Virtual Water: 2012 MoMA PS1 Runner-up

The public courtyard of PS1 has a Water Footprint of over 300,000 gallons of rainwater per year – over 100,000 gallons of rainwater during the summer. Our Virtual Water project collects, cleans, conserves and uses thousands of gallons of this summertime rain. After cleansing, rainwater flows between and over conical canopies to create six unique water-based atmospheres.

The atmospheres include (1) a Stream or “Living Machine” that cleans collected rainwater with plants, and demonstrates how nature cleans water with minimal energy inputs; (2) a Waterfall Fish Pond that supplies critical nutrients to the plants in the Living Machine, and demonstrates relations between fish and their wetland environments to clean water; (3) a Splash Pool for visitors to play in shallow bio-filtered water; (4) an active Mist/Sprinkler environment that cools visitors in the summer; (5) a Drip Rain Puddle that creates a serene dripping sound during and after a rain storm; and (6) a Reflecting Pool Lounge that is a shaded gathering space and water storage fountain.

Description from the architects