Project Update Report

Design Improvements
A10.1b // Shannon Reece // Biomimetic Design

//

08/05/15

The purpose of the Project Update is

to discuss modifications to the design
based on evaluations against Lifes
Principles and subsequent
recommendations.

Project Description
This design concept is being explored
in collaboration with Catapult Design.
As the name suggests, the house is
designed with water at its center and
all water-related activities are
clustered around this precious
resource. The purpose of the design is
to explore the natural world for clues
and strategies on how to deliberately
orient the layout of the home around
water. Animals on vast plains and
deserts order their lives instinctively
around the water hole. By ordering
their lives in a similar fashion, people
would become much more resilient
and able to live less dependent on
present infrastructure.

Improvements
Valves, sensors, and smart system
The design needs to incorporate sensors and valves that keep the tank from
overflowing or running dry. It also needs
a system that communicates and coordinates with water-related appliances and reports water consumption to
residents. Finally, the house will include
an electronically controlled emergency ration protocol in times of extreme
drought. All of these measures will
protect the water supply and encourage residents to form good water-use
habits.
Tank improvements
A secondary prototype needs to explore the possible placement of the
tank higher in the air compared to

water-related activities in order to use

gravity to create water pressure. The
tank also needs to be sub-divided into
redundant compartments so that if water is lost from one compartment, the
others will remain intact.
Excess water
Once the pool and primary tanks are
full, the house will divert excess water
to outside garden areas and then on
to secondary tanks on the peripheral
of the property for community water
sharing.
Heat and Sunlight
The design will incorporate a smart
shade system for the atrium dome
that automatically adjusts for light and
heat in order to protect from evaporation and excess heat. The design will
also incorporate a passive solar water
heating strategy.
Building materials and methods
The ground level of the house will be
built using rock gabions and rammed
earth. Upper levels will be produced in
a factory using bamboo timbers and
retired shipping pallets.
Biophilic design strategies
Roof sections will be arranged in such
a way that water can be seen and
felt by residents as it cascades into the
pool. Room arrangement will take into
consideration a delicate balance between efficiency and interaction with
the surrounding environment. Some
rooms may share walls to cut down
on material cost. However, the design
must maintain an openness and accessibility in every room to light and nature
outside.

Checklist

Sensors added
Higher water tank position
Divided tank / redundant compartments
Use local and earth materials on ground floor
Factory produced modular upper story
Smart water system that communicates with residents
Excess water diverted to outside gardens and community water share tanks
Smart shade system for atrium dome
Waterfall roof design
Optimal room arrangement
Mandatory low-flow schemes for all water-use appliances
Passive solar water heating