Water purification in Mayan Village-Mexico

Action Lab Mexico (ALM) is a collaboration project between Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Universidad Modelo, and SGT program from Aalto University. ALM has pushed the boundaries of sustainability to foster a learning environment where challenges are opportunities for creative solutions. The objective of this project was to address water contamination in El 20-Mexico, through the development of a solar distiller prototype. The participating students and mentors delved into the heart of El 20, focusing on resilience from various perspectives and three teams of architecture, culture, and water.

The collaboration commenced with Zoom meetings and meticulous project planning in January 2023. The culture team centered their efforts on creating a documentary exploring the intricate relationship between water and resilience in El 20. Simultaneously, the water team embarked on building a solar distiller prototype for water purification. The culture team documented the stakeholder engagements, aiming to build trust within the community and present their story through the eyes of multiple stakeholders. Their goal was to contribute to preserving a memory of habits, relationships, and values for El 20’s future amidst a rapidly changing world.

At the heart of the innovation is a solar distiller inspired by the award-winning design of New Zealand architect Henry Glogau, currently associated with GXN, the green innovation unit of the 3XN architecture firm in Denmark. Glogau's lightweight and easily deployable portable solar distiller served as a key reference for the Aalto team. Nonetheless, the students not only focused on technical aspects but also delved into the social dimensions of their innovation.

During the two-week field research, with one week spent in El 20, the team engaged in ice-breaker sessions to strengthen team dynamics and build relationships. Local students played a crucial role as intermediaries, bridging cultural and language gaps. Interactions with the community unveiled insights into their ways of life, particularly their resilient strategies in addressing challenges such as water scarcity during long dry seasons. Interviews explored local aspirations, perspectives on change, and coping mechanisms for issues like the pandemic, climate change, and governmental influences.

Reflecting on the project's multidisciplinary nature, the team highlighted challenges and rewards, emphasizing the importance of effective communication, creativity, and meticulous planning. The SGT ­programme field research, described as a unique learning experience, brought forth insights like Don Matteo’s wisdom: “There is something for everyone in nature,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of human and non-human natural beings.

Additional details can be found at Aalto Lab Mexico and the SGT webpage.