INSPIRATION:
First – in my arrival to Berlin – I had a trip to a forest outside the city. The big amount of moss that was there amazed me and made me very curious about this material. At the same time this project began and I started to think about how I can use this plant to make our urban life better and more sustainable.

After some research I found interesting  FACTS:
• Dried Sphagnum can absorb up to twenty times its own volume of liquids, such as blood, pus, or antiseptic solution, and promotes antisepsis.
• Additionally, being commonly found throughout the UK, sphagnum moss was cheaper than the alternative of cotton wool dressings – which in World War One had been commandeered for the manufacture of munitions. The moss was often collected by women and children, and was sorted, dried, and packed into muslin bags.
The absorbent properties and abundance of Sphagnum make it the most used taxon among the bryophytes.

When I realised it I made a connection to another fact that always on my mind: Tampons, pads and panty liners along with their packaging and individual wrapping generate more than 200,000 tonnes of waste per year, and they all contain plastic – in fact, pads are around 90% plastic.
The average user throws away an astonishing 125 to 150kg of tampons, pads and applicators in their lifetime.

ACT:
In my process I searched for the right way to use the moss in the menstrual products world. I focused on the pad because they consist of much more plastic than tampons.

The first thing I tried was to grow the wet moss on some kinds of fabric. I hoped that the moss would connect the fibers of the textile. After a few weeks I saw there is no change, meanwhile, I started working with the dry sphagnum.

I used the dry moss, as a filling for pad-shaped pockets.
This product was practical as a reusable pad but then I understood that I wanted to focus on a disposable solution.
After some research about what organic materials can be combined with the moss to create new light flexible material that will have the absorbent properties of the sphagnum, I start cooking and pressing the moss with agar and glycerin.
When i got to the right shape and thickness that absorb the tested amount of liquid,
I looked for another material to wrap everything and make a softer feeling. For that I used the tea filter that was made from abaca pulp.
I also used wax to connect everything and make the edges a little bit stiffer.

IMPACT:
The impact of organic menstrual pads can be huge worldwide. The womens period is a silent field that started developing in the last few years to more sustainable solutions. In my choice of using cheap, fast growing materials I believe that this product can be more accessible to low socio-economic areas with less awareness of the climate change problem and the existing solutions.

Yali Paz, 5.sem exchange student Bezalel Jerusalem, WS 2020/21

MOSSY PADS DOCUMENTATION

FACT:
Climate change is no longer just a theory, a calculation by scientists about the possible effects of greenhouse gases on the global climate, it is now tangible, even if in Central Europe to a still modest extent. Nevertheless, it is getting hotter, year after year, and drier. The amount of precipitation is slowly but steadily decreasing. In 2019, for example, annual precipitation was 85% of the long-term average. This deficit is also having an impact on the city’s trees, and in the particularly dry years of 2018 and 2019, more than 7000 trees died in Berlin as result of a lack of water. Although the city already invests a lot of money in the irrigation of trees, especially young trees, it also needs the help of the population to provide the trees with sufficient water in summer.

ACT:
AMULA is a proposal to make this water supply easier. AMULA collects rainwater that would otherwise run off the roofs of residential buildings directly into the sewage system, where it would be mixed with regular wastewater, and makes it available directly at street level. In this way, the system makes it much easier to access water for watering trees, which can help encourage citizens to take more care of the trees in their neighbourhood. In addition, the rain barrels create a place to linger and relax, but also for gatherings and neighbourly exchanges, thanks to their shape as benches.

The intended material is stainless steel. Since the containers should remain filled with water even in winter, in order to store as much rain as possible for possible dry periods, and water expands when it freezes, the containers should be made of a resistant, durable material. In general, stainless steel is better suited to withstand all weather extremes than, for example, plastics, which would become brittle, especially with prolonged exposure to UV radiation.

To prevent the tanks from bursting in the event of freezing, the benches are designed with sloping sections so that the resulting pressure of the ice can be distributed. To ensure this, the tanks should also be filled to a maximum of 75% with water, which corresponds to about 300 litres of storage volume per bank.

