INHABITING THE WATERSHED

The site exists at the intersection of buried Meadowbrook Creek and a small stream that runs perpendicular to Route 29 in Charlottesville, VA. At this crossroads, a large retention basin become the major water collection and center for public gathering.  It connects into the larger watershed condition by linking to both the Dell and retention basin adjacent to the John Paul Jones arena. Valleys and ridges create the structure for the ground while simultaneously allowing for the passage of water [valley system] and people [ridge system]. Dwellings become the seam between the two and serve to both store water in the structural ribs that connect each unit and distribute water across the units down into the valley below. In addition to this new water + social infrastructure, the shells of the existing buildings remain and become either gardens along the ridges or retention basins along the valleys. Their structure is used to create a complex roof canopy system that performs like a new ground by distributing the water to the dwelling seams and provide opportunities for new public space beneath. Finally, the five interconnected spaces of different sizes and heights formed by the negative spaces between the canopy systems, become open space for gathering while simultaneously providing another layer of filtration for the water before it reaches the largest retention basin. Porosity varies throughout the system depending upon how much water needs to be absorbed and filtered versus be distributed, collected, and stored.  

Authorship (Academic): Emily Williamson, under the direction of Professor Robin Dripps