Metabolic Systems
I like to design, test, and deploy metabolic systems. Mainly centered on integrating biotic and technological systems to achieve more sustainable or even regenerative metabolic systems and material flows.
Below, I have listed the metabolic elements of selected projects. To see the entire project and context, please continue to the revered project pages.
SOIL SOCIETY
To address these issues, my research introduces a system that integrates aerobic composting, anaerobic digestion, and hydroponics to create a regenerative urban metabolism. Opposite to conventional systems, this model closes the nitrogen cycle, returning valuable nutrients to the soil instead of releasing them into the atmosphere as pollutants. As well as it interrupts the carbon cycle, taking it from the atmosphere (photosynthesis from the crops) and storing it permanently in soil.
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Anaerobic digestion (1) processes organic waste in the absence of oxygen, generating methane (biogas) for energy and producing a nitrogen-rich slurry. This methane is burned to provide CO2-neutral energy, while the nitrogen-rich slurry is either composted or used to grow food in a hydroponic system.
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Aerobic composting (2) turns this nitrogen-rich slurry into humus soil, which acts as a carbon sink, sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Additionally, the composting process generates heat, which can be used to warm water for household needs or maintain the anaerobic digestion tank's temperature.
This system transforms "waste" into valuable resources, providing fresh food, warm water, and energy, all while regenerating soil and helping to sequester atmospheric carbon.
Greywater
Filtration System
The Mo.ca Mobile House incorporates an advanced greywater recycling system that maximizes water reusability. Water used in the shower is collected in the shower basin and directed into a storage tank. Sensors monitor the volume of water in the storage tank, and once a certain level is reached, the filtration system is automatically activated. This system pumps the greywater through three filters designed to remove particles, oils, and other pollutants. After passing through these mechanical filters, the water is further treated in a CVC filter, which biologically disinfects it. The clean, recycled water is then stored in the recycled water tank, ready to be reused by turning the kitchen or shower taps to the warm setting. This setup ensures that water can be used multiple times, significantly reducing waste and enhancing the self-sufficiency of the house
Filtration of
Natural Water Sources
To make the Mo.ca Mobile House even more adaptable, the filtration system includes a valve that allows the system to switch between internal greywater recycling and collecting water from external sources. By attaching a hose to the system, water can be sucked in from local natural water bodies or collected rainwater. The water is then processed through the same filtration system, ensuring it is clean and safe for reuse. This capability gives the mobile house flexibility in diverse environments, allowing the tanks to be refilled without relying on traditional water supplies, thereby enhancing its autonomy.
Energy System
The Mo.ca Mobile House is self-sustaining in its energy needs, using a
solar-powered system designed to meet the requirements of both living and
hosting social events. The energy system consists of:
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Three 175W solar panels,
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A 300Ah 12V lead-acid battery,
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And an inverter that automatically turns on/off when any of the 230V outlets are in use, saving conversion energy when not in use.
The system powers internal 230V power plugs as well as 12V USB hubs, ensuring flexibility for a variety of devices. The 12V appliances, such as lights and water pumps, are connected directly to the battery without requiring conversion, ensuring efficient energy use.
The system is calculated to sustain the energy needs (such as power for phones, laptops, lights, and water pumps) for two people living in the trailer for up to two days without sunlight. Additionally, the system supports hosting social events, powering speakers, a large TV, a projector, and laptops
for workshops and gatherings.
For long-term stays in areas without sunlight, the consumer box can be connected to an external power supply. The combination of solar energy, flexible infrastructure, and smart energy management makes the Mo.ca Mobile House a versatile and
self-sustaining solution for both domestic and community use.
MO.Ca.
Water System
Water management is one of the most significant challenges for self-sustainability, particularly in mobile structures like the Mo.ca Mobile House. While solar energy can be harnessed anywhere outdoors, water cannot be generated and is not always accessible. This makes water recycling essential for extending the period for which the mobile home can operate independently. The Mo.ca Mobile House has multiple tanks to store and manage water efficiently. The kitchen tap and shower do not use traditional warm or cold water systems but instead, draw from fresh and recycled water tanks. Additionally, the kitchen tap has access to a third tank containing drinking water, ensuring clean water for consumption. The reusability of water significantly extends the time the house can remain self-sufficient, allowing it to function for more extended periods without needing external water supplies.
