D4A Design for Adaptation

SUPER STUDIO EDITION

Super Studio is a national design competition open to SONA members from all year levels. As a conceptual design competition, Super Studio gives students license to explore highly creative responses to a design brief.
Students had one week to work on their concepts as part of the 2024 Super Studio design challenge. In this Super Studio, we seek to inspire bold thinking and practical solutions that empower communities and to explore transformative solutions that redefine resilience in architecture.  By reimagining the role of architecture in safeguarding lives and promoting sustainability, we aim to foster a future where buildings not only endure but thrive amidst adversity.

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CONTRIBUTORS

HEXAPODS

Paula CALIXTO EGUES, Masters Student
Candace MURPHY & Suzannah RYAN, Undergraduate Students Griffith University

In a world increasingly challenged by climate change, Hexapods stand as a beacon of resilience and community spirit. Inspired by beehives, these modular, durable pods made from recycled aluminium are designed to withstand floods, cyclones, and fires. Just as bees collaborate to build something remarkable and strong from virtually nothing, Hexapods embody collective effort and resilience, emphasising the strength of communities coming together in times of climatic emergencies.

D – DISASTER DRONE DEPLOY

Sam WILSON, Masters Student, RMIT
Thierry FONG, Masters Student, University of Melbourne

Disaster drone deploy creates a nice alliteration and fittingly describes this Superstudio 2024 submission. Airborne drones travel to a disaster struck region and are deployed to provide instant shelter. The aggregation is titled D, which is reminiscent of a flock of birds commanding the sky. D is buoyant, has fireproof materiality and is anchored to the ground creating an inert and protected complex. D unfolds from its compressed accordion-like state into a compact living machine, which annexes other pods to foster communal interaction.

It’s good to recall the roots of the term Superstudio, originally a firm established in Florence in the 60s. Their ambition was here upheld in the submission – radical, experimental and super. Whilst D ostensibly touches the ground lightly, the structure that emerges from the accretion of drones is monumental and fantastic, which is what Superstudio should be all about.

HIVE DISASTER HOUSING

Alana MILLS & Maddie POTTER
Undergraduate Students, University of Adelaide

The Hive Disaster Housing, a response to increasingly frequent and severe climatic events, including floods, cyclones, and bushfires, is designed to tackle the unprecedented challenges posed to our built environment and communities. It addresses the subsequent need for post-disaster safety and security for affected groups, creating spaces in high-risk disaster areas to provide people with short-term and long-term living stability.

JINGANA EPICORMIC RESILIENT COMMUNITY HOUSING STRATEGY

Luke PENDERGAST, Mia LARSEON & Lachlan SUTTON
Masters Students, University of Tasmania

When dealing with severe climatic events, nature often has all the answers we need. Jingana (Banksia Aquilonia) is a native species of Banksia that grows in far North Queensland. Annually, this location receives up to 4000 mm of rain, battles sporadic cyclones between November and May and faces the frequent threat of bushfires throughout the Spring and Winter.

CLIMATI-GER

Bella HUMM, Masters Student
Zachary BLINCO, Undergraduate Student
Curtin University

Our project was inspired by the traditional vernacular of the Mongolian Ger. The nomadic design is a durable, light-weight and low-cost modular structure which has been evolved over centuries to survive the harsh range of environments across the vast Mongolian steppes. Its climatic adaptability combined with efficient ventilation, flexible spatial arrangements and quick constructability, has been adapted to suite a contemporary emergency shelter design.

THE GROUND UP INITIATIVE

Micheal CONNOLLY, Annie KANG & Samuel SHIN
Masters Students, University of Sydney

The Ground-Up Initiative is born from a deep understanding of the emotional impact that losing cherished places has on individuals and communities. Pormpuraaw, a remote community of 600 in Far North Queensland, was completely destroyed by a cyclone in 1952. The grief experienced is not just for the physical loss but for the erasure of the life and potential that these places held.

MODPOD

Sherie BALL & Kate KYNASTON
Masters Students, University of Tasmania

ModPod, an endlessly adaptable modular design suitable for any site, condition and demographic. Designed to fit together easily and quickly to alleviate wait times after natural disasters occur allowing communities to gather and recover together. Innovative cladding that harnesses the sun’s power through solar film and reacts to the heat of potential incoming fires, providing a thick blanket of protection over the pods, mimicking life jackets and fire shelters. The guide posts allow the pods to move with rising flood waters while remaining anchored during cyclones.

Tempest Morphology

Ayla WOODLAND, Ethan LEIBOWITZ &
Bridget HARTREE
Undergraduate Students, Curtin University

When faced with the unforgiving forces of weather, who better to turn to than the defendant itself, nature. The exceptional and strange morphology of a Tardigrade is comprised of a Damage Suppressor protein, Dsup, which clouds their DNA. This allows them to fall into a cryptobiotic state called ‘Tun’, where this inconceivably indestructible creature can survive supposedly unliveable environments, such as a vacuum of space (Robertson 1993).
Inspired by this morphology, our structure uses an innovative material to latch an easily deployable 3D printed environment in a ‘Tun,’ state to combat any weather threats. Prefabricated, Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Mesh pieces replicate the Dsup protein as a seal of protection, whilst functioning sustainably as rainwater collection and thermal insulation (Ramirez 2013). SMA Mesh fractals are transported to site, as well as 3D printers which will source their matter locally, by recycling the destroyed debris from the extreme weather event mixed with local ground sediments such as sandstone, clay, calcium and a bio-degradable bonding agent, lignin (Posch 2024).

