A SUSTAINABLE BAMBOO
AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
In association with
THE INSPIRATION
As an aquaponics designer I am constantly working on sustainable projects
around the world. Saving the worlds precious resources like water by
producing chemical free food via a soil less closed loop ecosystem is not
only my job, but my life’s purpose. That is also why I teach my students
at Bali Aquaponics how to build their own small food system.
I was always interested in Bamboo the worlds #1 sustainable material.
Stronger than steel by weight and it takes a massive amount of CO2 out of
the environment. So, I decided to take the “11 Day Intense Bamboo Course”
at Bamboo U, run by Orin Hardy.
During these 11 days I met
and become friends with
fellow students from 12
different countries who all
had different reasons to
learn about bamboo. The
energy during this course was
as amazing as the caliber of
teachers. From Elora Hardy,
head of IBUKU to Scott
Vandervoort professor at
Pratt Institute of Design in NY, Neil Thomas, MIT lecturer and lead
engineer at Atelier One. London. Arie Rabik,Author who owes a spiritual
debt to bamboo as his family paid for his birth in bamboo.
And not to forget the incredible group of
Balinese who are true master in bamboo.
These 11 days were a profound experience
from the knowledge I have received to the
people I have met and admire.
Each student had the choice to either work on their own projects or help
building the bamboo structure for the new kitchen on the Bamboo U
property. I decided to work on something I knew, and I am passionate
about… Aquaponics. So I set out to combine a sustainable way to produce
fresh food with the #1 most sustainable building material. Bamboo.
I learned how to create my idea via small
1:10 models with small bamboo sticks. After
3 tries with my models, I had the final
shape I was planning to build in my reallife model.
The next step was to build the model in real size.
Without the help of a small group of lovely Balinese
bamboo teachers, my project would have taken a lot
longer and probably wouldn’t turn out the way it did.
THE PRODUCTION
After showing pictures of my system to friends in the US, Australia,
Germany and Italy, I got so much interest that I decided to create a new
version with a much smaller food print so everyone can put it in their
home. The goal was to have the same function with a design that is not
larger than 80cm or 3 feet in diameter.
I hired an architect who created renderings of a potential version in
Aluminum. In the future this could be an option if there is enough
interest. For now, I want to focus on the sustainable Bamboo version.
THE CREATORS
Bamboo U is associated with IBUKU, arguable the most renown Bamboo
building company in the world who also has a furniture division. I am
proud to say that IBUKU now is the exclusive producer of this “unique &
sustainable indoor aquaponics system” The official owner and distributor
of this system is my Aquaponics Design Co. AD is building high end
aquaponics systems all over the world with an amazing passionate team
behind it.
The original system I have build is now used and showcased at the Tony
Raka Art Gallery in Ubud, Bali. The system is creating herbs that are used
by the Tony Raka Art Lounge, a must see place when visiting Bali. It has
beautiful art combined with exceptional food
Here you can see how the system will function.
The water will be pumped from a small fish tank to the ring that is
holding the plants via a small 10w aquarium pump. Once the water circles
around the ring it will then return back to the fish tank via a small
water slide and the cycle continues.
MAKING AN IMPACT
Each system sold will help educate children and communities in Aquaponics.
Making communities more sustainable and provide food security is the main
focus of koyaproject. That is why we are proud to donate $100 of each
system so we provide education towards a more sustainable world and help
feed communities.
Every time you pick your own fresh herbs
from your system, you will be reminded
that you made a big difference in the
life of others.
THE PARTNERS
One unique and sustainable system that would not be possible without the
collaboration of synergetic companies with the goal to make this world a
better place