This idea has been archived
May 6, 2021
All authors
Costas Bissas
Abstract
Recycling water in order to put it back into use is a great idea and technical achievement. What if some of this almost drinking water is used to create a public installation enjoyed by many? A fountain where one can enjoy an ambient environment, relaxing and calming his/her mood?
Firmus Grey Water Recycle System (FGWRS) is a closed loop system able to achieve a recycle rate of up to 80% of grey water - water collected from showers, washing, cooking and condensation - and make it reusable for showers, cooking, washing and cleaning.
Until now, the system is used as a state of the art recycling system in order to increase water and energy efficiency. However, human beings have long had a relationship with creating interesting beautiful spots of calm within their living environments. A sense of place and belonging could be found by many next to a pond, a lake, a river or, when in a city, close to a fountain. Fountains tend to have a great power of creating an ambient enjoyable even romantic environment and, in the minds of some, almost have a supernatural dimension, one that can make wishes come true!
In the sense that humans remain humans, even in this age of space exploration and technological achievements, the Grey Water Fountain is a proposal for the creation of a site specific installation of a fountain in a designated location of an ESA building, using part of the recycled water created by the FGWRS technology. What is important is to have a visible and transparent connection between the location of grey water production, storage, where it is treated and how it is lead to the fountain, in order to be used.
The technology is currently available by a consortium established by Sherpa Engineering, EDF Optimal Solutions, Firmus and MRI and has been in part developed with ESA.
It uses a technology developed by and for ESA, placed in the public space for all to enjoy. In order for the viewer of the installation to visually understand the connection between the production of grey water and the fountain, the entire chain of the system process must be visually evident.
Buildings, in order to create a Genius Locus, a sense of place, use well known architectural elements, techniques and design features. The installation of a fountain, as one of these elements, which uses whatever grey water is produced in the building, offers a holistic perspective in how to use water for enjoyment and decoration, not just utility, having the least environmental impact.
How can one calculate, weigh and balance psychological wellbeing on the one hand and saved litres of water and KWatt of energy on the other?
This proposal, although saving water resources and energy as a closed system (FGWRS), has a deliberate open side to it, that of the fountain installation, possibly allowing some energy and water loss, only to better the wellbeing of the ESA building occupants and visitors, create a sense of place and belonging. A focal point in a communal space of the building.
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The installation requires architectural planning and modifications, should it be installed in an existing building. In case of it being installed in a new building, it can be a more feasible solution in its entirety - in that the complete chain of its parts are planned to be made visible.