SunHopes is a novel design paradigm that explores original use of photovoltaic technologies for utilization of solar energy while satisfying a growing need for a sustainable environment. We suggest using a lighter-than-air helium-filled platform containing embedded photovoltaic arrays (PVA) in order to extract electrical power from the incoming solar radiation.

The goal is to develop an efficient, portable, land area-independent, inexpensive and reliable energy source for all, thus contributing to promoting society by decentralizing and diversifying energy resources while generating an ecological coherence between humans and nature.

Many concepts can be developed:

1. A simple, helium-filled spherical balloon containing a PVA on the outer skin surface
2. A paraboloidic balloon with a transparent upper part and an opaque lower part containing paraboloid-shaped photovoltaic cells on the inner surface, thus increasing the solar radiation conversion efficiency
3. The same balloon where the inner collectors are replaced by mirrors, and the upper transparent part contains a PVA at the focus of the inner paraboloid-shaped mirror, thus concentrating and augmenting the solar radiation.

Spatial and vertical arrays of the different balloon types will use minimal footprint while producing unlimited energy. It constitutes an accessible, portable and infrastructure-free access to electric power in diverse locations.

Designer Name:
Joseph Cory + Pini Gurfil . Geotectura

Link:
www.geotectura.com
Awards:
Runner-up in the RE:Vision Design Competition

In a call to the challenging competition held by Arup and WaterAid to improve the access to safe water for billion people we suggested the integration of existing ideas and technologies through sustainable guiding principles.

The WatAir design will simply produce water from the air. WatAir should bring Change and Hope with its simple and efficient approach! We looked at the spider web and the water on leafs for inspiration. Our water web is a social design inspired by nature through its symbiotic relationship both with nature and rural dwellings and can be easily deployed within the eccentric environments as well as deployment on rooftops in dense cities. Minimal footprint of the device on the ground together with vertical and diagonal design will increase collecting area via gravitation and will save space on the ground for other activities such as: Shading for outdoors activities, playground for children etc. The shading canopy will prevent vaporization while protecting from rain and heat the people beneath. Parachuting capabilities to remote and isolated communities increase transportation efficiency and gives greater freedom, saves time and improves productivity.

The compact lightweight packing can be installed easily via its flexibility in the spatial arrangement through different layouts and even folding option during day time. Optional PV elastic panels can produce clean & free energy along side the dew and rain collection in order to supply all the energy needed for the other basic necessities.

In order to increase public’s awareness to the problem and to the possible solutions we used simplicity as our design process. Our design should be with in reach for all people around the world. Our architectural background helped us to see beyond the technological solution and to give more functions and deeper meanings to it all.

The WatAir has humanitarian aspects, education potential and sheltering capabilities. In order to make safe water an accessible reality worldwide we had to take into consideration minimal cost for the manufacturing of the product, easy and quick deployment in remote places, practical solution that will also work as environmental regenerator and as educational icon.

By printing logos and advertisements on the canvas sheets it will be easy to convince potential sponsors to pay for the manufacturing and the shipment cost of the products. Local art and literature will make it a culture event. The design has minimal special demands. It is low tec and low cost and in fact can be even produced with local means.

Designer Name:
Joseph Cory + Eyal Malka . Geotectura

Link:
www.geotectura.com

Awards:
1st prize in the Drawing Water Challenge Competition

The i-rise manifests an ecological approach that is far removed from the romantic attitude of the common single family house. The i-rise is an experiment of both practical and theoretical level transforming the single family house from its traditional horizontal land wasting state into a vertical state which is much more economical and ecological.

The footprint of the new residential structure is only 5 meters by 7.5 meters. The re-configuration of the house holds great potential in reducing existing social, economical and technological gaps. The construction of the i-rise is significantly cheaper and faster, due to industrial prefabrication of the structure, easy transportation options, and a quick building process. People will be able to inhabit the i-rise in several weeks.

