Bamboo Washing Machine is the concept of a team of eight students from the Chinese University of Dalian Minzu, and has the aim of giving time and natural energy to those who live in rural locations close to waterways.
What is it about? It is practically a "community" washing machine powered by renewable energy and natural materials.
“Laundry is time-consuming, especially in rural communities,” writes the team, led by Xu Bin.
The Bamboo Washing Machine helps rural communities channel their time and energy into more meaningful activities, such as fighting poverty.
From an excerpt from the research.
How does the bamboo "river" washing machine work?
The idea is that the slatted “basket” of the washing machine is stuck in the river bed. The water flows along the bottom, rotating a series of revolving blades. This in turn rotates several buckets full of clothing inside it.
The thinking is that each family in the village would have their own bucket, with the main living quarters being the “communal washing machine”. Nice is not it?
But I have my doubts
I find the idea behind this concept of a natural community washing machine very beautiful and "bucolic".
It's all there: from plant materials to the use of environmental peculiarities, passing through the sharing of resources. I don't know if it will work, though.
First of all, I'm not sure that the washing machine housing itself won't sooner or later be swept away by the force of the river. I would like to see some shots of the bottom of the buckets to see how the water drainage system would work, for one.
Anyway, overall the concept of this Bamboo Washing Machine is interesting.
I love that students of design tackle community issues like these, and not the umpteenth luxury products with elegant lines.
