When a student project addresses not just the aesthetics of design but also our changing environment and social structures, it rises above being a simple academic endeavor and becomes a revolutionary initiative. Part XV of the 2024 Study Architecture Student Showcase showcases some of these projects that highlight the complex interrelationships between the natural and built environments. These projects not only incorporate creative architecture but also environmental conservation, water management, and community engagement.
In this article, we particularly highlight one impressive project by Carlos Cepeda Gomez—the Lake Meredith Aquatic Research Institute—that reflects his thinking not only as an architecture student but also as an environmental warrior.
Project Name: Lake Meredith Aquatic Research Institute
In the case of Carlos Cepeda Gomez, the interviewee, a student who intends to have a degree in architecture and is likely to complete in 2024.
School: the Washington University in Saint Louis
Advisor: Zahra Safaverdi
Project Background: Conflict of Water Crisis and Ecology
The man-made reservoir named Lake Meredith is close to Amarillo, Texas and currently faced with the problems of environmental imbalance, climate change and water management. Geological systems which influence the lake in relation to water level include the Permian Salt Basin and Ogallala Aquifer. In the 2010 to 2014 drought emergency in particular, the water level in the lake was reduced to 25 feet in comparison to the norm at 105 feet. This event shows how unstable and dangerous our current policies of water conservation and use can be.
This research institute is founded on the study and solution of this crisis.
Objective and Features of the Institute
The Lake Meredith Aquatic Research Institute is not just an architectural structure. It is a vibrant centre where research on water management, desalination, and local biodiversity takes place. The institute brings together biologists, engineers, geologists, ecologists, and other scientists to live, research, and engage with local communities.
The decision-making process is also unique — the institute follows a sociocracy, ensuring equal participation and representation of all participants.
From Data to Design: A New Approach
The institute’s design process was unusual. The thinking behind it was shaped by an Importance Matrix, which took into account six key factors:
- Climate
- Salinity
- Human activities
- Biodiversity
- Water levels
- Geology
These six data sets were combined to form a three-dimensional spider chart. The resulting “blobs” were translated into architectural language using Boolean operations.
The resulting design was a far cry from conventional structures—it reflects the complexity of the ecosystem that the structure seeks to understand and preserve.
A Confluence of Vastu and Science
Every corner of the building is dedicated to scientific research. The building houses desalination labs, geological analysis rooms, and ecology research units. Their aim is not just to conduct research but to develop proactive solutions to protect the water body.
The most unique feature of the structure is its cave-like geological form. These spaces not only provide scientists with ample facilities for study but also make an environmental statement—criticizing modern man’s exploitative tendencies towards natural resources.
Community Involvement and Social Impact
The Lake Meredith Institute is not just a hub for researchers, but also an awareness platform for local communities. The experts here interact with the common people, make them aware of the ways of water conservation, and share their experiments and findings.
This effort has not only connected science to society, but has also presented a new model of local participation and sustainable development.
Redefining architecture
Another important feature of this project is its critical architectural approach. This building has become a symbol of the struggle that is going on between man and nature. It forces us to think whether we should only build beautiful structures or structures that also carry social and environmental justice.
Carlos’ project points to a direction in modern architectural education, where design becomes not just a subject of beauty but also a medium for the well-being of society and nature.
Conclusion
This project of the 2024 Architecture Student Showcase is an inspiring example of how a student can present a design that is thoughtful, data-driven, and based on human values. The Lake Meredith Aquatic Research Institute is not just an institution, but an idea—a movement—that says:
