CISTA

CISTA is a rain water harvesting system concept, optimized for use in an urban setting.  It utilizes a small footprint coupled with a vertical format to achieve a substantial capacity, with the addition of useable water pressure.  It is a concept we created in collaboration with MossSund Architects.

We began by analyzing what it is that we were struggling with in our respective, ‘urban’ environments.  We looked at physical constraints, visual elements, as well as the logistics of making, shipping and installing the product.

We also looked at many analogous products, from chia pets to Noguchi lamps …The change in seasons, as well as material changes over time and the marks left by the plants all influenced the final product.  The result is a beautiful structure that over the course of one season is engulfed by plants. In our climate, in Southern Ontario, the vine will be an annual.  This allows the cycle of enclosure and revealing to be an annual event.  In other climates this could be a living wall, or clad in any number of other ways.

The final product it is a capacitor for rain water, diverting it from municipal sewers, and reducing demand on municipal clean water supply.  An LED float in a tube is anchored to the side giving indication or water level, and a metered drip from the tank continuously waters the plant.  It ships compactly, nested in such a way that 100 gal tank and framework will fit in the back of a mini, and it is a beautiful structure that increases the green space in an urban setting.