Passive floodplain agricultural system

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    Project entry 2011 - Passive floodplain agricultural system, Gohatsion, Ethiopia: Africa has two seasons: dry and rainy. These two climates render significant changes in the river. Our building responds to this and brings changes.

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    Winners of the ‘Next Generation’ 2nd prize 2011 Africa Middle East for ‘Passive floodplain agricultural system, Gohatsion, Ethiopia’ (l-r): Gunho Kim and Wonjoon Han, University of Seoul, South Korea.

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    Project entry 2011 - Passive floodplain agricultural system, Gohatsion, Ethiopia: For 3 months in the rainy season the structure gathers soil while submerged in the river.

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    Project entry 2011 - Passive floodplain agricultural system, Gohatsion, Ethiopia: Site analysis.

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    Project entry 2011 - Passive floodplain agricultural system, Gohatsion, Ethiopia: Study of pattern.

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    Project entry 2011 - Passive floodplain agricultural system, Gohatsion, Ethiopia: It is a whole site master plan.

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    Project entry 2011 - Passive floodplain agricultural system, Gohatsion, Ethiopia: Concept of agriculture.

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    Project entry 2011 - Passive floodplain agricultural system, Gohatsion, Ethiopia: The section and plan.

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    Project entry 2011 - Passive floodplain agricultural system, Gohatsion, Ethiopia: Function of detailed-section.

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    Project entry 2011 - Passive floodplain agricultural system, Gohatsion, Ethiopia: Aerial view of master plan.

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    Project entry 2011 - Passive floodplain agricultural system, Gohatsion, Ethiopia: Team picture.

  • Next generation Next Generation 2nd prize 2011–2012 Middle East Africa

Helix structures 100m in diameter made of concrete and steel are positioned into the Nile River canyon. With 90% of the water and 96% of the transported sediment carried by the Nile originating in Ethiopia, the agricultural system collects the fertile soil the river carries during the flood season. 

By Wonjoon Han - VHAN, Seoul, South Korea and

Ideas: Ecosystem Restoration, Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)

Helix structures 100m in diameter made of concrete and steel are positioned into the Nile River canyon. With 90% of the water and 96% of the transported sediment carried by the Nile originating in Ethiopia, the agricultural system collects the fertile soil the river carries during the flood season.

Computer analysis of water flows and dynamics optimize the capture of sediment onto the structure. During the dry season, the towers emerge from the water and lay open the soil for cultivation.

Passive floodplain agricultural system

Project authors

  • Wonjoon Han

    VHAN

    South Korea

  • Gunho Kim

    University of Seoul

    South Korea

Project updates

September 08, 2011 | Holcim Awards | Casablanca, Morocco

Holcim Awards winners for Africa Middle East announced in Casablanca

The winners of the 3rd International Holcim Awards competition for sustainable construction projects and visions from Africa Middle East have been announced at a ceremony in Casablanca. A total of USD 300,000 was presented to ten outstanding projects submitted by architects, planners, engineers and project owners. The winning projects illustrate the broad scope of applying sustainable approaches in construction including school infrastructure, community renewal, urban redevelopment, and energy-efficient design.

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June 16, 2011 | Regional Jury Report – Africa Middle East | Casablanca, Morocco

“Re-inventing cultivation in a visionary and innovative way” – Holcim Awards Jury

The jury considers the striking essence of this project to be that it re-invents, in a visionary and innovative way, the cultivation of Nile waters and soils that have ensured nutrition and prosperity for the sharing countries for millennia. The idea is simple and impressive. It may allow countries now insufficiently profiting from the valuable river resource to lower dependence from importing artificial fertilizer and to improve food security.

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March 31, 2011 | Project Entry & Details | Gohatsion, Ethiopia

Project Entry 2011 for Region Africa Middle East

Helix structures 100m in diameter made of concrete and steel are positioned into the Nile River canyon. With 90% of the water and 96% of the transported sediment carried by the Nile originating in Ethiopia, the agricultural system collects the fertile soil the river carries during the flood season.

Read full article

Related information

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Location

pin Gohatsion, Ethiopia

Gohatsion, Ethiopia