North Carolina’s barrier-islands form a fragmented coast of low, narrow islands. Lack of sedimentation, combined with urbanisation to the waterline, caused extreme erosion and the disappearing of dunes. Resulting in a landscape of degradation and (capital) loss. This requires smart solutions regarding sea level rise and extreme weather events due to climate change.

The design aims to enhance the three local landscape types; the dune/beach zone, the forest and the inland sea side with salt marshes. The foundation of the approach lies in the design of a wooden structure that builds on the well-known principle of sand-catchment in the dunes. The construction enables more effective dune growth and boosts the (recreational) experience of the area. It reshapes the dynamic morphology of the landscape so that the dunes indirectly restructure the urban fabric making it more resilient. It gives the residents of the area a tool to prepare the landscape for the future themselves.

Year: 2011
Type: landscape, research
Extent: 300km of coastline
Status: design research
Awards: awarded Archiprix 2012, IFLA Zvi Miller Award, Urban Interior Award

Jorrit Noordhuizen i.c.w. Inge Kersten