The Water Trap

An adaptation of skyscrapersfor a more sustainable use

Through the use of multiple Biomimetic elements, all of which assist in the utilization of added measures, convert a skyscraper into a massive water collector which will benefit the building and its surrounding. Also intergrated with this idea is a design element so that the building doesnt look shitty. Through use of site analysis, structural consideration and also porosity between the interior and exterier, the modular element becomes scattered and resized. Which if you look in the diagrams portion, youll see more on that. Anyways, the skin, which is made with concrete specifically designed with hydrophobic surface, which allows the water to travel down the building more efficiently and quickly. In addition, because of the properties of hydrophobic surfaces, any rain, moisture or mist will become cleaning agents for the building reducing the need to maintain the skin to a low minimum. That is the passive strategy in the building skin As far as the active elements goes, the module is designed with reference to the mechanics of the venus flytrap. With an stable element and an expanding element, the movements is controlled and the system is simplified. The plastic screen, which acts as a pod when activated, retains water and guides the water into the building to reuse throughout the building. this phase is more benefittial ina more active water situation, in case of rain or heavy mist, since the hydrophobic wall will also direct the water down into the pods. On the other side of the plastic screen is a water attractor, as it draws moisture from the air, mist or the atmosphere. This drawn water, will through hydro-tension, staty attached to the surface until it travels also into the opening that will lead the water into the building for use.

Photo Montage

Simplified Section
Inner Element/ Plastic Screening

Structure Biomimetic Skin Module Interior

Outer Element/ Movement controller

Water Collection Area

On

Off

Interior

Mechanics
Off Phase
Atmospheric Air

On Phase
Mist and Rain Traveling Water Drops

Transition

The Outer Element of the module is dragged inside the skin, reducing the length of the outer element, which changes the dynamics of the module and causes it to create a platform which is then used as a water collection system.

Biomimetic Precedent

Pulled Moisture from atmosphere and condenses as water. Then it travels down into the water collection area and from there flow into the building

Traveling Water

Sample Rendering Systems

Information Link
If Active for more than 3 Phase: Unit Deactivate Odd Number of Activated Neighbor: Unit Activte Even Number of Activated Neighbor: Unit Deactivte Phase 20 Transition time from one phase to the next is equal to time it takes from On to Off. SInce the modules have various shapes and tranisition time, the facade is non uniform, a cluster in one area could create a different result in another area Phase 500 Phase 1 Phase 200 With layers of rule attached to the programming of the module, along wih a varied consideration in the sizes and shape of the module, the constant movement of the facaed can also be treated as a secondary layer of design element. With the programming capable of being controlled by the users within, the building can be essentially shut off should the desire come to it. Since the programming is designed so that the moduel resond firstly to the user output, whether or not it stays active or not is dependant on the users. Because of the levels of water collection due to the building and physics, the bottom levels tend to have a shorter trasition time than the top because it has to accomodate the waters that also fall from the hydrophobic skin. The ground is going to be filled with landscape so that the water would not go to waste should the building skin be turned off and excess water falls to the ground.

Final Concept Model

Phase 100

Phase 1000

Biomimetic Inspiration / Diagram

Flytrap Mechanics Flytrap Trigger Should the Trigger Hair be touched within a 20 second time frame more than once, or if more than one trigger hair is touched at the same time or if one trigger hair is touched for a period of 6 seconds, then the fly trap will activate. Flytrap Jaw Mechanics To facililate the flytraps consumption, the two pieces of the jawlike leaf work together in order to trap its victims. The cells of the Outer Epidermis expands which then expands the entire Outer Epidermis and forces the Inner Epidermis to move closer to the center to accomadate the growth, since the Inner Epidermis is unaffected by the growth. This rapid expansion, comparable to a balloon happens instantly

Facade Porosity Consideration

Cilia Cilia Inner Epidermis Inner Epidermis Outer Epidermis Outer Epidermis

Unchanged

Trigger Hair

Trigger Hair

Trigger Hair
No skin (Completely Open) w / skin (Partially Open

Open

Closed

w/ Porosity Hierarchy

Initial Concept Model

Biomimetic Inspiration

Biomimetic Diagrams

Biomimetic Diagrams