The Solar Rain Funneling Pavilion
(A public art gathering place installation)
Michael Jantzen
© 2015
www.archinect.com/michael-jantzen/projects
The Solar Rain Funneling Pavilion is a proposal for a large public art gathering place installation that would make electricity from the sun, collect rainwater, and clean the air for the community in which it is built. The entire structure would be made of photocatalytic concrete, which can neutralize pollution in the air turning harmful smog into harmless compounds that can be washed away. The upper portion of the pavilion is formed into a gigantic funnel that collects rainwater, and directs it into a large cone shaped storage reservoir at the base.
Various kinds of plants are contained around the perimeter of the cone creating a lush public garden, which is watered with the collected rainwater. The excess water is accessible by the local community to be used in anyway they see fit.
A large ring shaped array of solar cells are mounted around the perimeter of the funnel on the top. These solar cells make electricity from the sunlight, which is used to pump the collected rainwater for irrigating the public garden, and for suppling the local community with the excess. Some of the solar electricity is also used to light the pavilion at night.
Four stairways built into the lower cone allow visitors to access the entire garden through a series of six pathways that branch off from the stairs, and encircle the entire base.
The Solar Rain Funneling Pavilion is one in a series of public art proposals created by Michael Jantzen in response to his personal desire to make art that helps to keep the planet greener. This particular project was designed to display ways in which artists might respond in a positive way to the current drought conditions that are devastating much of the planet.
Status: Unbuilt
