Different environmental conditions result in different architectural forms; on the contrarily, the architecture can shape the landscape. Our design goal of this project is to reach the environmental scale by means of architectural design.

The historical process of Augu wetland is similar to the typical Dutch polders. Water was pumped out to make land for mankind; latter, salty water comes back to pollute the land when the water level is not well maintained. The failure of water management brings troubled water back into the land and results in the unstable wetland.

In the regional scale, this area is in danger of land subsidence due to overuse of underground water. It is the consequence of failure on water management. Distinctive seasonal precipitation floods the area in monsoon season, while there is drought in dry season. Rain water was discharged and underground water was pumped out. All the actions result in severe shortage of water and land subsidence.

Put the water back to the wetland.

The proposal attempts to take the development on a small plot as an example for water management unit that contributes to the whole system. The self-retaining unit can keep the water inside during all conditions.

The architecture over hanging water demonstrates the concept of architectural mechanism: water proof, water storage and water outlet. The action of dealing with water contributes to water-friendly environment. As a result, the architecture presents the distinctive character. At the same time, the water issue is well controlled.

There is 480 tones of freshwater discharged out of the wetland every year. The amount of the water can be used to balance the environment during drought season. 1/3 of the subsidence can be rescued by means of retaining the water. Even in a smaller scale, a design proposal can also contribute to solve the environmental problem.