Once a vibrant ecosystem and the lifeblood of a great human civilization, The Tiber now suffers from pollution and severe lack of natural habitat, particularly within the urban context. Though its presence and importance are undeniable, many historic relationships with the river have been lost. The river lacks much of the human activity that once characterized its banks. Especially in Rome, there is a severe disconnect between the river and the city – the shores are largely abandoned, and cut off from the urban fabric by major transportation arteries. As a host to agricultural and industrial runoff, the river flows towards the sea unnoticed.

An analysis of the entire river reveals four general conditions, each presenting a unique relationship of the river with its natural and human inhabitants. Lotus is a proposal for an ecological infrastructure comprised of modular elements that address the identified needs of the river. This system acts as a base for the revitalization of Tiber’s ecology and urbanity. Through a rigorous historic analysis of activity along the Tiber, typical built conditions and experiences are recreated. A palette of ecological, recreational, infrastructural and institutional typologies is de-rived, with which the banks of the Tiber can be revived. vvThe featured Porta Portese site is a prototype of these typologies, which can be adopted along the Tiber depending on local conditions and needs. This section of the pro-posed infrastructure acts as a museum in the form of an educational park, through which locals and visitors learn about the Tiber and its relationship with man and nature.

The advent of communication technology increasingly renders obsolete the common museum as a public institu-tion. The proposed new park-museum typology bypasses the need for a permanent material exhibition, instead offering a free rich learning experience with far greater outreach. On a larger scale, the entire river infrastructure echoes the park-museum. In a sense, the entire river becomes a museum of itself.

With the proposed infrastructure, Lotus aims to provide a framework for a healthy lotic ecosystem and bring the Tiber’s past, present and potential state to the forefront of the collective consciousness.

The Lotus Project: The Tiber Park MuseumWaterloo HBAS, Semester 4A Design Studio: A Museum of the Tiber

Tiber River

Rome

Mount Fumaiolo (Source)

While the characteristics of the Tiber river once established the site and form of early settlements along it’s banks, today we see the culmination of an almost complete inversion of this relationship. Cities, farms, and infrastructure have displaced the majority of the wetlands along the river, and now give form to the majority of its shoreline. This is most apparent within the urban context, where the Tiber must be compressed within a concrete channel in order to protect the city from flooding. This control of the river creates severe currents during flooding that do not allow a natual wetland ecology to flourish.

While the need to protect Rome from the force of the river will not likely disapear in the future, the adjacency of the urban fabric need not be an imposition upon the river. On the contrary it is concievable to integrate the river’s shore as a mutually benificial infrastructural system for natural and urban inhabitants. This can only be accom-plished by a built infrasture that confronts the reality of potentially damaging floods, pollution of the river, and the requirements an urban population.

The Lotus wetland system addresses the reality of annual floods by floating securely along the shoreline, while providing essential services for the citizen, establishing the seeds of a healthy river ecosystem, and creating a productive landscape.

Complete Site 1:8 000 000

Wetland System Function:

lotus |lōt s|noun1 any of a number of large water lilies2 (in Greek mythology) a legendary plant whose fruit induces a dreamy forgetfulness and an unwillingness to depart.ORIGIN late 15th cent. Via Latin lotus, past participle of lavere, 'to wash'.

Lotus Tiber Park Museumlotic |lōtik|adjective Lotic Ecology(of organisms or habitats) inhabiting or situated in rapidly moving fresh water.ORIGIN early 20th cent.: from Latin lotus ‘washing’ + -ic

lotus |lōt s|noun1 any of a number of large water lilies2 (in Greek mythology) a legendary plant whose fruit induces a dreamy forgetfulness and an unwillingness to depart.ORIGIN late 15th cent. Via Latin lotus, past participle of lavere, 'to wash'.

Lotus Tiber Park Museumlotic |lōtik|adjective Lotic Ecology(of organisms or habitats) inhabiting or situated in rapidly moving fresh water.ORIGIN early 20th cent.: from Latin lotus ‘washing’ + -ic

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Agrarian:

Urban:

The Tiber springs from two springs on the face of Mount Fumaiolo. Under Mousalini’s direction these two springs where ducted through travertine troughs and a monument declaring: “QUI NASCE IL FIUME SACRO AI DESTINI DI ROMA,” was erected. Otherwise, the source of the Tiber Remains relaltively untouched. Our proposed intevention would only involve periodic testing of the source water quality for comparison and educational purposes.

