Fluid Boundaries
An alternative philosophy for envisioning the future of Refshaløen in Copenhagen
Refshaløen – an island (for now), a vibrant industrial and cultural landscape, an open playground for urban society, likely the last of its kind in Copenhagen - is now set to be developed and densified into a sustainable district. The open idea competition marked the starting point of this development, and we seized this unique opportunity to reconsider our perspectives and explore an alternative philosophy for comprehending a site and envisioning its future.
We call it Fluid Boundaries.
Fluid Boundaries is an approach that perceives the world as multidimensional and open, in constant exchange, flowing, and interconnected on all levels. Applying this principle to understanding the development and planning of urban landscapes gives rise to new interpretations of spaces and designs. It shifts the focus from boundaries/lines to areas/zones, and consequently, to the in-between, where geographical, biological, historical, and socio-cultural factors form the basis for defining these zones.
The concept of fluid boundaries permeates all dimensions of (urban) society. In psychology, it describes an individual's capacity for maintaining a flexible and adaptive sense of self—being open to new experiences, ideas, and relationships, while avoiding rigid notions. Socially, it recognizes that individuals and communities navigate multiple social or cultural identities that may not always fit strict categories. Organizations embracing fluid boundaries are more open to collaboration, innovation, and adaptive changes in roles and responsibilities.
In landscape architecture, fluid boundaries refer to a more seamless transitions between different spatial elements. The approach emphasizes a more organic and interconnected design, where the boundaries between land and water, city and nature, open and built structures are not rigid but flow cohesively. It involves designing spaces that also facilitate the movement of wildlife, allowing for the flow of species between different habitats within the landscape. Fluid boundaries may also be applied to the adaptability of land use within a landscape, accommodating various functions over time and thereby allowing for changes in activities or uses without a strict separation between different zones. Designing with flexibility in mind allows for the evolution of the landscape over time, accommodating seasonal variations, growth, and other dynamic factors. In essence, the application of fluid boundaries in landscape architecture encourages a more holistic and adaptable approach to design, emphasizing connectivity, sustainability, and the coherent integration of various elements within the landscape.
For Refshaløen, 'Fluid Boundaries' presents a poetic and concise proposal emphasizing the foundation of future development on nature, recognizing ourselves as part of it. The proposal underscores that the island is part of the landscape, not vice versa, conceptualizing it as a zonal landscape with interconnected systems on land and sea. These zones are fluid rather than constrained by lines or specific typologies. The city's topography extends beneath the water surface, resembling an underwater topography where transformation occurs through symbiotic relationships between biodiversity and microclimate.Climate adaptations, crucial for events like storm surges, have the potential to enhance the island's qualities and offer habitats for diverse species. Refshaløen is viewed as a collective responsibility, cultivated by everyone, in a perpetual state of evolution—never finished, extending, retreating, growing, dying, breathing, pulsating. It is non-normative, and by this more than human centred, inclusive, reactive, and non-judgmental. Refshaløen shapes and embraces life, becomes and is alive. And thereby home.
Let’s be more fluid.