Abstract
This design intervention focuses on addressing the
critical challenges facing the contaminated and
disconnected Hartbeespoort Dam, North West,
by repurposing its existing infrastructure. The
central objective is to create a public interface that
celebrates water as a precious natural resource
and integrates harmoniously with natural systems
to restore the dam's ecological health while
fostering a profound connection between humans
and their environment. The research explores
regenerative theories and innovative architectural
interventions, designing a system that supports
closed-loop processes such as vermiculture,
aquaponics, and bioremediation to revitalize
the dam area. The study adopts a comprehensive
research methodology involving context analysis,
critical theories, and visual thinking to guide the
architectural response effectively. The dissertation
aspires to provide a blueprint for sustainable
interventions that rejuvenate the Hartbeespoort
Dam and inspire broader initiatives to promote a
holistic coexistence between urban communities
and their natural surroundings.
Water is a fundamental natural resource essential
for all living things, but human activities have
disrupted its delicate balance, resulting in
negative consequences for the environment. The
Hartbeespoort Dam, located west of Pretoria and
northwest of Johannesburg, is currently facing
contamination and disconnection from human
and natural interactions. The primary objective is
to repurpose the existing infrastructure, creating a
public interface that emphasizes the significance
of water and fosters integration with natural
systems to restore the dam's ecological health and
reconnect humans with their environment.
Methods: The research methodology involves
context analysis, secondary data analysis, and
qualitative data collection to comprehensively
examine the challenges posed by the contaminated
dam. Critical theories, literature, and contemporary
indigenous architecture are explored to inform the
architectural design effectively. Visual thinking
and problem-solving are emphasized in exploring
architectural concepts and solutions.
Concept and Design Approach: The design
concept aims to create exchanges between the
site, infrastructure, and users, highlighting these
exchanges through services spaces and language,
inspired by High-Tech architects' design approach.
The articulation of service spaces allows users to
understand and engage with the processes involved.
Infrastructure Repurposing: Three key aspects are
explored for infrastructure repurposing: celebrating
water heritage and its importance, transforming
single-use spaces into multifunctional ones, and
reconnecting humans with nature by adapting
inaccessible buildings to enhance public
connectivity. The objective is to create a positive
recreational space that emphasizes water's
significance in our heritage and promotes healing
scarred landscapes.
Regenerative Approach: To achieve sustainable
coexistence with natural systems, regenerative
theories are employed, focusing on extending
possibilities for the future. The design intervention
aims to create a new public interface with the
Hartbeespoort Dam's water infrastructure as
a regenerative monument, changing people's
perceptions and fostering a paradigm where
natural resources are valued and cared for.
Conclusion: This dissertation seeks to address
the critical challenges faced by the Hartbeespoort
Dam through repurposing its infrastructure to
create a public interface that celebrates water and
restores the ecological balance. By incorporating
regenerative theories and innovative architectural
interventions, the project aims to reconnect
humans with nature, fostering a harmonious
coexistence between urban communities and their
environment. The dissertation serves as a blueprint
for sustainable architectural interventions,
inspiring broader initiatives to promote a holistic
approach to water resources and encourage
responsible environmental stewardship.
The primary focus of my study is to analyse and
understand the composition and structure of
water hyacinth, which currently has no practical
application or market value.
Program Space Requirements:
Hartbeespoort Dam witnesses the removal of
approximately 120 tons of water hyacinth annually.
To effectively decompose this amount of waste
and create 1 ton of compost per year, 1,440,000
worms are needed. Each new vermiculture bed
can accommodate 10,000 worms. Thus, to convert
all 120 tons of hyacinth into compost, 144 new
vermiculture beds would be required. However,
having such a large space dedicated to this process
would become redundant as the hyacinth problem
resolves itself over time. Additionally, the hyacinth
is removed from various locations around the dam,
making it inefficient to transport it to one central
location.
Summary and Focus
A more viable approach is to establish five smaller
vermiculture systems strategically placed around
the dam. These systems can be gradually phased
out as the hyacinth is reduced. The smaller systems
can be effectively monitored through the collection
of organic waste from urban areas. Moreover, the
buildings housing the vermiculture systems can
also serve as communal areas, providing spaces
with direct connections to the water.
Current Vermiculture System:
The existing vermiculture system receives 20 tons
of hyacinth each year but is unable to convert it
all to compost. The proposed new system will
require 24 vermiculture beds to process this load
effectively.
Additional Benefits from Water Hyacinth:
Apart from compost, water hyacinths offer other
valuable resources, such as fibres. For instance, 100
kg of freshwater hyacinth can be dried to obtain
10 kg of dried hyacinth, from which approximately
1 kg of fibres can be extracted (Kongkiat Export,
2019). These fibres possess various beneficial
properties, including being lightweight, strong
(with an elasticity that can hold between 10 to 20
times its own weight), and capable of moisture
absorption.
Potential Applications of Hyacinth Fibers:
The extracted hyacinth fibres offer numerous
possibilities for use:
1. Brick Manufacturing: The fibres can be blended
with clay in different ratios (30%, 20%, 15%, and
10%) to test their suitability in brick manufacturing.
2. Yarn Manufacturing: The fibres can be blended
with materials like cotton, polyester, silk, acrylic,
rayon, and modal to explore their potential in yarn
production.
Overall, the study aims to uncover the untapped
potential of water hyacinth and its various
applications, from compost generation through
vermiculture systems to the extraction of valuable
fibres for diverse industrial uses. By effectively
utilizing water hyacinth resources, we can address
environmental challenges, create sustainable
solutions, and potentially contribute to the
development of innovative materials and products.