Ownership Alteration:
In the timescale of 200 years, the ownership alteration would happen in Lajes village. Therefore, this strategy proposes a dynamic solution in which the client of design takes place according to time and condition changes.
The whole proposal is divided into two parts - with 2132 as the Time-node, which is also the time when sea levels rise over the land that cause the ownership of Lajes to be changed in this project. Prior to 2132, the proposal primarily serves humans - the original inhabitants of the site. After 2132, the concerns are shifted to the ocean and marine ecology in this project.
Before 2132: The proposal is meant to reduce the impact of tides and storms, thus providing a better living condition for the residents. In the late time before 2132, buying more time for humans to evacuate the village is essential. A buffer system is proposed to achieve this hypothesis. The buffer system consists of a slope buffer zone and a ground buffer system called the “dune”. The buffer system can effectively reduce the energy of tidal and storm impact, while providing good drainage conditions for the nearshore area.
After 2132: When the sea level rises over the land, the buffer system will not be able to stop the water from flooding the village. Buildings would be removed and the "pit" system with a water storage function would be proposed. This system would effectively store water carried by tidal waves, providing a suitable environment for intertidal plants to grow. Thus, the marine habitats begin to form, and preform. At this point, the “client” who commissioned the design has changed. Otherwise, the texture of village, washed by repeated waves, could not have allowed any vegetation to grow. This design change is for the prosperity of longer term marine ecology.
Balance: The logic of design is not monolithic, and for clients who stand at the opposite, design is not purely about core objects. Balance is the most essential part when jumping between different “clients”, in this case, human society and marine ecology. Before 2132, the soft material is chosen as channels through which sea water pours in to prepare for the marine habitat. After 2132, the site is not entirely occupied by marine life. Humans can visit the new marine “park” because of the design considerations, like the inform paths, the entrance and the social spaces that are left. The ‘monument’ system commemorating the traces of human existence provides emotional sustenance for the residents who once lived here. People can still “live” in this land, in a different way. Balancing the factors, functions, clients and so on is the most important thinking for a landscape architect in my estimation.
