Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Watertower / eVolo Skyscraper Competition 2010 : By Hugon Kowalski of H3AR

Sudan
Hugon Kowalski of H3AR
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong
Image © Courtesy of H3AR
Hugon Kowalski of H3AR recently designed the Watertower which was inspired by a water tower and also by the symbol of the African savanna – the baobab. This proposal is part of the 2010 skyscraper competition hosted by evolo magazine.
Image © Courtesy of H3AR
Image © Courtesy of H3AR

Project description by Hugon Kowalski of H3AR This is a special year for Africa. it’s been 50 years since UN Declaration about the independence of African nations which was the end of the colonization and exploitation of the third world countries. Year 1960 was called Year of Africa.
Image © Courtesy of H3AR
The conflict over water and land in Sudan has created political unrest for decades. However, in 2007, scientists from Boston university discovered and underground lake in the region of darfur, Sudan. this lake is tenth biggest lake in the world (31, 000 m2) and would have great potential in resolving the conflict if managed correctly.
Image © Courtesy of H3AR
Addressing this water issue, polish firm H3AR architect and design recently proposed a building that allows access to underground waters through the application of water pumps.
Image © Courtesy of H3AR
The form of the building was inspired by a water tower and also by the symbol of the African savanna – the baobab. the building houses water pumps, a treatment plant but also a hospital, a school and a food storage center. This building is meant to provoke economical development but also stimulate cultural exchange and the coexistence of the three different religions and languages in sudan.
Image © Courtesy of H3AR
The design proposal was part of the 2010 skyscraper competition hosted by evolo magazine the building walls are constructed using compressed dry stacked clay bricks, made on site using a rough mixture of earth, cement and water. the bricks would be baked in the hot sun, thus, requiring no extra energy and limiting the environmental impact of the materials.
Image © Courtesy of H3AR
The choice of using this technology represents the desire to introduce alternative and sustainable technologies within a context that is tied to stardardized though not always optimal building practice.
Two water circulation processes would be in place. first set of extracted water is meant to heat or cool the building, and is accessible to the users. second, set of extracted water is used for the building itself (i.e. kitchen, toilets).
site plan--drawing Courtesy of H3AR

section--drawing Courtesy of H3AR

site plan--drawing Courtesy of H3AR

diagram 02--drawing Courtesy of H3AR
The people
Architects: Hugon Kowalski of H3AR
Location: Sudan
Images: © Courtesy of H3AR