The Adaptive Island
ON THE EDGE OF Mridula Swaminathan
M.Des ‘21, Interior Architecture (Adaptive Reuse) Rhode Island School of Design
2020
Spring 2020 Studio : The Adaptive Island Instructor : Dalia Munenzon 1
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PEDDOCKS ISLAND SITE VISIT IMAGES (INTERVENTION BUILDING HIGHLIGHTED) 2
The Adaptive Island
PEDDOCKS ISLAND
Peddocks Island is one of the 34 of the Boston Harbor Islands which is a part of the National Recreation Area, established in 1996. With an area of 210.4 acres, Peddocks Island has seen a wide range of occupants as recorded in history. It has gone from being home to Native Americans, Portuguese Fishermen, English Colonists to an American Military Base. The Island is predominantly divided into four drumlins - the East Head, Middle Head, West Head and the Prince Head, all connected by tombolos which get affected by the tides as well as rising sea level. With the constant change in climate and water around the islands, the tombolos of the island which essentially connects the various drumlins gets inundated. As sea level rises, the shorelines of the island are threatened by storm surges and also soil erosion along the bluffs. As part of this studio, we looked at how the issue of climate change can be addressed on a master plan level as well as more focused building level on the Peddocks Island. For the purpose of this project, East Head was the main region of focus, which was where the military base of Fort Andrews was situated and more specifically for the Adaptive Reuse strategy, of all the remaining buildings on the island, the Quartermaster Storehouse Building(on the left) was selected. The brief was to develop an educational as well as a recreational program across the master plan and propose a toolkit to establish a narrative on climate change in the island.
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FIRST IMPRESSION OF SITE
CONCEPT EVOLUTION Peddocks Island geographically is very varied and interesting. The geology of the Boston Harbor Island is believed to have been a low lying plain surrounded by high ridge bedrock and buried under glacial ice. Eventually with climate change and thus melting of the ice, smooth, rounded drumlins were formed which over the years resulted in the landform that we now see in the Boston Harbor Region. The surfaces of these drumlins are essentially a combination of the bedrocks, till and clay which with the melting of the glaciers and eroding of surfaces provided its streamlined shape. The change in the overall geology of the island is still in progress with the acceleration of climate change. In line with its unique form and geological history, Peddocks’ landscape is also unique. The uniqueness of its historic use also plays an important role in establishing its distinct features. As one walks from the shore to the interior of the island, landscape evolves from a more volatile to more stable conditions. The shore is lined by rocky beaches and large boulders which pave way to the eroding bluffs. The North East and North West edges of the island are known to be the most eroding edge of the island, constantly hit by changing tides and storm surges. On walking more towards the interiors, influence of humans on the island is witnessed. Across East Head, which was the military base during the late 19th century to mid 20th century, concrete pathways leading upto the remaining buildings can be seen. Also the trudged pathways across 4
the wild growth of vegetation are common on other parts of the island. The inner most part of the island, at present, is covered with thick vegetation and trees, which over the years of farming and living have evolved from native species to invasive wild growth. As the landscape changes physically from the shore to the drumlin tops, a gradual change in height can also be witnessed on the island. The highest point along the North and South drumlins of the East Head are at 30m above sea level, at present. Apart from the wavering contours, the kind of landscape also brings out a distinct vertical feel to the space - from low lying rocks to tall trees. As the landscape changes horizontally, the spaces within the island are honed by the verticality of these varying landscapes. With the site visit it became evident that the landscape plays an important role in shaping the ambience and essence of the Peddocks Island. Apart from its history, the landscape and vegetation are extremely affected also by the whole phenomenon of climate change. Thus it became imperative to work along the lines of varied landscape to better understand the island and design for a resilient approach towards climate change on Peddocks Island.
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ACTIONS TO THE REACTIONS OF THE SEA
Peddocks Island is faced with the challenge of loss of land not only by coastal erosion due to the strong currents but also by the looming global issue of sea level rise. In fact, the former phenomenon is accelerated by the latter. In a time when all these phenomena are inevitable, preserving the island and its essence in a manner of adapting to these climatic and therefore geological changes becomes imperative. One must note that these changes that occur do not limit to just the physical transformation of the island but also involves the loss of existing ecologies and geologies. PRESERVATION
In an effort to preserve the aura of the island inspite of these changes, observing these occurrences becomes an important aspect of educating as well as preparing for what is to come. Understanding how the contour edges can be capitalized on to eventually accommodate for these physical alterations can help guide in the process of observation. When using the term Preservation, the design in no capacity advocates for stopping climate change. It merely suggests the understanding of the island edges to bring out those distinct features of the island which were encountered during the site visit. These in turn provide for opportunities for the island visitors to see the environmental changes that are affecting the geology and other aspects of the island.
