LIFE COSTadapta

José Antonio Sosa, Evelyn Alonso, Héctor García, Iñaki Pérez,ULPGC

Project implementation: Spain
Project development: Spain

Faced with advancing climate change, coastal communities face a crossroads: proactively protecting the coastline has become essential to safeguard lives, heritage, and ecosystems. Traditional solutions, such as dikes or breakwaters, while effective, entail significant environmental and social impacts, restricting community uses and altering the landscape. It is therefore necessary to explore more sustainable and integrated alternatives.

It is in this context that LIFE COSTAdapta emerges in the Canary Islands, a region deeply connected to the sea. The project proposes gentle and progressive solutions, less aggressive than rigid defenses, reinforcing natural coastal self-protection mechanisms. Inspired by medical immunotherapy, the project advocates a "coastal immunotherapy": working with nature and enhancing its resilience.

The central proposal is the creation of artificial tidal ponds, ecological concrete reefs with adaptive geometries, which function as a barrier against sea level rise and as a social space. They reduce wave energy, limit erosion, and provide habitat for marine species. With varying depths, they allow for swimming, environmental education, and scientific research.

The multidisciplinary team plans to build a full-scale prototype on the north coast of Gran Canaria, in San Felipe, where homes are at risk due to rising seas. The process included environmental analyses, landscape studies, and citizen participation, involving residents and surfers to ensure that the project respects local customs and wave dynamics.

The project also highlights the cultural role of tidal ponds, historically present as fishing grounds, salt flats, and recreational spaces. Today, they are symbols of collective identity and demonstrate how small interventions can coexist in harmony with nature. By reinterpreting them, LIFE COSTAdapta expands the role of architecture to environmental and social activism.

In short, the project seeks to prove that gentle interventions can be effective and sustainable, creating a hybrid ecosystem that is simultaneously a barrier, habitat, landscape, and community space. Thus, it contributes to a resilient coastline, prepared to face the effects of the climate crisis.

Participate in the program of debates, workshops and associated activities!

TODAY (10/13)

13.10 – activity Pantanal Action at IABsp

IN THE NEXT DAYS (14 to 19.10)

10/14 | 10am – table Urgent Panorama! Space as an act of permanence

14.10 | 15h – Biomaterials Mini-Workshops at the Living Lab

14.10 | 17h – Biomaterials Mini-Workshops at the Living Lab

14.10 | 6pm – Launch of the “Nature-Based Education” Guide

10/15 | 10am – For an Anti-Racist Adaptation

15.10 | 2pm – workshop senseBox:bike: bikes and data with open technologies

15.10 | 3pm – Academic Meetings: Escola da Cidade talks with the curators

15.10 | 3pm – workshop Sustainable studio: jewelry and accessories made from recycled plastic at the Living Lab

15.10 | 6pm – Technical assistance to communities in Bahia

10/15 | 8:00 PM – activity Cine Fluxo Cart in the Mauá Occupation

10/16 | 10am – Presidents' Forum CAU/SP

16.10 | 3pm – Biomaterials Mini-Workshops at the Living Lab

16.10 | 17h – Biomaterials Mini-Workshops at the Living Lab

16.10 | 6pm – table Revive the Center with Eduardo Paes (Mayor of Rio de Janeiro and president of the National Front of Mayors), Alê Youssef (former Secretary of Culture of São Paulo), Marta Moreira (partner at the MMBB office) 

16.10 – activity Urgent Overview! Visit to the Paraisópolis Complex

17.10 | 10am – table Citizen Science in Climate Adaptation

17.10 | 2pm – table Black Women for Climate: Strengthening Urban Peripheries 

17.10 | 15:30 – table Territorial climate action and justice

17.10 | 6pm – table Living Periphery

18.10 | 10am – table Taking action for climate adaptation from the Public Authorities

18.10 | 10am – workshop Design marathon to communicate fair, resilient and low-carbon cities

18.10 | 2pm – table Achieving decarbonization and resilience in the built environment

18.10 | 3pm – Alfredo Sirkis Piratininga Park Book Launch – Nature, Innovation and Socio-Environmental Justice

18.10 | 4pm – Publication Launch of the II Climate Emergency and City Seminar

18.10 | 6pm – Closing Session of the 14th BIAsp – Paths to the Future

18.10 | 19:30 – International Schools Competition Award at the 14th International Architecture Biennial 

19.10 | 5pm – activity Urgent Panorama! Visit to the Panorama Lab project in Jardim Panorama 

19.10 – TRIBUTE TO ARCHITECT KONGJIAN YU

JOIN! IT'S ALL FREE!

The Biennial is open until October 19th!

NOTE OF CONDOLENCE

With deep sorrow, the Brazilian Institute of Architects – São Paulo Department (IABsp) mourns the passing of architect and landscape architect Kongjian Yu, a global leader in ecological urbanism, and the members of his team who accompanied him, tragically killed during the filming of a documentary. The institute is honored to have had him as a participant in the 14th São Paulo International Architecture Biennial, where his transformative vision strengthened the dialogue between global challenges and local realities. IABsp emphasizes that Yu's contribution, which transcends borders, will remain an inspiration for generations and expresses its condolences to China, to the families of all the deceased, to his friends, and to all those impacted by his genius and dedication. Read the full note here.