Eric J Cesal

In this project, a student confronted the problem of preserving medieval churches in Italy, many of which were in such states of disrepair, that minor seismic activity would bring them down.

After analyzing the social, political, and economic conditions that created this hazard, she concluded that churches (many of which are no longer used for active worship) could be repurposed. The structure - and therefore the heritage - could be preserved, and people could once again feel safe in and around these important historical buildings.

In this project, the student analyzed the foundational causes of the Syrian Civil War and concluded that the politicized & unequal distribution of water resources had ultimately created the conditions for the conflict.

She explored the future consequences of a post-petroleum future in the Middle East, and became concerned about the potential for some governments to be left without revenue, and others without water, and how that might spark international conflicts.

Her solution was to re-develop petroleum infrastructure for new purpose. How could the existing refineries, pipes, stations & scraps be rethought, and repurposed to the new goal of distributing water in a hotter, drier Middle East?

Refineries could become places of refuge, and infrastructure could become places of storage. The solution uses large billows of fabric and tent material to make tent-like structures out of existing petro-infrastructure, providing shelter from the sun and helping to keep moisture in.