Floating Cultures is a visionary project aimed at revitalizing the Salton Sea by transforming it into a culturally rich and vibrant destination. The focus of the project is on developing a robust hydrology system centered around desalination to restore the sea to its former glory.
Located in the vast California desert, the Salton Sea, once a thriving cultural and tourist hotspot, has sadly deteriorated into a near wasteland marked by abandoned towns and environmental challenges. These include environmental degradation, poor air quality, and dwindling water supplies. This hydroculture project aims to address these pressing issues head-on.
Although desalination is at the core of this project, it also considers critical factors such as water sources, the sustainability of desalination alone, and the timeline for desalinating the entire sea, while exploring the potential of the role of art in revitalizing and envisioning a new cultural identity for the valley. Additionally, the project integrates desalination and hydrological systems seamlessly into existing landscapes while overlaying these with new programs.
The approach to tackling Salton Sea’s challenges involves two main components for the desalination system. First, a long-term initiative that involves bringing water from the Pacific Ocean to sustainably replenish the sea, with the desalination infrastructure located outside the Sea. Second, an immediate response focused on concentrating infrastructure within the Sea to begin the desalination process internally.
The project identifies key nodes that each hybridize different systems and their modes of production, landscapes, and programs. There are three core hybrid typologies—Desal + Agro, Desal + Eco, and Desal + Culture—each of which incorporates a unique programmatic are morphological mixture, and each of which is dependent on the landscape in which they are to be situated.



The Desal Culture node envisions the Salton Sea Valley as a cultural and event hub. Situated in a desert landscape, it integrates desalination systems with production landscapes, complemented by cultural venues such as museums, a cultural center, and event spaces. The core idea is for people to not just attend cultural events but to actively engage with and experience the integrated salination system and its processes, challenging the conventional belief that industrial operations should remain invisible to the vast majority of the public. Solar-powered desalination domes create a distinctive environment that houses event spaces, art galleries, cultural museums, and restaurants.



The Desal Eco node centers on these concentrated desalination systems within the Sea. This initiative aims to foster a floating culture that revitalizes the Sea’s ecology by creating habitats for fish and migratory birds, as well as clean water pools within biodomes. These efforts are designed to attract tourists with amenities such as trails, kayaks, cafes, and art displays, allowing visitors to experience and appreciate the natural ecosystems being restored.
The Desal Agro node addresses the pressing challenges at Salton Sea arising from extensive agriculture and declining water resources. Its hydro infrastructure takes an organic approach, following natural water flows and valleys. The design includes green features such as filter beds, water reservoirs, and green systems strategically placed along these hydro lines. These elements serve to rejuvenate and filter water before it reaches the sea, aiming to preserve and enhance ecological habitats while expanding green initiatives. Alongside water filtration efforts, the node emphasizes agricultural production as an experiential component, all while prioritizing the conservation of existing ecological preserves and habitats.