EDGE TREATMENT
OBSERVATION RISD 2020
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PEDDOCKS ISLAND MASTER PLAN With focus on East Head
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WEST HEAD
PRINCE HEAD AND TOMBOLO
PROGRAMMING OF THE ISLAND 8
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The Adaptive Island EAST HEAD
MIDDLE HEAD
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TOMBOLO
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BIRCH TREE
PLUM TREE
STAGHORN SUMAC
Vertical Elements
SWITCHGRASS
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Horizontal Elements
MASTER PLAN EDGE TREATMENT TOOL KIT 10
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The Adaptive Island
VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL EDGES
With the site visit the horizontality and verticality of the landscape became an evidently distinct feature. The site impression model represents that distinct division between the horizontal and vertical elements across the island. On developing the concept of actions to the reactions of the sea through enabling edge treatments, taking forward the horizontal and vertical features of the island became the obvious route to consider. SITE IMPRESSION MODEL
GABION WALL
Exploiting existing contours to create ‘natural’ viewing platforms bordered by stoned wall.
In the development of the master plan, structural details which counter the movement of water hitting against the shore was explored for horizontal features. On site, the vertical feature was felt mainly because of the various trees and plants. The same was employed in the master plan concept, by planning for reviving native species and species that help resisting soil erosion. The species are planned considering their heights and usages, for instance along the shore shorter grass with strong roots are used while at the top of the drumlin large canopy trees are planted. The two forms of edge treatments were designed in a manner in which they develop around the programs and enable observation.
REVETMENT Retaining wall of boulders or large rocks along the rocky beaches and eroding bluffs.
BREAKWATER Added to the North East edge after submergence of shore from sea level rise. New structure to the North West edge which doubles as a deck.
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2020 MASTER PLAN OF PEDDOCKS ISLAND - EAST HEAD 12
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EROSION TESTING GROUND Since Northern edge is most susceptible to erosion, this part will be land for observation and experiments for scientists/engineers. 1 - Erosion Viewing Deck 2 - On Site Erosion Testing Labs 3 - Light and Music Show Battery
East Head North Drumlin
RECREATIONAL GROUND Provides best views to the harbor, connects with rest of the island and cover larger area of the East Head. 4 - Rest Houses 5 - Lockers and Toilets 6 - Ticketing House 7 - Trail towards Middle Head 8 - Hull Side Deck 9 - Boston Skyline Deck 10 - Lower Camping Ground 11 - Upper Camping Ground
East Head South Drumlin
COMMUNITY THOROUGHFARE Forms an important intersection between the two drumlins – connecting the public with the professionals.
East Head Central Access RISD 2020
12 - Existing Dock 13 - Existing Visitor Center 14 - Existing Chapel 15 - Empty Structure 16 - Caretaker’s House and Store 17 - Scientist’s Guest House 18 - Play Pen 19 - Electric Substation 20 - Fire Station 21 - Market Hall and Outdoor Seating 22 - Quartermaster Observational Lab 23 - Proposed Dock and Viewing Deck
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2070 - Loss of Land
2100 - Singular Identity
CHANGE OVER TIME 14
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ELEMENTS OF OBSERVATION
There are predominantly three stages in the transformation of the island based on climate change and sea level rise: - As of 2020 : RESTORATION - As of 2070 with 4’ sea level rise : LOSS OF LAND - As of 2100 with 9’ sea level rise : SINGULAR IDENTITY
Elevated Walkways
Observation Decks
With each phase, the sea level rises and the island is faced with higher and stronger risks of bluff erosion. As part of working with observation in the programs and the entire master plan of the Island, four main observational elements were incorporated which work with the nature of each phase. Each of these elements acknowledge the affect of the sea and climate change. Elevated walkways suffice as pathways to retain connectivity between the different drumlins in the future with loss of land. The intent of Observation Decks are to highlight the importance of giving the visitor the options of connecting visually with the island and it’s surroundings. The next two elements relate most to the island in the event of sea level rise. These elements employ light as a visual guide for the visitors to understand the change that is brought about by climate change. Post 2100, as the buildings on the East, closest to the shore are lost to sea level rise, and as they cease to be functional, they become light installations. Light along the roof line is an exhibit of the lost form. The final element pertains to highlighting the changing shoreline. This can be due to sea level rise or the daily phenomenon of tides. Much like Bioluminiscent algae, as the water hits against these poles along the present known extent, the visitor is made aware of the island boundary. With the changing water level and thus light poles, the visitor is forced to understand how our lands are getting affected by climate change.
