Water Harvesting Tree
The overarching goal of this project was to work with a small team to help The University of Pittsburgh achieve one of the goals identified in their Sustainability Plan, specifically by designing a way to collect and use rainwater on campus at Pitt. After researching our problem and conducting interviews, we found that the main main points of our users are that Pittsburgh has a very old pipe system
and so when rainwater runs into the sewer drains, they will overflow and dump sewage into the nearby rivers, interrupting their ecosystems. We also observed that our campus becomes very muddy when it rains and has minimal coverage.
This data led us to create three designs: an awning and gutter system, a water collection tree, and Permeable Pavement. Initially, I focused on creating the design and prototype for the permeable pavement. After conducting many interviews with students and staff from the university, we decided to pursue the Water Harvesting Tree as our final design.
Sketches
Permeable Pavement
The tiles have gaps between them and rocks underneath, which allows water to flow through. Below is a mesh-like material that allows water to filter into a collection container, which has pipes that distribute water elsewhere. This will help reduce the amount of water flowing into sewers and puddling on walkways.
Awning and Gutter
The base of an awning has a lip that is designed to catch the water and direct rainwater toward the gutter, which will then be directed into a collection unit. This will shield walkers from the rain, as well as prevent rainwater flowing from the streets into the sewers and causing the to flood.
Water Collection Tree
The leaves are funnel shaped to collect rainwater, which then flows into the pipe-like branches toward the hollow trunk of the tree, which stores the collected rainwater. This will provide cover from the rain and reduce the amount of rainwater flowing into the streets, as well as create a natural aesthetic in a mundane urban environment.
Final Design
Water Harvesting Tree
From the interviews we conducted with our potential users, we found the most important pain points our design needed to address were:
- Cost
- Aesthetic value
- Efficacy and Practicality
- Ease of installation
From this feedback, we created a new prototype which addressed the needs of our users.
Find more information about our design process here.
Our design won the Freshman D/E Showcase and the opportunity to present our Rainwater Harvesting Tree prototype at the Pitt Senior Expo!