FILTRAWA IS A SOCIO-CULTURAL CENTRE WITH A HEART OF WATER IN SEDHIOU (SENEGAL). WITH A WATER COLLECTION WELL IN THE MIDDLE IT PROPOSES A COMMUNITY SHARING FROM THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMON GOOD: WATER. STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY AND GENERATING A NEW SPACE FOR RELATIONSHIPS.

The concentric organization of the communities of the region of Casamance inspires the form of FiltrAWA, which is organized around the well. FiltrAWA begins with the construction of the well and the base structure of the roof, which collects rainwater and water from the environment. From this core, it grows: rooms are formed with perforated brick walls (radial) and movable panels (concentric). These rooms are flexible and easy to expand or modify, allowing the building to grow or shrink with the community, accommodating everything from workshops, to a computer room, to an exhibition room, to an artist’s residence or any other emerging need.

WATER COLLECTING

Polyester mesh harvering and condensing water from the air (based on the Warka Tower technology). Tilted roof towards the centre to collect rainwater. The well has a filtration system to make the rainwater and air water drinkable.

VENTILATION AND COOLING

The thatched roof over the elevated tilt structure allows for ventilation, natural cooling, shadow and water collecting.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Innovative solar panels used for the plump of the well and all electricity needs. A thin and lightweight film of OPV (Organic Photovoltaics) technology produced by the Brazilian company Sunew.

FLEXIBLE PANEL WALLS (CONCENTRIC)

Movable panels are used to close spaces in a concentric direction. Spaces are changeable, as the panels are lightweight and easy to connect or disconnect with one another. Depending on the level of privacy needed the panel frame can be filled with different materials, from fabrics to empty plastic bottles or any other material at hand.

MODULAR FURNITURE (RADIAL)

The perforated brick walls are built radially between the columns. Dividing the different spaces but allowing air movement and a module furniture system to be built in.  Any piece of furniture can be created by a simple system of wooden beams and panels, providing flexible designs to cover different needs.