Serving the Underserved (A Building for Fishing Community)

Design Statement

In the face of rapid urbanization and tourism-driven development, traditional communities often face marginalization, losing their cultural identity and sense of place. This project addresses the tensions between a traditional fishing community and the encroaching influence of tourism, proposing a future-proof design that prioritizes cultural resilience, sustainability, and adaptability. By blending vernacular architectural principles with modern design strategies, it seeks to foster coexistence and mutual benefit between these two fields.

Future-Proofing through Contextual Design

The design is driven by the question: can the practices of fishing and tourism coexist peacefully while benefiting one another? This challenge informs the project’s core intent—to create a space where tradition and modernity meet without compromising the essence of either. Adaptability is central to this vision, as spaces are designed to shift between functions depending on seasonal demands. During fishing seasons, the architecture supports the community’s traditional practices, while during tourism peaks, it accommodates visitor engagement and economic activity.
This adaptive approach ensures the design remains functional and relevant, responding to evolving community needs while fostering harmony between the two sectors.

Ecological, Sociological, and Technological Contributions

Sustainability and community engagement are at the heart of this project. The design incorporates reclaimed timber from nearby renovations as structural and aesthetic elements, emphasizing resource efficiency and heritage preservation. Recycled materials are used wherever feasible, minimizing environmental impact and promoting circular construction practices.
Technological innovation enhances adaptability, with modular and convertible spaces that accommodate various functions throughout the year. The sociological dimension is addressed through deep community involvement, from the research phase to construction. Local builders and carpenters contribute their expertise, ensuring the design reflects the community’s identity and needs.

Environmental Responsibility

The design aligns with sustainable principles in material selection, energy use, and water management. Passive design strategies optimize natural ventilation and shading, reducing energy demands. Water systems incorporate rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling, ensuring responsible resource management.
Reclaimed timber facades sourced from site renovations contribute to the project’s environmental goals while reinforcing cultural continuity. These choices not only reduce the carbon footprint but also root the design in its local context, bridging past and present.

Research and Community Engagement

This project is deeply personal, inspired by a lifetime of observing the challenges faced by the fishing community. Research involved site visits, interviews with over 30 fishermen, and detailed surveys, capturing the nuances of their experiences and aspirations.
The core research question; how can architecture mediate the coexistence of fishing and tourism? shaped the design process. Insights from the community informed every aspect of the design, from the use of vernacular materials to the incorporation of participatory construction methods. By involving local builders and carpenters in the construction phase, the project fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment, ensuring it resonates with the community it serves.

Cultural Resilience and Place-Making

The design emphasizes cultural pride and identity by integrating vernacular elements—forms, materials, and symbols inspired by the fishing community—to reflect its heritage, foster belonging, and reinforce cultural resilience across generations.
Place-making is achieved through the creation of inclusive spaces that encourage interaction, collaboration, and cultural exchange. Markets, communal gathering areas, and workshops are designed to bring residents and visitors together, promoting mutual understanding and shared experiences. This approach transforms the built environment into a dynamic and living entity, reflecting the aspirations and values of its users.

Design Innovation and Critique of the Existing Fabric

The project critiques the existing built environment, which has often failed to address the cultural and economic needs of the fishing community. It challenges prevailing architectural norms, proposing a design that prioritizes cultural sensitivity, contextual relevance, and inclusivity.
Rather than rejecting modernity outright, the design blends vernacular principles with innovative solutions. Modular, adaptable spaces address the practical needs of both fishing and tourism industries, while vernacular materials and forms ground the design in local identity. This approach ensures that the project serves as a critique of current trends while offering a constructive and forward-looking alternative.

Conclusion

This project exemplifies how architecture can address complex socio-cultural and environmental challenges. By integrating sustainability, adaptability, and community participation, it provides a holistic solution that empowers the fishing community while embracing the opportunities brought by tourism.
Ultimately, the design acts as a bridge between tradition and innovation, ensuring that the community’s identity remains intact amidst rapid change. Through thoughtful design, this project envisions a future where fishing and tourism coexist in harmony, creating a resilient, equitable, and thriving urban environment.