Black Box Accordion

Sarah BROWN, Undergraduate Student & Stephanie WILLIAMSON, Masters Student
University of Canberra

Inspired by resilient forms of nature, such as clam shells, coconuts and banksia seed pods, our architectural response is a type of secure pod that can withstand a range of natural disasters and extreme weather events. The ‘pod’ is a prefabricated shell made from highly resilient materials that can be transported to communities in need. Once on site, the shells are opened, expanding to create a small dwelling complete with bathroom and kitchenette, as well as prefabricated wall, floor and roof panels. These panels, which can be installed by the occupants (or aid workers/volunteers) provide flexibility to the dwellings in their final form. The exact position of window openings, entry etc is therefore customisable. The opportunity for occupants to be part of the ‘construction’ of their temporary dwelling allows residents to be part of their own solution and recovery following disaster.
In the face of another disaster event, the pods are collapsed to their secure form, while residents evacuate to safety (an important message that has been communicated for many years). Once safe, the community is able to return and find their temporary home intact and only needing to be expanded back to its livable form.

WEATHERGUARD

Jimmy YANG, Dechen CLARKE & Yury EDOVIN
Undergraduate Students, University of Canberra

Our innovative weather guard design aims to provide a robust solution to combat extreme weather conditions including strong winds, floods, and fires. The layout of the pods is clustered around a central platform, facilitating efficient use of materials and promoting a sense of community. This central platform not only allows for easy power distribution to all pods but also encourages community interactions, fostering resilience during emergencies.

THE SAFE HARBOR

Shashwath RAVISUNDAR & Harita KUMARI
Masters Students, University of Adelaide

Design Intent – The concept of our design is inspired from the traditional construction style of the native people of Australia to combat the destructive forces of cyclone, floods and bush fire. They utilized sustainable local materials and employed a technique called seasonal adaptation, modifying their homes according to the seasons. During the wet or rainy season, large communal houses were built for increased clan gatherings, while smaller shelters were used at other times. Elevated structures with increasing the floor height protected the shelters from floods and cyclones. The homes featured good cross ventilation, and they used wood, stone and mud for the walls which keeps the temperature of the houses cold in summers and warm in winters. There homes were designed to be flexible and mobile, allowing them to be easily dismantled and relocated in response to seasonal changes.

GATHERING

James STEADMAN, Amelie RYAN & Isabella CASAROLLI VALERY
Undergraduate Students, University of Queensland

GATHERING presents an accessible, adaptable, and climate-resilient design for disaster relief, placing community at its heart. In this presentation, our innovative solution is tailored for Yeppoon, a coastal, regional town characterized by large family units and a tight-knit community. However, this project is adaptable according to the needs and conditions in the wake of different natural disasters in other regional and remote towns around Australia and the wider South-East Asian and Pacific islands

“THE RECYCLE OF LIFE”

Ashleigh WILLIAMS
Undergraduate Student, University of Sydney

My response to the Superstudio design brief implements innovative additive printing techniques to consider Indigenous knowledge systems. For my proposal, I have chosen the Yonglu community of Yirrkala, situated on the corner coastline of the remote Arnhem lands. While researching the local Indigenous culture of Yirrkala, I became interested in the traditional way of knowing the cyclone. Rather than treating cyclones with fear, the Yonglu respect the cyclone as an integral element to restore balance and form the ‘recycle of life’ (Davidson, 2015). Davidson writes about how the community, before the white man came, would take “themselves inland or to the dunes, where they buried themselves neck-deep in the sand and waited for the storm to pass” (2015).

FABHAB @ THE PODS

Zoeanna UPADHYAY, Masters Student & Inesse SOUSSI, Undergraduate Student
Swinburne University

By integrating traditional Indigenous architectural forms with modern space technology, FabHab adapts materials used in space habitats for terrestrial use to create a self-sustaining, inflatable modular-pod system composed of prefabricated units that can be quickly deployed and configured on site to house 100 or more people.

ECHO HOME PROJECT

Bec MANGANO
Undergraduate Student, Curtin University

Regional and remote First Nations communities will face the impacts of climate change sooner and more severely than any other group in Australia, despite being the population least likely to contribute to climate change.¹ Current approaches to providing emergency housing, such as caravan parks, hotels, and mining town-style dongas, assume nuclear family groups and fail to meet the cultural needs of our First Nations communities. The diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia makes it challenging to design a single model for emergency accommodation that will work for everyone.

TOGETHERNESS

Maya O’NEILL, Alana O’BRIEN & Leo BONG
Undergraduate Students, University of Newcastle

As a response to the rise in climatic events happening all across Australia, it is crucial that we start thinking about how we can adapt and learn from our past in order to survive the future. Our design ‘togetherness’ is located in Rockhampton, embedded behind the Mount Archer National Park. Rather than relocating those impacted, we wanted to argue whether this is even necessary. Our design is situated in a major flooding zone beside the Fitzroy river, where water levels have risen up to 3m during the 1991 flooding. In times like this, connections with those also seeking help becomes crucial.

