THE FISH PORT AND MARKET
ARCH 402B | ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN IV | SPRING 2025
REDEFINING URBAN RESILIENCY: POST DISASTER INFRASTRUCTURE + CULTURAL HERITAGE
Noto, located north of Kanazawa in the northern shoreline of Ishikawa Prefecture, is known for both its natural beauty and agricultural landscape. Sadly, Noto is also famous for its brutal natural disasters, including the 2024 7.6 Earthquake followed by a firestorm and tsunami.This studio explored a variety of disaster prevention strategies that operate at two levels: urban planning and architectural design. In the last 6 weeks of studio, each one of us tackled a site of our choice, integrating cultural and historical heritage.
URBAN PLANNING STRATEGY: FIRE AND AGRICULTURE
As a part of the fire and agriculture team, we divided the city into a 1 km grid, which is the necessary distance between fire breaks that a city must have. The green areas being our sites, we connected our buildings through a green path which also becomes a fire break. 1 KM GRID
MY SITE
SITE INFORMATION
I chose the site of the existing market in Noto because it represents both a physical and symbolic void. Severely damaged by the disaster, the area has lost its role as a civic anchor. At the same time, Noto faces a declining and aging population, with few central gathering spaces left—especially for younger generations. By reclaiming this site, my project not only revives a vital economic and social hub, but also gives youth a platform to produce, share, and market their goods.
3 MAIN DESIGN STRATEGIES
Intersecting with our firebreak path that connects our sites, my site transforms this zone into an urban space.
My site becomes a transitional zone where the seafood and vegetables meet.
In response to fire, my roof becomes a fire suppression system in addition to the hollow roof modules that act as a cistern.
THE GRID AND FOUR ZONES
DRAWINGS
SITE PLAN
GROUND FLOOR PLAN
EAST SECTION PERSPECTIVE
WEST SECTION PERSPECTIVE
SITE INFORMATION
SITE INFORMATION
SECTIONS
SOUTH ELEVATION
RENDERS
SECOND FLOOR PLAN
