School of Architecture, Graduate Architecture and Urban Design

Students: Khue Trinh
Faculty: Meta Brunzema, Eniko Marton

CASTLE IN THE SKY – a 1986 Japanese animated film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki offers a new vision of “luxury”, a floating castle! It is built on and around a natural landscape with self-sustaining technology. Inspired by this film, existing and new buildings are connected by performative and psychological “green & blue” amenities. Specifically, the architectural design features an innovative rainwater harvesting system (capture, circulation, filtration, storage and reuse) linked by an array of storage ponds.

This project aims to redefine luxury living by using water as a design element to create aquatic views at a riverfront site, quiet pockets in a hustling City, and sustainable living in a close-knit community.