MVRDV has been announced as one of ten teams led by HASSELL taking part in a yearlong research challenge bringing together engineers, architects, water specialists and other experts to work alongside communities to identify critical areas and come up with design strategies and solutions for the Bay Area of San Francisco.

Resilient by Design’s Bay Area Challenge is a collaborative research-design project bringing together local residents, public officials and local, national and international experts to develop innovative solutions to climate change. Home to more than seven million people, the San Francisco Bay is one of America’s largest urban agglomerations and one of the most globally significant hubs for cultural and economic output.  “Water has always been in the DNA of the Dutch and our society has developed an urban strategy that is resilient against flooding and other natural disaster risks”, says Nathalie de Vries, co-founder, MVRDV. “We are interested in contributing solutions to the challenges faced by the San Francisco Bay through a new sustainable programming strategy, combined with natural features.’’

The team headed by HASSELL are one of ten teams selected by Resilient by Design, modeled after the successful Rebuild by Design challenge that addressed infrastructure needs in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. The program is tied to The Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities network, which aims to support 100 cities to build resilience for the 21st-century.

MVRDV has extensive experience developing visions for cities (Glasgow, Almere, Caen and Paris) and will work with an experienced Dutch and international team, based in some of the world’s most inspiring water-front cities including Deltares and Lotus Water (Ecology), Frog Design and Originate (Social Impact and Technology), Civic Edge Consulting (Community Engagement), Goudappel (Transport), and Page & Turnbull (Architectural and Cultural Preservation). 

To read more about the challenge click here