Besides the comparitively pristine nature of the Tiber near its source there are also periodic sections of natural ecosystems along the length of the Tiber. These sections of shoreline vary in size and are largely found outside of urban zones. A series of small testing centres in these locations will provide crucial information on the state of the river along its length. The larger scope of this project, such as farmland swale construction, is intended to support these small ecosystems.

Periodic Leftovers

Mount Fumaiolo

Within the urban context, where it is not possible to widen the river through excavation, the system will provide stepped access to the waters edge and continue the green corridor along the river.

Vertical Wall

Urban: Within the urban context, where it is not Feasable to widen the river through excavation, the system will provide ramped access to the waters edge and continue the green corridor along the river.

Sloped Wall

Urban:

Farmland Runoff containing fertilizer, livestock waste and pesticides, some of the primary pollutants in the Tiber river will be treated in a series of contained wetland swale systems.

Pollution Prevention

Port: A contained wetland system, similar tothat which is used on the porta portese site will provide a passive treatment for grey and black water waste from recreational. This system, while supporting the delicate estaurial ecosystem at the mouth of the Tiber, would become productive in the long term as biological bi-products are passively converted into fuel and glycerin.

Estuary Eco-Support

Port: A semi-continuous wetland system will provide needed natural habitat for aquatic species, treat runoff from sites such as Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, and a flexible docking system and boardwalk.

Habitat Creation

Within the urban context, where it is either possible to widen the river through excavation or a gentle slope has been left unbuilt upon, the system will promote ecological development of the riparian zone along the tiber through establishing a retained wetland ecology. In many locations the system will take on a disparate intallation that would not cover the rivers edge but rather simple provide support for local ecologies to flourish.

Natural Slope

Urban: In locations of particular historical or monumental status the system will not overrun the site. Rather, locations such as the Scala de Pinedo will become all the more significant as indivdiual elements framed by the larger site along the river.

Preservation

Urban: Certain structures will benifit form connection to the river and other establishments along it’s length. One notable example is that of the Ara Pacis, the Ausgustan altar the goddes Peace and its sheltering museum. The system will extend to meet the museum, connecting to it’s existing piazza and creating a stepped approach to the river reminiscent of the occupiable 3-tiered Augustan river wall.

Reinforcement

Natural:

Natural:

Existing Site Conditions andCorresponding Strategies 1:25 000

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10.00m

3.00m

0.80mUnit A: Wetland 1

Typical Unit Dimensions:

Manufacturing:

River water flow is attenuated by a micro-electro-generators and lime-stone bed provides initial sedimentation/filtration of water.*A small beacon will light when the unit generates electricity.

The Infrastructure units will be mass produced using solar energy to form recycled plastic into resilient, consistent forms.

Raw Material

(Light)

RiverInput

RunoffInput

Irri

gatio

n &

Plu

mbi

ng

Output

Unit B: Wetland 2 Deep Water Marsh. Featuring free floating & floating/anchored species provides initial pollutant filtration.

Unit C: Wetland 3Shallow Water Marsh. Featuring submerged & emergent species, provides most effective chemical filtration.

Unit D: Wetland 4Surface Marsh. Featuring submerged and dense low-lying surface covering species provides final pollutant fitration.

Unit E: Wetland 5(Final Treatment element) Finishing/polishing pond. Provides final cleansing before re-introduction into the river or use in the site. Can Also serve as a local fishery.

Unit I: DeckFiber composite planks larger gathering places within the parkscape and provide seating locations.

Unit J: Hardscape Composite concrete pavers provide a resilient surface in high-traffic areas

Unit K: Recreation 1Recycled rubber provides an appropriate surface for excer-cise and playground configura-tions.

Unit L: Recreation 2 A pleasant sandbox for the young-ones to frolic in.

