ECONOMIC

Environmental Challenge

SOCIAL

Plexus is defined as a vessel that acts as a network, trying to connect the segregated areas. Our design approach for sustainability is by linking rich and productive land areas while focusing on the river through a pedestrianised green infrastructure with the ability to adapt through climate change. By analyzing the site, we listed the common issues and problems within the area and the greater Hamburg state, and found environmental, social and economic risk. The city has not sustained the waters capability as the river Elbe is seen to divert into two paths to form an island, Wilhelmsburg, which has been cut off from the city on the other side of the river.

ENVIRONMENTAL

CULTURE

The city has faced many issues regarding its natural environment, mainly climate change, and pollutions through carbon emission levels. Flood risk is a real threat in Hamburg and the government has issued credit to sustainable climate adaptability ideas to be proposed in the urban context. We have introduced floating pontoons to adapt to the change of the rivers tide levels to prevent flooding. The idea is to stray away from the carbon fill autobahn to improve the living environment of users to enjoy. Nature has a power to heal over time and our idea utilizes this to have a more sustainable impact for future use. The infrastructure that is designed can also adapt quickly to changing conditions and requirements which increases the resilience of the city. Water and Land Conservation Our idea focus on the river and its urban and ecological surroundings, while also conserving its naturalistic behaviour. Extra precautions to the threat the river might present with, are taken by planting trees and marshes along the river shores to act as a natural barrier. Any natural greenery will be kept and sustained.

SUSTAINABILITY

Materials Low carbon-input materials used are specifically locally manufactured so it can be easily sustained to decrease maintenance cost. Polyethylene will be the chosen material used for the floating unit shell and recycled Styrofoam to be used as the core with concrete mass and wooden decking for the bridge platform.

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Renewable Energy As fossil fuel energy will not be present in the scheme, all buildings are built with thermal mass materials to store heat, and to provide ‘inertia’ against temperature fluctuations to save energy consumption. Photovoltaics will be used throughout the site and at the park to provide it its own energy source for heating and lighting. Waste Storage and Recycling Waste from bars and restaurants will be used in a composting process to provide fertilization for the urban fabric. All other buildings within the site will be provided with sufficient waste storage where it meets its regulations.