Abstract

Against the backdrop of the environmental crisis, access to water has become a critical challenge at both global and local scales. In Slovenia, dispersed settlement patterns mean that a significant share of the population relies on small-scale, self-managed, or insufficiently monitored water supply systems. This paper presents an exploratory practice-based case study and develops a design framework that integrates natural processes, vernacular knowledge, and new technology for water-related challenges in unmonitored catchment areas. The framework is articulated through the development of a site-responsive prototype for the Lipnik Spring in Triglav National Park, where elevated E. coli levels have been detected. The fabricated component is a 3D-printed ceramic gyroid filtration module, while the proposed system-level concept integrates an Archimedes’ screw mechanism to investigate how the kinetic energy of flowing water could support operation without external electricity. The study documents how ecological processes, local material knowledge, and digital fabrication were combined within a sustainability-oriented design process. Contextual iterations in Georgia and France apply the framework’s decision-making logic to different environmental conditions and locally available materials. The paper contributes to design practice research and sustainability-oriented prototype development by articulating a structured approach to designing context-specific water-access concepts with low operational energy demand for remote settings.

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