Unit M: Swimming Pool Treated water is used in floating swimming pools on the river.*Size as indicated on plan

Unit F: Hillside Run-off Treatment 1Self-sustaining lush parkland grass. Permeable surface meant to be occupied, collects and directs rainwater/surface runoff water.

Unit N: Local Garden Simple, drained and aerated units that provide residents with elevated gardening space.*Coordination with local residents is required for final organisation.

Unit G: Hillside Run-off Treatment 2Indigenous wildflower grassland. Retains and directs rainwater/surface runoff water for treatment.`

Unit O: Botanical Garden Simple, drained and aerated units provide recepticals for indigeous plant specimens to be put on display along public spaces for educational and aesthetic purposes.

Unit H: Hillside Run-off Treatment 3Moss/lichen mixture. Retains rainwater/surface runoff water and begins process of treatment before release into lower wetland system

Unit P: Theatre Provides seating for perfor-mances, planned or other-wise, as well as a pleasant place to sit and talk.

Typical Units:

Agrarian:

Urban:

The Tiber springs from two springs on the face of Mount Fumaiolo. Under Mousalini’s direction these two springs where ducted through travertine troughs and a monument declaring: “QUI NASCE IL FIUME SACRO AI DESTINI DI ROMA,” was erected. Otherwise, the source of the Tiber Remains relaltively untouched. Our proposed intevention would only involve periodic testing of the source water quality for comparison and educational purposes.

Besides the comparitively pristine nature of the Tiber near its source there are also periodic sections of natural ecosystems along the length of the Tiber. These sections of shoreline vary in size and are largely found outside of urban zones. A series of small testing centres in these locations will provide crucial information on the state of the river along its length. The larger scope of this project, such as farmland swale construction, is intended to support these small ecosystems.

Periodic Leftovers

Mount Fumaiolo

Within the urban context, where it is not possible to widen the river through excavation, the system will provide stepped access to the waters edge and continue the green corridor along the river.

Vertical Wall

Urban: Within the urban context, where it is not Feasable to widen the river through excavation, the system will provide ramped access to the waters edge and continue the green corridor along the river.

Sloped Wall

Urban:

Farmland Runoff containing fertilizer, livestock waste and pesticides, some of the primary pollutants in the Tiber river will be treated in a series of contained wetland swale systems.

Pollution Prevention

Port: A contained wetland system, similar tothat which is used on the porta portese site will provide a passive treatment for grey and black water waste from recreational. This system, while supporting the delicate estaurial ecosystem at the mouth of the Tiber, would become productive in the long term as biological bi-products are passively converted into fuel and glycerin.

Estuary Eco-Support

Port: A semi-continuous wetland system will provide needed natural habitat for aquatic species, treat runoff from sites such as Leonardo Da Vinci Airport, and a flexible docking system and boardwalk.

Habitat Creation

Within the urban context, where it is either possible to widen the river through excavation or a gentle slope has been left unbuilt upon, the system will promote ecological development of the riparian zone along the tiber through establishing a retained wetland ecology. In many locations the system will take on a disparate intallation that would not cover the rivers edge but rather simple provide support for local ecologies to flourish.

Natural Slope

Urban: In locations of particular historical or monumental status the system will not overrun the site. Rather, locations such as the Scala de Pinedo will become all the more significant as indivdiual elements framed by the larger site along the river.

Preservation

Urban: Certain structures will benifit form connection to the river and other establishments along it’s length. One notable example is that of the Ara Pacis, the Ausgustan altar the goddes Peace and its sheltering museum. The system will extend to meet the museum, connecting to it’s existing piazza and creating a stepped approach to the river reminiscent of the occupiable 3-tiered Augustan river wall.

