superbowl project
Location: Nakornsawan, Thailand
Visionary Project 2012
Design team: Pitupong Chaowakul, Nuntawat Tassanasangsoon, Wattikon Kosolkit, Yupadee Suthvisith, Suchart Ouypornchaisakul, Peechaya Mekasuvanroj, Sthapat Soichampa and Supanna Chanpensri
Imbalance Thailand has grappled with water disasters for ages, enduring both drought and flood. Despite its extensive river network, especially in the central delta, the monsoon behavior compounds the constant worry over water scarcity and excess. The unchecked sprawl of cities and reckless agricultural practices have thrown the water flow into chaos—insufficient in the dry season, and overwhelming floods during the rainy season.
New Tools We need a revolution in how we coexist with WATER. Beyond just changing habits, we require vast, efficient tools to manage the deluge—6,000-10,000 million cubic meters of water spilling from our rivers yearly. "Dams are not the answer. They're bogged down by politics." We need PEOPLE-centric tools that foster responsibility and enable us to adapt to a new way of living with WATER.
Nakornsawan Our vision places Nakornsawan at the heart of a groundbreaking hydraulic tool network. This typical Thai city, cradled by the Ping and Nan rivers, faces annual floods; the devastating 2011 flood breached its levees, submerging the town center. We propose a new WATER city between the two rivers, pioneering a fresh lifestyle for Nakornsawan’s residents.
Living with the Forest The outer surface of the bowl will boast 40% forest cover. Over time, residents will urbanize specific areas of the hill, harmonizing with the mature forest. The new city will wind continuously up and down the hill, integrating residents closely with nature. Our vision is a seamless architectural web over the water device, reinforcing the reservoir. This vast 28.3 million square meter mixed-use structure—from homes and schools to cinemas and government facilities—will house half a million people, matching downtown Nakornsawan's population.
Half a Million City Can we construct a colossal hydraulic tool that doubles as an urban extension or an entirely new city? We propose a 20 km-long, enclosed soil hill east of Nakornsawan, between the rivers. This 150-meter-high hill will form a giant reservoir, managing 1,500 million cubic meters of water (15% of the Bhumipol Dam's capacity). Working in tandem with other network devices, it will draw in monsoon floodwaters with three giant pumps at 180 million cubic meters per day, releasing water gradually during the dry season and sustaining 5.85 million square meters of agriculture on the reservoir's inner surface.
A Sustainable Vision Super Bowl will be a self-sustaining city, powered by wind turbines, hydro-generators, bio-gas, and dye-synthesized solar cells across its surface. Hydroponic systems will cover the building skin, enabling residents to grow their own vegetables, while traditional rice terraces will flourish inside the reservoir. Agriculture here will be responsible and water-efficient.
Mobility and Connectivity Cars will be limited, with parking nodes along the city’s band. Residents will use cars primarily for intercity travel. Within Project Kingkong, they’ll rely on three in-ground Metro lines, and three public transport levels connecting the city via interchange stations on each periphery. At the water level, boats will provide transit, with floating parks, sports stadiums, and even an airport enhancing urban mobility.
