Beyond serving as a practical solution to the environmental crisis, the proposal is a symbol of the past, present and future of Kiribati. A new ground for serenity, abundance, and most importantly, the prosperity of communal relationships, it creates space for gathering and hope for a tenacious and resilient people.Â
The chain of atolls that composes Kiribati becomes a ribbon that wanders atop the surface of the sea, honouring the space occupied by existing islands and leaving voids behind to memorialize the sacred land as it retreats beneath the surface of the ocean.
Like the oblivion of the ocean around it, the new world for the Kiribati people has no boundaries. An elegant dance of resilience and fragility, the meandering chain of pathways and structures can be extended to allow for the introduction of additional links as the transition from land to sea progresses.
As the landscape evolves, so does Kiribati culture. However, the project aims to protect and nurture the population’s highest unchanging value: community. Families transition from household huts to custom assembled floating homes with movable parts that produce personalized spaces, promoting intimacy in both proximity and spirit. Free to roam the local waters or take refuge beneath the curves of the Trace, families command both complete fluidity and a place of ceaseless belonging among their shared communities.
Communal spaces along the Trace reinforce the strength of Kiribati ties. In addition to dedicated structures for gathering and prayer, modules for agriculture, livestock, and fish farming are incorporated along the new atoll. Driven by a blend of societal traditions and innovative technologies, the production centers draw energy and water from photovoltaic panels and solar stills, assisting the people in achieving abundance and collective prosperity when combined with generations of expertise in generating sustenance.
