Aqua Terrain

AMPHIBIOUS LANDS

Project Overview

Role: Project Designer, Architectural Designer

Type: Academic work, course work, group work, architecture

Team members: Favour Adesina

Program: Amphibious Architecture

Site: Makoko, Lagos, Nigeria

Timeline: September 2019 - November 2019

Description

The site; Makoko situated in Lagos, Nigeria is an informal settlement. It is located beneath one of the most prominent bridges, the 3rd Mainland Bridge. Makoko is a groundless, coastal slum; affected by floods all year round. The community comprises of shacks built on stilts and have been around for over 150 years. Due to constantly being embedded in water, the only source of transportation is by canoes and most of their activities happen in the waterways created by the traditional leaders. Residents live in dilapidated conditions with rare access to clean water, electricity and waste disposal; leading to severe environmental and health hazards. Due to poverty, lack of resources and pollution, the water no longer supports marine life or wild life growth. 

In this project our goal is to propose built structures that will give Makoko’s residences a better chance at survival and live a more fruitful life. Main objectives include: revival of agriculture, revival of aquatic wildlife, cleaner water, and efficient waste disposal systems all through a modular system of multi-functioning spaces. 

Series of Wetlands

We decided to design a series of wetlands with certain plants that help control the PH level of water, filter and clean the water, while also fostering aquatic life and vegetation growth. We figured this was an interesting way to deal with the issues of water sanitation, while also helping to strengthen the community through self sustenance farming of these wetlands.

Types of Vegetation

The houses and market spaces float on 55 gallon barrels tied to a constructed wooden frame fitted to each house, with vertical guidance posts that drive down into the seabed. By proposing the use of composting toilet systems in each home, sanitation and waste removal becomes easier to maintain. The houses are located around empty areas of Makoko, so as to not disrupt the flow of canoes and waterways. Further away from Makoko, is a terrain of circular ended wetlands designed to attract fish. Their circular shape helps to break waves and provide stiller conditions for fish to swim and thrive in, as well as plants that attract mosquitoes and other insects that fish eat. Ideally, this would help strengthen the fishing industry, as it is a main source of income for a lot of people living in Makoko. 

Housing Typologies