Description:

Nowadays, everywhere we walk, we can see abandoned buildings. Some have undergone repairs and repurposing efforts; some property owners neglect maintenance, leading to decay, while others opt for demolition to pave the way for new developments. There are many ways to reuse the buildings. The term 'Parasite architecture' is seen as a relationship between the new structures attached to the existing buildings to use the benefits of their structure, which are seen negatively. However, the parasite inherently exploits its host structure; it ensures the continuation of the host. It opposes destruction. This parasite approach seeks to maintain the essence of the original while accommodating new functionalities. It strives to breathe new life into the old while making room for new things to happen.
However, despite the parasites living in the existing buildings, they live in abandoned buildings instead. This creative practice research explores parasitic architecture's potential to breathe new life into abandoned buildings once again.
Silo Park in Auckland, repurposed from a cement tower into an exhibition space, it reminded me of a place in Bangkok, known as the Maen Sri Waterworks. These towers share a similar narrative, situated in different locations. Both once served their respective urban areas but have languished in abandonment. I began to wonder how, like Silo Park, Maen Sri could take on a second life without losing its original character.
Applying the notion of the parasite to the site involves utilising the structure of the water tower as a central element for sustaining life. This is achieved by polyester meshed fabric that attaches to the tower's structure. This system collects rain, harvests fog, and captures dew, operating solely through natural processes such as gravity, condensation, and evaporation without the need for electrical power. I tested by suspending a polyester mesh in an outdoor space overnight. In the morning, water droplets adhered to the mesh and began accumulating into larger droplets, then dropped into the bucket to store the water.
The proposed design envisions utilizing the water tower's structure as a central element for sustaining life. By attaching a polyester mesh fabric to the tower, the system can collect rain, harvest fog, and capture dew naturally, without electrical power. This existing land should provide public space and improve environmental well-being. The design proposes a water infrastructure that is designed to address the challenges in Thailand, which still struggles to have access to clean drinking water and celebrates the resurgence of the water tower, serving once again as a vital water-storage.