LOST & FOUND

Justin HOANG, Dilum WIMALARATNE & Bonika IV
Masters Students, Monash University

Are climatic disasters a catastrophic event or a reclamation of nature?

In the face of increasing climatic events within Australia’s regional tropics, Lost & Found positioned above Lake Maraboon, explores an emergency architectural typology which collaborates with natural events rather than combating them. A symbiotic relationship with the land and its people is established regardless of its climatic unpredictability.

MOODULAR MEADOWS

Luke ELLIOTT, Bea Angela ENCISO & Khoa TRAN
Undergraduate Students, Queensland University of Technology

Our response to the brief acknowledges the impacts of extreme weather by climate change, envisioning a communal modular hub, Moodular Meadows. Situated just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, Rockhampton is Darumbal Land, with a significant family demographic, possessing ample livestock naming it the ‘Beef Capital’ of Australia.

The proposal is anything but an anthropocentric design, as it is fueled by the community humans and animals connect on sacred land. Inspired the Darumbal people’s symbolic water lily, we have re-imagined emergency housing by not only catering to the physical needs and wants of families, but also their emotional and psychological comfort. This includes the locals’ livelihoods where many farmers rely on the iconic Brahman Bull to make a living. The ramifications of the spontaneous weather conditions mean that livestock are often disregarded in emergencies and left behind in critical emergencies.

C3

Chuyao (Talia) LIU & Laj THIND
Masters Students, University of South Australia

C3 fosters community, connectivity, and communication by providing not just a shelter, but a home for people and animals of all ages. The design encourages community collaboration through the construction of these adaptable shelters, tailored to withstand floods, cyclones, or bushfires. This adaptability ensures the community can respond in an orderly manner during emergencies, mitigating panic.

INTO NOTHINGNESS

Pei Kai TAN, Xing Ting NG & Jia Pei lLIM
Masters Students, University of Tasmania

what if bushfire is the earth enjoying a sauna,
what if flood is the earth taking a shower,
what if cyclone is the earth blow drying its hair?
What if… flood wants to be flood?

As climate emergencies become more common and urgent, so has the demand for emergency shelters and solutions. Amongst this rave of responses, it also led to waste generated from climate disasters. During 2020-2021 in Australia, 181,000 tonnes of disaster waste are recorded from bushfire and flood emergencies (Ridley, 2023). What is more heartbreaking is that these wastes include emergency shelters that are then left unattended and unused, and unrecyclable. These heroic shelters that we once construct to protect ourselves from climate emergencies, now ironically contribute to the loop of climate change and ultimately climate disasters.

EDITORIAL

We are living through a time marked by increasingly frequent and severe climatic events—floods, cyclones, and bushfires—that pose unprecedented challenges to our built environment and communities. The profound impact of these shifts on the safety, security, and resilience of our habitats is undeniable, demanding innovative responses that transcend conventional approaches. Fortunately, as architects and designers, we possess the unique ability to navigate these challenges through creative reorientation and adaptive design solutions.

By reimagining the built environment to withstand these events, we not only safeguard lives but also foster sustainable and flourishing communities, which might otherwise be displaced.

How might we reimagine our buildings to endure the forces of nature, ensuring that communities can thrive amidst adversity?

By harnessing the potential of cutting-edge technologies, integrating nature inspired design principles, or drawing upon indigenous knowledge systems, your proposals should push the boundaries of what is possible in resilient architecture. Through your visionary designs, we aim to counteract the escalating impact of climate change, empowering communities to weather these storms with resilience and dignity. By prioritising human safety, environmental sustainability, and community well-being, your solutions should not only withstand the test of nature but also inspire a future where architecture becomes a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of uncertainty

In recent years, the frequency and severity of climatic events such as floods, bushfires, and cyclones have increased dramatically. These extreme weather events pose significant threats to communities, often leading to widespread displacement.

In this Super Studio students were challenged is to design an innovative, resilient, and adaptable solution to safely and quickly accommodate 100 people whose houses had been destroyed due to an extreme weather event. The chosen location is to be a regional or remote area above the Tropic of Capricorn where all three climatic events are likely to occur.

The architectural response needs to be able to withstand bushfires, floods & cyclones with minimal post event recovery requirements, accommodate 100 people in single or multiple structures, be suitable for any Australian regions facing similar challenges, deployable within 2 weeks of the event and must provide accommodation for a minimum of 6 months whilst houses are reconstructed.

Written by the 2024 Super Studio Creative directors.

2024 Super Studio Creative Directors

Matthew SABRANSKY
SONA

SONA Vice President for Professional Development | Master of Architecture student at Deakin University

Allison STOUT
 RAIA

Architect, GHD Design

Dr Chris JENSEN
Affiliate RAIA

Lecturer in Construction Management, The University of Melbourne

Erika BARTAK
 Associate RAIA

ESD Consultant and PhD candidate, The University of Melbourne