Adelaide.
The capital of ‘the driest state, in the driest inhabited continent in the
world.’ (SA Water: 2005). It really goes without saying that water reform is a
significant challenge facing South Australia. How the people of Adelaide
respond to this challenge, potentially can reshape the identity of this place -
for good or bad. It is understood historically that Australians have abused
water and this inefficient usage has generated problems of national
significance, most notable are increased levels of salinity in rivers and soil.
The
project is located on the North-western corner of Adelaide’s CBD. The site; a
soon to be abandoned hospital, sits on a generous amount of land within in the
developed urban fabric of Adelaide. The architectural value of its existing
building stock varies with listed and nominated state heritage buildings. This
in turn presents a challenging brief, but more importantly it alludes to the
question what can the site offer to the people of Adelaide?
The
management and future proofing of Adelaide’s water supply is a very real
problem. This project developed as a response to this uncertain future. It aims
to celebrate, educate and sustain this precious resource. The overarching
question for this project is therefore how the site can re-define the identity
of this place.
Developing out of a six-month investigation into
the site, this research will explore the heterogeneity of water infrastructure
and the urban condition; a manufactured landscape. Through examining the
functioning and the sublime at varying scales, this blog will be used as a
cohesive device to further the project’s development.
SA Water, 2005, Water Proofing Adelaide: A
thirst for change 2005-2025, accessed 03.08.2013 via,
http://www.sawater.com.au/nr/rdonlyres/83b05a2e-a3f0-48ee-a640-ca5521a227c0/0/wpa_strategy.pdf
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