Resource and environmental performance – Planet

Plastic in the river enters the Kroo Bay slum and then travels further to the Atlantic Ocean, with harmful environmental impacts on our planet. The idea is to filter plastic from the river and to upcycle it into valuable objects. The system functions without electricity.

Locals collect plastic trash with a net at the bridge across the river; Plastic is separated from other rubbish and sorted out according to the type; Big plastic parts are shredded to the smaller particles; Needed plastic is filled in the tubes and brought to the roof; At the parabolic curved roof plastic is warmed up to 200°C (18 kg/h x 8 tubes); Workers lower the tubes by a mechanical elevator and form plastic into any shape such as chopping boards, chairs, walls, doors, etc; Products can be sold or used by residents.

Ethical standards and social inclusion – People

The site is located in the slum of the capital of one of the poorest countries in the world: Sierra Leone. After the civil war and Ebola disease, the life of the community is destroyed. So the building itself is a hybrid, where each part has a dual function - not only technological but also social. The body of the object is a small plastic recycling production chain where people work and educate; the bridge is created to filter the plastic trash from the river and to bind two parts of the settlement; the tribune is designed to store objects underneath the stairs, to have roof access and to watch football; the promenade is created for circulation and for enjoying cleaned water;the curved roof is made to warm up plastic for production and to cover a meeting place.

Economic viability and compatibility – Prosperity

In the extreme lack of facilities, the project strives to help residents to rise their life levels and creating a public space without polluting the planet. Residents of the slum work in the building for themselves and also earn money. Thus, the community can prosper and recover the ecosystem. The building is an economically affordable flexible structure made from recycled on-site plastic panels fixed on local steel elements, such as L-shape profiles. The Profiles are combined in the crosses together to create cheap but aesthetic columns. The ground is unstable, irregular and constantly filled in with plastic during the flood seasons. The foundation, in this case, is designed from long screw piles. No expensive groundworks are needed and every trained person can screw them down.