The process of “planting” the building in the foundations is very similar to the process of planting a tree, and does not require extended infrastructure preparations. It is just as easy to uproot the construction in order to recycle it or to move it into a new location.

The Brain Unit functions as a heat isolated hanging roof and contain other systems such as a simple solar system, utilizing 3-D pyramidal panels that expand the active surface area of the unit, thus achieving maximum exposure to the sun. Energy utilization through simple and easily-sustainable technologies on the one hand, and energy saving through built-in recycling systems on the other hand are all basic necessities in the sustainable era and should not be luxuries and expensive elements.

By bringing the ecological awareness to the majority of the people we will be able to make a positive impact on our planet. Frederick Kiesler once said that:

“The answer is not in the comforts of technology… The answer lies beyond the idea of function. As we can see around us, the whole idea of function is in constant evolution, and I think it is the duty of the architect to foresee, to plan, to forefeel his way toward the future in order to be planning properly for today.”

Designer Name:
Joseph Cory + Eyal Malka . Geotectura
Links:
www.geotectura.com

Awards:

• 3rd prize in the International Shinkenchiku Residential Design Competition, Japan, 2005
• 1st prize in the Project of the Year Award (Conceptual projects category), Israel, 2006
• Runner-up in the Metropolis Next Generation Award, USA, 2007

Although Bamboo is usually associated with traditional building style the Bamboo Diamond prototype is a modern interpretation combining the traditional benefits of this ecological material together with the sustainable needs of today.

These are the leading principles of the design:

Structural Integrity:
Skeleton infrastructure of structural bamboo straps & lattice joists
Bamboo poles in a spatial arrangement for strength & stability
Optional reinforced brace panels
Simple girded layout

Material & Technology:
Cost effective materials
Prefabricated construction
CAD into CUT & numbered process effectiveness
Fast structural & cladding installation
Individual aesthetics adjustments on the site
Modulated system panels with different functions & colors
Double layer inner wallboard for fire protection
Insulation & acoustic layer + air gap layer
Dual glazed windows + sliding louvers

Function Flexibility:
One or two story building (120 sq.m. for up to 8 visitors)
Multiuse functionality (Family/Resort/Hybrid)
Can be attached to other Bamboo Diamonds
Different floor plan options & façade arrangements
Livable roof garden on top of the structure
Affordable investment

Ecological Responsibility:
Minimal site impact via minimal footprint on the ground
Adjustable panels according to climate & orientation
Indoor air quality through climate regulators
Passive ventilation & proprietary ventilators
Vertical and horizontal wind shafts
Sun and rain shading canopy
Natural daylight is manifested in the entire space
Organic vegetables garden using rain accumulation

Energy Concerns:
Self sufficient house
Off-the-grid electrical system
PV panels with maximum sun exposure on the roof
Passive solar gain panels for thermal storage
Wind turbine

Designer Name:
Joseph Cory

Link:
www.geotectura.com

By Robert Roy Britt
Senior Science Writer
posted: 07:00 am ET

What comes out of the human body and goes into a toilet is often thought of as an end product. But for future residents of Mars, human waste will need to take on a more vital role.

Like becoming fertilizer for growing food.

Because it costs thousands of dollars to lift every pound of stuff into space, and even more to get it to Mars, mission planners don’t want to waste a thing. Human excrement, being rich in nutrients, can be a composter’s dream. So a group of European researchers is taking on the task of figuring out just how to safely manage a high-tech Martian outhouse.

Because somebody, of course, has to do it.

The European Space Agency is building an “artificial ecosystem” near Barcelona, Spain, that will use three rats to test an idea for processing rodent waste with microorganisms. The rats will be kept under close veterinary supervision throughout the test, according to ESA officials.

Rats, it seems, have more in common with humans than you might have realized. Their oxygen demand and carbon dioxide production are roughly equivalent to ours, for example. Certain microorganisms, on the other hand, have a penchant for dealing with whatever comes their way.