The connection to the downpipe of the rain gutter is made by a so-called rain strainer, which can be connected to the first bank of a row via a flex pipe using a bayonet fitting. Due to the hollow concrete bases, the individual benches can be coupled to each other so that the water can be distributed evenly to all the connected tanks. The water is drawn off via a standard ¾-inch garden hose connection, which is equipped with a stop valve. This makes it possible to draw off the water simply by connecting a simple garden hose.

Hendrik Lucka, 5.sem WS 2020/21

AMULA  DOCUMENTATION

FACT:
• As one of the effects of global warming, the world is heating up around us year by year.
• According to various weather predictions, by the year 2050  the average temperature in Europe will rise in 1.8°c, and during the warmest month, it will likely increase by 6.1°c. Such a change will significantly effect the human’s way of life in these areas. The European countries, which until now had to deal mainly with cold weather, should prepare for warm summers. During the last few years the heating effect began to be noticed, and questions arise about the correct solution.
• In urban spaces there is a heating effect called ‘Heat Islands’, making it warmer than the surrounding countryside. The ‘Heat Island’ effect is caused by the urban structure, which absorbs the suns heat more than natural landscapes, and the lack of air flow, since it is blocked by the many buildings and structures un the city.

Common heating systems in the cities, such as various air-conditioning devices, consume high amounts of energy, hence sending us on a search  for new cooling systems and mechanisms, which will be sustainable, low energy and healthy, for humans and for nature.

ACT:
In this project I want to propose the WATERWALL, a new sustainably cooling element, suitable for different public urban spaces.
The WETWALL will preform as a cooling element in two levels:

• As a small part of the general effort of making the city a cooler and more sustainable space.
• Creating cooled areas where the people could stop and relax for a while in the midst of the city.

The WATERWALL is a brick wall, made out of terracotta clay, designed so that once when it is wet it will cool the air around it. This technology of cooling can often be seen in warmer regions of the world, where the people have used them for many years as cooling systems.

The bricks are made out of terracotta clay, a porous material, which is good for absorbing liquids and holding them for longer times. During the manufacturing of the bricks, small grains called ‘Shamot’ will be combined with the clay, making it more fit for the changing weather throughout the year.

Each brick will be created by casting, and will be square shaped with a conic opening going through it, enabling the air to go through it easily. These openings, among other things, will increase the surface area of each brick, and thus also its cooling efficiency.

The water source is in the municipal water system spread under the city. The water is led by a plastic water pipe to the top of the wall, where it is released and poured down the wall, wetting the bricks. Each brick is lined with horizontal grooves that help the liquid to spread effectively and efficiently on its surface.

At the bottom of the wall are openings that collect the remaining water, later routed back to the top of the wall for reusing.
As part of the wall, a bench and sunshade are included, giving the passers-by an option to stop and enjoy the cool feeling.
The flow of water will be activated during the summer and will be stopped during the winter, in order to prevent water from freezing inside the bricks.

IMPACT:
The assimilation of WATERWALL elements throughout the city is one small step among the many steps required to cool down the city and make it a more sustainable and wholesome space. In addition to taking part in the urban cooling effort, the WATERWALL will be new element in the public space, which will invite passers-by to stop next to it, cool down and relax.

Alma Abrahamson, 5.sem exchange student Bezalel Jerusalem, WS 2020/21

WATERWALL DOCUMENTATION

WATERWALL, back view

WATERWALL, front view

WATERWALL, perspective view

WATERWALL, pipe side view

WATERWALL, brick pattern close-up

WATERWALL, pipe water nozzles

WATERWALL, brick

WATERWALL, constellation

WATERWALL, constellation back

WATERWALL, in urban environment

WATERWALL, brick dimensions

WATERWALL, wall dimensions

Ribbed clay samples

Ribbed clay samples, water testing

Mid-semester presentation

Mid-semester presentation, with person

Mid-semester presentation, top-view

Clay test model

Cardboard test model

Cardboard brick test model

Cardboard brick test model

FACT:
There are around one million raccoons in Germany right now.
Since they were introduced in the 1930s into the wild they have multiplied in great numbers and are now a danger to many local animals. They hunt and kill small birds, salamanders, they raid nests, and much more. They even started attacking a small German type of turtles.
The damage they cause in cities is equally as big, they live in parks, raid trashcans and sometimes they make their way into houses and start living in the attic or destroy our living spaces. Just another problem that we and our environment don’t need.

