2024 - Empowa Showa - Embracing Africa

The transformation of abandoned urban spaces is critical for improving the quality of life for city people. With a focus on increasing quality of life, sustainability, community participation, and creativity, the design resolution for the new Baobab tree-inspired communal showers at Old Park Station in Johannesburg, South Africa, intends to provide a refreshing oasis in the metropolis. Drawing inspiration from the trees’ durability and majestic magnitude, this installation aims to combine the utility of a basic necessity with communal connection and expression, thereby embracing inhabitants and visitors to the ’Empowa Showa’.

The Empowa Showa’s conceptual framework is based on four principles: quality of life, sustainability, inclusion, and cultural resonance.

The design prioritises sustainability by using long-lasting materials, water-saving technologies, and renewable energy sources. Rainwater harvesting devices will be installed beneath the Old Park Station’s elevated concrete base to collect and filter rainwater for use in showers, minimising reliance on municipal water supplies. Solar panels will be installed to the original Station structure’s roof, and the energy will be used to power LED lighting during the day and to heat the elements of the geyser systems for the showers. This minimises environmental effects while increasing energy efficiency.

The materials for these modular installations (each bay of the Station on the north façade will hold one tree/four showers) are as follows:
•Concrete forms the more elevated shower threshold, resulting in a separate wet zone.
•PVC pipes are used for the exposed plumbing in each shower stall. The pipes are orange in hue.
•Fiberglass panels in orange are used as barriers between each shower cubicle.
•Galvanized steel will be laser carved into a sculptural tree for the showers’ upper part.

These showers are intended to accommodate people from all walks of life. Wheelchair accessible routes are made possible by thoughtful design components such as apertures in each cubicle’s raised concrete threshold. Each shower’s floor is finished with a clear non-slip epoxy poured over the existing concrete floor. This adds an added layer of protection for anyone utilising the facilities. Furthermore, this location will be advertised as gender-neutral, emphasising the installation’s community aspect.

Sunlight enhances the Empowa Showa installation at Old Park Station, contributing to the site’s improvement in a variety of ways.

1. Sunlight offers natural illumination throughout the day, decreasing the need for artificial lighting in the public bathing facilities. The enormous openness of the shower’s top half allows sunlight to filter in, creating a bright and inviting environment for users. This natural illumination not only improves visibility, but also fosters a sense of transparency and connection to the surrounding environment.

2. Photovoltaic panels are used to harness solar energy, providing a long-term source of power for lighting and heating elements. These panels will gather sunlight and transform it into power, decreasing the public shower’s carbon impact while boosting energy efficiency. By utilising solar energy, the installation indicates a dedication to renewable resources and environmental stewardship, which is consistent with the sustainability ideals.

3. Sunlight also helps to heat the shower water using passive solar heating techniques. The shower structures are carefully angled to maximise solar exposure, allowing sunshine to warm the water stored in tanks or circulation systems beneath the existing concrete platform that supports the Station and its installation. This solar heating technique guarantees that users have access to comfortably warm water all day, improving the whole shower experience and increasing user satisfaction.

4. Sunlight accentuates the installation’s visual appeal by highlighting the textures and colours of the materials used in its construction. The tree structure is a combination of light and shadow creates a sense of dynamic beauty, transforming the public shower into a visually appealing landmark in the urban landscape. Furthermore, sunlight streaming through the trees creates interesting patterns of curved light on the ground below, adding to the sensory complexity of the environment.

5. Sunlight acts as a powerful connector to the natural world, enabling individuals to interact with their surroundings and appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. The availability of sunshine in the public shower emphasises the link to nature formed by the Baobab tree design, promoting relaxation, renewal, and well-being. As users bask in the warm glow of sunshine pouring through the metal tree, they are reminded of the natural world’s innate beauty and vitality, which fosters a greater awareness for the environment.

Finally, sunlight enhances the Empowa Showa installation at Old Park Station in a variety of ways, including sustainability, comfort, beauty, and a sense of connection to nature. By harnessing the power of sunlight, the installation not only improves the facility’s functionality and efficiency, but it also enriches the user experience, creating a welcoming oasis for neglected members of the larger community to come together to refresh, recharge, and reconnect with the beauty of Johannesburg’s rich urban landscape while also experiencing social inclusivity.