EARTH CLOSET (EC)
The Dry Toilet aims to raise awareness of the self-evidence of access to sanitation
The Dry Toilet aims to raise awareness about the self-evidence of access to sanitation. “Around 2.5 billion people have no place to go and often have to defecate in the open. This is degrading and makes people sick.” (UNICEF 2014) The separation of solids and liquids, especially in the absence of running water, allows for a sustainable and resource-efficient approach. The materials for the object were collected from a place which is actively used for climbing. One idea is to engage with the nature-loving climbers in a kind of event at which the participants receive educational information as well as the opportunity to produce a separating toilet themselves.
| student: | Marvin Alexander Robert |
| project: | (con)temporary crust |
| year: | 2021 |
| Location of inspiration: | Steinbruch Löbejün |
| Material: | gravel, sand, straw, clay, water |
| Method of manufacturing: | rammed earth |
| Temporal aspect: | Durability depends on weather conditions and use.When dry, rammed earth is frost-resistant. |
full concept text
The material was collected at a disused quarry, which is being repurposed as a climbing site. It is recognizable that nature recovers after the human interventions and “reclaims” the place. In the immediate vicinity is the still active quarry. At the beginning of the work, this place and its infrastructure were first examined. Thereby different interests meet. On the one hand the need for new raw materials, on the other hand the experience in and with nature.
During the observation of the arriving people, the question of the sanitary infrastructure arose. How is it possible to provide the climbers with a place to relieve themselves in this natural environment? What is the most sustainable use without running water?
In this context, the global access to sanitation was also addressed. Some 2.5 billion people have no place to go and often have to defecate in the open. This is degrading and can lead to various deadly diseases. (cf. unicef 2014) How is it possible to make this basic need possible worldwide in a dignified environment and under hygienic conditions?
This project primarily aims to draw attention to the fact that we take access to sanitation for granted and to raise awareness of the importance of inadequate access.
However, with regard to the importance of a dignified environment, this project requires further consideration of the spatial environment. The object in itself does allow for the sustainable separation of waste and a reduction in odor. However, the preservation of privacy is insufficiently considered. This should be worked out in a further step.
There is also the idea of a kind of event to reinforce this discussion and awareness. The participants should receive educational information as well as the opportunity to produce a separation toilet themselves.
In this way, a reference to the environment and the existing resources and soils can also be given.