AquaTerra Oasis
AquaTerra Oasis is a Carbon-Capturing Desert Tower. Merging sustainability with innovation, the tower captures CO₂ and H₂O to green the desert, support remote communities with water, and create a self-sustaining ecosystem that thrives in harmony with nature.
Living System Design
The structure functions as a living system, actively contributing to the environment rather than merely blending into it. Drawing inspiration from plant-covered buildings, the design captures CO₂ while supporting the growth of plants and crops, which symbolizes regeneration. The circular layout maximizes efficiency, with modular air capture machines that can be configured for different scales and locations. This flexibility ensures that the system can adapt to various desert environments, transforming barren landscapes into self-sustaining ecosystems.
Sustainability & Impact
AquaTerra Oasis exemplifies a philosophy of circularity and symbiosis with nature. Designed specifically for desert regions, the tower captures both CO₂ and an equal amount of water from the air, transforming what might be considered waste into valuable resources. This captured water is repurposed to support local communities, irrigating green spaces and fostering microclimates that reduce temperatures. Inspired by center-pivot irrigation systems, the design leaves vibrant green circular patches around the towers, enhancing the landscape and creating a visually striking contrast against the arid environment.
Constructed from sustainable mass timber panels, the structure is lightweight yet durable, minimizing its carbon footprint while providing the necessary framework for air capture and plant growth. AquaTerra Oasis redefines the relationship between architecture and the environment, transforming it into a regenerative system. This innovative system not only greens the desert but also creates self-sustaining ecosystems that support life in some of the most challenging environments on Earth. AquaTerra Oasis envisions a future where architecture actively contributes to environmental
Inspiration & Purpose
This project reimagines the industrial form of production towers, which have historically contributed to CO₂ emissions. By transforming this shape into a tool for air purification, the design creates a powerful contrast between past pollution and future sustainability. Inspired by water-harvesting structures in desert regions, where fabric captures water through condensation, the project demonstrates how natural processes can be harnessed in extreme environments. The tower is designed to integrate with the landscape, functioning not just as a technological installation but as an ecological system in harmony with its surroundings. Rather than against it serves as the core of my design, ensuring that the structure harmonizes with the surrounding environment.
A design studio inspired by natural materials, biology, marine life, and vernacular architecture, we ground our work in fieldwork and hands-on practice. We blend theory, research, and real-world experiments, immersing ourselves in inspiring environments, allowing us to design innovative systems.
About the exposition
Carbyon challenged four young designers to envision CO2-capturing machines. From nature-inspired designs that blend into the environment to bold concepts showcasing the technology and capturing process, each offers a unique perspective on a sustainable future. Their work is displayed during the Dutch Design Week 2024 in Eindhoven.
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