Proposal-March+8th

CCT333H5S Prof. Mike Jones March 8, 2010 Proposal & Ideation

Our design concept is simply to use the same material as the Q Drum, a durable and already tested material to create our concept of the "water-bed". The "Water-Bed" is a multipurpose foundation that mainly has three functions: 1. to provide an affordable and easy setup foundation for a home. 2. a water storage facility. 3. A/C and floor cooling. the concept is similar in design to an egg carton, the wavy bottom creates rigidity so that the weight of the Water-Bed can be low. This very simple design concept has a few dimple like holes around the inside of the 4 * 4 meter structure, which provide the ability to place sticks and other type of metallic objects to raise walls or to place support beams for other wall elements. The water storage facility is perfect for many of the African and Indian villages that need some sort of cheap water storage while providing the home with a personal low maintenance and cheap A/C.

Furthermore, our design focuses on the use of strong and durable materials which would not need to be repaired often and that could withstand the conditions present in Africa and other continents. The durability of a product that will be supporting people's homes is of the utmost importance. The durability of an object such as the [|Q Drum] is an interesting example of just how much damage the support system would have to endure. Although the types of stresses are different in both products, we're sure that the [|Q Drum] can provide insight because of it's circular design which can support lots of weight.

An existing product that provides developing countries with cooling systems is called the [|Promethian Power System]. The system uses ice that is delivered to people's homes and then uses only solar power to keep water cool. Combining these two systems together, where the Promethian system actively cools the water stored under homes,could allow users to have access to the water. Keeping cool water underneath the homes would provide some level of relief in the heat, because the cool water would lower the temperature of the surrounding area.

The base of the homes we are designing could be made by the [|MoneyMaker Block Press]. They provide the sturdy base required to support housing and can be used for many other projects as well.

Therefore, the design is intended to be durable, unbreakable, and inexpensive. Basing ourselves in the Q Drum (http://www.qdrum.co.za/index.php/about), our product would also be made of low-density polyethylene (or LDPE). LDPE is a plastic made from petroleum and its composition makes it almost indestructible ( [] ). It can withstand very high temperatures (up to 80oC) and is commonly used in containers and storage objects ([] ). Thus, this material would be optimal to store water and at the same time provide support to a structure constructed above it. The sustainable characteristic of this material is being recyclable and have a low cost of production, since the price for LDPE is around CAD$1.51/kg ([] ).

Basing ourselves around the Q Drum's proportions and supposing that our design is 4m x 4m x 0.5m, with a thickness of 4mm, we can estimate the cost of the LDPE for each product design. This product would weigh around eight times more than the Q Drum (since the drum's proportions are around 0.5m x 0.5m), thus being around 36kg (dry weight). Adding the material used for the inner pillars, we can estimate that our design would be around 40kg (dry weight). Thus, to produce this LDPE base would be around CAD$60.40 (because LDPE price is CAD$1.51/kg).

Lastly, we would have to add the price of a manual water pump (attached to an opening inside the structure) so users can input or retrieve the water. A small manual water pump would be sufficient to draw water by using vacuum to its advantage. Therefore, if taking Rintoul's Guzzler400H Series Hand Pump (http://www.handpumps.com/guzzler400H.htm), which can be connected with any garden hose, the cost is CAD$72.95 per pump. Being made of aluminum and stainless steel, this product would be sufficiently durable and cost effective. Each of the products then would total in around CAD$133.35. Including taxes, our product would cost less than CAD$150, which is inexpensive considering it is a product with three purposes (water storage, structure foundation, and cooling system).

It is important to note that as humans, our decisions and behavior affect the health of the rest of the natural world, this has a huge effect on our own health and well being. Sustainable design begins with an understanding of this universal feedback round, and the connections between hydrology, geology, topography, climate, soil, and habitat. Sustainable methods must also account for environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic viability.

Our project, the “Water-Bed” is designed by keeping in mind that it could be affordable and used by any person in different part of the world and that poor countries could be able to pay for using it and for fixing it if it was broken, the design is intended to keep in mind that the products used in it are long-lasting and cost effective. Our product is designed as simple as possible from simple material, and most importantly, it is used to store water in which poor countries need cheap water to be stored for their daily use by using cheap ways to do so.

In conclusion, “Water Bed” is intended for the needs of the rural people in the developing countries. Water is very important for the survival of all people around the world. People living in poverty find it hard to find accessible clean water. Therefore, our design project is very effective for dry humid areas, such as African and Indian villages. Our design helps store water cheaply, and it cools the floor in such hot, dry areas that find it difficult in cooling. It improves the basic needs of people living in poor countries and third world countries. It minimizes the cost, so that people can afford it, and it also minimizes the diseases and provides them with a safe environment. By Collecting donations to distribute our design project among rural communities might be very helpful for poor people who cannot afford it. Also it could be distributed by non- profit organizations so that all the corporations profit would go to the rural people who are in need for it.