Urban Oasis and Rain Garden

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shortlisted proposal for VPI CFD design competition

Due to climate change, extreme weather conditions are increasingly posing challenges. Rapid, heavy rainfall and prolonged hot, dry periods present significant challenges for urban planners. The concept of a "sponge city" emerged as a possible solution to this problem. In the design process, I sought answers to how a similar, albeit smaller-scale solution, could enhance urban living.

I designed a modular system that can be used to create traditional street furniture and urban elements while also serving as components of an urban oasis. Their internal hollow design allows them to store large quantities of rainwater, similar to rain gardens. This rainwater provides moisture to urban oases during dry periods and also cools the surrounding area through evaporation. Additionally, the element system, when constructed as "plant walls," provides shade.