Solar Water Heater

Component Preliminary Design – Design Abstract1:1 Studio: IDeX/Solar Decathlon Components Systems Aaron Pasquale - Architecture The component is a solar water heater.  This water heater is fundamentally different from others which suggests a specific range of application but at the same time offers different advantages over the mat-like applications commonly used all over the world.  The array is concentrically organized and loaded onto a column.  Direct solar energy is reflected by panels on the southern half of the array, onto solar vacuum tubes on the northern half.  The goal was to make the angle of the tilted tubes and panels vertically acute for safety and aesthetic reasons.  This was achieved by angling both kinds of panels and reflecting light so that the traditional 46 degree slant typically applied to one array of tubes was no longer needed.  The panels and tubes were loaded on a column and angled more acutely to retain use of space below and around the array.  There is a threaded rod loaded with levers that can spread or retract the panels.    Each vacuum tube contains two black copper tubes.  Thus the solar water heater becomes engaged in organizing architectural space.  For this reason we can now refer to it as a solar space organizer.                The solar space organizer (SSO)may be placed in the landscape or on roofs.  In either case it is possible to connect the SSO to a larger tubed plumbing system, or temporarily store water until withdrawal.  As a rule, in further development, it is important to retain the current alternative’s capacity to organize space architecturally. 

Flexibility within a Panel System

A system that could be comprised of different sized panels allows for the user to change and adapt to their environment. Flexibility within a grid is very important when trying to create an adaptive housing environment.

Panels that can be removed and exchanged for different style panels that serve different functions. A basic example of the first largest set of panels would be a 2’x5’ panel that contains the dark and light sides as discussed in class, to be changed throughout the different seasons. These 2’x5’ panels would be made up of four smaller panels (A) that contain various functions on their exteriors, or possibly even contain electrical or utility-focused functions. For panels that contain electrical or technologically advanced panels, in the case of a failure, the panels can always be replaced with a more functionally appropriate piece. One panel suggested (B) could also be made up of smaller panels that can be opened, twisted, and turned to allow for air flow, or be placed in front of another panel as a sun shade. Other panels suggested could consist of the hook system (C) also explored in class, to integrate interior and exterior elements such as planters (D) on the exterior or different useful systems on the interior that have not been explored yet. The idea is that multiple sets of different sized panels could be made to hook into this housing system.

Katie McGough

Environmentally Aware:

This design focuses on the idea of a low-threshold environment where the landscape and built objects work in sync. By immersing the living area into the hillsides (which are abundant in the Palouse), the user is able to experience his/her environment with every sense. By moving the living area underground, plant and animal corridors are left virtually undisturbed. The building will also be able to use geothermal energy as a means to equalize warmer temperature in the winter and cooler temperature in the summer. Within the building, a see-through, inner wall allows the user to see plant material growth and animal movement underground, as well as water infiltration through the soil. Additionally, the water will be seen as it is collected within a cistern before it is pumped up into the solar heated tubes. These tubes, which are “planted” within the landscape, mimic the form of the surrounding grassland. Once they are heated to a usable temperature, the water tubes can be harvested for use. This action brings the user up-close and personal to the process in which water is taken from the environment, and the energy that is needed in order to use it. Furthermore, water usage can be monitored closely to maximize efficiency and maintain sustainability. All of the processes combined allow the user to be more aware of his/her natural environment and their place within it – literally. -Trevor Thompson

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Water Collection System: Flexibility of a 2'x2' Module

[X]The goal for this module is simple – to collect water. However, when modules combine with the many functions at SmartFarm, the system becomes more than merely the collection of precipitation. An individual can carry and connect the module, which gives the system more freedom (without the need for machinery or specialists) and the user can decide how to use the module.The diagram illustrates four basic uses for the water collection module, which can be used alone or in combination depending upon the user’s needs and preferences. First, for large stalk-like crops such as sunflowers or corn, the module can simply be placed on the soil over the planted area. As the plants grow between the troughs, the module provides support and shelter for seedlings, and also allows water to reach the base of the plant. Excess water is collected in the troughs and can connect to a larger channel of an irrigation system. Second, the modules can be filled in with soil between the troughs and smaller crops can be grown. Small perforations in the troughs can provide extra water to low garden crops that perhaps require more precipitation. Vine crops can be grown on the module when it is arranged vertically, as shown in the third example. By placing the modules slightly at an angle, water runs down the troughs and connects to horizontally placed modules that again can connect to the larger irrigation system for the farm. Finally, modules can be placed on the exterior walls and/or roofs of greenhouses or dwellings on the site, and can also be used as a “gutter” system which could bring water into an underground rainwater storage tank and purification system. Modules on the walls can support vine plants as well.Valerie Bartels

Integrated Wall

*The INTEGRATED WALL is conceived as a layered assembly, allowing for thecombination of currently disparate systems into one cohesive building skin.*

This wall concept exists independent of structure, allowing it to be appliedto any construction method. The layers of function are organized (frominterior to exterior) as a *permeable finish* layer, a *data and electricity* layer, a *heat* layer, a *water* layer, and an *exteriorvegetation*layer. The data/electricity layer is the first layer underthe interiorfinish (as it will be accessed the most). Next is the heat layer, whichserves as a buffer between the water and electricity layers, providesradiant heating, and reduces differential heat loss to cold exterior air.The water layer (able to be replenished through the integration of arainwater catchment system) feeds the exterior vegetation layer, as well asinsulates the heat layer, preventing excessive loss of stored energy.Finally, the exterior vegetation layer serves to naturally insulate thebuilding and provides a place to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers.

These systems are all accessed by means of a universal plug, allowing anyvariety and combination of devices to be plugged in anywhere on the wall.This concept is based upon the idea of integrating ‘plug and play’technology into the built environment, creating a fully customizable,decentralized model for sustainable design. Such a model is not only moreefficient, but more redundant, allowing full building functionality toremain should one part fail.

-Cameron.Johnson

Portable Digestors

Anaerobic digestion, a decomposition process involving the use of bacteria in the absence of gaseous oxygen, can occur using almost any organic material. As organic material breaks down through successive stages, it gradually takes a form that can be utilized for energy. The advantage of anaerobic digestion over composting relates to the creation of both digestate (essentially compost) and methane gas (which can be burned for heat or electricity) as end products.This process is a sustainable one because the resultant CO2 emissions are part of a carbon cycle. This means that carbon sequestered within organic matter was recently in the atmosphere, and with the growth of more plants, will be sequestered shortly after emission. CO2 emissions from fossil fuels are not part of the recent carbon cycle because their carbon has been sequestered in the earth for millions of years, thus their emissions upset the carbon cycle’s balance.Currently, such a system is partially decentralized because it may occur wherever there is organic matter and is less capital intensive than traditional power plants. Yet, such activities typically occur in conjunction with highly-managed wastewater treatment programs and facilities. The concept with this component design is to humanize anaerobic digestion by converting the process to a scale that is 1:1 and allowing it to occur in one’s own backyard, garden, or farm. By creating tiny vacuums to anaerobically digest fallow fields, recharge the soil, harvest methane, and power small structures, one may further approach a decentralized energy paradigm.Alex Mann