Dew-Catching Inverted Pyramid wins Arup Water Challenge
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 03. 1.07
UK engineering firm Arup has been running the Drawing Water Challenge with WaterAid, looking for concepts, technologies, products or approaches to help people gain access to water.
The Winners were Joseph Cory of Geotectura and Eyal Malka of Malka Architects from Haifa, Israel. According to :: Dezeen: The device features 96sq m of dew collecting panels arranged in an inverted pyramid shape. The designers estimate each device could collect 48 litres of water a day in remote places or places with contaminated water supplies.
Below is a statement about the Drawing Water Challenge:
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Arup’s drawing water challenge has been won by Joseph Cory and Eyal Malka with their idea - WatAir.
WatAir is an inverted pyramid array of panels, that collects dew from the air and turns it into fresh water, in almost any climate.
The drawing water challenge was an international competition launched by Arup in September 2006. Inspirational ideas and concepts were sought to help bring clean, safe water and sanitation to millions of people around the world.
An outstanding response of 100 entries were received, from 20 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. The submissions were judged by Sir Christopher Frayling, Ken Shuttleworth, WaterAid’s Valerie Kuntz and Frank Lawson, and Arup’s Jo da Silva and David Glover.
1st WatAir - Joseph Cory and Eyal Malka, Israel
“A wonderfully simple concept which draws its inspiration from nature.”
Jo da Silva on WatAir
2nd Paddle for Water - Maxime Hourani, Lebanon
“A simple and effective idea using tried and tested technology.”
David Glover on Paddle for Water
3rd Use your Water - Christoph Wust and Eva Nemcova, Germany
“The future of sewerage in urban planning. All sewerage will be handled this way.”
Ken Shuttleworth on Use your Water
Highly commended submissions:
Life Band - Sam Wingfield and Ben Hodgkin, Faber Maunsell, UK
Portable Water Test Kit - Sadia Moeed and Tom Burgoyne, Environment Agency, UK
Rain Water Catch - Scott Wehner and Tim Hickey, Friends of Water, USA
Winning and shortlisted entries will be exhibited at The Building Centre, London until 7 March. Mon - Fri 9.30 - 6.00, Sat 10.00 - 4.00, Admission free.
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None of those plants need that water, right? How very eco-conscience.
Wouldn't an inverted pyramid under a tree just get clogged up with leaves?
Placing very large, plastic structures like these on top of plants and among trees really doesn't look as if it would be good for the local ecology. Perhaps the drawings are misleading and they are intended for more arid and lifeless environments.
Also, the metal posts and (presumably) concrete they require seems to undermine their ecological dredibility.