Design studio Alsar Atelier and designer Oscar Zamora have created a construction in Bogotá, Colombia, that may gather 200 litres of water per week for the local people utilizing a easy construction draped in material.
Commissioned by San Luis neighbourhood group chief Caesar Salomon, the challenge was designed to create an extra water supply for locals.
Alsar Atelier, a studio primarily based in Bogotá and Boston, labored with Nicaraguan designer Oscar Zamora and native official Edison Plazas to create a fog catcher that was constructed from reasonably priced, easy-to-assemble supplies.
The construction consists of a lightweight metal body wrapped in a plastic material known as polisombra, which is used to create boundaries round building websites, is broadly obtainable and might be repurposed after industrial use.
“Remodeling right into a semi-industrialized building context for the reason that early 2000s, this materials was launched throughout the Colombian building system comparatively just lately, and it’s not often used within the casual environments of the nation,” Alsar Atelier founder Alejandro Saldarriaga instructed Dezeen.
“Subsequently, the challenge additionally takes on a essential place on the normal building strategies of the self-built environments of Bogotá, concrete and brick, and introduces a cloth that’s simply assembled, sturdy, with brief building occasions, and extra sustainable.”
The development of the construction took 5 days and was carried out by 4 local people members, with out the usage of heavy equipment or concrete.
The studio wished the construction to serve for example of a purposeful, repeatable answer to the water wants of the group. It was donated to the group by the collaborative efforts of the designers, officers and the Colombian Society of Architects.
“The fog catcher, apart from recollecting water and holding a greenhouse, additionally serves for example of low-tech building innovation throughout the San Luis Barrio, and helps familiarize group members with the fabric, and hopefully, they will begin utilizing the sunshine gauge metal body as an alternative of concrete and brick,” Saldarriaga continued.
After the water condensates on the material, it flows in the direction of PVC piping on the backside of the construction, the place it may possibly later be collected and used for gray water and for agricultural use.
In response to Saldarriaga, the system can seize as much as 200 litres of water per week throughout Colombia’s wet season.
The collaborators consider that the prototype will assist alleviate dependence on native utilities with its enhance in water provide and has “has turn into a landmark” within the neighbourhood.
“The challenge has additionally supplied a chance for the local people to study new building methods that promote sustainability,” stated the crew.
“This prototype serves for example of resilience throughout the self-built setting, showcasing that modern and sustainable building strategies are doable even in difficult circumstances.”
Different comparable water-harvesting methods embody artist Mary Mattingly’s mesh-based gravity system used for an set up in New York Metropolis meant to filter rainwater to develop vegetation in addition to a Water-gen’s electricity-based machines which might be utilized in battle zones.
