Vertical Desalination Tower

Architectural Design Competition

In 2019, as a team of designers, we created an architectural concept for the multi-functional tower in South Africa.

team: Marta Wroblewska, Maciej Marszal, Bartosz Kolodziejczuk

awards: Editor’s Choice Award in Evolo Competition.

Story

“As I stand here beside you, I reflect on the hardships the African people have suffered. We all know very well of the harsh climate that haunts this land. High temperature, lack of water and scarce materials have never spoiled this soil. Furthermore, history taught us about the brutal era of colonization and about the following years that were filled with turmoil and hatred.

Map of Africa:

Map of Cape Town:

Even thought Africa was the origin of our civilization, it has never had a chance to keep up with the development of the world. The situation is slowly changing and someday we might finally see the true spirit of this continent. However, due to the global warming, I Fear for the future. It is said that the climate changes become more visible, where climate was challenging in the first place. Cape Town is a city that can confirm this like no other.

Streetscape:

Just by analyzing basic statistics, everyone can easily conclude the situation of the city. High percentage of adolescent people is characteristic for developing and young countries. Cape Town’s population grew from 2,4 million in 1995 to 4,3 million people in 2018. This tendency can be observed first-handedly in the vast suburbia regions emerging spontaneously around the city.

Data:

Furthermore, significant differences in income add up to the whole social image. Comparing this to other cities, only these few aspects are a lot for one to manage, however Cape Town faces a much bigger problem that could determine its future existence.

Water levels:

The problem I am talking about is the drought that started in 2015. At first, it seemed normal for this type of climate so far a long time it had remained neglected. But when Theewatersklof Dam started growing smaller on a day to day basis, everyone sensed the incoming catastrophe - Day Zero. And if the water storage level declines to 10%, we will face it.

Day Zero means that in every house in town, taps will be turned off and the water would be only obtainable in special relief centers, As abstract as it may seem for us, city had to introduce restrictions to save the remaining water. Living by using only 50 liters of water per day was a challenge that everyone strove to attain.

Hopefully thanks to everyone’s commitment and additional rainfall, the drought ended in February 2018 and after nearly 3 years, we observed with joy Theewatersklof Dam being flooded with freshwater.

Now the level is said to stand at 56%, but Day Zero has been merely rescheduled for 2019. We all know that it is still coming, and we know that if we want to see the city and the country flourish, something must be done.

And I have to say, it has been done. Taking experience from the drought, council of Cape Town swiftly focused on providing another source of drinkable water. As the city lays next to the Atlantic Ocean - the second biggest ocean in the world, the solution seemed to be within a grasp. However, after years of insecurity citizens were also desperate for something to look onto with hope for the future.

These two important aspects came into fruition in shape of a cactus tower placed in the center of the city. Underneath its vibrant moving elevation, the tower hides a fully-operational desalination plant that safeguards a stable flow of freshwater. Even thought its functionality is complicated, it can be divided into few categories and steps.

The tower also aims to create a much-needed social and cultural building for the city’s community to gather and share a “symbolic” glass of water. Apart from the desalination plant, the full program consists of residential apartments, gardens, office floors and also of educational and exhibition area.

As the current crisis is being taken control of, we are well aware that the next one might appear. If we want to get through it, we need the knowledge and the cooperation of the future generations. Focusing on educating people on water saving and ecology might ensure our survival.

And if we want to learn something new, the best source of inspiration comes from nature. Cactus plant have been mastering water saving and shading for ages. In case of drought, they change their diameter in order to reduce the amount of evaporated water.

Nguni hut

During higher insolation, its ribs serve as additional shading for its trunk. This mechanism served as a basis for devising structure of the moving elevation.