Water Shelf
All water tanks and filtration systems are accessible via the "water shelf" located at the back of the trailer. This water shelf acts as the central hub for managing the Mo.ca's entire water supply. It offers easy access for refilling the tanks and includes a water hose connection for drawing water from external sources like natural water bodies or collected rainwater. Beyond its refilling capabilities, the water shelf also contains the "brain" of the system, which controls the various electronic sensors responsible for monitoring water levels, activating the filtration system, and ensuring the smooth functioning of all water-related processes. This centralized system makes water management straightforward, giving users complete control over their water resources—whether they are recycling greywater or tapping into external sources
Water Interface
Mo.Ca. features an intuitive water system interface to help users make informed decisions about their water consumption. Indication lights on the tap and shower show the levels of different water sources—fresh water, recycled water, and blackwater—allowing users to manage their resources effectively.
Sensors in the tanks display whether the levels are complete, medium, or low. As fresh water is used, the recycled water tank fills, giving the user clear feedback. For example, when freshwater runs low, users can opt for a longer recycled water shower, followed by a short rinse with fresh water. The recycled water is continuously filtered and reused, making it an almost endless resource, except when it turns blackwater.
The kitchen tap has a separate drinking water spout for safety, ensuring drinking water is never mixed with fresh or recycled water. Additionally, a red LED flashes when the blackwater tank is full, signaling that it needs to be emptied. This system provides real-time insight into water usage, helping users extend their stay before a refill is necessary.
WATER SYSTEM
This water management system saves 66% of water by efficiently recycling greywater and rainwater. Of the 19,140 liters of daily water use, only 6,384 liters (33.3%) come from the municipal supply. The system collects 11,082 liters of greywater from household activities, treats it, and reuses 5,790 liters for toilet flushing. Additionally, 1,674 liters of rainwater is collected for irrigation, HVAC, and fire systems. The constructed wetlands process 7,560 liters of greywater and septic tank effluent daily, acting as a natural filtration system.
In the wetlands, water passes through a bed of gravel, soil, and plants, where microorganisms in the roots of native species like Phragmites australis (common reed), Typha latifolia (cattail), and Juncus species (rushes) help break down contaminants. These plants, native to the Tabriz region, thrive in wet environments and effectively absorb nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, further purifying the water.
After treatment in the wetlands, the water undergoes UVC disinfection, along with activated carbon and particle filtration and chemical monitoring, bringing the water back to drinking water quality. This comprehensive system not only reduces municipal water use by two-thirds but also ensures a sustainable water recycling process that delivers safe, clean water for reuse.
WATER FARMING
Cape Town faces severe water shortages, worsened by agricultural nitrogen runoff into water bodies. At Theewaterskloof Dam, mycelium-based reflective panels, functioning as an aquaponic system, significantly reduce evaporation while absorbing nitrates to clean the water. These panels can also be used to construct floating, insulated homes for farmers, offering new living spaces and free water for food production. The majority of water savings comes from reducing evaporation, with 4.5 million liters saved daily by covering just 1% of the dam. The system also produces over 34,000 kg of salad, removing 3,033 kg of nitrates from the water daily. By conserving 13 liters of water per head of salad compared to conventional methods, the total daily water savings reach approximately 4.9 million liters
RIZOMES
Rizomes Festival, a music festival focused on sustainability and regeneration, provided a unique opportunity to explore ecological
design that contributes positively to the surrounding environment.
Set in a commercial tree plantation, the festival prompted us to address
how modern practices in agriculture and forestry often disrupt natural cycles, particularly the nitrogen cycle, which depletes soil nutrients and carbon.
By utilizing human waste we harness the power of festival-goers as an external carbon and nitrogen source for soil improvement. .
The toilets were carefully designed as lightweight, low-impact structures. They use fabric tensioned between tree trunks to create private spaces.
The placement and volume of the squatting holes is respecting the root systems. The amount of wood chips to mix in with the waste was calculated in order to avoid over-fertilizing, preserve the delicate tree roots as well as to reach an ideal carbon to nitrogen ratio for composting.
Some toilet units were also designed to be mobile, allowing for flexibility in their placement.
By the time the next festival occurs, the previous year's waste has fully composted and been sanitized, making it a safe and nutrient-rich addition to the forest floor.