As the beginning and ongoing phase of a design proposal, this research explores extremes in the water system. As the climate changes, the Gulf South is subject to increases in both rainfall and drought occurrences. In many ways, these variations in the rainfall and the impacts on surrounding communities are exacerbated by infrastructural alterations of natural drainage patterns. Currently, this predominantly industrial infrastructure prioritizes the rapid removal of water from cities and towns to adjacent waterbodies when rainfall is abundant, largely neglecting the potential benefits of rainwater storing and using this water during periods of scarcity. Furthermore, existing stormwater management infrastructure predominantly operates at the scale of an individual settlement, often with little consideration for the broader impacts and differing rainfall conditions of upstream or downstream cities.
EXTREME PRECIPITATION EVENTS
Mapping rainfall change over time, with dark blue wetter areas and light blue drier areas. Overlaid with hurricane paths and cities that have experienced extreme rainfall events in the past five years.
DROUGHT CONDITIONS
Mapping the current drought conditions across the US. Many are in the same areas that have experienced extreme rainfall events.
On the ground: how do extremely wet and extremely dry conditions manifest?
How do we currently manage stormwater?
What are the downsides of the current "industrial" system? What would a shift to an "ecological" system look like?
Ecological Value System
Application: Gulf Coast Watersheds
Studio leads Liz Camuti and Margarita Jover. 2023.