Decoding the Tiber
An urban river research center investigating the uncertain ecologies of the Tiber
An urban river research center investigating the uncertain ecologies of the Tiber
Last fall, I was the recipient of a fellowship to study the Tiber River. The Tiber, caged by 20-ft travertine embankments, is rejected as a social space by most Romans. My work was based on a competition to design a museum, traditionally a static entity, dedicated to the river, a system that is constantly in flux. The design specifically responds to a significant lack of environmental data on the Tiber and its heavily bounded site conditions. “Decoding the Tiber” situates post-industrial sites as data collection and decoding points, as well as newly productive space.
An urban river research center decodes the uncertain ecologies of the Tiber — a testing space for researchers to connect in the lab and on the water to provocatively engage the river and its urban narrative. This decoding is illustrated in designed stormwater data pools, their radical colors linked to water quality at other testing sites along the Tiber, changing temporally based on the health of the river. Opportunities for active physical exploration of the Tiber by Romans is a ways off; therefore, the design presents an interactive iPhone/Andriod application entitled “Tiber Decoder Ring” in which the dots and data between upstream and downstream are connected digitally (forecasts and real-time feeds). Users also have the ability to map their own intersections and investigations of the Tiber, graphically connecting users to their contextual surroundings.
An urban river research center decodes the uncertain ecologies of the Tiber — a testing space for researchers to connect in the lab and on the water to provocatively engage the river and its urban narrative. This decoding is illustrated in designed stormwater data pools, their radical colors linked to water quality at other testing sites along the Tiber, changing temporally based on the health of the river. Opportunities for active physical exploration of the Tiber by Romans is a ways off; therefore, the design presents an interactive iPhone/Andriod application entitled “Tiber Decoder Ring” in which the dots and data between upstream and downstream are connected digitally (forecasts and real-time feeds). Users also have the ability to map their own intersections and investigations of the Tiber, graphically connecting users to their contextual surroundings.
:// TERRACE & KAYAK LAUNCH DOWNSTREAM TO LOOKOUT ARM
://SLICE IN THE WALL RIVER WATER IS RECYCLED FOR TESTING AND WATERING OF ADJACENT SEEDBANK, 5YR FLOOD MARK INDICATOR
SEEDING THE CITY: CIRCUS MAXIMUS
DATA: Italy is the 13th most hardscaped country in the world with over 487,700 km of paved road networks. Urban stormwater runoff is a major pollutant of the Tiber. The Urban Architecture Project identified over 60 vacant lots in and around Rome.
DECODED: Partner with local municipalities/organizations to strengthen key stream bank areas.
The Research Center’s seedbank project constructs soft urban landing locations in derilict hardscaped lots in and around Rome. Circus Maximus is a currently underutilized & neglected landscape, and thus would be an ideal test candidate for transfering propogated seeds from the Research Center’s seedbank.
Results: stormwater filtration, habitat, recreation.
DATA: Italy is the 13th most hardscaped country in the world with over 487,700 km of paved road networks. Urban stormwater runoff is a major pollutant of the Tiber. The Urban Architecture Project identified over 60 vacant lots in and around Rome.
DECODED: Partner with local municipalities/organizations to strengthen key stream bank areas.
The Research Center’s seedbank project constructs soft urban landing locations in derilict hardscaped lots in and around Rome. Circus Maximus is a currently underutilized & neglected landscape, and thus would be an ideal test candidate for transfering propogated seeds from the Research Center’s seedbank.
Results: stormwater filtration, habitat, recreation.
SEEDING THE CITY: TIBER DECODER RING
DATA: “Connect people with what? The rats?” The Tiber is uncertain, unknown, & undesirable. “Sampling at the Tiber’s mouth found that only 22.5% of seawater was not polluted.”
DECODED: The trajectory for active physical exploration of the Tiber by Romans is a ways off.
For now, the dots between upstream and downstream are connected digitally. A playful platform to forecast and receive real-time information regarding conditions of bike/runnning paths, testing sites, avian habitats, art installations and water quality. Illegal sewage discharge and outflows after heavy rains are broadcasted. Users have the ability to map their own intersections and investigations of the Tiber, graphically connecting users to their contextual surroundings.
DATA: “Connect people with what? The rats?” The Tiber is uncertain, unknown, & undesirable. “Sampling at the Tiber’s mouth found that only 22.5% of seawater was not polluted.”
DECODED: The trajectory for active physical exploration of the Tiber by Romans is a ways off.
For now, the dots between upstream and downstream are connected digitally. A playful platform to forecast and receive real-time information regarding conditions of bike/runnning paths, testing sites, avian habitats, art installations and water quality. Illegal sewage discharge and outflows after heavy rains are broadcasted. Users have the ability to map their own intersections and investigations of the Tiber, graphically connecting users to their contextual surroundings.
A graphic exploration of the layered narratives of Rome's Tiber River.
