Sea rise - nature life

Project idea

Con Hen, once a thriving green oasis between Hue's ancient citadel and modern city, which plays an important feng shui role for ancient Hue, has faced ecological decline due to urban development. This has led to a drastic reduction in its rich biodiversity and traditional professions, such as mussel-raking. The proliferation of unplanned structures has disrupted the natural balance, making the area more susceptible to environmental disasters. Our group aims to restore greenery, implement nature-harmonious architecture, and revive the human-environment symbiosis.

Project description

In the coming fifty years, it is anticipated that the region will see a decrease in concrete buildings and an increase in green spaces, allowing for some ecological recovery. This revival could support the return of traditional cultures and professions, fostering a better connection with nature. Moreover, with annual flooding and rising sea levels, part of the Huong Riverside area may be inundated, necessitating adaptive architectural modifications to improve local living conditions. Furthermore, heritage and cultural sites will be preserved and renovated, becoming prominent features along the region's waterways.
What does the future hold for Con Hen? Can we imagine a future where ecology and culture flourish together? With strategic efforts, we can create a vibrant reality where ecology and culture flourish together.

Technical information

- Adapting Landscape Design to Rising Water Levels
The embankments surrounding Con Hen face inevitable inundation from increased flooding and rising water levels. Our project combines biological restoration—using aquatic and mangrove plantings to rehabilitate natural soil conditions—with an innovative adaptive walking path. This pathway enables residents to walk safely, maintain stability, and access bridges during floods, while also serving as a temporary platform for rescue operations during severe flooding.
- Floating Housing Modules with Self-Sufficiency Networks
Architecturally, the proposal develops a set of floating modular houses capable of adapting to water-level changes. Each house features a buoyant foundation, allowing it to float as water levels rise.
Each module supports self-sufficiency through renewable energy (rooftop solar panels), localized food systems (floating chinampa-inspired gardens), and decentralized water access. Private floating jetties, constructed with cantilevered steel frames, provide docking for boats and act as decentralized fishing stations, with interwoven nets for subsistence harvest.
Moreover, the housing clusters connect via floating bridges at their rear, creating a resilient, dynamic neighbourhood. This design maintains social connections and mobility throughout Con Hen Island, even during prolonged seasonal floods.

Documentation

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