Life Principles that Drive the Design

At the core of Baca Architects’ approach are the “Life Principles,” a set of sustainable design guidelines that focus on water management, ecological balance, and resilience. These principles include:

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Strategizing Flood Mitigation

Building Cities for water

Several key interventions proposed by Baca Architects focus on addressing flooding at the urban scale. These interventions integrate natural solutions with innovative designs that enhance both resilience and quality of life for urban residents.

Dining Experiences 

Rooted in Local Culture, Five unique dining venues elevate the culinary journey, using handcrafted furnishings and locally sourced materials to create refined, natural settings. A standout treetop dining experience features elevated walkways that guide guests to secluded pods in the forest canopy, offering intimate dining spaces with sweeping views. Inspired by both local and global cuisines, the design emphasizes the play of light and shadow, enhancing the sensory experience. 

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Unlocking flood risk in developing countries.

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Existing 

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Phase 01

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Phase 02

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 Developed Cities​

1.  Making Space for Water:

This principle advocates for integrating natural flood management systems into urban design, allowing water to flow through landscapes in a controlled, non-destructive way. Instead of relying on traditional flood barriers, the goal is to create environments where water is embraced as part of the ecosystem. For coastal settlements this means designing landscapes and infrastructure to accommodate natural water flow, manage flooding, and adapt to rising sea levels. This approach prioritizes preserving wetlands, creating buffer zones, and implementing water-sensitive urban planning to enhance resilience and protect communities.

The Need

Flood-prone cities in developing countries face significant challenges. Rapid urbanisation often leads to poor infrastructure, with inadequate drainage systems unable to handle heavy rains. Informal settlements in floodplains are particularly vulnerable, lacking resilience measures. Climate change exacerbates these issues, intensifying rainfall and rising sea levels. Limited financial resources hinder governments from investing in flood defence or resilient urban planning. Poor governance and lack of coordination among stakeholders’ slow disaster response and long-term planning. Additionally, weak enforcement of land-use regulations and environmental degradation, such as deforestation, worsen flood risks. These challenges endanger lives, disrupt livelihoods, and perpetuate poverty cycles.

The accompanying plan envisions a theoretical city that has undergone rapid transformation over the past 50 years. Once an industrial port, it is growing into a bustling metropolis. Urban sprawl dominates the landscape, with low-rise, haphazard developments giving way to high-rise structures. However, this growth has come at a cost—a lack of a cohesive, high-quality urban environment. The city faces mounting pressures, including the urgent need for expansive transport infrastructure and the looming threat of rising sea levels. At its fringes, floating slums persist, highlighting stark inequalities and the vulnerability of its most disadvantaged communities.

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The LifE Approach

(Long-term Initiatives for Flood Risk Proposals)

The illustrated diagram above is based on three consideration: Development pressure, Environmental Change and Increased risk of flooding. 

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2.  Living with Water:

As sea levels rise and weather patterns become more unpredictable, this principle focuses on the need for adaptable infrastructure. Urban spaces, buildings, and public areas must be designed to coexist with flooding, incorporating features such as can-float structures, permeable surfaces, and flood-resilient materials that allow communities to continue functioning during flood events and can recover quickly. 

3.  Eco Design:

Harnessing natural resources to create low-energy, regenerative, developments that can have a positive impact the environment. By incorporating green infrastructure like wetlands, parks, and mangrove systems, urban spaces can reduce the environmental impact of development while promoting ecological health. This principle highlights the importance of using environmentally friendly materials and strategies that not only help mitigate flood risks but also enhance local biodiversity. Hard infrastructure should be used sparingly. At the centre of the Venn diagram the principles converge to create a holistic approach. These principles collectively form the foundation for creating urban environments that are not just resistant to flooding but actively use natural systems to protect and enhance the built environment.

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The LifE Approach (Long-term Initiatives for Flood Risk Proposals)

The illustrated diagram above is based on three consideration: Development pressure, Environmental Change and Increased risk of flooding. 

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Water Squares

 For floating slums, the introduction of water squares creates vital spaces between stilted and floating properties, interconnected by a network of canals. These open areas serve as crucial breathing spaces, offering fire separation between buildings while also accommodating community-oriented assets such as floating schools, supermarkets, health clinics, and retail hubs. Positioned deep within the heart of the community, these spaces foster connectivity and resilience. Both static and mobile floating structures can be prefabricated off-site and easily transported into place, reducing construction time and enabling flexible relocation as the “water-urban” plan evolves to meet changing needs.