Recently the European Union has classified the raccoon as an unwanted species. Since then it is hunted in great numbers, in twelve months from April 2019 to March 2020 around 200.000 raccoons were killed by hunters. The problem is that most of them are then simply thrown away, as most people don’t really know what to do with them or how.

In the twentieth century raccoon fur was highly sought after, nowadays it has become difficult to find, meanwhile the meat is regularly eaten in America where they originally came from whereas it is very rare that someone from Germany has ever tried raccoon meat, even though it is no more problematic to eat than common pig meat. Once it has been checked for Trichinae like any kind of pig or boar it can be simply prepared the same way as deer.

ACT:
This guide wants to show what we are surrounded with all the time and what we could do about it and even profit from it. Some of the steps might seem rather brutal, meanwhile others are very much possible and some are not as problematic as one might think. Why should we not eat an animal that is killed in big numbers instead of throwing it out for example?

This is one of the questions this project wants to raise and make you think. And maybe there isn’t even a real answer to that except for ‚I don’t like the taste if it’.
Though you should first ask a hunter if they might be willing to get some raccoon meat for you so you can try it yourself.

Lukas Dilger, 3.sem WS 2020/21

RACCOONHUNTING DOCUMENTATION

The complete and final raccoon guide in form of one big sheet

The inside of the Cover stating facts about the raccoon in Germany and what this guide wants to do

The fully folded out guide

Inside is the guide in A1 format and can be folded out.

The QR-Code to view the complete guide online, or find the guide online HERE, Created by Andreas Bauer

The full scale model of the fence to capture the raccoon together with an entry piece set up in the garden

The entry piece from inside the garden

Detail of the entry. The raccoon cannot pass it from this side

The regular fence part from the roll set up in the garden

Detail of the regular fence part sticked into the ground

FACT:
There were two facts that fuelled our project.
• Firstly, heating and cooling account for half of the final energy consumption in buildings in the European Union. The energy demand increases during summer and winter, were people depend on indoor climate systems to keep the body cool or warm when temperatures outside reach uncomfortable levels. • Secondly, the skin temperature has an average of 33ºC — if it differs by ± 4.5ºC, the body feels discomfort.

Reducing energy consumption in buildings can aid in the transition towards more sustainable cities,which prompts the question: how can our skin temperature be regulated without depending on energy?

ACT:
Phase Change Materials (PCMs) release or absorb energy when going through a phase change. In a warm environment they melt and absorb energy, thus transmit a cooling sensation. In a cold environment, they solidify again and release the stored heat, causing a feeling of warmth. This process is infinitely reversible.

There are various types of PCMs with many different melting and solidifying temperatures. They come in a powder form or diluted in water. We chose to work with two different melting temperatures, both within the range of our skin temperature. The PCM 35 releases its warmth when the skin temperature drops below 35ºC because of cold air indoors. On the other hand a PCM 28 would melt at 28ºC or above and provide a cooling effect during summer.

The PCM has to be in close contact with the skin to be able to feel its effect. Thus we decided to make two clothing items which integrated the qualities of the material.

To be able to integrate PCMs into textiles, they have to be micro-encapsulated first, which means small, protective shells are formed around the material. Thus when the material changes of state, it remains inside the shell both in liquid and solid form. The shells also make it possible for the textile to be washed, protecting it from detergents.

A company named Mikrocaps provided us with the micro-encapsulated PCMs and binders needed to integrate it into a textile. We made a mixture of the PCM, a binder and water. This mixture was applied to the textile using a paint roller. It was then left to dry for an hour and cured in the oven for 4min at 150ºC.

We decided to use two clothing items that are already commonly used: a t-shirt for the summer and a sweater for winter. Implementing this technology into everyday clothing items makes the material available for widespread usage. To add to the skin’s comfort, the clothes are made of soft cotton.

The t-shirts with light colours represent the cooling effect of the material within. The darker-coloured sweaters represent the warming effect.

IMPACT:
Both clothing items help keep the skin within its thermal comfort zone (29-34ºC) during temperature fluctuations. We can therefore become less dependent on heaters and air-conditioners, therefore reducing energy consumption indoors.

