Caigo

Cosa fa?

Caigo is a low-tech device for collecting atmospheric water: a sustainable and innovative interpretation of traditional passive water catcher. The collected water can be used for various aim: micro-irrigation of plants, watering bees, birds and wild animals.

La tua ispirazione

The project was developed from an analysis of the issues affecting the Venetian lagoon area. After conducting an interview with an environmental researcher at We Are Here Venice, we focused our attention on investigating ways in which it would be possible to take action in the lagoon to promote the development of biodiversity. A case study is honey produced in salt marshes: large quantities of fresh water are needed to quench the thirst of a swarm of bees, so beekeepers have to transport numerous tanks of water to the barena. Based on this observation, we decided to create a device that harnesses atmospheric humidity to collect fresh water.

Come funziona?

Raschel mesh is particular kind of net, it has a triangle pattern, with horizontal lines spaced 8 mm apart. The fibres are made of chemically-treated nylon with a thickness of approximately 1 mm. The hydrophilic exterior of this material captures water particles in the air such as humidity, fog and dew. Once captured, the water particles flow by gravity to the underside of the shell where they are collected. The hydrophobic core of the special nylon fibre ensures that the particles are not absorbed but flow without finding obstacles. In suitable weather conditions, Caigo catches an average amount of water of 5 litres per day. The water, captured by the rashel mesh, is used for water the plants, ensure a place where the bees can drink and provide water for wild species such as migratory birds depending on the accessory chosen.

Processo di progettazione

Caigo was born from a very specific case study: salt marsh beekeeping in Venice. Through research and interviews, we highlighted the problem of water supply, necessary for watering bees, as salt marshes are difficult to reach except by boat. From the water needed by bees to produce salt marsh honey, we expanded the field to all those cases that require a constant supply of water such as irrigating plants and watering wild animals, birds and other naturally occurring species. These are all non-anthropic uses that led us to think of a modular system that can be configured as required. The device is also low-tech and does not need any power supply, which makes it placeable anywhere. To ensure this freedom, the closed device is small in size and easily transportable by means of the carrying case. In addition, the raschel mesh, which develops inside the spring that joins the upper and lower shells, has a helix shape that favours the flow of water, inspired by the natural world and the peculiarity of some leaves to be able to convey water to the trunk and roots.

In che modo è differente?

Caigo, unlike other projects such as Warka Water and Fog Quest with which it shares water capture technology, is aimed at non-anthropocentric problems, at caring for small flora-fauna ecosystems. Designing for nature and the environment (More than human design) also means moving away from the purely capitalist market logic aimed at large-scale mass production; in fact, Caigo is made from recycled materials and with an innovative commercial logic. The shells are 3D printed with PLA PRO HT filament, a biodegradable material that can withstand high temperatures and UV rays, according to the principles of print-on-demand, i.e. once the buyer has placed the order, the printer starts making the shells and the product is then assembled. The spring is made from steel by local companies, while the raschel mesh is made by recycling discarded fishing nets.

Progetti per il futuro

A possible future evolution of this device retains the technology of passively capturing water particles but incorporates it within a building material to create new hydro-autonomous buildings and create small communities that utilise the water that is collected from their own housing units. A construction technology, a marvel of materials engineering. A type of cement that, thanks to its internal porous structure, filters the air, passively absorbing water particles and then conveying them into underground cisterns. The collected water is then filtered and made available for domestic and civil use, energy production and agricultural use.

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