RegenARCHIV
Interdisciplinary project in collaboration with the Science and Society Office Berlin
Concept
The RainArchive is a participatory installation on the campus of TU Berlin that spans a period of five years—the average duration of a university degree. Every month, the collected rainwater is used to create a layer of clay-lime. This process visualizes the semi-annual precipitation in the form of layers, with the resulting clay columns serving as physical infographics that illustrate the impacts of the climate crisis on rainfall.
Once created, the clay columns invite people to sit on them while also functioning as an archive and exhibition object in the foyer of the new pavilion. The arrangement of the objects and the varying thickness of the layers encourage us to question our relationship with rainwater in construction and the existing standards for water quality.
Storyboard
Philosophy
Rainwater is often regarded as an adversary in architecture—an external element from which buildings and their materials must be protected. During the construction process, we strive to keep rainwater at bay using plastic sheeting and other protective measures. At thpotential of rainwater during the construction processe same time, we use water in the production of various building materials, with concrete being the most prominent example. Especially on campus, particularly in the main building, we are confronted with this controversial material.
But why don’t we harness the potential of rainwater during the construction process? Is it possible to use rainwater instead of tap water for the production of building materials? Furthermore, the question arises regarding sustainable alternatives to concrete that exhibit similar properties. What innovative building materials could integrate rainwater while offering more environmentally friendly solutions?
exhibition of the design (3rd place)
