FloatScapes: a floating adaptive pavilion A proposal for a performant prefabricated modular building in the maritime context. A study in the Venice Lagoon.

Floating Architecture could be one of the solutions for Coastal Risk and the Sea Leve Rise challenges that we are facing nowadays due to Climate Change. This thesis, in the architectural realm, studies and explores the floating alternative as an adaptation strategy with the potential to raise awareness and generate candid reflections about adaptation and future scenarios. In addition to raising awareness, the thesis puts in evidence the following hypothesis: To what extent floating architecture is an alternative when developed with a sustainable vision and solutions? From this point onwards, topics such as building with ease over water, and environmental impact reduction, developed a “know-how” competence in floating architecture. Thanks to SEAform’s project opportunity, the research concerned mainly the design of a temporary floating pavilion for Venice, Italy. A project that delivers a waterborne experience, named FloatScapes. To address the research products, the thesis was divided into three parts. An initial part in which Floating Architecture and Sea Level Rise research set the guidelines for FloatScapes concept and schematic design. In this initial part, decisions about the construction process, materials, and technology were taken effectively, considering the maritime context conditions, which differ from traditional construction. The second part instead, focuses on the development and detailed design of one of the three platforms of the floating pavilion that provides a food production experience. Additionally, this section provides a deeper study of Prefabrication and Design for Disassembly while considering the Lifecycle of the project to explore the use of engineered wood as the main low-impact material proposed to reach a Lifecycle-friendly design. Lastly, the third part oriented to Climate Design, involves an environmental performance study of the passive strategies of the project’s greenhouse, as a climate adaptation experiment in which the thermal conditions are evaluated and assessed. The thesis finally tests the SEAform model for floating platforms with the development of the project in addition to the involved implications and the reasoning behind it. By building competence in this architectural scope where prefabrication and floating architecture work together, this work aimed to produce good design practices that could contribute to the decision-making processes of future floating developments like FloatScapes.