Reinforcement

Natural:

Natural:

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Legend:Potential ParkscapeExisting Public SpaceStructure/Site of Historical Importance:

1- Ponte Della Scienza & Gazometers2- Monte Testaccio3- Defunct Testaccio Slaughterhouse4- Defunct Trastevere Train Station5- Ruins of the Porticus Aemilia6- Ruins of Papal Wall & Augustan Wall

7- Ruins of Tiberian Port8- Ruins of Pons Aemilius (Ponte Rotto)9- Former Apstolic Hospice of St. Michael & Location of Porta 9- Ripa Grande10- Arsenale11- Villa Sciara12- Villa Pamphili

13- Cloaca Maxima14- Forum Boarium & Temple of Hercules15- Circus Maximus16- Capitaline Hill & Forum17- TIber Island18- Carcere Regina Caeli

1

3

510

2

46

1112

79

14

15 16

13

19

8

18

Park Zones:

Cent. Metro. Ostiense

Cent. Arch. Monumentale

Testaccio

Aventino

Industriale

Porta Portese

Trastevere

Navona

Urban Site, Central Rome 1:60004 of 10

C D EF

G

A B

Porta Portese, Rome Site 1:1000

5 of 10

Section A 1:500

Section B 1:500

Section C 1:500

Section D 1:500

Section E 1:500

Section F 1:500

Section G 1:500

Typ. Configuration locations:

17 07

0806 09

06

03 16

0412

17 02

15

03 16

11

29

03

03

10

1022

13

01

Section A 1:500

Section B 1:500

Section C 1:500

Section D 1:500

Section E 1:500

Section F 1:500

Section G 1:500

Typ. Configuration locations:

17 07

0806 09

06

03 16

0412

17 02

15

03 16

11

29

03

03

10

1022

13

01

Section B

Lower Level Plan

Ground Floor Plan

Cafe/Lib.Desk

Main Entrance

Auditorium

Studios/LabsLibrary/Archives

Exhibition

Section A

A

B

East Elevation

Ground Floor Plan

North Elevation

Tickets

RomaReception

Mount FumaioloLookout

Tiber River Model @1:5000

Tower 1:750

Kunsthalle 1:1000

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Kunsthalle:

-hood. In the featured site, the Kuntshalle collects recorded data from the Tiber,

Port:

In the featured site the new port is situated across the river from ruins of the Tiberian port.

Infrastructure

Biomass Facility: Biological materials are gathered from the wetland system by a barge.

combined with waste materials from the adjacent site and a methanol catalyst

square meters of wetland and would repeat along the river as required.-

Debris Collector:

shoreline, into which a series of small wiers guide debris. A current driven conveyor belt is used to bring debris and wetland biological material to the level of the city.

Infrastructure/ Ecology

series of eco-units treat water and provide a natural habitat. This Conifigu-

Infrastructure/ EcologyLocal Garden:

In the featured site the new port is situated across the river from ruins of the Tiberian port.

Infrastructure/ Ecology

Swale:

intercepts runoff and adapts to treat grey and black water waste from the adjacent site while providing a habitat for local fauna.

Ecology

Sustainable Housing:

swale typology would provide black and grey water treatment for the buildings, while the wetland infrastructure would bolster site-produced solar electricity sources.

structures to eventually be replaced by housing that is intrinsically linked to the wetland system.

Horrea:

The Horrea typology emulates the ancient market typology built along the Tiber. Beginning with the Forum Boarium, this typology expanded southward and took over most of the east side of the river during the Roman empire. They were introverted structures that opened onto a courtyard that provided expansion space and framed the view of the heavens Central to this typology is a mixture of various kinds of

of ‘courtyards’ open to the sky, through which visitors and merchants circulate. The roof of the Horrea also doubles as a garden for the local community or fruit/vegetable vendors.

This typology consists of any structuremonumental status

importance can be accentuated. These Structures will be preserved, while they

one travels along the proposed infrastructural corridor of the Tiber that links them together. In the case of the Arsenale, remains of sunken ships are suspended from

a major entrance to the Tiber from the ‘Horrea’. This echoes the important role the Arsenale played in providing ships which brought commercial goods to Rome up the Tiber.

Fuel

Fuel

Glycerin

Biological Material

Biological Material

Waste

Waste

01 02 03

06

07 08

09 10

0504

Typical Configurations7 of 10

Kunsthalle:

-hood. In the featured site, the Kuntshalle collects recorded data from the Tiber,

Port:

In the featured site the new port is situated across the river from ruins of the Tiberian port.

Infrastructure

Biomass Facility: Biological materials are gathered from the wetland system by a barge.

combined with waste materials from the adjacent site and a methanol catalyst

square meters of wetland and would repeat along the river as required.-

Debris Collector:

shoreline, into which a series of small wiers guide debris. A current driven conveyor belt is used to bring debris and wetland biological material to the level of the city.

