Sid Lu

Azores Recalibration

Landscape Architecture - MLA

Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA)

luminxuan1999@gmail.com

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Azores Recalibration

Project description

Determining humanity's position in relation to nature is a challenging and complex task. With our impact on the environment continually increasing, some individuals believe that we possess the ability to govern nature. However, separating humanity and nature serves only to absolve us of responsibility for the current climate crisis, which is predominantly driven by human activities and poses significant risks to Earth's ecosystems. While human societies have historically intervened in the natural environment to meet various needs, such endeavours have often resulted in unfavourable consequences for the environment.

Nevertheless, humans are not the only species capable of modifying nature. For instance, beavers construct dams using branches that not only provide them with secure shelter but also actively contribute to dredging and channelling the river. This prompts the question of whether these creatures, which have a positive impact on the natural environment, could offer new insights to humans on how to coexist with nature.

Given the climate crisis and the serious threats to biodiversity, it is essential to reassess the negative impact of the built environment and develop innovative approaches to promote our coexistence with other species.

This experimental project focuses on restoring the ocean energy cycle, shifting away from a human-centred perspective, exploring the marine environment from the viewpoint of landscape architects, and building a collaborative system rooted in local social networks. The main objective is to attain a balance between economic growth and sustainable utilization of marine resources in the Azores, while also creating innovative ideas for sustainable landscape design.

Whale Watching Vlog in Azores

Fieldwork

I was fortunate enough to observe these magnificent creatures on a whale-watching excursion and was thoroughly impressed. Since I was a child, I have been fascinated by natural science and have often watched these stunning creatures in documentaries. Nonetheless, seeing them in person had a profound impact on me. During my recent whale-watching trip, we had the opportunity to observe broad-snouted dolphins, common dolphins, and spotted dolphins. But what stood out the most was witnessing the sei whale as it rolled and swam at sea level, sometimes disappearing underwater before resurfacing with its head and spraying a colourful mist of water into the air.

I and my friends were filled with joy every time we spotted the sei whale during our whale-watching tour. I felt compelled to capture these incredible moments on camera, which I then edited into a vlog featuring a finger-style guitar track that I played myself, titled "Atlantis". Through this vlog, I aimed to share my enthusiasm with the audience and evoke a sense of empathy in them. These magnificent creatures undoubtedly served as my source of inspiration throughout the trip.

Fieldwork Comics

Manga showing the problem of ship strike.

Manga showing the problem of food source depletion.

Manga showing the problem of marine debris.

Manga showing the problem of water contamination of marina

Site Discovery Through Fieldwork

During the field trip, I had the opportunity to converse with a marine biologist who informed me that cetaceans in the Azores are facing some degree of danger. The increasing influx of tourists has led to a higher demand for ferries and boats, and the local government is considering expanding the port on Faial Island to accommodate larger vessels. It is worth mentioning that while trawling is prohibited in the Azores, other fishing methods are still prevalent, which has a negative impact on the food supply of cetaceans to some extent. Additionally, during my visit to the dock area in Horta, I noticed that the parked boats discharge sewage, which also has an adverse effect on the harbour environment. I made these comics based on the observation and conversation with the marine biologist, which purpose is to shift the perspective from myself to the local cetaceans.

Intensified Marine Traffic

With the inflow of a large number of tourists into the Azores region, the local government decided to enlarge the existing ports. One of the negative impacts of enlarging existing ports is the intensification of marine traffic, which leads to noise pollution in the ocean. The noise emitted by the vessels' engines severely affects the ability of cetaceans to locate and disrupts their behaviour patterns.

The graph at the bottom illustrates the variation in ship activity intensity throughout the year in relation to cetacean activity. As vessel activity increases significantly, the likelihood of encountering various cetacean species decreases significantly as well.

It is essential to implement measures to ensure the harmonious coexistence of cetaceans and humans in the Azores. One such measure is the enforcement of laws and regulations.

Marine Traffic

Intensified Fishing Activities

The intensity of fishing activities shows a growing trend over the last decade, Human fishing activities caused the problems like loss of food resources and by-catch of the cetaceans. However, The fisheries sector currently contributes with more than 20% of the total exports of the autonomous Region of the Azores, and guarantees the territorial cohesion of dozens of small communities spread over the nine islands of the Azores. In this way, traditional fisheries are not meeting the goals of sustainable development and increasing demand for fish products and need to be replaced by new sustainable and productive solutions.

Mapping of Fishing Intensity

Mapping showing the territorial influence factors.

