Summer Design Studio | Water!

Due to the increasing pressures from shifting climate conditions on diverse ecosystems, we must rethink the role of architecture as a vital infrastructural element, integrated seamlessly with natural processes.
As water resources become increasingly scarce, particularly in hot regions like Izmir, it is crucial to develop new architectural typologies that prioritize water management and incorporate efficient rainwater harvesting systems. During a two-week summer school at IYTE in Izmir, we explored this concept by designing and constructing a reciprocal canopy for rainwater collection from a structural design perspective.

The workshop introduced participants to algorithmic design for reciprocal structures and discrete modeling methods for parametric construction. Our focus was on the full workflow—from digital design to physical production—investigating how digitally conceived structures can be realized using locally available manufacturing technologies. A key aspect of the workshop was the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) systems to assist in the fabrication process.

Over the course of two intensive weeks, students translated digital models into physical structures, gaining hands-on experience in algorithmic modeling, structural simulation, and AR-assisted fabrication. A hackathon was held to foster the rapid development of prototypes, allowing students to experiment with iterative design methods to create full-scale (1:1) structures.

The final shading structure, designed as a water-bearing surface, will at its final stage create an inviting urban gathering space. This project is part of an ongoing iterative process that will continue to evolve through future student initiatives at IYTE changing the waterbearing surface in regular intervals, fostering continuous innovation and engagement. The water-bearing surface, in harmony with the growing plants, will create a hybrid urban nature, blending architecture and the natural environment to form a dynamic, sustainable urban ecosystem. This hands-on approach provides a dynamic framework for students to engage with architectural innovation and sustainability.

A total of 27 students, alongside the teaching team, were involved in all stages of the project, from conceptual design to the physical production of the prototype. This collaborative effort offered invaluable insight into how algorithmic design and local manufacturing techniques can be harnessed to address pressing environmental challenges like water scarcity.