How Design Can Save Us: Waterhog and Groundhog
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 12.27.07
Even as Atlanta and Florida were running out of it, people still were sprinklering their lawns; that is why climate change is such a hard sell, it doesn't affect us personally and immediately yet. In Australia, they have been feeling the effects of drought for a couple years, and it has led to changes in government, attitudes and design. Architect Sally Dominguez applied her design skills to the problem and came up with two products: The Waterhog, a clever modular rainwater harvesting system that simply bolts to the wall, is very shallow to fit in sideyards against the house, and an interconnection system to make it expandable. It doesn't look like a rain barrel or a silly water butt, it is efficient, effective, logical design.
She also designed the Groundhog, a simple tank designed to go between floor joists to add thermal mass to a lightweight structure; it absorbs heat in the daytime and reduces it at night, saving on heating and cooling in climates with big temperature swings between day and night. Energy savings: Huge.
Two examples of how good, clean simple design can solve big problems. ::Waterhog via ::Cribcandy
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- GreenBuild: The Rainwater Pillow
- Water, Water, Everywhere, nor Any a Drop to Drink
- Focus on Focus Earth: Western Water Woes
- GreenBuild: Richard Moe Has a Tough Row to Hoe
these are especially good, too because they can be hidden in a structure, so even people for whom appearence is more important than function might use them.
Fantastic! At last, something from the design folks that makes practical sense! Adding thermal mass is so important. Can the water be solar heated, to help in cooler climates to extend the sunny season just a bit?
The between the floor joists design would put the solar hear right under your feet in the wintertime, very cozy, and practical! Love it! I could even put a water jacket to my fireplace and save excess heat for nighttime. Hope these tanks are available at Home Depot soon.