The first architectural device described here was deployed in both Jilantai and Donhuang in the Gobi Desert and aimed at designing a shelter for sleeping in air-polluted areas. Airborne particulate matter was filtered by using salt crystals to extract pollution driven by moisture through a series of cylindrical salt crystal (a locally available material) filters integrated into a tent structure
Figure 24 Tent structure designed to filter polluted air using salt crystals. By evaporating the mix of salt and water taken in the regions around the Gobi desert, the strings on the filters grow the air cleaning crystals. An acrylic frame hosts the system and facilitates the air exchanges in the tent. (Design and image by Aleksander Guldager Kongshaug, Photograph by David Garcia)
(Figure 23 - 25). An ancient Mongolian building technique inspired the tent design. Results showed a significant indoor reduction of particle pollution when compared to the outside (Table 2). The work shows the high potential of locally sourced material filters, and it can be scaled to various residential units.
Figure 25 The tent structure designed to filter polluted air using salt crystals. It can be handled by a single person who controls the three ‘tent wings’ and the chimney in the middle of the tent (Photograph by David Garcia)
Figure 23 Overview of one of the several Salt Lakes in the Gobi Desert. The abundant salt is used in the air cleaning filters. (Image provided by Aleksander Guldager Kongshaug)
test
aqi
pm10
pm2.5
pm1.0
outside
122
65
52
41
inside
29
13
10
6
336
μg/m³
μg/m³
REGENERATIVE DESIGN IN DIGITAL PRACTICE
µg/m³
Table 2 Data registered from outside and inside the tent