By: Johnny Hartsfield

The city of Saitama Japan started construction of its colossal storm sewer system in 1992 and is now open for tours.  The extensive system was built to avoid city-wide flooding during the typhoon season and is composed of giant concrete silos (65m tall and 32m wide) connected by 6.4km of underground tunnels.  Extending 50m below the surface, the system also contains a giant tank that is 25.4m tall, 177m long, 78m wide and a total of 59 concrete columns.

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By: Johnny Hartsfield

Water conservation is beginning to take on a whole new look with Harris A’s recent entry into the Reece Design Competition.  This new bathroom design concept collects the water the has been used to wash your hands in the bathroom sink and recycles it to flush the toilet.  Both sink and toilet will be directly connected so that water can drain from the sink to a tank where it waits to be used when the toilet is flushed.   

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By: Johnny Hartsfield

For most of us, we are becoming more aware of our carbon footprint, but do you have any idea how much WATER is required for the production of the food you eat?  The Virtual Water Project , executed by German designer Timm Kekeritz, is making sure that you do.  Kekeritz graphically represents the concept of Virtual Water on a double-sided poster that uses silhouettes and typography to show the relationships between fresh water consumption and food production.  What is your Water Footprint?

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By: Johnny Hartsfield

David L’Hôte has designed a rainwater collection system that will change the way people think of rain barrels.  If you are like me, most of us envision small scale catchment devices to be in 55-60 gallon recycled barrels that had previously stored imported food.  We all know of these right?…the orange, blue, white or black plastic barrels with the bug netting laid over a screw top lid and a water spicket at the bottom.  The Rainpod is a design concept that not only has a unique aesthetic but also a changing shape.

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