Alumna Published in Lunch18: Everyday

january 28, 2025

BY ISABEL BERMAN

Alumna Clara Gardner (B.Arch '23) has made a significant contribution to the academic discourse on sustainable architecture with her recent publication in the University of Virginia's student journal, "Lunch18: Everyday." This design research journal, produced by the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia, fosters scholarly dialogue among students and is crafted by a student-led editorial team.

In her insightful article, "Living on Water: Re-Visioning the Floating Settlements of Chau Doc, Vietnam," Gardner delves into the unique architectural, ecological, and economic challenges faced by the floating fishery communities in the Mekong Delta. She highlights the precarious existence of these communities, whose livelihoods are intertwined with the health of their aquatic environment.

Addressing these challenges, Gardner proposes an innovative solution that merges local cultural practices with sustainable development: floating tourist homestays. This initiative seeks not only to improve living conditions through advanced water treatment systems but also to bolster the local economy by tapping into sustainable tourism. Her approach carefully considers the preservation of the area's distinctive cultural and environmental landscape, ensuring that development efforts align with the community's heritage and ecological needs.

Gardner's work exemplifies a profound commitment to addressing complex environmental issues through thoughtful, sustainable architectural practices. Her article serves as a model for how architectural interventions can simultaneously support economic development and environmental sustainability, providing a blueprint for similar communities worldwide.

For more information, visit UVA School of Architecture.  

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