Infrastructure/ Ecology

series of eco-units treat water and provide a natural habitat. This Conifigu-

Infrastructure/ EcologyLocal Garden:

In the featured site the new port is situated across the river from ruins of the Tiberian port.

Infrastructure/ Ecology

Swale:

intercepts runoff and adapts to treat grey and black water waste from the adjacent site while providing a habitat for local fauna.

Ecology

Sustainable Housing:

swale typology would provide black and grey water treatment for the buildings, while the wetland infrastructure would bolster site-produced solar electricity sources.

structures to eventually be replaced by housing that is intrinsically linked to the wetland system.

Horrea:

The Horrea typology emulates the ancient market typology built along the Tiber. Beginning with the Forum Boarium, this typology expanded southward and took over most of the east side of the river during the Roman empire. They were introverted structures that opened onto a courtyard that provided expansion space and framed the view of the heavens Central to this typology is a mixture of various kinds of

of ‘courtyards’ open to the sky, through which visitors and merchants circulate. The roof of the Horrea also doubles as a garden for the local community or fruit/vegetable vendors.

This typology consists of any structuremonumental status

importance can be accentuated. These Structures will be preserved, while they

one travels along the proposed infrastructural corridor of the Tiber that links them together. In the case of the Arsenale, remains of sunken ships are suspended from

a major entrance to the Tiber from the ‘Horrea’. This echoes the important role the Arsenale played in providing ships which brought commercial goods to Rome up the Tiber.

Fuel

Fuel

Glycerin

Biological Material

Biological Material

Waste

Waste

01 02 03

06

07 08

09 10

0504

8 of 10

U.Wate

rloo H

.B.A.S.

Workp

lace

Personal

Resume

Flood Plane: The Flood Plane configuration simply porvides a sloped plane that intersects with the river and is framed by a low wall reminiscent in form to the 3-tiered Augustan wall. In the featured Site the Plan provides recreational acces to the river..

Education/ RecreationEncroachment: The Encroachment configuration literally encroaches upon the river, provide an experience similar to that of the pre-modern informal construction along the rivers edge. In the featured Site the Encroachment continues the recreational landscape of the ‘Flood Plane’ and connects to the ‘Port’ Configuration.

Education/ RecreationSquat: The Squat configuration derives its name from the informal occupants of the riverside. It provides an intimate garden space. In the featured Site the Squat configuration is used as a series a garden rooms that continue the language of the Kunsthalle into the site. In othe sites along the river this configuration could also be adopted as temporary shelter for the less-fortunate.

Education/ Recreation

Ripetta: The Ripetta configuration derives its name from the urban stair destoyed in recent time during the construction of the current river walls. It is a grand stair, characterized by plantings and large occupiable landings, that continues into the river.

Education/ RecreationBotanical Garden: The Botanical Garden configuration creates a small native species education parkway reminiscent of past villa gardens along the rivers edge.

*See Typical Unit Digram for specifics.

Education/ RecreationPasseggiata: The Passeggiata configuration derives its name from the italian walking tradition. It is the typical grade walkway within the site, typically connecting different sites of importance.

Recreation/ Infrastructure

Excercise: The Excersize configuration provides a flexible open space for use in excercise classes or ‘street’ performances.

RecreationDog Park: The Dog Park Configuration provides dedicated pet space where owners can allow thier pets to run and play with other animals.

RecreationRiver Pool: A treated water swimming pool floating in the river. Surely a fascinating and refreshing experience.

The Wetland Garden Room configurationprovides an intimate space within the larger parkscape.

Recreation

Playground:Education/ Recreation

Theatre:Education/ Recreation

Lungotevere 1: In the context of Rome, the proposed system creates a pedestrian corridor along the Tiber, which would encourage a gradual reduction in vehicle traffic along the river. This reduction takes on the form of 5 typical configurations.

