A remote residency by TU Delft and SPACE10 exploring positive water futures.
Together with water experts from the Global Drinking Water program at TU Delft, SPACE10 is launching a two-month remote residency exploring visions for positive water futures in cities worldwide. Through imaginative and interdisciplinary approaches, the residents will identify what it would take to avoid Day Zero in their own cities by tapping into alternative water sources.
From Cape Town to London to Mexico City, water scarcity is a challenge in cities across the world.
As these cities grow and their demands increase, their infrastructure falls under enormous pressure and becomes less water-resilient. While most people living in cities still have reliable access to water, others have already experienced what it’s like to reach the limit.
In 2017, Cape Town faced a drought-induced water crisis so severe that the city prepared to switch off its water supply. To avoid the ‘Day Zero’, the city sparked an action plan and an awareness campaign that united citizens in a huge effort to cut water consumption. As a result, Cape Town managed to avoid the crisis.
The events in Cape Town are an inspiring example of how people can unite around a cause and protect their city from Day Zero. Can we do the same by tapping into alternative water sources for our cities?
BRIEF
We will invite three residents across the globe to explore Day Zero in their own city, and translate their research into visionary solutions for the cities of tomorrow. The residents will visually communicate a possible future for their city through a speculative design concept which taps into one of the following future water sources:
- Seawater
- Rainwater
- Wastewater.
This vision should inspire and engage people around the world to strive for a positive water future. What could that future look like?
The final outcome will be three key visuals supported by a short, descriptive project text. The visual medium can range from digital (2D or 3D) renders to illustrations, to mixed media or staged photography with prototypes — as long as the concept is visually strong and tells the story. For reference, see our past playful research projects Tomorrow’s Meatball and Spaces on Wheels.
RESIDENCY
This residency aims to bring together different perspectives and backgrounds from people with skills such as speculative design, visual communication, illustration, or visual arts and storytelling. Ideally, our residents are humble, independent, optimistic, visionary, and collaborative. Applicants with diverse perspectives and from different locations will be prioritised.
The residency will be facilitated through collaborative weekly digital sessions with SPACE10, TU Delft and other experts, where the residents will receive guidance and mentorship throughout their two-month journey. TU Delft will guide the residents’ research and analyses and strengthen them with their knowledge and perspectives. The residency is planned from 10 May 2021-2 July 2021 and will take place entirely online.
CONDITIONS
- A monthly honorarium of €4,000 over the period of two months per resident/team.
- Mentorship program with weekly check-ins from water and storytelling experts.
- Financial support of up to €2,000 for tools and materials to produce your outcome. (This will depend on the scope of the project and will be decided in conversation with the facilitators from SPACE10.)
- Access to relevant team members from SPACE10.
HOW TO APPLY
1. Three-page proposal (PDF) explaining your concept based on one of the three future water solutions, including ideas for the key visuals and a breakdown of timeline and budget.
2. Portfolio (PDF) with two to three selected relevant previous work/projects.
3. A letter (100 words max) in which you introduce your personal experience with water scarcity.
When selected, your proposal to the brief will serve as the foundation for your residency. You will define the concrete objectives and deliverables of your residency in collaboration with SPACE10 prior to the start of your residency.
- Apply by submitting your application through the link below
- Application deadline: 31 March 2021, 11.59pm CET
- Interview period: 15-23 April 2021, 9am to 9pm CET
- Residency period: 10 May-2 July 2021
- Point of contact:
[email protected]