PalmReclaim

Project idea

Este projeto é uma resposta arquitetônica contextual às questões ambientais e econômicas causadas pelo desperdício de palma em Rasheed, Egito—uma cidade com profundas raízes agrícolas e exposição costeira. A ideia está enraizada em reimaginar o resíduo como um fluxo de material valioso, não um subproduto a ser descartado. O desperdício anual de palma de Rasheed, incluindo folhas e troncos, chega a mais de 75.000 toneladas anuais, contribuindo para a degradação ambiental e para o potencial econômico perdido. Para resolver isso, o projeto propõe uma instalação hibridizada que une o processamento de resíduos de palma com a interação pública e a educação. A forma arquitetônica é guiada por duas forças principais: o vento e a comunidade. O vento é utilizado tanto passivamente (em torres de secagem) quanto ativamente (na definição da orientação do edifício). O engajamento comunitário é alcançado por meio de zonas de exposição pública, oficinas interativas e um calçadão costeiro que dissolve os limites entre produção e observação.

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