La Ola

City on Water U.G. - SPRING 2021

Located in the Southern coast of Puerto Rico, La Parguera exemplifies a unique phenomenon based around casetas/casitas. These particular type of illegal buildings initially surfaced as forms of squatting by the poor, but in present day they are mostly used as second homes for vacation or rental purposes. La Parguera, just as other costal areas of Puerto Rico, has become a tourist center and these “little homes” (casitas) have taken advantage of Puerto Rico vernacular in terms of vibrant colors, wood structure, and the colonial relation to become a symbol of Puerto Rico. La Ola has been designed in modular sections. Each section is floated and they are structurally conneected to the next series, like railroad tracks.

Docking

With an emphasis on community needs, the central hub serves as a social center, including restaurants and retail spaces, where society can come together whether to celebrate and dance or for commerce and exchange. A boardwalk further runs around the perimeter and provides a means of docking for the 'casitas'.

Shaped by the light, wind, and place, the casitas are designed for maximum transparency for views. The curvilinear approach is a response to the maritime context, meanwhile the play on color as well as the roof coincide with the local culture of Puerto Rico.

La Ola houses different sustainability aspects including aqua-culture (fish farming and seaweed farming) and a utilities space that will provide energy to the hub through solar and tidal energy.