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Edaphic Effects
Edaphic Effects
601, Diamond Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Edaphic Effects
601, Diamond Street, Philadelphia, PA, United States
A prevalent problem facing cities and
regions is inadequate stormwater infrastructure. Sixteen billion gallons of raw
sewage get dumped into Philadelphia’s rivers and streams each year after rain
events. Because wet-weather flow is a dispersed problem, it has become
increasingly clear that it requires a dispersed solution. Consequently, cities
have started to explore alternatives for stormwater capture and treatment that
are decentralized and incremental, rather than a system-wide upgrade. Individual lots in aggregate can have a significant impact on
water quality. With funds being directed towards infrastructure rather than
recreational or public space per se, we must explore creative ways to use
infrastructural improvements as open space amenities.
This project explores the efficacy of customized substrates to
develop alternatives to conventional on-site stormwater collection. Utilizing
digital modeling and computer-controlled fabrication, we were testing whether
or not manipulating geo-cells (three dimensional in-grade structures filled
with gravel, soil or plants) can produce innovative infiltration features that
combine their functional requirements with a visibly expressive surface that
can add color, pattern and texture to vacant sites. Geo-cell configurations are currently limited by their uniform
geometry. By varying the cellular shape, density and profile, we can fabricate
them to produce a greater degree of variety and thus be more responsive to the
opportunities of small urban sites.
The customized geo-cell configuration was developed using
parametric software to visualize existing and redirected water flow patterns. These
patterns helped determine the geo-cell size and distribution of material
mixtures between planting and gravel. The prototype tested the use of both
conventional and alternative plastics. Test plot 1 was fabricated using
petroleum-based plastics common to geo-cells. The second test plot, however,
was fabricated using newer compostable corn-based plastics (polylactic acid
biopolymer by Natureworks). PLA is becoming more readily used in the packaging
industry. Its use, however, had not yet been extended to customized exterior
applications using laser fabrication techniques.
regions is inadequate stormwater infrastructure. Sixteen billion gallons of raw
sewage get dumped into Philadelphia’s rivers and streams each year after rain
events. Because wet-weather flow is a dispersed problem, it has become
increasingly clear that it requires a dispersed solution. Consequently, cities
have started to explore alternatives for stormwater capture and treatment that
are decentralized and incremental, rather than a system-wide upgrade. Individual lots in aggregate can have a significant impact on
water quality. With funds being directed towards infrastructure rather than
recreational or public space per se, we must explore creative ways to use
infrastructural improvements as open space amenities.
This project explores the efficacy of customized substrates to
develop alternatives to conventional on-site stormwater collection. Utilizing
digital modeling and computer-controlled fabrication, we were testing whether
or not manipulating geo-cells (three dimensional in-grade structures filled
with gravel, soil or plants) can produce innovative infiltration features that
combine their functional requirements with a visibly expressive surface that
can add color, pattern and texture to vacant sites. Geo-cell configurations are currently limited by their uniform
geometry. By varying the cellular shape, density and profile, we can fabricate
them to produce a greater degree of variety and thus be more responsive to the
opportunities of small urban sites.
The customized geo-cell configuration was developed using
parametric software to visualize existing and redirected water flow patterns. These
patterns helped determine the geo-cell size and distribution of material
mixtures between planting and gravel. The prototype tested the use of both
conventional and alternative plastics. Test plot 1 was fabricated using
petroleum-based plastics common to geo-cells. The second test plot, however,
was fabricated using newer compostable corn-based plastics (polylactic acid
biopolymer by Natureworks). PLA is becoming more readily used in the packaging
industry. Its use, however, had not yet been extended to customized exterior
applications using laser fabrication techniques.
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