To aid wayfinding in this dynamic environment, floating “lighthouses” are strategically positioned. Designed with a simple, cost-effective shell and floating base, these structures can be customized for specific purposes, adding functionality and charm to the neighbourhoods. 

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Providing flood protection to Coastal Slums

- Mangroves 

One of the most innovative strategies proposed by Baca Architects is the use of floating mangroves as a form of adaptive, natural infrastructure. Mangroves have long been recognized for their ability to protect coastlines from storm surges and erosion. Their dense root systems stabilize soil, promote sediment accretion, and serve as buffers against rising seas. By integrating floating mangrove systems into urban planning, these natural barriers can protect coastal slums and urban areas from the impacts of climate change while supporting biodiversity. The use of modular, scalable mangrove groves means nurseries can be established in sheltered waters, enabling trees to mature and become hardy before re-locating to coastal locations.

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Architecture

The easiest way to reduce exposure is to locate people and buildings away from floodprone areas. If this is not possible, reducing the effects by making buildings more resilient is essential. The choice of classification under the term ‘aquatecture’ includes raised properties, resilient, floating and amphibious.

For the developing city we have showcased the benefits of large-scale floating infrastructure as a catalyst to waterfront regeneration. This includes new large-scale housing and mega events sports infrastructure. By moving recreational activity onto water, this approach frees up coastal land for higher density housing development. By embracing this concept, these essential assets can be designed and constructed in modular, transportable formats that allow for easy relocation and potential leasing for future events or alternative purposes. Pre-fabrication offsite means less disruption to the city and often better quality of build. 

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Conclusion

Together, these The LifE Approaches create a comprehensive, adaptable approach to urban design that blends innovative architecture with natural flood management strategies. The result is a more resilient, sustainable urban environment that is better prepared to cope with future climate challenges. 

Baca Architects approach to flood mitigation represents a paradigm shift in how we think about urban design. By embracing nature-based solutions and innovative adaptive strategies, we offer a blueprint for creating cities that can co-exist with water rather than resisting it. 

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Creating New Opportunities

Locate housing and key infrastructure in areas of least vulnerability

 The first phase focuses on locating key infrastructure and communities in safer elevated areas to reduce exposure to flooding. Flood zoning can help map and protect areas of open space for future development. This provides a foundation to then compose and curate the other vital components of a city plan.

Parks  

 in cities provide significant wellness and environmental benefits. By adding a flood storage function and / or combining this with opportunity to integrate temporary community activities – the case for new green areas or enhancing existing can be strong. Parks offer green spaces for physical activity, relaxation, and social interaction, which improve mental and physical health. Parks enhance air quality by reducing pollutants and supplying oxygen, while vegetation cools the urban heat island (UHI) effect by shading and evapotranspiration. For our concept city the park serves to create a green spine along the waterfront, serving as a significant flood storage area and can accommodate a F1 street circuit. 

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The Need

Flood-prone cities in developed countries face unique challenges when responding to flood events. Many cities, established near water centuries ago, are ill-prepared to handle the growing impact of rising sea levels. As flooding becomes an increasingly frequent and severe issue, traditional hard-line flood defences, while effective in the short term, fail to offer sustainable, long-term solutions. These systems often leave little room for water to naturally flow and absorb, and they are prohibitively expensive to implement and maintain.

The accompanying plan envisions a reimagined urban model for a theoretical city that has undergone a transformative overhaul of its layout and infrastructure. On the right side of the plan, a modern city is depicted utilizing a variety of soft flood defences designed to work harmoniously with water, rather than against it. This approach focuses on dispersing water and mitigating the effects of flood events through innovative strategies.

The plan illustrates how creating new inland flood storage pockets and adapting recreational and leisure spaces can help communities coexist with water, rather than see it solely as a threat. Moreover, this vision explores new residential designs and typologies that can adapt to rising sea levels, offering practical and scalable solutions for coastal towns and cities to thrive despite changing environmental conditions.

 Urban Development Strategy

Developed cities often feature distinct zones, with high-density urban areas on one side of a river and leisure, resort, and coastal spaces on the other. This duality offers a unique opportunity to balance the intensity of urban life with the restorative potential of leisure landscapes. By strategically planning these different scales, cities can enhance both liveability and resilience, creating environments that blend functionality with recreation, while addressing the challenges of rapid urbanization and climate change.

 Integration of Blue-Green Infrastructure

The first key phase in our approach to urban resilience, involves integrating blue-green infrastructure—landscapes that work in harmony with water to foster sustainability, manage environmental risks, and improve well-being. Interventions like floodable parks, floating lodge resorts, and adaptive coastal leisure developments are designed to address climate impacts while enhancing the urban experience. These landscape interventions help disperse water during severe flood events, protecting established communities.