Light Art with drowning structures
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Highlighting Lost Land
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CONTOURED DECKS
Working with the contours gives the opportunity to utilize the existing plateaued surfaces as natural decks looking outward from the island. These viewing and observational decks in the southern drumlin are a vantage point for the visitors to observe the changes that the shore of the island will incur. The surfaces of the decks bring back the existing landscape along the shore, rocky beaches, which are bound to be lost by the sea level rise.
BOSTON FACING WESTERN NATURAL DECK RISD 2020
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ELEVATED WALKWAY
As the tombolos get submerged by sea level rise post 2100, the connectivity between the heads is lost. These walkways retain that connection in a manner of still maintaining the oneness of the island by mimicking the outline of the land lost as the bridge. These bridges also provide for points of fishing along the tombolos which are rich in marine life. The land submerged is highlighted with light poles which shows the island’s old extent in comparison to the present island extent.
WALKWAY TOWARDS MIDDLE AND WEST HEAD RISD 2020
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LIGHT AND MUSIC SHOW
The design of the battery which was earlier used for mock war drills, gives an opportunity to use this space as a center for entertainment and education. This space becomes a platform for discussing climate change and soil erosion in a open and creative way.
LIGHT AND MUSIC SHOW BATTERY RISD 2020
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OBSERVATION DECK
Deck along the Erosion Testing Ground in the North Drumlin provides an important and interesting view for the researchers and scientists to observe bluff erosion along the island edge.
ON SITE EROSION OBSERVATION DECK RISD 2020
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IMAGE TITLE
2070 - LOSS OF LAND With climate change, Peddocks Island starts losing land to 4’ sea level rise by 2070. Along with that the Northern edge of the East Head is lost to soil erosion. The island starts losing area to sea level rise, especially connectivity to the rest of the island. Now connected to the other heads by a mere strip of land, the island now starts becoming a major hub to observe these changes as they occur. In addition to the sea level rise, the island also experiences low and high tides, which further effect the extent of the island on a daily basis. The Northern most deck on the Erosion Testing Ground becomes an important vantage point for the researchers and scientists to look back at the island edge and observing bluff erosion at close quarters.
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2100 - SINGULAR IDENTITY East Head now functions as an island in itself due to losing of tombolo to 9’ sea level rise. The main intervention at this stage is to restore the lost access through the whole Peddocks Island. At this point it becomes interesting as to how to retain the essence of the oneness of the island that is lost due to submerging of middle land. One way of countering is to have connecting bridges along the extent of the lost land, so as to retain the lost boundaries. Along with ‘mimicking’ this lost area, highlighting change also becomes important. Light poles along the old extent of the island helps realize the change in a creative as well as obvious manner, and light along the submerged structures act as a reminder of what is to come.
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QUARTERMASTER OBSERVATIONAL LAB Adaptive Reuse Strategy
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Project Title
SITE PLAN
CHANGING EDGE Taking forward the concept of Preservation - Edge Treatment - Observation for the Adaptive Reuse of the Quartermaster Building, it was imperative to understand the shift between the nature of all the edges of the building. For this process, the Quartermaster was considered as the datum.
Considering the structural conditions of the existing building, the roof and the floor were re-designed. The roof structure is designed keeping the sun movement in mind and thus adopting passive strategies. The building is clearly divided into three parts - the North Wing, the Central Atrium and the South Wing.
Starting from the center of the island to the Eastern edge of the building, the region is considered as a relatively stable area which is not directly influenced by sea level rise. For the purpose of this project this region was identified as the Permanent Edge. On the contrary, the region from the Western edge of the building to the shoreline is evolving and is directly influenced by the rise of the water. Thus this region was identified as the Temporary Edge.
While the North and South Wings, structurally and architecturally are symmetrical on the exterior, the Central Atrium is a division between the two. While the wings, in terms of materials, retain the language of the old, the Atrium provides a noticeable character to the re-purposed building. This central region has an exterior screen of perforated metal that envelopes the existing building, in a manner of providing a new skin to the old.
