Water – Designing a Biovernacular

This project, with its final result being an extra efficient water filter, is focused on water treatment in places where there isn’t an adequate or available public water supply. Around 20% of Slovenes are not connected to the public supply, and even those who are often prefer to use water which they collect from other, natural, sources. There is a common belief that spring water in Slovenia is clean, but since a large part of Slovenia lies on karst grounds, it is difficult to predict the flow of groundwater and the accompanying pollution.

Team

PJoRkkala

Mentor

Shneel Malik

Website

pjorkkala.si

Instagram

@pjorkkala

Team Members

Žan Girandon
Pia Groleger
Ema Kapelj
Zala Križ
Luka Pleskovič

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Prototyping and  testing process

Pjorkkala
2:50

A short insight into the xylem filter and ceramic filter making processes, a sample analysis of water contaminated with E. coli, a 3D model drawing and 3D printing of clay.

Pjorkkala – the team mentored by Shneel Malik, an architect, biodesign researcher and social entrepreneur – is addressing the problem of pollution in natural water sources in Slovenia by creating prototypes for local, nature-based solutions. The location chosen as a pilot area for the project lies in the Triglav National Park, where, contrary to public belief, spring waters are quite contaminated.

The filter, named Dodola after the Slavic goddess of rain, offers an affordable solution by combining vernacular materials and practices, natural and physical phenomena and contemporary production processes. The installation of intricately shaped filtration modules purifies water of contaminants as small as bacteria, leaving behind desired constituents such as minerals. It’s made of clay mixed with organic material and fired in a way which increases its porosity. The gyroid structure which accelerates the filtration of water by increasing the available surface area of the module is achieved by 3D printing. Following principles inspired by the Archimedes’ screw, Dodola moves water through the filter by relying on the flow of the water it is placed in, meaning it can work in remote locations where electricity isn’t available.

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Dodola

Photo: Bor Cvetko

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Pjorkkala section of  BIO27 Exhibition at MAO

Photo: Klemen Ilovar / MAO

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Dodola filter

3D printed with a mixture of spruce, clay, beech sawdust, Pjorkkala

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Spring Lipnik

6:00

The location chosen as a pilot area for the project lies in the Triglav National Park, where, contrary to public belief, spring waters are quite contaminated.

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Public Programme

Workshops Creating the Water Filter

Photo: Lin Gerkman

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Website

pjorkkala.si ↗

Project Excellence Award 2022 by Distributed Design platform
Shortlisted for DesignWanted Award for Concept Design 2022
First prize in the category of Social Innovations at Zagreb Design Week 2022
Nominated for Green Product Award 2023
Nominated for The Index Project Award 2023
Special presentation in collaboration with Floating University Berlin at 4th Tbilisi Triennial
Special presentation at Berlin Design Week 2023, Young Talents exhibition

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Awards and nominations