Bananas About Bananas: A Guide for Using Banana Fibre in Construction by Mai Smith

Bananas About Bananas A GUIDE FOR USING BANANA FIBRE IN CONSTRUCTION

Contents 1.0 Intro 1.1 Design Project Overview 1.2 Technical Aspirations

2.0 Site 2.1 Ecuador 2.2 Four Regions 2.3 Site: Dolores Plantation 2.4 Climate

3.0 Banana Fibre 3.1 Banana Fibre 3.2 Fibre Extraction Process 3.3 Applications 3.4 Banana Rope 3.5 Rope Production

4.0 Construction 4.1 Overall Structure 4.2 Key Construction Stages 4.3 Rope Arches 4.4 Structural Section 4.5 Foundation Detail 4.6 Rooflight Detail 4.7 Facade Detail

5.0 Environmental Response 5.1 Solar Shading 5.1 Natural Ventilation 5.3 Rainwater Harvesting

1.0 Introduction

Banana Textiles Hub

E EPPRROODDU UC CTT RORPOP IIOO NN

The The Cotton Cotton Industry Industry

EAVI

SSS

Textiles Textiles Workshop Workshop

IN R E S P ON S E T O

WEAVIN NGG CW BIRCI FBAR FA

NGG KIIN AK A M M

S SHHOOPP

EEX XTT

SSPPIIN NN NIIN NGG FIF BI

E BRER

BRE RIE FTIBF T C CA RAR

DRD ERSE

T HE C OT T ON IN D US T RY

IN TTRRAAIN ININ GG

LE L

EE UTURR CETC

LLE EAA

NG NIG IN R N R

Banana Banana Industry Industry Waste Waste

EV EV E E N N TT SS PA

EE ACC

TNT NE EM PMP OLO

CA C AFFEE

CEE AC SSPPA

Learning Learning Hub Hub

IN R E S P ON S E T O

RESEARC RESEARCHH&&DDE EVVE EL

WAS T E F ROM T HE B AN AN A IN D US T RY

EM EM P

Bad Bad Treatment Treatment of of Workers Workers

IN R E S P ON S E T O

E AC N SAPTIO DYD UO

WE ERRSS/WC OW SHHO

Employee Employee Hub Hub

CCAA NF T

SC EEN/OFFICEA C NT OM ST N CA M E/EE

UNGE LO NGE EU YEELO E O LY LPO

ND OU FF ICREETT S E

B AD T REAT M EN T OF B AN AN A IN D US T RY W ORK ERS

Fig 1.11 Programme for the Banana Textiles Hub

1.1 Design Overview Banana Textiles Factory DS10 had a strong focus on using sustainable materials for construction this year as a way to address the current climate crisis. As a starting point we each studied a plant in detail learning from its form, structure, systems and the plant itself as a potential construction material. From this we needed to choose a sustainable construction material and an unsustainable industry to disrupt with our proposal. I studied the banana plant and chose the plantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fibres as the main construction material. The proposal is a banana textiles factory situated in the heart of the banana growing regions of Ecuador. The textiles hub will convert a waste product of the banana fruit industry (the pseudo-trunk) into a useful fibre which aims to disrupt the unsustainable practices of the cotton industry.

GALAPAGOS

C OLUMBI A CA

ESMERALDS

IMBABURA PICHINCHA SUCUMBIOS

SANTO DOMINGO DE LOS TSACHILAS

Quito

NAPO COT

O PA

FRANCISCO DE ORELLANA

PASTAZA

B O LI

VA R

TUNGURAH UA

LOS RIOS

MANABI

GUAYAS

SANTA ELENA

CANAR MORONA - SANTIAGO

AZUAY

EL ORO

ZAMORA CHINCHIPE

P E RU

LOJA

Fig 1.12 Site location in the province of Los Rios, Ecuador

Fig 1.13 Aerial view of the Banana Textiles Hub

KEY Fibre Production 1. Fibre Extraction 2. Fibre Store 3. Yarn Spinning 4. Yarn Store 5. Rope Production 6. Rope Store and Staff Facilities

7. Fabric and Yarn Dying 8. Dying Hut garden 9. Fabric Weaving 10. Dress Making/ Sewing Room 11. Quality Control & Packaging Learning Hub 12. Practical Teaching Space 13. Exhibition/ Breakout Space 14. Lecture/ Event Space 15. Shop 16. Design & Research Studio

10 11

17. Office

Employee Hub

18. Employee Canteen 19. Employee Chill out Space 20. Employee Showers 21. Cafe 22. Nature Trail

17 20

Fig 1.24 Ground Floor Plan

40.91 m

Site Plan 1:200 @ A2 0

10m

F AM IL Y

Musaceae

GE N US

Musa

Midrib

Lamina (Leaf)

Male Flower Bud

Petiole (Stalk)

Unfurling Cigar Leaf

Female flowers

(which develop into the banana fruit.)

