Design Incubator’s 11th event theme was “Waterfront Terraced Pier.” The challenge parameters required the pier to be curved, multilayered, and an active attraction for local gatherings including regional vegetation and protection from elements. Thank you to the participants and for sharing their creative minds!
These events are facilitated by FFKR’s Professional Development Committee with the intention to spark creativity with a different challenge every month and participate in collaborative group discussion.
Clash of Nature and Industry
The east side of Utah Lake has long been a clash of nature and industry. Unfortunately, nature has mostly lost that battle, and subsequently the residents of Utah County have been deprived of opportunities of water-front activities and recreation for generations. If Utah Lake is to have a healthy future it needs engagement from the public, but the public is not going to care to engage in activism unless they can use the lake now and recognize it’s beauty and potential. This project is an attempt at providing the public with accessible activities and recreation so they will be more invested in restoration of the eastern shores and eventually the health of the whole lake.
The jetty in this concept is a clash of nature and industry. The base or framework is more industrial infrastructure with monolithic concrete terraces and steps, steel boat house and stage structures, large block benches and platforms, etc… but the nature is reclaiming ground with islands, trees, grasses, and flowers emerging through the surfaces and engulfing the industrial elements.
– Jeremy Morgan
Theoretical Sails & Minimal Impact
The design is based loosely on the idea of America’s Cup racing yachts, and the Concept is the act of movement across the water. The boats hover as they “foil” in hydroplane fashion over / above the water’s surface, barely touching the water.
The pedestrians emulate the sailboats moving through space and time over the water as they walk along the pier. The experience is about being above the water which is a very different experience from being near the water, different from being on the land, and not the same as being on or in the water. Vertical “sail” elements could be scalable with stairs to provide visitors with even higher views of and across the water, and they could be cleverly illuminated to provide a beacon and a sense of place from across the lake.
Tensile nesting resting platforms offer a welcome and unique experience of being near and above the water – very much akin to sails or to the ‘trampoline’ decks on some racing boats. These could also be placed along the shore for a fun way to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the place.
Multiple pier extensions in the design are constructed with geometries that heighten the sense of place, elevates the user experience, creates something new with a soft footprint that has a new vision and new spatial elements.
– Chris Bachorowski
Precedent Images
Bridge of Activity
Following the style of another salty city—Homer, Alaska—with its settler building aesthetic and placement half on land and half extended over the water. A location destination for shopping, eating, camping and of course fishing.
Concept is to access with an elevated wood composite bridge to eateries, open air pavilion and event space, gift shops, water craft rentals, and fishing.
– Roxy Christensen
