Boat BioLogs: A Green Solution to Canal Pollution

Designer Riya Kuvavala's Innovative Floating Gardens Combat Water Pollution

The concept of Boat BioLogs was born out of Kuvavala's inspiration from plants' ability to adapt to the Anthropocene age and fight pollution. These plants, considered as biopollutants, break down or absorb pollutants in our shared ecosystems, creating a fast-growing biomass that can be utilized for compost, research, and fields like phytomining. Kuvavala's design is also inspired by the tightly-knit boat community and their nomadic and self-sufficient lifestyle.

What sets Boat BioLogs apart is its community-based approach. The floating gardens are designed to be installed on boats in collaboration with the London boat community. The design incentivizes boaters with the luxury of a private garden, motivating them to install it and sparking a dialogue about nature's self-healing properties. The gardens are made using a DIY strategy, making them adaptable and affordable, aligning with the boater’s self-sufficient lifestyle.

Kuvavala's design uses biodegradable, long-lasting, rust and corrosion-resistant materials that do not react to sunlight. Parts can be locally sourced, including coconut coir, HDPE semi-flexible pipe, marine-grade stainless steel, HDPE mesh, locally sourced soil, and native plants. The biofilm growing on the roots breaks down some pollutants, and the plant absorbs the rest.

Boat BioLogs are not just a design; they are a movement. The user scans a QR code seen on an already installed garden, which downloads an app. The app provides instructions on why it is important, a ‘how to make’ video, materials needed, plants to use, care instructions, and so on. The user buys materials from local hardware stores/ nurseries and builds the garden. Along with the plants, they also install the QR code. This way, the community spreads awareness about the product to collectively improve the quality of canal water pollution.

Boat BioLogs is a testament to the power of community-based, sustainable design. It is a call to action that targets the source of water pollution and converts it into the solution. This design not only improves the quality of this shared water ecosystem but also promotes the growth of native plants, insects, and birds. It is a green design that is not just user-centric, but also nature-centric.