ALYSSA
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
Alyssa, is a water purification and preservation system lead by algae, based on the balance between humans and nature. Nature as a guide, technology as bridge between man and planet, water as a shared resource.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
Alyssa is a water collection and purification system, a concept based on a 2031 scenario where the reconnection with nature will help in facing climate change and its consequences, especially what are called “Day Zeros”. The purpose is to create awareness in the use of water resources through the guidance of algae. The system has a tree-shaped structure where the different components allow to collect, purify and distribute water. The structure is also connected to an AI system capable of controlling the collected water and algae status through a series of sensors, even in anticipation of weather events and periods of critical drought. This system is not standing by itself, but it is connected to other satellite stations within the house. The whole system could moreover be in connection to other houses creating a community network of resources control.
The philosophy behind the project is: nature as a guide, technology as bridge between man and planet and water as a shared resource.
Key objectives for sustainability
The concept, set in 2031, deals with the effects of climate change and in particular with the phenomenon of "Day Zeros". These are days characterized by a total lack of water availability, and in the future they will occur more and more frequently affecting the entire world population. The idea of sustainability at the basis of the concept is summarized in the principle of "Rewilding", which has been defined as the need to rediscover our primary instincts to achieve a state of balance and well-being of the ecosystem, raising nature as our guide in the administration of natural resources. The system exploits the ability of some types of algae to purify water, which is collected and distributed to the domestic environment, through a management that takes into account the mutual dependence at the base of the algae-man relationship.
The amount of water availabile to man is linked to the well-being of the algae themselves, since an excessive consumption of the resource would compromise their well-being and consequently the balance of the system. Algae are seen as a conscious guide to the value of the resource, underlying a bio-centric community that relates the needs of multiple organisms in the ecosystem.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The concept is a service for self-support and shared well-being, which becomes an integral part of the home system.
The core of the system is centrally located in the domestic space, with the rest of the structure branching off to reach the peripheral areas. The central unit of the system is composed of several bubbles that act as reservoirs, intersecting with each other to create a configuration that takes on monumental value in the house.
In this sense the plant, understood as a natural element, is considered as a tenant that is placed at the same level as the person. Humans role is to learn and communicate with it.
The mediation between man and nature takes place through technology, with a digital interface that allows us to monitor some of the system's data such as the amount of water collected, the period in which this takes place and forecasts about future "Day Zeros". In addition, it gives us information on biological parameters of the algae to monitor their state of well-being and purification capacity in relation to it.
Key objectives for inclusion
The concept of the project in question is based on man's urgent need to reconnect with the ecosystem, promoting sustainable exploitation of resources as opposed to their uncontrolled exploitation.
There is therefore a need to rediscover the importance and primary role of nature in human dynamics, through its reintroduction into the domestic community as a guide aware of the value of resources. This concept challenges man to take his responsibility towards the nature he inhabits and that surrounds him. So we move from an anthropocentric vision to a biocentric one, in which man recognizes in plants a sensory superiority to which he relies to manage resources, materializing the concept of "Rewilding" as previously illustrated.
In this sense, the algae in this project are not a simple tool to be used for water purification, but an educational tool to use a resource through the creation of a balance in which man regains his place in the ecosystem through a proactive approach.
Innovative character
The concept bases its essence on the innovative role of nature, seen as a guide towards a conscious use of resources, playing a role that is usually given to technology.
Alyssa is therefore a living organism that inhabits and lives on a par with man.
This interdependent relationship creates a bond both functional and human, through a mutual care between algae and man with the common goal of rebuilding a balance of the ecosystem. In fact, man so far has shown that he is unable to preserve the planet through his selfish actions.
In this sense we are not only talking about a conscious exploitation and sharing of resources, but also about a path of reconciliation with nature that man implements and that sees algae as the central point at the base of it.
