In the process where organic material is attacked by microbes in order to compost the material, a great amount of heat is lost to the environment. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a method to capture all the heat and utilize it in a more meaningful manner? Bringing all that heat to work, Tokyo-based architects Bakoko have designed a circular pod-shaped teahouse that uses the energy produced by compost to keep the residents warm. Dubbed the “Comploo,” the tiny structure consists of a series of large, specially shaped compost hoppers arranged in a ring, forming an enclosure. At the top of each bin is a door where all the garden waste, food scraps or other compost materials can be dropped to compost.
Each bin has a system of ducts running through them and as the air circulates within the walls, the decaying compost warms it. This heated air is then released via a central vent that discharges into the interior of the structure. This heat source keeps the dwellers cozy. The structure that would do wonders as serving in large urban parks, community gardens, or as outdoor cafés is presently being worked for resolving technical details. The team is looking forward to build a fully composting prototype shortly. Its commendable how designers are taking a simple, biological process and utilizing it to heat small public spaces like the traditional garden teahouses found all throughout Japan.
Via: Inhabitat