Week 21 – Steel Pole Water Collection & Rainwater Movement

This tutorial focused on developing the technical detailing of the steel canopy support system and investigating how rainwater could travel through the structural pole and drainage system towards the pond. The session explored the relationship between the tensile canopy structure, internal water movement, and the wider water management strategy across the site.

The sketches examined how rainwater collected from the canopy surfaces could be directed internally through the steel pole before entering the linear drainage channels connected to the pond system.

A major learning outcome from this session was understanding how structural elements can also perform environmental functions within landscape architecture projects.

The tutorial explored:

• Internal water movement through hollow steel poles

• Integration between canopy runoff and drainage systems

• Use of welded steel baffles within the pole structure

The tutorial also focused on how rainwater could be collected directly from the tensile canopy surfaces and redistributed through the landscape.

The investigations explored:

• Rainwater runoff from the canopy fabric

• Controlled movement into steel downpipes