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Estuarium: A think tank for the rehabilitation of South Florida

The inspiration for this thesis is rooted in the desire to challenge and exploit antiquated mainstream conceptions and practices of conservation in South Florida through the exploration of architecture as media. It is driven by the urge to be a part of the larger, more complex discussion regarding ecological restoration in the state. My desire to explore a relationship between architecture and conservation stems largely from personal experiences in Rookery Bay, the Everglades National Park, and adjacent estuaries. Experiencing the space on a tactile and interactive level provides perspective which both furthers and contradicts preconceived notions on conservation. It is important to note that the scope and commentary of this thesis includes all affected ecosystems in South Florida, as each is as important as the next in face of remediation. Degraded conditions in Everglades National Park, The Ten Thousand Islands, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida Bay, Rookery Bay, the Florida Keys, and a number of the ecological regions comprise the larger dilemma in South Florida. The bulk of my personal experience takes place in Rookery Bay, just South of Naples and North of Everglades National Park. As an intermediate estuarine zone, Rookery Bay begins the transition of coastline from gulf beach to dense wetland which thickens down the west coast of Florida, through Everglades National Park, and into the Florida Keys. Rookery Bay is the most accessible effected estuarine ecosystem in public proximity to a populated and expanding metropolis. The rapid expansion of Naples in the past decade renders the city an ideal location for an intervention poised to furthering environmental awareness. Thereby subject to great discovery and interaction, Rookery Bay provides greater opportunity for public exposure than the largely isolated expanse that is the Everglades National Park. Accessibility and visibility are identified as part of both the problem and the solution to the rehabilitation of an estuarine ecosystem. A think tank w ch embodies these characteristics can begin to facilitate change by addressing the issue, furthering its awareness through education, and providing opportunity for research. Architecture as media is investigated as a means by which place can be given to the largely invisible issue plaguing South Florida. / 0 / SPK / specialcollections@tulane.edu

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:TULANE/oai:http://digitallibrary.tulane.edu/:tulane_94319
Date January 2018
ContributorsHall, Carson (author), Eloueini, Ammar (Thesis advisor), Tulane School of Architecture Architecture (Degree granting institution)
PublisherTulane University
Source SetsTulane University
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeText
Formatelectronic, electronic, pages:  92
RightsCopyright is in accordance with U.S. Copyright law., No embargo

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