Katharina Sauter, 5.sem WS 2020/21
Gloriana Valverde, 3.sem WS 2020/21

SECOND SKIN DOCUMENTATION

PCM 35ºC – heating you up in winter
|
V

PCM 28ºC – cooling you down in summer
|
V

PCM 35ºC

PCM 28ºC

FACT / ACT / IMPACT:
I want to use the algae to capture CO2, working against the air pollution in the city. We are trying to reduce our emissions but still, the air pollution is constantly rising. The earth is getting warmer and warmer and we are far to slow working against this problem. Over the last years the number of trees who dried out increased exponentially. Because of the extreme hot and dry summers they are not able to survive alone anymore, especially in urban areas.
Over my research I tried to find new ways of CO2 binding materials or plants and realised that the Spirulina Cyanobacterias/ Microalgaes are one of the best methods to clean the air. The algaes can grow only under special conditions. To grow they need the right temperature, fresh air and a fertiliser, which you have to add to the startculture of the Spirulina algaes. If they float on the river, it will help to hold the temperature during summer and guarantee a constant movement to mix them up while growing.

A second reason to install them on the river is to disturb no other existing and functioning infrastructure in the city. In the case of Berlin I chose the “Urbanhaven” in Kreuzberg. There is a very big unused water area. That is why I created a “Floating Algae Island” to have a container which makes it possible to grow the algaes on water.

After 25 days they are fully grown you can harvest them with a fine sieve, which is already integrated in my design. The containers are planned for summer because the algaes also need enough sunlight and warmth. During the winter they are intended just to look at or as an sitting area. Additionally I thought to use a after glow acrylic paint to colour the steel parts, that they glow by night. It could be a meeting point for people, sitting next to them on the riverside or a mark for ships. Also you could sit, stand or lie on them, when you need a break of your boat tour or when you harvest the algaes you could rest a moment.
Another positive aspect is that they are food or a fertiliser for other plants. You can easily dry them for storage or eat them directly. They are an interesting and a very healthy ingredient for many different dishes. In Berlin there are already many people who are trying to grow their own food, for example „Prinzessinengärten“. They would also have a new space to grow algaes and harvest them or share them with other interested people. Humans who get in touch with the containers will realise that we have to think about new ways of air cleaning and foodproduction for our future.

Anna-Maria Argmann, 3.sem WS 2020/21

FLOATING ALGAES DOCUMENTATION

FACT:
• In Berlin the pollution of rivers and other waterbodies is mainly caused by the shortcomings of the Berlin sewer systems. In the city center, where underground space is very limited, rainwater and wastewater from households run through one sewer. During heavy rainfall rain spillway basins, that normally lead to the treatment plants, spill over and waste- and rainwater runs directly into the rivers. This happens 20 to 30 times a year.
• In the outskirts of the city, wastewater and rainwater flow in separated sewers. The rainwater is often led directly into the rivers. But the water carries dust, air pollutants, particles from car tires, oil, leaves, animal excrements, and metals. Especially in smaller, standing waters this leads to fish dying after heavier rainfall. Rain filter beds are used to filter water from bigger streets but their capabilities are limited and there are not enough areas available.
• 90% of the rainwater that needs treatment comes from traffic areas.Still, in the drainage rainwater with very different amounts of pollution is drained together, this leads to mixed rainwater in large amounts with middling pollution. Treating this high amount of rainwater is expensive and not very effective.
• Therefore a decentered cleaning system, that could filter the streetwater on the spot, before it flowed into the sewer system, made the most sense.

ACT:
During my research, I came across the astonishing properties of mushroom mycelium; Fungi have been proven to be a very cheap, effective and environmentally sound way for helping to remove a wide array of toxins from damaged environments or wastewater. They can break down hydrocarbons in oil up to 98 percent and digests and neutralize bacteria like E.coli.

Oyster mushrooms have been used in oil spills and around farms to break down oil, bacteria and other pollutants. This method is called Mycofiltration. In my experiments I was able to filter streetwater back to normal rainwater quality just by running it through mycelium inoculated substrate.

To implement my decentered cleaning system I decided to hack into an existing one: the mud bucket system. Mud buckets are installed beneath the drain and filter bigger parts of dirt out of the water. They are cleaned at least once a year by the BSR. The Mycobag, I propose, is made out of hessian, which is a natural fiber, eco-friendly and biodegradable. The mycelium needs a 40 day period to grow inside the bags, then they can be transported and easily installed. Mycelium can withstand high levels of water and is able to overwinter in the cold. The bags would need to be exchanged by the BSR twice a year.

