NENÚFAR | Carlos Marval Domador

A system of gigantic Nenúfares –¨water plant-system¨- will be in charge of capturing rain water, in order to be treated properly and used by the community during the dry season. The Nenúfares grow slightly tilted and specifically oriented to where winds are originated. These ¨plants¨ are placed in the complex of conglomerated housing, as landmarks of reference in a remote zone where the water supply system doesn’t have easy access. Besides capturing the rain water, the ¨water plant-system¨ also counts with a system of ¨fog-capturing mesh¨ on each Nenúfar, which helps to obtain more water during the rainy season, and therefore be used in the communal crops. The ¨water plant-system¨ is inserted in the ¨Cerros¨ –mountains- of the barriada (neighborhood), deep inside the communities, being able to attend between 30 to 40 families. At the base of each insertion would appear small public spaces for communal gathering social activities (techniques of water tables and crop) and sets of playgrounds for children. The ¨water plant-system¨ includes the capturing nenúfares, from which the water will be channeled by its natural falling through artificial channels with stationary spots of storage. These would work always respecting the natural course of the existent rivers in the mountain, and contributing with the prevention of landslides, trying to convert this threat in a design challenge and an opportunity of improving the quality of life. The proposed technical system requires the conformation of a social structure in charge of its maintenance, administration and water distribution policies, which arise as a source of employment for the community members. The Nenúfares system will create contrast with it surroundings -Caracas City-, presenting the possibility of becoming a huge and useful piece of ¨land-art¨, which can provide color and dramatic nocturnal lightning, boosting the local tourism, and once again promoting new employment sources. It s all about an integral intervention in the barriada of Petare, where exists a dual problem associated with water: threats of landslides and scarce resource –water-, issues that can be transformed into opportunities for the whole transformation of the barriada in a not-too-distant future.