Karst: A Water Filtration Staircase Connecting Humans and Nature

Design by Chi-Hao Chiang

Karst, designed by Chi-Hao Chiang, is a unique and innovative staircase that combines art, architecture, and sustainability. Inspired by the Karst terrain famous for its solutional caves, the staircase aims to break the traditional boundaries between humans and nature, allowing nature to appear in our daily lives.

Measuring 2032 mm x 5740.4 mm x 5130.8 mm, Karst is made of concrete and features a water filtration system. The staircase is designed to allow rainwater to drip from pockets containing bags of crushed oyster shells. The shells, composed of calcium carbonate, react with acid rain, reducing ocean acidification by absorbing carbon dioxide. This sustainable feature not only benefits the environment but also creates a unique and interactive experience for users.

One of the key strengths of Karst is its modular design. Each module of the staircase can be separated and installed along the island, creating a filter system that blurs the boundary between humans and nature on Governors Island. The filtered water can then return to the harbor, benefiting the island and its ecosystem.

The design process for Karst involved extensive research and experimentation. The goal was to question the relationship between industrial standardized building materials and organic materials in a time when concrete jungles dominate the landscape. Through physical explorations and material combinations, Chi-Hao Chiang and his team deconstructed and reconstructed styrofoam and pine cone models, ultimately creating a design that combines two different forms in a consistent and functional way.

Karst was exhibited on Governors Island in New York in October 2020, following its completion in May of the same year. The design received the Bronze A' Design Award in the Building Materials and Construction Components category in 2022, recognizing its outstanding creativity, technical skills, and contribution to improving the quality of life.

With its water filtration system, unique design, and sustainable features, Karst represents a remarkable fusion of art, architecture, and technology. It serves as a reminder of the importance of our connection with nature and the potential for innovative design to create harmonious relationships between humans and the environment.