IMPACT:
With low maintenance and costs the Mycobags could break down contaminated street water so that it could be led back safely into the water bodies of Berlin. The Mycobags could prohibit high pollution in lakes and rivers and ensure the wellbeing of local species.

While working underground, it could part of the progress of integrating nature and non-humans into the landscape of our city and educating about their potential.

Lilli Kern, 5.sem WS 2020/21

MYCODRAIN DOCUMENTATION

Mycobag installed in mud bucket

Mycobag

Mycobag out of hessian filled with substrate and mycelium

Steel plate covers holes at the bottom of the bucket to maintain a consistent water level for mushroom growth

Containers for the mushroom growth period and the transport

Stacked containers

left: tap water, middle: rainwater, right: street water

oyster mycelium on straw

testing water flow systems; greedy cup

oyster mycelium on wood chips

tests with different water levels

FACT:
My starting point of this project was the fact that many people are moving in the past years to live in underground places, such as basements, shelters, or just other places that lack windows and therefore lack natural sunlight.
This type of living, where people don’t receive enough sunlight results in negative effects, such as depression, mental problems, and other unwanted disorders.

ACT:
To prevent this, I have tried to find a way to deliver natural sunlight to this type of places.
I came up with certains ideas, for example using mirrors and other stuff. In the end, I have gotten to put my hands on optic fibers, and those can deliver light in a great and quality way, no matter what stands in their way. SATELIGHT light system uses the most quality glass fibers that can deliver light in the best way to just about anywhere.

The first concept was to try to implant the optic fibers in a suited system, I have checked telescopic systems that can “steal” lights from the street and from the sky, light infrastructures system that can be found inside the walls and the ceiling of a building and is becoming an architecture project on its own.

After a lot of thought, I have decided to leave the architecture project to a different aside and I have decided to design a system, a small one, that includes a receiver and a lamp. Between those two, a bunch of optic fibers – warped up together – are connected.

The light will be delivered after it penetrates and is focused by a large magnifying glass which lays on the top of the receiver, underneath it, the optic fibers’ edges are to be found.
This system is meant to be friendly, easy to use, efficient, functional and aesthetic.
Everyone who suffers from lack of sunlight can put the SATELIGHT system in their dark place, and get more sunlight.
The optic fibers can be detachable and replaced to other lengths, if it is too short for a specific location of a person.

IMPACT:
Anyone using this system is adding more quality of life for his living. The SATELIGHT system fibers are designed like roots, or like a flower, to show that those need also sunlight for living. It is to be placed on the table, shelf, or even on the floor.
Another possibility is to have many receivers and lamps and to gain a much much larger effect in the room.

I have enjoyed working on this project and I think it will be useful for many people who live in sunny cities, but dark rooms.

Omri Ron, 5.sem exchange student Shenkar Ramat Gan/Tel Aviv, WS 2020/21

SATELIGHT DOCUMENTATION

FACT:
• There is an enormous public demand for cities to have a high-quality and sufficiently dimensioned green infrastructure as greens counteract the urban heat-island effect and provide fresh air particularly to dense areas.
• In Berlin, 430 000 city trees are located. Over the last two years, 7000 of these trees have died as a consequence of drought.
• Too small tree grates are a significant reason for city tree drought. The down seeping water flows through the surface to the roots. In Berlin, tree grates typically only measure 1.50 by 1.50m. Forest trees, by comparison, have the area of their crowns irrigated when raining– this is around 10 times greater.
• Under these circumstances, city trees, on pavements especially, are only able to store minimal water and can’t photosynthesise properly. The additional burden of climate change, like more frequent heat waves, leads to decreased biomass and leaves and subsequently to the death of the trees…
• At the same time, there is a functioning water cycle system under Berlin’s pavements. Underground hydrants provide access to the supply lines and are located next to the trees. To stay fit, the city’s water cycle system and hydrants should be used regularly.

ACT:
Can’t we give our trees a hand?
• NESSI hacks the existing system of pavement hydrants that have direct access to the water supply lines.

