The Sponge House -Living with Rain-

Abstract

Over the past few decades, rain has brought blessings to human lives, but it also gives threats sometimes. Rain, or "water," has had a significant impact on the development of the city and human culture. At the same time, unpredictable weather, such as storms and floods, has affected human lives due to recent dramatic climate change. This thesis focuses on the issues that come from D.C.'s characteristic climate and current situation, examines the current state of drainage systems and house typologies, and explores new designs to address upcoming climate change. The study begins to figure out the current management and solutions in the city and find out several ideas for any design approach that pursues sustainability.

The project targets an actual vacant lot at Eckington in the Northeast of Washington, D.C. The first phase of design consists of a survey of tree species and characteristics, followed by a building layout that allows for more preservation. The second phase examines the details of the design that will retain more rain. The house is envisioned as the first step in a prototype solution for D.C.'s unpredictable and rainy climate.

The concept is for the rowhouse to become as a sponge that retains rain. The proposed concept envisions rainwater retention in the building and throughout the site, featuring a landscape based on the site's characteristics with many trees, water retention through rooftop and wall greenery, and two types of rain gutters for discharge.

Overall, the thesis identifies the potential benefits, possibilities, and realization of implementing a comprehensive sustainable strategy. It explores how problems can be addressed through site-specific planning and detailed design for the local climate and examines the impact on the environment and human beings. The Sponge House becomes an example of setting principles and methods for sustainable houses in D.C..