Chantepleures

- Isabelle Daëreon (FR)

Chantepleures is a water treatment plant designed for the watering of public gardens in the urban environment. It uses rainwater. The installation consists of a water reservoir that filters water by means of a helophyte filter; a natural system in which plant roots purify the water. The bacteria in the roots are able to break down waste products in the water. The bacteria that do not need oxygen purify the water in a deeper layer. The Chantepleures can be used to irrigate the environment. A Chantepleure is the medieval ancestor of the water jug ​​that was used to transport collected rainwater for plants. The water is retained by means of a vacuum that is created when the top is closed. When opened, water flows through the holes at the bottom of the jug. In French, Chantepleure means “sing and cry at the same time” because the container sings when it is filled and cries when it is empty. By redesigning the Chantepleure, Isabelle Daëreon wants to emphasize the origin of non-drinkable water.