Of Unfrozen Waters

• Main Author: Schurke, Berit Hendrickson
• Other Authors: Monacella, Rosalea
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: arctic; breakwaters; climate change; coastal adaptation; ecology; walrus; Landscape architecture; Arctic; Bering Strait; Pacific; Climate change; Sea ice; walrus*
• Online Access: https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37371667

Of Unfrozen Waters adaptation for the deep thaw Retreating sea ice and coastlines are resulting in habitat loss for human and non-human species. A deep investigation into the flux of Arctic materials reveals a need for temporal and malleable infrastructural interventions, which are inherent to the overarching habitat transition strategy for human and non-human species within the Bering Strait region. The Pacific Walrus, a keystone Arctic species, is considered the benthic rototiller of the Arctic and is understood as the primary protagonist. The project offers a lexicon of sedimentary and hydrological analysis-interventions that work with and slow down erosive forces while prioritizing the long-term survival of the walrus as it begins a habitat shift northwards following sea ice retreat. The design of ephemeral and ecologically responsive infrastructure serves to challenge current practices of static coastal adaption interventions. In so doing, it takes an acupunctural and interim approach to mitigating habitat loss and stimulating intertidal ecological growth.