For my final project I wanted to deal with water. I chose this topic because according to my research I realized that water contamination is a huge issue that the world has to deal currently. I wanted to design a prototype for a quick water filter which would clean a small amount of any kind of hazardous water in residential areas where people don’t have access to enormous water cleaning systems. This experiential design would show people how they can produce clean drinking water with the help of gravel and sand. So for this prototype we will need:
1.Some gravel (cover the entire surface of the flower pot)
2.Sand (6 table spoons)
3.A flower pot (this has to sit on top of the transparent cup)
- Measuring cup
- Coffee filters (2)
- Transparent container to get the product/clean water
Process:
- Place the flower pot with a small hole under, on the transparent cup.
- By this way, the filtered water would be visible in the filtered container.
- On top of the flower pot, put coffee filters, sand and gravels.
- In the measuring cup, pour the water, mud, dirt and etc.
- Then, mix them well.
- At the end, you’ll be able to observe the clean water in the glass container.
Design Part
I want my prototype to look like an object that can be displayed at home, balcony or garden. So, it had to be appealing and different than any other type of water filter which only has functional qualities. So, in order to achieve this goal, I designed the transparent container as a decorative object. I wanted it to apply to a terrace interior design and accordingly I designed a botanical cover for the exterior look of my prototype. It wouldn’t look like a water filter and it would just enhance the interior look of a place. It is still functional since it can filter some rain water without any intention when it is placed in a garden, terrace or balcony.
How Does the System Work?
Layers of sand and gravel, arranged according to density and sand particle size, trap and strain particles in the water. Water flows relatively fast (5 to 30 metres per hour) through the layers. Filtered water is then collected in the container.
The sand and gravel traps:
1.Small bugs or organisms
2.Algae
3.Zooplankton
4.Suspended dirt
Real Life Examples