Having these distinct characteristics identified, the design used the essence of these pointers to shape the various kinds of experiences that a visitor would encounter moving from the interior of the island to the exterior waterfront. The Quartermaster, which is the datum, acts as a transition space which through the different edge treatments around, explores the possibilities of different observational spaces.
The design of the Quartermaster urges the visitor to feel the shift between the permanent and the temporary nature of the site and thus island. As the visitor explores the various spaces, the proposal accommodates for the change that the island will incur on a daily basis as well as in the future with the progression of climate change.
The overall existing footprint of the building has not been altered. The adaptive reuse strategy works around the concept of exploring the possibilities the existing edges have to offer and how the changing nature of it can enable the programs of the building. 28
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Bioluminiscent Algae that lights up as the waves hit the edge of the contour pads. Breakwater system as the foundation for the new Dock.
2070
As the sea level rises above 3’, the Breakwater system’s lower deck gets closer to the water level, while the first contour pad gets submerged.
Floating deck that adjusts to the sea level changes.
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As the sea level rises above 9’, the Breakwater system’s lower deck is completely underwater. The second level of contour pad is submerged.
These deck are light pads that emphasize on the changing nature of the island topo. Upper deck and dock level still functional at this point.
CHANGE IN TIME ALONG THE EDGE RISD 2020
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PERMANENT EDGE
‘INVISIBLE’ PATHWAY
below grade and fortified by the island landform
PLATEAUED PLAZA
flatbed along the gradual contour
STEPPED PLAZA
follows contour profile forming an outdoor intimate space
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QUARTERMASTER OBSERVATIONAL LAB
The Adaptive Island
TEMPORARY EDGE
VIEWING DECK
leading upto the waterfront enabling viewpoints
CONTOURED BIOLUMINISCENT ALGAE PADS
follows contour of the site, illuminates was sea level rises
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NEW DOCK
breakwater edge dock functions as an extended deck with visibility of the eroding NW cliffs
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PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION AND CIRCULATION 32
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The Adaptive Island SECOND FLOOR Researcher’s Floor Laboratory Conference Room Viewing Galleries
Services Elevator Shaft South Wing Circulation North Wing Circulation
FIRST FLOOR Student’s Floor Classrooms Outdoor Teaching Terrace and Mock Erosion Testing Ground Library Lounge Kitchenette Gathering Space
GROUND FLOOR Gallery Floor
Open Gallery Floor Prep/Storage Room Maintenance Room
Breakwater Dock and Double Deck Floating Deck Viewing Deck Contoured Bioluminiscent Algae Pads
Mock Erosion Testing Ground along the Stepped Plaza
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GROUND FLOOR PLAN 34
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GROUND FLOOR Gallery Floor
This first is meant to be a representation of all the work in the building and an educational center for visitors of the island. The window sill has been extended to the ground to give a more direct visual contact with the surrounding, in addition to having the floor mimic that land that will be lost - rocky beach.
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FIRST FLOOR PLAN 36
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FIRST FLOOR Student’s Floor This floor is largely envisioned as an area of interaction, sharing of knowledge between students and researchers and most importantly as the zone for observation. The central part of the building has a Townhall stepped seating which is foldable which looks out toward the water-edge. This area becomes the central coming together zone for learning and observing real time. Another important zone is the outdoor teaching terrace that is connected to the classrooms. It is an extension of the outdoor stepped plaza and has a mock erosion testing ground to help students understand concepts.
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SECOND FLOOR PLAN 38
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The Adaptive Island SECOND FLOOR Researcher’s Floor
As part of encouraging observation and interaction, the design toggles with double and triple height spaces with overlooking regions. The staircases also are situated in manner that they provide interesting and direct visuals as the user walks. The Townhall Gallery on this floor provides a direct as well as visual connection between the scientists/researchers and students.
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GABION PLAZA
COMMON BOND RED BRICK
BLACK ALUMINIUM WINDOW FRAME
PERFORATED ALUMINIUM SCREEN FACADE over the curtainwall system
WEST ELEVATION 40
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INDUSTRIAL FINISH
Being a 20th century brick building with an industrial past, this design aims to celebrate the industrial history of the structure through its finishes. The red brick finish is retained for the exterior with a distinction between the old and new intervention by having the additions (on the inside and outside) as perforated black painted aluminium screen and clear glazing. The additions are meant to represent lightness and encourage visual connection between the exterior and interior. The finishes of the plaza are to connect with the site with gabion structures and the surfaces finished with sand and rocks.
