Vibrant Land - responsive engagement with the fragmented coast of North Carolina

One of the most dynamic coastal landscapes in the World is the barrier island coast of North Carolina (the Outerbanks). Its shape and location change on a daily base, orchestrated by the dynamics of the sea (natural flows). The attractiveness of the coastal landscape seems to be an important pull-factor for seasonal occupation, urban settlement and expansion (human flows). However, the space consuming urban fabric (example area; Hayman Boulevard, Kitty Hawk, NC) clashes with the natural flows of the landscape, resulting in a landscape of loss and destruction. Natural boundary areas between urban and rural almost completely disappeared.

Vibrant Land - responsive engagement with the fragmented coast of North Carolina

Master Thesis Landscape Architecture - Jorrit Noordhuizen and Inge Kersten

Competition: Archiprix (national) - Archiprix Prize 2012

Competition: IFLA student competition 2011 - Second Prize

Competition: Stedelijk Interieur Student Award 2011 - First Prize

Supervision: Ir. R. van Etteger, Ir. P. Roncken

Archiprix submitted project

Downloads IFLA panels

Vibrant Land shifting (urban) bounderies in coastal North Carolina 1 (6MB)

Vibrant Land shifting (urban) bounderies in coastal North Carolina 2 (13MB)

Vibrant Land shifting (urban) bounderies in coastal North Carolina 3 (13KB)


SUMMARY
One of the most dynamic coastal landscapes in the World is the barrier island coast of North Carolina (the Outerbanks). Its shape and location change on a daily base, orchestrated by the dynamics of the sea (natural flows). The attractiveness of the coastal landscape seems to be an important pull-factor for seasonal occupation, urban settlement and expansion (human flows). However, the space consuming urban fabric (example area; Hayman Boulevard, Kitty Hawk, NC) clashes with the natural flows of the landscape, resulting in a landscape of loss and destruction. Natural boundary areas between urban and rural almost completely disappeared.

Man clearly has lost connection with the dynamics of nature. We show that in order to transform this landscape into a sustainable and attractive environment, it is necessary to enable natural and human flows to interact. The urban fabric turned out to be a symbol of standardized and uniform values with little spatial variation. In order to be able to propose and implement a process of transformation, it is important to enable people to relate to the measures that are proposed.

A start for transformation lies within the ‘voids’ in the landscape that can gradually absorb the natural flows. The ‘early wins’ lie in rebuilding the (dune) landscape by reactivating these voids, providing chances for new atmospheres and shelters for man and nature. Key in this transformation process is a new public space typology that engages natural and human flows. A structure that is a fundamental element for rebuilding the dune morphology (natural flows, winter), that enables people to add their own program to it (temporal use, summer) and allows people to respond actively to the uncertainties of natural flows. The structure is build up from several simple wooden segments and can change its shape according to functional needs. Through its accessible scale and high performance effect this structure engages natural and human flows in a changing landscape.