Warka Tower is a passive structure designed to harvest water from the atmosphere (rain, fog, dew) providing an alternative water source for rural populations that face challenges accessing drinkable water.
Its a remarkable 30-foot-tall structure built from biodegradable materials .The mesh surface captures moisture, which then condenses and is funneled into a collection basin at the base.
It has been implemented in communities around the world, including in
Ethiopia,
Haiti,
Madagascar,
Colombia,
Brazil,
India,
Sumba, and
Cameroon,
offering a low-tech, sustainable solution to water scarcity.
Architect: Arturo Vittori
Organization: Architecture and Vision
Purpose: Atmospheric Water Harvesting
EVOLUTION
Full-scale prototypes in order to test different materials within varying environmental conditions.
Strategy for Design consider:
The design depends on the local environment:
- Meteorological conditions,
- Site geomorphological characteristics,
- Local indigenous culture,
- Natural materials available.
Environmental requirement :
Locations with high rates of fog or humidity are the best places to install the Warka Tower.
The water harvesting capacity strictly depends on the meteorological conditions and the aim is to distribute from 40 to 80 liters (10 to 20 gallons) of drinking water every day for use of the community.
Local natural materials:
Local, natural materials, biodegradable and 100% recyclable materials(no concrete, plastic, or steel). Some of the materials are:
Bamboo
Earth
Wood
Water
Raffia Palm Leaves
Raffia Bamboo canes
Lianas
Dry Straw
Dry Reeds
The tower is also designed to be easily built with simple tools and maintained by local villagers without the need of scaffolding or electrical tools.
Function:
It functions only by natural phenomena such as gravity, condensation & evaporation.
Doesn’t require electrical power. Warka Tower is designed to be owned and operated by the villagers, a key factor that will facilitate the success of the project. The tower not only provides a fundamental resource for life – water – but also creates a social place for the community, where people can gather under the shade of its canopy for education and public meetings.
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