We have yet to explore in fullness the opportunity of our surrounding waters in ways that respect its nature and work with its flow. As a team of architects and researchers, we are currently looking into the opportunity of working with our natural seascape to accommodate performing arts on water. We initially linked our design concept to ‘the floating lantern’. Candle-lit lanterns in Japan are released into rivers for the Toro Nagashi ceremony, flowing downstream and grouped together to form glowing orange-lit platforms, merging art with water in festival formation.
The seduction of moving water as it glides over its curved counterparts is what interested me initially to sketch the creation of an art piece. As a team, we discussed the possibility of using this platform as a stage for artists, and we are now in the process of finding shareholders who are interested in the potential investment of building the art piece. Through the reflection of water, lights and the arts come together; we present an opportunity for scriptwriters to engage with design through the interaction between seascapes, people and community idyllic life. People create spaces and come to life as their presence radiates through the seascape.
We would like people to enjoy this art piece as their own. Once a prototype is finalised we would like to invite the audience to interact, play and understand the science of the theme. As researchers, we are interested in providing an attraction that can portray the future in art masterpieces that can be explored for local and tourism market initiatives. Maltese waters are beautiful in colour, light reflective abilities and clarity. Encouraging others to follow suit is what we plan to do, as the love of our seas are key to healing body and mind.
This project was presented in Paris in March 2018 at the international conference on Marine Structures and Coasts organised by the World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology and won best paper award. The prospect of caring for Maltese waters is a concept which is very much appreciated in our international academic community and, as a team we will continue to publish this coming year. We look forward to updating you with more information together with the rest of the team: Joseph, Ingrid, Annalisa, Malcolm and Angele.
Rebecca Emily Dalli Gonzi is an architect, project co-ordinator and lecturer at the University of Malta.
Her current work focuses on four areas: engineering for the visual arts; the application of process improvement to construction and contract management; construction education and models for governance.
Did you know?
• We have 30 per cent water loss from our urban water supply network in Malta, a challenge faced by our Water Services Corporation.
• In Malta, we have 31 small water dams to sustain our water runoff from rain pours.
• Sea salt absorbs the toxins in the body and on the skin and works to treat infections and encourage the healing process.
• It is estimated that over 70 per cent of oxygen is produced by the oceans.
• Water takes around 1,000 years to travel all the way around the globe.
• The original meaning of the Pacific Ocean is ‘peaceful sea’.
For more trivia, see: www.um.edu.mt/think.
Sound bites
• Amphibious architecture has caught on since the beginning of the 21st century, for three main reasons: fear of levels of water rising, economy and technology. Fear of levels of water are all correlated with climate change and as a result of this many flood mitigation strategies incorporate some amphibious building techniques. When it comes to economy and shortage of land, architects and engineers have had to reclaim seabeds or build floating structures. While it is not a new concept to build on water, new materials and construction methods have made these floating structures more durable, comfortable and affordable. This work describes a new typology based on three factors: relation to water, buoyancy and mobility that encompasses the architectural objects of all sizes, functions and movability. These works can be built both in and on the water.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317630057
• Plastic in our oceans is an increasing problem. Bags, bottle caps and plastic fibres from synthetic clothes all end up in our oceans and water systems, which are disrupting our ecosystems. Plastic is not biodegradable; it will only break down into smaller parts and can persist for hundreds and thousands of years. These tiny fragments are swallowed by animals and end up in the ecosystem. The Ocean Cleanup project is a 10-year project between 2015 and 2025 which will place collectors near coasts, as it is where there is the largest flow of plastics. The team also looked at areas where microplastics overlapped with microscopic floating plants, phytoplankton. These microscopic plants are the basic food of many ocean ecosystems, and microplastics are entering the food web in these areas as microscopic animals accidently eat them. The team also found that placing collectors near the coasts is more efficient in collecting plastics.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160118223921.htm
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