Territorial Scope

The research scope of this project encompasses the entire Azores archipelago region, and involves the study of various aspects such as ocean currents, bathymetry, sea mounts, marine traffic, fishing activity, and marine debris in the region. Finally, an overlapping analysis approach is utilized to identify suitable locations for implementing different strategies.

Strategies

Theoretical Basis of Aquapods Strategy

Aquapods Theoretical Basis

The Designated Location of Aquapods & Re-Constructed Marina.

Aquapods Floating Island

Based on the theories of supplemental mode of production and energy circulation, I am exploring the potential of implementing these strategies in the ocean. One idea that came to mind is the possibility of ocean-based fish farming. In the supplemental mode of production theory, fecal matter can be repurposed as nutrients for lower energy-level products. This principle is also applicable to the off-shore marine environment, where fecal matter can serve as a nutrient for phytoplankton and zooplankton, which in turn can provide a food source for baleen whales and other marine species. By replenishing the plankton, the ocean ecosystem could benefit as a whole.

By floating on the ocean surface and dispersing nutrient matter, Aquapods have created a unified entity between the floating island and the ocean. With the assistance of Aquapods, nature's ability to replenish fish stocks has been maximized.

Modules & Activities of Aquapods Island

The Section of Aquapods Floating Island

Evolutionary Fish Farming

Aquapods prioritize the well-being of marine life and the environment. The fish farmed in these structures produce nutrients that enhance the productivity of surrounding waters, attracting other fish to feed and promoting a healthy ecosystem. Aquapods represent a revolutionary approach to the fishing industry, promoting sustainability and environmental restoration. This is the re-imagination of the waterscape, showcasing a model of responsible aquaculture. As shown in the section drawing, seaweed farming has been integrated with the Aquapods Floating Island. The type of seaweed used is called giant kelp, which not only absorbs excess carbon produced by the Aquapods but can also be processed into various products such as carrageenan, a natural binder used in food production, and biomass. This approach of combining seaweed farming and Aquapods fish farming makes the floating island an economically viable solution for local fishermen.

The Structure of Aquapods Unit

The Morphology of Aquapods Island in Different Locations may vary

Plan of Aquapods Floating Island

Visualisation of Aquapods Floating Island

Vibrant Ocean

In the section on the right, my intention is to highlight the difference in scale between the aquapods floating island and the underwater mountains, and to emphasize that the vertical distance between them is not a void, but rather a space filled with a diverse array of underwater creatures. It is worth noting that these creatures inhabit different depths, which further underscores the complexity and richness of the marine ecosystem.

Actual Scale Section Showing the Distance Between Aquapods & Seamount.

Marina Reconstruction

The Evolution of Morphology

The Evolution of Morphology

With an influx of tourists from across the world, the existing Horta marina is set to continue expanding horizontally. However, this pattern is likely to block out the water surface at the marina, and vessels docking at the port may cause problems such as sewage contamination. This, in turn, neutralizes the possibility of a variety of organisms growing under the water of the marina. The reconstruction of the port rethinks the morphology of the existing marina, with the intention of making it more vertical. The vessel storage section is combined with the aquapods maintenance and assembly section, creating a central hub for the Aquapods floating island in the reconstructed port.

The Structural Drawing of Reconstructed Marina

Groundfloor Plan of Reconstructed Marina

Rooftop Plan of Reconstructed Marina

Naturalised Edge

The current port's approach is entirely based on hard infrastructure, which is inadequate to sustain organisms in the port waters. The excessive use of hard treatment methods could impede the flow of water and air in the soil. The naturalized edge promotes the circulation of air, water, and minerals in the soil, which will be more conducive to the survival of organisms in the port waters.

Edge Analysis

Coexistence

Below the Reconstructed Marina, various techniques have been employed to establish a viable underwater ecosystem for marine species. One such method involves the installation of Oyster Gabions at the transition zone between land and water. Oysters possess remarkable ecological potential owing to their unique filter-feeding abilities. They have the capacity to filter substantial quantities of water, up to 50 gallons per day, effectively eliminating pollutants and excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. This filtration process contributes to the enhancement of water quality, the reduction of harmful algal blooms, and the facilitation of the growth of other aquatic organisms. Moreover, the oyster gabions serve as a habitat for diverse marine species, including crabs, fish, and other shellfish. The intricate three-dimensional structure of the oyster gabions also plays a crucial role in safeguarding shorelines against erosion and storm surges.