Rising Sea Level: An Amphibious Community for the Dartmouth Cove

Abstract

To respond to the global issue of sea level rise, this thesis examines architectural adaptation strategies by focusing on a low-lying coastal community in Dartmouth Cove in Halifax, Canada. Without a comprehensive adaptation strategy, these residents, along with 75% of the properties surrounding the harbour, will be forced to abandon their homes, resulting in a massive retreat from the coast. This project explores ways to build that can accommodate the future rise in sea level and population growth but are sensitive to the natural environment. It includes designs for urban organizations and amphibious housing blocks. The findings presented in this thesis suggest that amphibious architecture could become a viable solution for coastal environments in urban areas.