The studio, together with the architectural practice PMO of the Maldives, is designing a ten floor residential building in the heart of the capital Malé.
The Island of Malé is the fourth most densely populated island in the world, and it is the 168th most populous island in the world. Since there is no surrounding countryside, all infrastructure has to be located in the city itself. Water is provided from desalinated ground water; the water works pumps brackish water from 50-60m deep wells in the city and desalinates that using reverse osmosis. Electric power is generated in the city using diesel generators and sewage is pumped unprocessed into the sea. Solid waste is transported to nearby islands, where it is used to fill in lagoons. The airport was built in this way, and currently the Thilafushi lagoon is being filled in. Great challenges for informed design, and we are excited to be active in this extreme environment.
