15 FLOATING FORREST
12/2020
Academic Work
Type:
Public Community & Residential Design
Location: Suzhou, China
What will Suzhou be like in 2035 if it regularly experiences flooding? Will people abandon flood-prone areas, or will they learn to coexist with the water? This project envisions a future where Suzhou frequently faces rising water levels, and aims to design towers that appear to "float" on the water, yet stand firm like an underwater forest, enabling residents to live harmoniously with the water.
As trees can help mitigate flooding, this project explores the concept of "planting" towers instead. Located on a green belt between two rivers, adjacent to a residential area, the project proposes seven towers on this narrow strip of land. The design seeks to integrate these towers into the existing landscape while also creating a new, complementary environment. By incorporating small hills with tall, slender trees at the base, elevating the towers, and adding rooftop gardens, the project creates a "forest" atmosphere—mysterious and serene from the outside, yet vibrant and lively within, housing young graduates who live dynamic lives.
This project specifically aims to design temporary micro houses with public commercial spaces for young graduates in the future. These newly graduated individuals, still unfamiliar with society despite finding employment, may not afford larger homes for several years. Renting a micro house or purchasing a small apartment offers a feasible solution during this transitional phase from school to work. These micro houses are designed to be "small but functional" and aligned with the tastes and preferences of young people.