• To share the water, NESSI docks to a hydrant and winds its way through Berlin’s streets from bottom to top.
• From the hydrant, water is directed automatically to the trees through NESSI’s pipeline that lies under the pavement and pops up by the trees.
• NESSI marks the trees that are part of the network with colourful steel tube objects that offer various usage possibilities for us residents.
• Regardless of accidental or purposeful damage, once installed, the objects can easily be mounted and changed.

IMPACT:
• Thanks to NESSI, hydrants are well maintained, and continue to provide easy access for firefighters when needed.
• NESSI contributes to the saving of urban greens tackling the draught of city trees with a simple irrigation system on pavements that makes use of the existing infrastructure of hydrants.
• Watering city trees with small water reservoirs optimized, regularly and self sufficiently, NESSI keeps them healthy. Especially in phases of growth, NESSI can be a support for urban greens.
• Additional impact: Making use of the existing infrastructure of hydrants, NESSI keeps hydrants always well flushed and therefor in good condition.

Kim Kuhl, MA Anp.Studium, WS 2020/21

DOCUMENTATION

NESSI system

NESSI installation

NESSI mounting

NESSI underground construction

NESSI winds its way from bottom to top

NESSI system: turning on/off with hydrant wrench, maintaining

NESSI system: irrigating

NESSI system: access for fire brigade

 NESSI watering

NESSI object 0

NESSI object 0 without arms

NESSI in Berlin street

forest trees vs city trees

pipeline for trees

possible pipe location

concept Loch Ness monster

model modelling clay

modelling 3D

concept Loch Ness Monster 3D

form finding with wire and modelling clay

form finding lines

form finding 3D

sketch: interaction with residents

objects in the street

object 0 fitting with hydrant wrench

model 1:10, 3D printed

FACT:
• Large cities such as Berlin are considered as Urban Heat Islands (UHI) because the temperature there is about 6°C higher than in the surrounding area.
• Even relatively small temperature differences have a significant impact on the number of heat deaths (Germany: 2005 – Ø17.75°C = 1,600 heat deaths; 2018: Ø 19.82°C 20,200 heat deaths). Scientists expect air conditioning to double by 2030 if temperatures continue to rise, which is assumed.
• Air conditioners do massive damage to the environment through energy consumption and leaking fluorocarbons (greenhouse effect 23,000 times higher than Co2) and contribute directly to climate change.
• An alternative could, for example, be urban planning and building technology measures. Building density, building height, but also colors and materials of urban surfaces contribute significantly to the overheating of cities.
• Many surfaces, such as roofs and streets, are dark, heat up when exposed to sunlight, and release this heat into their surroundings. What is beneficial in the winter months becomes a problem in the summer.
• White roof surfaces, as is common in Greece or Spain, reflect sunlight and heat up less.

ACT:
On this basis, I have designed the flat rooftile: brick 47°. I use the physical fact that the sun is higher in summer than in winter, with an angle difference of exactly 47°. The black side must be oriented towards the south, so that the summer sun hits the white reflecting side and the winter sun hits the black, warming side.

Brick 47° is made of ceramic, because this building material has a high stability, adds enough weight, offers freedom in color and shape design and has a balanced heat balance. Due to the special angle, the design is limited, because many other aspects had to be taken into account. The bricks are hollow and have a wall thickness of one centimeter. They overlap at the ends and interlock to provide protection from wind drifts.

Since I’m referring to existing roofs, brick 47°is adapted to existing drainage systems. Rain flows through an opening at the top onto the pre-existing substrate, can move freely through the four-sided openings between the bricks, and eventually run off.
A glaze is designed to protect the brick from dirt buildup and make it easier to clean. Also, the elevation on the back surface serves cleaning and prevention of plant growth. The size of 13.5 cm in height, 30 cm in length and width allows good handling. The tile weighs between 8 and 12 kilograms.

IMPACT:
If large areas of flat roofs are covered with brick 47°, heating savings can be expected in winter and cooling 2°C in summer, since roofs influence the UHI effect on 33%.

Esther Betz, 3.sem WS 2020/21

brick47° DOCUMENTATION

Naho Iguschi

Anouk Haller

impression of online expertmeeting with Naho Igushi & Anouk Haller (Nionhaus), Niklas Fanelsa (architect) and David Fritz (Neukölln process developer KMS).