Spatial Intervention: Bridging Boundaries: Urban Life Flow and the Integration of Water Spaces

This project reflects on the interplay between urban design and daily life experiences in the area surrounding Malmö University's Orkanen campus, particularly focusing on the Nordenskiöldsgatan street and the adjacent water channel. The water channel, while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the space, inadvertently acts as a physical barrier, creating fragmented circulation paths and longer commutes for students and staff navigating between the university and surrounding urban areas.

The project explores how urban design interventions can transform these water borders into integrated, functional spaces that alleviate psychological pressures from daily routines. By reimagining the water channel as a dynamic and inclusive part of the university environment, the proposal seeks to create meaningful connections between the campus and the city.

Design Concept:
The key proposal involves the introduction of **floating glass rooms** within the water channel. These spaces, accessible via small passages, serve as multifunctional hubs for students, offering areas for study, relaxation, and creative activities. The glass design ensures transparency, maintaining visual continuity with the water and surrounding urban landscape, while the floating nature symbolizes the seamless integration of movement and interaction.

**Objectives:**

1. Improve Accessibility: Address the detour burden imposed by the water channel by creating direct and engaging connections across it.
2. Enhance Urban Integration: Merge the university campus with its surrounding urban environment to foster a stronger relationship between students and the diverse cityscape.
3. Alleviate Stress: Provide innovative spaces that support the mental well-being of students through functional and aesthetically pleasing design.
4. Celebrate Water Spaces: Transform the water channel from a physical barrier to an active part of the daily urban narrative.

This project offers a vision of urban inclusivity, showing how thoughtful design can reimagine barriers as opportunities for connection, innovation, and enhanced urban life. Through qualitative insights and visual reflections, the work emphasizes the transformative potential of integrating natural and built environments in addressing the needs of an active academic community.