Dena Hassan
student
Cairo University, Faculty of Engineering Architecture Department.
Egypt
Architecture
"From Melting to Mending" is an innovative and ambitious architectural proposal aimed at addressing the pressing issue of rising sea levels. Rising sea levels… more
Esmaeil GHASEMZADEH
advisor
Islamic Republic of Iran
My architecture begins in silence — in listening to the ground before drawing a line.I do not seek… more
The project demonstrates a strong conceptual ambition by linking architectural intervention to one of the most critical planetary challenges: the accelerated melting of the Thwaites Glacier. The integration of biological ice-nucleating systems into an architectural framework is an intelligent and forward-looking approach, and the student shows commendable clarity in visualizing complex multi-layered systems above and below the waterline.
What stands out is the coherence between the scientific narrative and the spatial organization. Laboratory, residential, and infrastructural components are carefully stratified, and the project successfully maintains a readable relationship between environmental forces, structural logic, and the functional program. The external envelope, inspired by otter fur above water and fish-scale morphology below water, demonstrates an effort to embed environmental adaptation into the architectural language.
However, several areas would benefit from deeper resolution to strengthen the architectural credibility of the proposal. The project would gain greatly from a more rigorous investigation of the energy budget required for large-scale ice formation, as the feasibility of the entire system depends on a realistic assessment of power, thermal exchanges, and long-term operational stability. Additionally, the structural logic of the outer skin—especially at the waterline, where buoyancy, pressure differentials, and thermal contraction collide—requires a more explicit tectonic description.
Overall, this is a courageous and well-illustrated project that proposes a significant leap in environmental design thinking. With further refinement of technical feasibility, lifecycle scenarios, and structural detailing, it has strong potential to evolve into a highly compelling research-based architectural proposal.
1.Thermal and Energy Feasibility
Develop a quantifiable thermal model showing how much energy is required to generate and stabilize ice volumes at this scale. A comparative scenario against real Antarctic conditions would make the proposal more credible.
2 Structural Resolution of the Envelope
Provide a clearer tectonic description of how the dual-skin system performs under extreme thermal gradients and hydrostatic pressure. A sectional detail at the waterline would significantly strengthen the project
3.Lifecycle and Operational Strategy
Introduce a long-term operational narrative: maintenance cycles, bacterial culture renewal, energy storage, seasonal performance, and environmental risks. This will frame the building not only as a concept but as a functioning ecological machine.
These refinements will help anchor the ambitious concept in a more robust architectural and technical framework, elevating both the project and the designer’s architectural maturity.
01.12.2025