Breaking the Barrier: A Design Exploration of the Evans Bay Edge

With the increasing rate of urban development in coastal environments and the growing challenges posed by coastal erosion, landscape architects are becoming increasingly involved in the redesign and reinforcement of urban coastlines to safeguard infrastructure. This often results in the creation of highly engineered structures designed primarily to protect coastal areas against erosion. Such approaches frequently overlook the experiential and ecological attributes of coastal environments, leading to a loss of engaging experiences and the displacement of intertidal habitats. Through field research and design experimentation, this thesis investigates the potential of enhancing constructed coastal edges by integrating both functional and experiential elements. It addresses the gap in landscape architecture where traditional designs focus predominantly on erosion control, often at the expense of ecological and experiential quality. The proposed system of islands, pathways, pools, and materials is designed to promote a dynamic range of interactions and intertidal habitat which fortifies the coastal edge and enriches the experiential and ecological conditions of these urban interfaces. This research advocates for a shift in coastal design practices towards multifunctional solutions to enrich and diversify coastal spaces.