The primary objective of this design project is to create an architectural framework that empowers the local fishing community by fostering a sense of belonging, cultural pride, and economic stability. By leveraging vernacular architecture, sustainable design principles, and community participation, the project aims to develop a cohesive urban environment that honors tradition while accommodating modern needs.
This project consists of two primary units: a fish market and a community workshop building, each designed to support the economic and social needs of the fishing community while adapting to seasonal demands.

Fish Market Unit
The fish market unit is designed as a multifunctional space, accommodating the commercial activities of fishermen during the fishing season and transforming to serve tourism-related purposes during the off-season.

Ground Floor:

Wholesale Auction Hall: A large, open space for the auctioning of fish, facilitating direct interaction between fishermen and buyers.
Storage Units: Dedicated areas to store the catch securely until it is sold.
Waste Collection Area: A space designed for the proper segregation and disposal of waste, maintaining hygiene and environmental responsibility.
Freezer Room: Temperature-controlled storage to preserve fish and maintain product quality.
Lobby: A welcoming space for visitors and workers to gather or wait.
Generator Room: Ensures uninterrupted power supply, vital for freezer operations and lighting.
Upper Floor:

Reception: A formal area to welcome buyers, officials, and other stakeholders.
Administration Office: A workspace for market management and operations.
Sales Office: A dedicated area for handling transactions and managing accounts.
Electric Panel Room: Houses the electrical systems for efficient energy management.
Observation Area: A viewing space overlooking the market, allowing for monitoring of activities and creating a connection between floors.
Additionally, the fish market is connected to an accommodation tower, which provides housing for visiting fishermen who travel from other regions for seasonal work. This accommodation ensures comfort and convenience, strengthening the community's economic activities during peak fishing seasons.

Community Workshop Building Unit
The community building serves as a hub for empowerment, skill-building, and economic development, particularly for women and families of the fishing community.

Ground Floor:

Community Kitchen: This space is designed for women from the fishing community to prepare and sell food products. By engaging in this activity, they can earn a small profit, contributing to their household income and creating economic opportunities during both fishing and tourism seasons.
Upper Floor:

Community Sewing Workshop: A creative and practical space where family members, especially women, can learn sewing techniques. This workshop enables participants to develop skills that could lead to home-based businesses, offering a sustainable livelihood beyond the fishing industry.
Convertible Fish Market and Food Stall
A standout feature of the project is the convertible fish market, designed to transition seamlessly into a food stall area during the tourism season. This adaptability ensures that the building remains functional throughout the year, providing a dynamic platform for showcasing local cuisine and fostering interaction between tourists and the fishing community.

Overall Intent
The design of these spaces promotes a year-round, multifunctional usage while addressing the economic, social, and cultural needs of the fishing community. By incorporating areas for commerce, skill-building, and interaction, the project not only supports the community’s traditional practices but also opens up new opportunities for economic growth and cultural exchange, ensuring resilience in a rapidly changing environment.

The project's technical design emphasizes sustainability, durability, and environmental responsibility while responding to the coastal site conditions. Key architectural features and material choices have been integrated thoughtfully:

Locally Available and Reused Materials:

Reclaimed Timber Facade: The facade incorporates reclaimed timber sourced from surrounding buildings undergoing demolition or renovation. This approach reduces construction waste and preserves the area's heritage by reusing familiar materials.
Recycled Materials: Recycled materials are incorporated wherever feasible, supporting circular economy practices and minimizing the project’s environmental impact.
Durable Construction for Coastal Conditions:

Concrete: To ensure long-term durability against the harsh seaside weather, concrete is used extensively. Its resilience helps protect the structure from salty air, humidity, and potential erosion caused by the maritime environment.
Low-Carbon Cement:

LC3 Cement (Limestone Calcined Clay Cement): This innovative cement reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 40% compared to traditional cement. By choosing LC3, the project contributes to global sustainability goals while ensuring structural strength and longevity.
Architectural Features for Sustainability:

Natural Light: Light wells are strategically placed in both building units to maximize natural light. These light wells are carefully oriented to enhance daylight penetration, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and creating energy-efficient spaces.
Natural Ventilation: A perforated facade design facilitates effective natural ventilation, ensuring comfortable interior conditions while reducing the need for mechanical cooling systems.
This thoughtful integration of sustainable materials, architectural features, and design innovations ensures a balance between environmental responsibility, user comfort, and the structural resilience required for the coastal environment.