Hydroelectric Lamp
2009
Partner (Alejandro Villarreal) and Co-Worker (Jesus Ramirez)
Red Vertex
We understand our buildings as living entities, with energy fields running through their veins, in the form of water pipes, dreinage pipes and electric systems running through walls and ceilings.
This project takes advantage of such energy fields, which are normally neglected, and uses them in order to produce new energy that can somehow enhance the living experience of it´s inhabitants.
This product has the same technical logic as an hydroelectric plant, but in a much smaller scale. It consists of a moulded glass container that is attached to the main water pipe system. Every time someone uses any appliance that is connected to such water pipe system (shower, dishwasher, etc), the natural flow of water within the system produces the movement of a micro turbine, that in turn converts such movement into an electric current. Such current is sent to a battery found on the wall unit of the lamp, that in turn lightens up the vertical light bulb.
The proposal literally brings out the hidden forces found in the building and shows them up in a crystal clear way. The energy production process is visualized directly and becomes the main driver of the aesthetic quality of the product.
