmatic strategy provides a new, accessible community and recreation area in La Boca. Rain is collected and used for field and garden irrigation.

This project employs multiple flooding opportunities and allows for the emergence of various functions and landscapes during both dry and wet seasons.