Adapting new floodable parks in suburban areas offers climate adaptation through landscape design. Integrating Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDs) into public spaces, these parks act as urban swales, collecting and channeling water during rainfall while providing multifunctional spaces for recreation. This approach not only mitigates flood risks but also enhances well-being by creating green areas that promote outdoor activity. By incorporating permeable surfaces, rain gardens, and wetlands, space is made for water, transforming flood-prone zones into resilient, dynamic environments that balance urban living with nature, fostering sustainability and improving residents’ quality of life.

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Enhancing Resilience and Well-Being

The integration of water-focused amenities natural swimming areas, and multifunctional public spaces, provides not only environmental benefits but also contributes to mental and physical well-being. By creating spaces that blend nature, water, and sustainable design, cities can transform vulnerable urban and coastal environments into restorative havens. These interventions help foster community resilience, mental health, and a deeper connection with the natural world, offering a balanced approach to urban life in the face of climate change.

The floating lodges lake resort, situated on reclaimed land such as former quarries or brownfield sites, creates a retreat centred on wellness and mental health. The design incorporates floating lodges and stilt-supported accommodations, offering tranquil water views that promote relaxation. Water-focused amenities like hydrotherapy pools and natural swimming areas tap into the growing trend of water wellness, known for its positive effects on mental well-being and stress reduction. Photovoltaic cells are integrated into the design for energy production, ensuring sustainability and reducing the resort’s environmental impact. This intervention fosters a restorative environment, combining the therapeutic benefits of water with eco-conscious, energy-efficient solutions.

Reimagining Waterfronts

Waterfronts, often prime real estate, are underutilized opportunities to create vibrant urban spaces that balance the dynamic challenge of “real estate vs civic spaces.” Inspired by the community-focused charm of Victorian piers, these areas can become focal points for leisure and recreation. By reimagining historic seafront piers as floating lidos, cities can blend cultural heritage with innovative floating designs, integrating leisure facilities that generate significant footfall and appeal to the Instagram-savvy generation. This approach prioritizes civic spaces on water while reserving less vulnerable areas for residential and commercial development, ensuring sustainable land use. Floating parks, recreational hubs, and public spaces enhance access and create multifunctional environments that cater to both private and community needs. Reviving piers as dynamic hubs fosters economic growth, preserves cultural legacy, and transforms waterfronts into thriving centres of activity.

 Historic docklands once central to shipbuilding and trade, also offer immense potential for adaptive reuse. Introducing floating amenities such as parks, shops, kiosks, and healthcare facilities can activate these underutilized spaces while respecting their industrial heritage. These interventions expand the limited urban realm around historic dock buildings, providing vibrant, multifunctional areas that enhance community interaction. By embracing the water as an integral part of the urban fabric, such designs not only foster placemaking but also create flood-resilient infrastructure, addressing modern challenges while revitalizing these historic waterfronts as sustainable, dynamic urban hubs.​

Reducing Coastal Vulnerability

A luxury beach resort situated along a waterfront offers not only an exclusive getaway but also an opportunity to integrate essential community functions. Traditionally, waterfronts host destination landmarks such as theatres, museums, and amusement parks, drawing visitors and enhancing local culture. These types of buildings, within the resort, can also serve a critical role in disaster management scenarios, acting as safe havens during extreme weather events or flood.

Furthermore, caravan parks in the UK often located near beaches, many of which have become residential areas, are highly vulnerable to coastal erosion and sea-level rise. The introduction of jack-up caravan lodges offers an innovative climate adaptation solution, elevating these lightweight structures during flood events. Using scissor lifts, the lodges can be temporarily raised, protecting them from rising waters while maintaining a low-cost, flexible solution. By leveraging the natural topography and providing adaptability, jack-up lodges offer a practical, low-impact solution to climate change challenges.

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Conclusion

Integrating water management, resilience, and well-being through innovative urban design offers sustainable solutions to the challenges posed by climate change and urbanization. By embracing the principles of “living with water,” cities can transform vulnerable areas into thriving, adaptive environments. Through interventions like floodable parks, floating lodges, and coastal leisure developments, urban spaces can harmonize with natural water cycles, promote mental health, and create multifunctional, flood-resilient landscapes. This approach not only addresses environmental risks but also enhances the quality of life, fostering sustainable and restorative communities in both urban and coastal settings. 

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