InfrastructureLungotevere 2Infrastructure

Wetland Garden Room:

Lungotevere 3:Education/ Recreation

Lungotevere 4:Education/ Recreation

Lungotevere 5:Education/ Recreation

Recreation

Bridge: Wherever beneficial, either due to distance between crossings, or congestion of traffic, a new passage over the river is provided. These bridges literally provide a continuation the parkscape over the river. The bridge from the Porta Portese neighborhood to the Testaccio region connects to a bike/pedestrian path which passes the ruins of the Porticus Amelia, the Piazza di Santa Maria Liberatrice, Monte Testaccio, the Slaughterhouse Site, and the south Augustan Wall.

Infrastructure

Tower: The tower configurationprovides an otherwise unattainable view and reveals significant features of the river by doins so.

In the featured Site the tower houses a 1:5000 model of the whole Tiber. Each step upward is equal to 1 kilometer along the river and each platform is and educational lookout platform that points out significant feature of the river.

Education/ Recreation

01

11 12 13

15

14

18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29

16 17

Typical Configurations (Cont’d)9 of 10

U.Wate

rloo H

.B.A.S.

Workp

lace

Personal

Resume

Flood Plane: The Flood Plane configuration simply porvides a sloped plane that intersects with the river and is framed by a low wall reminiscent in form to the 3-tiered Augustan wall. In the featured Site the Plan provides recreational acces to the river..

Education/ RecreationEncroachment: The Encroachment configuration literally encroaches upon the river, provide an experience similar to that of the pre-modern informal construction along the rivers edge. In the featured Site the Encroachment continues the recreational landscape of the ‘Flood Plane’ and connects to the ‘Port’ Configuration.

Education/ RecreationSquat: The Squat configuration derives its name from the informal occupants of the riverside. It provides an intimate garden space. In the featured Site the Squat configuration is used as a series a garden rooms that continue the language of the Kunsthalle into the site. In othe sites along the river this configuration could also be adopted as temporary shelter for the less-fortunate.

Education/ Recreation

Ripetta: The Ripetta configuration derives its name from the urban stair destoyed in recent time during the construction of the current river walls. It is a grand stair, characterized by plantings and large occupiable landings, that continues into the river.

Education/ RecreationBotanical Garden: The Botanical Garden configuration creates a small native species education parkway reminiscent of past villa gardens along the rivers edge.

*See Typical Unit Digram for specifics.

Education/ RecreationPasseggiata: The Passeggiata configuration derives its name from the italian walking tradition. It is the typical grade walkway within the site, typically connecting different sites of importance.

Recreation/ Infrastructure

Excercise: The Excersize configuration provides a flexible open space for use in excercise classes or ‘street’ performances.

RecreationDog Park: The Dog Park Configuration provides dedicated pet space where owners can allow thier pets to run and play with other animals.

RecreationRiver Pool: A treated water swimming pool floating in the river. Surely a fascinating and refreshing experience.

The Wetland Garden Room configurationprovides an intimate space within the larger parkscape.

Recreation

Playground:Education/ Recreation

Theatre:Education/ Recreation

Lungotevere 1: In the context of Rome, the proposed system creates a pedestrian corridor along the Tiber, which would encourage a gradual reduction in vehicle traffic along the river. This reduction takes on the form of 5 typical configurations.

InfrastructureLungotevere 2Infrastructure

Wetland Garden Room:

Lungotevere 3:Education/ Recreation

Lungotevere 4:Education/ Recreation

Lungotevere 5:Education/ Recreation

Recreation

Bridge: Wherever beneficial, either due to distance between crossings, or congestion of traffic, a new passage over the river is provided. These bridges literally provide a continuation the parkscape over the river. The bridge from the Porta Portese neighborhood to the Testaccio region connects to a bike/pedestrian path which passes the ruins of the Porticus Amelia, the Piazza di Santa Maria Liberatrice, Monte Testaccio, the Slaughterhouse Site, and the south Augustan Wall.

Infrastructure

Tower: The tower configurationprovides an otherwise unattainable view and reveals significant features of the river by doins so.

In the featured Site the tower houses a 1:5000 model of the whole Tiber. Each step upward is equal to 1 kilometer along the river and each platform is and educational lookout platform that points out significant feature of the river.

Education/ Recreation

01

11 12 13

15

14

18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29

16 17

10 of 10