CLERESTORY STRIP along the profile of the Quartermaster
G+43’6” G+42’0”
New Wall Height
G+32’5”
Existing Wall Height
G+29’5”
Researchers’ Floor
G+21’6”
Students’ Floor
G+10’7”
Site Level
G+0’0”
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North facing SAWTOOTH CLERESTORY with PV panel facing the South
STRIP CLERESTORY
Perforated Screen filters the direct sunlight that enters through the central glass atrium
EAST ELEVATION 42
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G+43’6” G+42’0”
New Wall Height
G+32’5”
Existing Wall Height
G+29’5”
Researchers’ Floor
G+21’6”
Students’ Floor
G+10’7”
South Plaza Level
G+6’0”
Site Level
G+0’0”
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Central Atrium
Towards Waterfront
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‘Balcony’ Gallery
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Extending Metal Deck
Informal seating plaza G+42’0”
G+32’5” G+29’5”
G+21’6”
G+10’7”
G+3’0” G+0’7”
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Conference Room overlooking gathering space
Library and lounge for professionals and students
South Dead Wall
Gathering Networking Space
G+32’5” G+29’5” Entry from the West Dock G+21’6”
G+10’7” G+6’0” G+0’7”
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ENVELOPE PROPOSAL
The interior is finished in a manner to increase thermal insulation in the 3 wythe 20th century storehouse. The intervention is padded with water resistant layers and rockwool insulation, finished with a layer of white brick facing.
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SUSPENDED STEEL STAIRCASE
FOLDING PERFORATED METAL STAIRS
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SECTION ALONG WESTERN FACADE 46
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METAL DECK FLOORING
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TOWNHALL
The Townhall is an important internal observational element incorporated into the design. Designed in the center of the building, the concept is that it provides for observation of the waterfront edge as a practical learning experience for the students. The gallery on the second floor gives the opportunity for researchers to interact and observe the activities in the Townhall.
VIEW OF TOWNHALL FROM SECOND FLOOR RISD 2020
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CENTRAL ATRIUM
The Central Atrium plays with the various avenues of observation within the building as well as volumes in the design. With the Stepped Townhall off the atrium, the atrium has a one and a half story height, while as the steps are folded it becomes a triple height space. The folded steps becomes a partition like screen along the corridor on the first floor, from where one can overlook into the gallery space below as well as the gallery balcony on the second floor.
VIEW OF ATRIUM WITH TOWNHALL FOLDED RISD 2020
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DECK AND DOCK SYSTEM
As the design culminates at the Western front, it represents the temporary aspect of edge treatment. On exiting the Quartermaster, the visitor is presented with three primary experiences - floating pads, contoured light pads and breakwater dock system. The varied structures aim to provide aspects of climate change in terms of sea level rise and erosion along the shore of the island.
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CONCLUSION
The main aim of this project is to realize the outcomes of climate change on the island and how to prepare for it. The design tries to retain the core essence of the island in a manner of making the transition seamless yet bringing out the changes brought about by climate change into the fore. The changes become the center of every function of the island. Preserving the island’s essence, observing the changes and highlighting the edges is what this design hopes to achieve. Climate Change is inevitable. There is no way to undo the phenomenon or protect the island against all the changes that is bound to happen. However, the adaptive reuse strategy for the Quartermaster Storehouse Building and the Peddocks Island hopes to safeguard what is left with the increase of sea level rise. Adapting to the changing tides of time and sea.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Silvia, Matilda. Once Upon an Island. Hothouse Pr. 2003 Harvard Univeristy Graduate School Design. Envisioning Future Resilience Scenarios for the Boston Harbor Islands : Conference Briefing Book. 2018 Rosen,Peter S. FitzGerald, Duncan M. Processes and Evolution of Boston Harbor Islands: Peddocks and Lovells Islands. 2004 Massachusetts. Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Boston Harbor islands comprehensive plan / prepared for the Massachusetts Department of Natural Resources. 1972 Boston Support Office of the Northeast Region National Park Service for the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership. Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area General Management Plan. 2002
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Thank you
Mridula Swaminathan
MDes ‘21, INTAR Department Rhode Island School of Design RISD 2020
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