The Bird on the Elephant Symbiotic relationship
Below sea level Above sea level
Unique bridge house
Modular replication
Inspired By Nature In nature, symbiotic relationships exist where their mutually beneficial habits create unusual scenarios. Birds such as the oxpecker and the elephant have a similar relationship, where contrasting scales meet associative functions. This struck as inspiration when we came across the now-empty bridge houses in the Netherlands. Our proposal intends to create a mutually beneficial balance between the Microhome and the existing context where it anchors. The new addition respects the current structure as it is creating a natural equilibrium between public and private spaces implying a lightweight intervention, like the oxpecker perches on the elephant. Responsive To Vacant Space And Progressive Automation One-third of the Dutch territory is prone to flood since it is below sea level. Being lowland has repercussions in the control of the ground surface and the water management. For instance, the NL has more than 1500 movable bridges and almost 2000 water locks. Most of these hydraulic engineering structures have a bridge house, which housed the bridge keeper and his control center. With automation, the bridge houses became unnecessary. We see them as an opportunity to reveal the potential of micro-living. The majority of them remain habitable and have the proportions of a small house with undeniable spatial qualities and unique views. This could also be a potential prototype for future interventions on other similar underutilized bridge houses. Modular Replication To our understanding the micro home is a multiscale design solution that may be implemented on an individual basis by suggesting a single, affordable home or implemented in a larger scale by addressing a network of bridge houses dispersed across each Dutch city, forming a smallcommunity. We suggest building a modular framework around each type of bridge house. The creation of the adaptive design includes parts that are standard, prefabricated, and repeatable in a methodical manner. An example of this would be, building amenities and stairwells or ladders can be strategically linked forming a block. In this sense, the micro design is a component of a larger solution. Urban Level Plan of the Hofvlietbrug on the Zwaarte water
View of the Hofvlietbrug bridge house and Microhome on the Zwaarte water
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