Stabilizing the Drought in Mojave Desert, Las Vegas (Mckim Prize, Columbia University)

Ecological architecture

Lowenfish Prize from Columbia univ.
The development of Las Vegas on top of the natural OASIS as a huge gamble city have been ruined the natural animal habitat of Mojave Desert. Especially, the site (upper northwest part of Las Vegas) is one of the few remained wash area which has the natural properties as a natural animal habitat. The imminent condition of urban infiltration into the wash area should be the key issue of designing the new vision for the area of collision point between the Urban and the Nature. The other property of the site area is the water contrast. It has two totally different water conditions of Drought and Flood by the severely concentrated rainfall in short time a year. In that point of view, the main concept of this project is to stabilize the water contrast with different way of development over the Las Vegas wash area and expand the wetland which is the main prerequisite condition of wildlife habitat. To stabilize water condition, this project is proposing 3 main water resources. First, storing the water of flood time in the artificial landscape (water pocket) and keeping the wetland consistently for conserving the natural wildlife habitat. Second, using the reclaimed urban grey water by applying the technology of phyto-remediation process. Third, constructing water tower which has the ability to collect the water from the air with condensation process and fog net skin and also to provide public recreational program (swimming pool) during the severe drought time. For that reason, maximized condition of animal habitat and the public recreational program can make the area as a different definition of constructing ZOO in Las Vegas. Animals are living their own life and we, human being, are enjoying our leisure time while we sometimes can encounter them.