Rain Water Catcher

The “Rain Water Catcher,” by Nuru Karim, Nudes, a design proposal for an iconic tower in San Jose aims to address the global impact of climate change by advocating the need for water conservation towards the reduction of carbon footprint guided by net-zero design principles. “Water” equals “Life,” and the “Rain Water Catcher” aims to celebrate the role and importance of water in our lives.

Designed as a receptor to “catch” and transport water into a safe, shallow rainwater harvesting pool connected to a larger tank, the proposal for the iconic tower celebrates the sensory experience of water through its iconic form. The tower shares a scared relationship with the site, in particular, the Guadalupe River, its historical context, and role with respect to water conservation and climate change. The idea of “placemaking” is central to the tower design and is generated both as an “inside-out” construct.

The 200 feet (60.96 m) high central space within the tower’s interior, creates a sizeable informal assembly aimed at hosting events and fostering interactions aimed at addressing issues such as water conservation and climate change. This space aims to serve as an experiential installation space to evoke the human senses of touch, sight, sound, and smell—a space learning, discovery, reflection, and dialogue. The project aims to foster potential collaborations with Silicon Valley to harness the role of technology with respect to its thematic area of water conservation and climate change.

The form of the “Rain Water Catcher” true to its concept is algorithmically derived through fluid, flowing lines and geometries that create an interlaced pattern defining the tower as an extension of the landscape. Usage of cutting edge digital design and optimisation tools aims to streamline the process from ideation to reality, minimising wastage and fostering respect for the environment through the use of sustainable materials. The “Rain Water Catcher” aims to address the “role and importance of water,” “placemaking,” “interaction,” “modern technologies” at the intersection of art, architecture, and engineering.