The Solar Desalination Skylight is a low-tech way to produce drinking water
Henry Glogau’s circular Solar Desalination Skylight
Kiwi architect Henry Glogau addresses future resource scarcity with this lighting-cum-water desalination design. Both circular and autonomous, the Solar Desalination Skylight emits light, produces drinking water, then uses leftover salt brine to generate energy.
Glogau, who works for 3XN‘s innovation unit in Copenhagen, created the product in collaboration with Chilean NGO TECHO for a coastal community in Mejillones, Chile, called ‘Nueva Esperanza’.
Images courtesy of Henry Glogau Studio
how it works
In addition to the fundamental design principle of circularity, it was also important for the skylight to be familiar and approachable rather than some high-tech gadget. Glogau embraced a holistic approach that works with the natural environment rather than against it.
The ceiling-mounted lamp is a hybrid of salt batteries and solar power. During the day, the LED light strip is charged by a small solar panel. It is also powered by the salt brine waste from the evaporation process to create a series of salt batteries. These 12 seawater batteries provide a source of energy to power the skylight at night through a chemical reaction when placed in tubes holding copper and zinc.
The design is articulated by a domed form with a pattern of water channels on the surface. To get the final shape, the designer created a mold from CNC milling and vacuum formed over it. Sea water is hand pumped into the light via a small tube and clean drinking water is pumped out from the bottom.
The skylight emits a soft, diffused light
Working with the local community
Glogau explains that the project opened up a dialogue with the Nueva Esperanza community around resource scarcity. The design team organized workshops with local residents to ideate low-tech versions of the product using readily available materials such as plastic bottles, cans, knives and tape.
The skylight has won first place in the Design Educate Awards ‘Responsive Design’ category.
The design process
The ceiling lamp at night
project info:
Name: Solar Desalination Skylight
Design: Henry Glogau Studio
