Our relationship with water is complicated, and intersectional. With water we wash, irrigate, bathe, baptize, harvest, swim, soak, reflect, and sanctify. Water prompts the building of bridges, excavation of tunnels, and the erecting of dams, marinas, canals, and ports. When all is well, water is everywhere, and remains largely unnoticed. Yet, when things don't proceed as planned, water (or its absence) can become both very visible, and very threatening.

But water isn’t all bad. As architects, we indeed engage with water as menace, but also as utility, cultural and commercial asset, signifier, and necessity. We will familiarize ourselves with the technicalities of vapor barriers, flashing, grading, bioswales, and permeable pavements. We will contend with Sea Level Rise, increased rainfall and drought, and other climate change-induced phenomena. And we will explore the rich architectural imaginary engaging water in various ways, featuring precedents like Álvaro Siza’s Leça Swimming Pools, Japanese Metabolist Water Cities, Diller & Scofidio’s Blur building, Snohetta’s Oslo Opera House, and others.

Each of the six studio options tackles the theme in unique ways, yet all remain anchored in the fundamental element of water.