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 cloth.
Commissioned by San Luis neighbourhood group chief Caesar Salomon, the venture was designed to create a further water supply for locals.
Alsar Atelier, a studio based mostly 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 light-weight metal body wrapped in a plastic cloth referred to as polisombra, which is used to create obstacles round development websites, is extensively obtainable and could be repurposed after industrial use.
“Remodeling right into a semi-industrialized development context for the reason that early 2000s, this materials was launched throughout the Colombian development system comparatively not too long ago, and it’s hardly ever used within the casual environments of the nation,” Alsar Atelier founder Alejandro Saldarriaga informed Dezeen.
“Due to this fact, the venture additionally takes on a vital place on the standard development strategies of the self-built environments of Bogotá, concrete and brick, and introduces a cloth that’s simply assembled, sturdy, with brief development instances, and extra sustainable.”
The development of the construction took 5 days and was carried out by 4 area people members, with out using heavy equipment or concrete.
The studio needed the construction to serve for example of a useful, repeatable answer to the water wants of the group. It was donated to the group by means of 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 development 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 a substitute 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 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 improve in water provide and has “has grow to be a landmark” within the neighbourhood.
“The venture has additionally offered a possibility for the local people to study new development methods that promote sustainability,” mentioned the staff.
“This prototype serves for example of resilience throughout the self-built setting, showcasing that revolutionary and sustainable development strategies are attainable even in difficult situations.”
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 crops in addition to a Water-gen’s electricity-based machines which are utilized in battle zones.
