as part of an international design competition initiated by the ASA (the association of siamese architects), faris rajak kotahatuhaha, denny lesm ana budi and fiera alifa have been awarded 2nd prize with their project that proposes to re-freeze the arctic. just as reforestation in tropical and sub-tropical regions helps to restock depleted forests and woodlands, the idea behind the submarine architecture investigates how to respond to melting ice caps. focusing on prevention rather than a cure, the design team’s proposal seeks to restore the polar ecosystem by re-freezing sea water that has melted into new ‘ice fields’.

adapted submarine system proposes to re-freeze the arctic with hexagonal 'ice babies'

perspective view 1

all images courtesy of faris rajak kotahatuhaha

 

 

coined by the design team as ‘re-iceberg-isation’, the system proposes to release what is called an ‘upnormal freezer’ each month, which is basically a freezing vessel. measuring 25 meters in diameter, the adapted submarine system is designed to be used in all weather conditions thanks to the bulb shape of the bottom part of the vessel.

adapted submarine system proposes to re-freeze the arctic with hexagonal 'ice babies'

perspective view 2

 

 

typically, the ‘upnormal freezer’ will stay floating in the sea. the submarine then sinks beneath the surface to collect water. once inside a hexagonal cast, the fresh water and salt water is divided. upon completing this desalination process, the top lid closes to retain the cold temperature. within a month, a new hexagonal-shaped ‘ice baby’ is released. repeated over time, the process is imagined to create as many ‘ice babies’ as possible, with each one inserting itself into the larger ice sheet thanks to the regular hexagonal shape.

adapted submarine system proposes to re-freeze the arctic with hexagonal 'ice babies'

perspective view 3

 

adapted submarine system proposes to re-freeze the arctic with hexagonal 'ice babies'

diagram 1 – problem vs idea

adapted submarine system proposes to re-freeze the arctic with hexagonal 'ice babies'

diagram 2 – sinked area after ice melt

adapted submarine system proposes to re-freeze the arctic with hexagonal 'ice babies'

diagram 3 – program

adapted submarine system proposes to re-freeze the arctic with hexagonal 'ice babies'
floorplan 1

adapted submarine system proposes to re-freeze the arctic with hexagonal 'ice babies'
floorplan 2

adapted submarine system proposes to re-freeze the arctic with hexagonal 'ice babies'

section

adapted submarine system proposes to re-freeze the arctic with hexagonal 'ice babies'

main image

 

 

project info:

 

project name: ‘re-freeze the arctic: re-iceberg-isation hexagonal tubular ice arctic’

type: 2nd prize in the ASA (the association of siamese architects) international design competition 2019

design: faris rajak kotahatuhaha, denny lesm ana budi, fiera alifa

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom