Rainpur Ark

What it does

Rainpur Ark addresses urban waterlogging and resource waste by collecting and purifying rainwater through layered filtration for reuse in irrigation and public facilities.

Your inspiration

What inspired me to solve this problem was witnessing frequent urban waterlogging during rainy seasons and realizing the vast amount of rainwater going to waste. I wanted to design a system that not only prevents flooding but also recycles rainwater for sustainable urban living. The idea came from observing how natural soil layers filter water, combined with research into modular paving systems and eco-friendly infrastructure. This inspired a multifunctional design that integrates water collection, filtration, and reuse into everyday urban environments.

How it works

**Rainpur Ark is a modular urban pavement system that collects, filters, and reuses rainwater through a multi-layered structure. The system is composed of surface drainage bricks, a first-stage water storage buffer layer, three filtration layers (gravel, sand, and bio-filter media), and a second-stage clean water storage chamber. When rain falls, water passes through surface seams and enters the buffer zone, temporarily holding it to prevent surface flooding. It then flows through each filtration layer, which removes particles, sediment, and microorganisms. Finally, the purified water is stored in a lower chamber, from which it can be pumped to supply urban irrigation systems or public sanitation. The system is low-maintenance, modular for easy repair or upgrade, and integrates seamlessly into existing urban infrastructure.**

Design process

**The development of Rainpur Ark began with field observation of urban waterlogging and interviews with residents in affected areas. I identified the core problems: poor surface drainage, lack of temporary water storage, and low reuse efficiency. Inspired by soil’s natural filtration and modular urban paving systems, I began concept sketches and function mapping. I designed a layered system combining drainage bricks, a buffer water chamber, multi-material filtration, and a storage unit. The first prototype was a scaled physical model made with acrylic and layered substrates to simulate water flow. Through testing, I found the initial water permeability was too slow, so I adjusted the buffer capacity and optimized filter media gradation. Later iterations introduced a maintenance hatch and sensor-friendly compartments for future smart integration. Visualization was completed with exploded views, section drawings, and system flow diagrams to clearly demonstrate each stage. The project evolved through continuous refinement based on feedback and testing.**

How it is different

**What sets Rainpur Ark apart is its fully modular, low-maintenance design that integrates rainwater collection, filtration, temporary storage, and reuse into a single pavement unit. Unlike conventional drainage systems that only focus on rapid water discharge, Rainpur Ark emphasizes water quality and reuse by incorporating a multi-stage purification process beneath the ground. Its layered structure mimics natural filtration while allowing surface replacement or component upgrades without disrupting the entire system. It can be flexibly applied in parks, campuses, or urban walkways, promoting decentralized, sustainable water management. The system also supports future smart expansion with built-in compartments for sensors and digital interfaces. This holistic, user-centered, and environmentally adaptive approach distinguishes Rainpur Ark from standard urban paving or stormwater drainage solutions.**

Future plans

**In the future, Rainpur Ark aims to integrate smart monitoring systems for real-time water quality and capacity tracking. I plan to collaborate with municipal planners to pilot installations in parks or campuses, followed by scalability tests in larger urban areas. Further development will focus on material optimization, modular standardization, and user-interface design for public awareness. The ultimate goal is to build a city-level decentralized rainwater network.

Awards