PalmReclaim

Project idea

This project is a contextual architectural response to the environmental and economic issues caused by palm waste in Rasheed, Egypt—a city with deep agricultural roots and coastal exposure. The idea is rooted in reimagining waste as a valuable material stream, not a byproduct to be discarded. Rasheed's annual palm waste, including fronds and trunks, reaches over 75,000 tons annually, contributing to environmental degradation and lost economic potential. To address this, the project proposes a hybridized facility that merges palm waste processing with public interaction and education. The architectural form is guided by two main forces: wind and community. The wind is used both passively (in drying towers) and actively (in shaping the building’s orientation). Community engagement is achieved through public exhibition zones, interactive workshops, and a coastal promenade that blurs the boundaries between production and observation.

Project description

At the heart of the project are a series of vertical drying towers, designed as passive environmental machines. These towers utilize the Venturi effect to naturally accelerate the drying of palm materials without mechanical intervention. As warm air rises through the conical volumes, it draws moisture from the stacked organic material. Adjustable drying racks allow flexible airflow and exposure. Crucially, the building’s orientation and structural configuration are informed by the prevailing coastal wind patterns of Rasheed, particularly strong northern and northwestern winds. These natural forces are harnessed through a system of openings and shutters that allow airflow within the towers. The architectural form reinforces this ecological logic. The building is partially submerged in the terrain, preserving visual access to the sea. This sunken strategy transforms the roof into a walkable public promenade. Visitors are guided across the structure like a coastal boardwalk, offering framed views into the processing zones, shaded seating areas, and leisure points—culminating in direct access to the beach. To guide movement towards the beach, a series of vertical planting walls are strategically placed. These walls act as soft thresholds that organize circulation, define different zones, and carry vegetation. Symbolically and functionally, they become green corridors that invite visitors to flow toward the beach, creating a seamless transition between land, building, and sea. Beneath the surface, the building follows a clear, process-driven spatial sequence that mirrors the lifecycle of palm waste: -Waste reception and pre-treatment zones -Wind-assisted drying towers -Vapor extraction and fiber separation laboratories -Crafting workshops, where biomass is transformed into bio-bricks, ropes, mats, and fertilizers -Public exhibition and retail spaces that showcase both the final products and the regenerative process behind them Ultimately, the Palm Waste Cycle Hub is not just a waste facility. It is a wind-powered, climate-responsive landscape—a regenerative system where environmental performance, public life, and architectural form are deeply intertwined.

Technical information

1-Site and Orientation: -Location: Rasheed, Egypt (coastal site with prevailing N/NW winds) -Site Area: 15,000 M² -Orientation: Axis aligned to maximize wind flow for natural drying and ventilation. 2-Drying Rack Structure and Design Each drying tower contains drying racks, specifically engineered to accommodate various forms of palm waste (fronds, leaflets, trunk strips) 1-Structure: Racks are supported on main and secondary circular beams mounted on the cone's inner steel structure. -Drying Surface: The drying platforms are made from perforated stainless steel mesh, offering both structural strength and high air permeability. -Spacing between racks: Racks are spaced at 2-meter vertical intervals, providing ample clearance for workers to stand upright and move comfortably while loading or unloading palm materials. -Material Distribution: Upper levels are used for lighter materials like fronds and leaflets, which benefit from increased solar radiation near the tower crown. Lower levels handle denser materials like trunk pieces, which dry more efficiently with stronger wind-driven airflow from near the base. -Access and Safety: Each tower includes an internal spiral service platform, allowing workers to access each drying tier safely without obstructing airflow. Safety rails, toeboards, anti-slip surfaces, and integrated lifting mechanisms are included for ergonomics and secure handling. 3-Capacity and Impact: -Drying time reduction: 50% faster than traditional methods -Community engagement: Up to 70 jobs created in craft, research, and maintenance roles