Salt, often seen as a modest material, plays a pivotal role in shaping ecosystems, cultures, and human civilization. Despite its small size, salt’s influence extends from the microscopic level to global systems, making it a compelling subject for archival and design exploration.
This project was inspired by a photograph in the article “As Ice Melts, the Inuit Strive to Keep Their Culture Alive” from Discovery Magazine (September 2019), depicting an Inuit girl collecting and drinking seawater directly. The phenomenon of aged sea ice producing fresh, drinkable water—caused by salt sinking into the ocean—illustrates the dynamic nature of salt in natural processes. Historically, the Inuit, indigenous to the Arctic, did not use salt for food preservation due to their reliance on fresh and frozen meat. Yet, salt remains essential for bodily functions, underscoring its universal importance to all living beings.
Salt also plays a critical role in global systems, particularly through its influence on ocean currents. The melting of Arctic ice introduces significant amounts of freshwater into the ocean, altering its salinity. These changes can disrupt global current systems, which regulate marine ecosystems and climate patterns. Such disruptions have far-reaching consequences, potentially affecting fishing areas and food security, particularly in regions heavily reliant on fisheries for protein and economic stability.
Beyond its ecological significance, salt is deeply integrated into human society. To begin with, it serves as a seasoning, preservative, and odor remover in food. Its therapeutic benefits, such as in salt baths, promote physical relaxation and mental well-being. Industrially, salt is indispensable for enhancing color fixation in dyeing and printing, ensuring vibrant, long-lasting hues in textiles. Furthermore, its abundance and adaptability present untapped potential as a sustainable building material.
Based on these insights, my project envisions a global network of salinity detection stations, with two iconic designs situated in extreme environmental conditions. These stations highlight salt’s multifaceted importance while reflecting its cultural and environmental significance:
Arctic Bay Station: Located in a region defined by the absence of salt, this station serves as a global salinity monitoring and research hub. It also includes a therapy space that utilizes salt panels in its Trombe wall design, showcasing salt’s healing properties and its interplay with light and heat.
Punta Gallinas Station: Situated near one of the world’s largest evaporation pools in Colombia—where salt is historically referred to as “white gold” by the Wayuu people—this station features a global salinity monitoring hub and a weaving workshop that celebrates the Wayuu community’s vibrant textile traditions while highlighting salt’s cultural significance. The building itself is constructed using salt-infused bricks, integrating the material into its very structure. The design incorporates a large, overhanging roof that creates deep shadows, providing relief from the harsh climate of Punta Gallinas. This roof extends to connect seamlessly with the ground, forming a multifunctional space that can serve as both a play area and a drying surface for materials used in the weaving workshop.
Both stations follow a unified architectural concept, with interlocking wing-like forms. At their core is a kitchen and dining area, symbolizing the universal presence of salt in both global and local contexts. These spaces address the fundamental needs of living beings and emphasize the role of food and cooking as unifying elements across cultures and geographies.
Through this project, salt is revealed as a material that transcends its physical properties. It symbolizes interconnectedness, sustainability, and the profound ways in which even the smallest elements can influence the world.
