Coastal fog-harvesting tower

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    Project update 2010 "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": Illustrating the iconic landmark

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    Project update 2010 "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": Top view showing the internal elements of the structure.

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    Project update 2010 "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": The wooden structure in January 2010 is covered with the rain harvesting skin by April 2010.

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    Project update 2010 "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": The wooden structure

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    Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile

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    Project update 2010 "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": Structural rings, vertical connectors on X form and on site structural model.

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    Project update 2010 "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": Prototype at 1:10 of the full-scale project completed in February 2010.

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    Project update 2010 "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": On site: the structural model takes shape in an arid landscape.

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    Project update 2010 "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": Bird-eye view

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America - "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": The tower enables new agricultural development in previously unproductive coastal areas north of Huasco, Chile.

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    Holcim Awards "Next Generation" 1st prize 2008 Latin America: (l-r) Valeria Ortega and Alberto Fernandez.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America - "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": The tower is 200m high, catching each water particle in the air that comes from the coast to the valley of Huasco River.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America - "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": The original landscape is modified.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America - "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": 1: Skin, and 2: Mesh elements.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America - "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": 3: Spiral structural model.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America - "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": 4: Water capture process.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America - "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": Geometric optimization of the water capture.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America - "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": Water particles are condensed.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America - "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": Reverse osmosis process.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America - "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": Inside the base of the tower.

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    Project entry 2008 Latin America - "Coastal fog-harvesting tower, Huasco, Chile": Holcim Awards "Next Generation" 2008 Latin America 1st prize winners: (l-r) Alberto Fernandez Gonzalez, Susana Valeria Ortega Gomez.

  • Next generation Next Generation 1st prize 2008–2009 Latin America

Huasco is an arid agricultural region dependent on irrigation. With its river depleted, this entry proposes an ingenious solution using only wind energy and gravity. The 200m tall tower is constructed as a spiral that collects water particles from coastal fog, filters out salt by reverse osmosis and distributes freshwater to an otherwise declining agricultural area.

By Alberto Fernandez Gonzalez and

Ideas: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)

Huasco is an arid agricultural region dependent on irrigation. With its river depleted, the Coastal fog-harvesting tower proposes an ingenious solution using only wind energy and gravity. The 200m tall tower is constructed as a spiral that collects water particles from coastal fog, filters out salt by reverse osmosis and distributes freshwater to an otherwise declining agricultural area.

Coastal fog-harvesting tower

Project authors

  • Alberto Fernandez Gonzalez

  • Susana Valeria Ortega Gomez

Project updates

February 22, 2017 | Project update | Huasco, Chile

A tower of strength

The spiralling towers created by Alberto Fernández and Susana Ortega capture the moisture from the clouds of the “Camanchaca”, a coastal fog originating from the anticyclone of the Pacific. The towers are planned for the dry coastal fringe of Chile where agriculture is constrained by water scarcity. Since winning a Next Generation prize in 2008, the concept has been further developed with funding from the Chilean Government and from the United Nations. The construction of the towers was adapted from the original design to interconnect the structure and the fabric, which accelerates the construction process.

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November 01, 2010 | Project Update | Huasco, Chile

Harvesting water from the air

A prototype at 1:10 of the full-scale project was completed in February 2010. More data collection and research will take place before full-scale production commences. The Huasco region in northern Chile is an agricultural region that depends on water for irrigation from the Huasco River. Water availability has decreased over the last decade, and new solutions have to be found to obtain water on the coast of this desert region.

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October 23, 2008 | winners for Latin America announced | Mexico City, Mexico

Holcim Awards honor sustainable construction in Latin America

The winning projects of the second Holcim Awards competition for Sustainable Construction in Latin America were announced at a ceremony in Mexico City. Total prize money of USD 270,000 was presented to twelve projects from across the region that deliver innovative solutions to social housing, energy efficiency, and the revitalization of communities and water resources.

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July 10, 2008 | Regional Jury Report – Latin America | Mexico City, Mexico

“Innovative, simple and elegant solution” – Holcim Awards Jury

The Huasco region in northern Chile is an agricultural region that depends on water for irrigation from the Huasco River. Water availability has decreased over the last decade, and new solutions have to be found to obtain water on the coast of this desert region. This project intends to use of the “Camanchaca”, a coastal fog originating from the anticyclone of the Pacific and condensing behind the coastline.

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February 29, 2008 | Project Entry & Details | Huasco, Chile

Project Entry 2008 for Latin America

Huasco is an arid agricultural region dependent on irrigation. With its river depleted, the Coastal fog-harvesting tower proposes an ingenious solution using only wind energy and gravity. The 200 meter tall tower is constructed as a spiral – it collects water particles from coastal fog, filters out salt by reverse osmosis and distributes freshwater to an otherwise declining agricultural area.

Read full article

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Location

pin Huasco, Chile

Huasco, Chile