Lumi Rainwater Tanks Make Water Storage Glow
by Jacob Gordon, Nashville, TN on 10.12.06
Architect Katrina Logan doesn’t want to have to hide rainwater collection tanks because they’re ugly. Rather, she’s taken a piece of urban ecology infrastructure and made it an artful design component. Her Lumi rainwater storage tanks are satin acrylic shapes that glow in the sun and are illuminated at night from within. Light passing through shows the water level, and Logan envisions them on the balconies of high rise developments. The Lumi can come in a variety of colors or patterns (including commercial “wraps”) and sizes ranging from 250 to 1100 liters. Another integrated water storage system, the Waterwall, also serves multi-functions but Lumi is pleasing in that it satisfies both function and visual aesthetic, and is more akin to the ambitious Hydro Wall. Logan’s Lumi design was the 2006 winner of the The City of Melbourne Sustainability Design Award, part of the Premier’s Design Award. :: Jetson Green via Hugg
Love it. That is nice... so is it made out of recycled material?
Or could I specially order it out of recycled material.
Its a box that glows... They won awards for that? wtf
The water in the tank is exposed to sunlight during the day and to artificial light in the evening. That sounds like a perfect environment for algae growth. Does the water need to be treated with chemicals?
It looks stunning, though.
JG: Wow, great question! Perhaps the designer will emerge and answer that.
Why would it need to be. Is the water supposed to be potable? If you just use it to water plants or grass why worry?
The Lumi looks much more contemporary than my rain barrel. Spiffy!
I second antarctic74 - algae would definitely grow in the rain barrel. I have wooden rain barrels and there is algae on the sides of them. But like Jilted said, for watering it seems fine.
Regarding use on high rises: I have yet to see a high rise that does not have an integrated water collection system that funnels water from the roof and eaves directly into the sewer or ground. These pipes sometimes run through the interior building. So retro-fitting with the Lumi might not be possible.
But I think rainwater collection is always a great feature!
One might also wonder about the weight of 250 liters = 250 kilos= 550+ pounds of weight on your balcony...
I think this would be a great idea for individual homeowners (and apartment owners) as well. The only way you are going to get your average consumer to go for environmentally friendly things is to make it pleasing to the eye and affordable. It always seems like it's one or the other; rarely both. Perhaps if they came in a variety of styles to accomodate different tastes (all the while made from recycled material), it could take off.
It's essentailly a water butt but offers nothing new except the fact that some people might find it a little more aesthetically pleasing. The fact that there are lights to (pointlessly) illuminate the tank at night makes this product less green than a plain old-fashioned water butt that doesn't need any electric power.
So... I'm assuming it's an open top container... this is a beautiful piece of equipment, but I live in Canada and the West Nile virus is very real here, which means standing water in our gardens is a big no no as it's where mosquitoes breed. Can someone address this issue?
How about also using the thermal mass of the storted water to advantage (like in a "trombe wall") - and thus also reducing or eliminating the need for air contitioning and/or heating.
Re algal growth - it will eventually block the passage of light through the tank walls (the design "feature" of this tank), and slow or even block water flow (even when only using for gardens).
Will this product be imported to USA? soon i hope. I'm really impress by the "artsy" look. What are the basic costs and size available? If i order from down under what shipping charges can i expect.
When will these be sold in the US?????
Lumi tanks should be available in the US by November 2008. You can place advanced orders by calling: 928-308-5992.
In response to the alage question- Algae grows as a reaction from UV exposure. The inner tanks are UV protected for that very reason. The top of the tank is not wide open for mosquito breeding. You fit your downspout into the top inlet, and a screen on top of the tank provides filtration and acts as a barrier for bugs.
wow these look insane! when will they be available in australia ?
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Water Tanks Australia
Here is an Idea, get 2 of these tanks, a Solar panel and/or Windmill generator. Use the Solar/wind energy for electrolysis of the water, run the H2 O2 mix through an engine attached to a generator for a little extra energy for the house, the exhaust into a water holding tank(as the exhaust is water and oxygen) and there you go, pure H2O drinking water.
p.s. process works great with saltwater too.
It is pretty but I do feel not necessary.
I want to do some sort of water catch... but i don't understand. David Suzuki (a wonderful fellow treehugger, you should check him out...) just sent out an email this week saying to iliminate still water for breeding mosquitos... don't water catches do just that??