Sucker

Pseudo-trunk

(Tightly packed leaf sheaths)

50cm 50cm

The Rhizome

Older sheafs

10cm

Fig 1.21 The banana plant - the proposal will be constructed from the fibres extracted from the pseudo-trunk

5 6

1 Growing point 2 Sheaths 3 Sucker 4 Central cylinder 5 Roots

1.2 Technical Aspirations Key Objectives The key challenges for the technical design are building with banana fibre rope which will be used for the main structure, ensuring the building provides enough solar shading in Ecuadorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tropical climate, natural ventilation, flood prevention and rainwater harvesting. 1. Using sustainable materials i.e. banana fibre for construction 2. Increasing biodiversity to reduce the need for harmful pesticides 3. Rainwater harvesting 4. Control solar gain 5. Natural ventilation

2.0 Site

30° N

EQUATOR

0°

30° S

ECU ADOR BANANA GR O W IN G CO UN TR IE S

2.1 Ecuador Biggest Exporter of Bananas Situated in a tropical climate and on the west coast of South America, Ecuador is one of many banana producing countries in South America. Despite its size in comparison to other bananas producers like Brazil, Mexico or Peru, Ecuador is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top exporter of bananas. Producing a quarter of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exports of the Cavendish Banana and generating 3.2 billion dollars worth of bananas exported. Being the biggest exporter, means the country has a lot of waste through the banana growing industry. This waste has a lot of potential to be turned into textiles or to be used in construction at little cost to the environment as the pseudo-trunks would have gone to waste anyway.

GALAPAGOS Situated 620 miles west of the mainland made up of volcanic islands. The Galapagos are known for their large number of endemic species.

C O A ST Situated to the west of the Andes, the coastal region is the country’s most fertile and productive region where the banana growing areas are also situated. Most of the country’s rice is grown here along with the truly coastal areas with active fisheries.

SI ERRA Sierra or the highlands consists of the Andes mountain range. The country’s volcanoes and snow capped peaks are situated here.

GALAPOGO S ISL A N D S COAST SIERRA (THE A N D E S) AM AZON

AMAZ ON I A Also known as El Oriente or the East, this area consists of the Amazon jungle. There are lots of national parks and Amerindian untouchable zones where Amerindian tribes can continue living traditionally. This area has the largest reserves of petroleum which is the country’s number 1 export item, with bananas being second.

2.2 Four Regions Coastal Region For bananas to thrive they need lots of direct sunlight and a warm climate, growing best in 26-28°C. Costa, the coastal region, provides ideal growing conditions benefiting from a tropical climate, rich soil, conditions, 12 hours of sunlight and a constant temperature between 20 and 30°C year round. This is in comparison to it’s mountainous neighbour, the Sierra region, where temperatures will drop below 10°C.

GALAPAGOS

COLUMBI A CA

ESMERALDS

IMBABURA PICHINCHA SUCUMBIOS

SANTO DOMINGO DE LOS TSACHILAS

Quito

NAPO MANABI

COT

FRANCISCO DE ORELLANA

VA R

TUNGURAH UA

PASTAZA

GUAYAS

SANTA ELENA

B O LI

LOS RIOS

O PA

CANAR MORONA - SANTIAGO

AZUAY

EL ORO

ZAMORA CHINCHIPE

PERU

LOJA

B A N A N A G R O W I N G REG I ON S B A N A N A FA R M S

Fig 2.21 Map of the banana growing regions situated in the provinces of Los Rios, Guayas and El Oro

100m

Scale 0

400

200

600

S I TE : D O L O R E S B A NA NA FA R M TR E E S FIELDS/ LAND FOR CROPS WATE R WAY S BUILDINGS/HOUSES R O A D S & PATH WAYS 100m 100m

Scale Scale 00

200 200

400 400

600 600

800 800

1km 1km

800

1km

2.3 Dolores Plantation Dolores Plantation The site is Dolores banana plantation located in the Los Rios province. The site is a huge expanse of banana trees, covering over 1km2 of land which is equivalent to about 143 football fields. The site was chosen for its size and central location in the banana growing region and proximity to one of international shipping ports, Guayaquil. The size of the plantation will ensure a large supply of banana pseudo-trunks and therefore a large quantity of fibre could be produced.

GALAPAGOS

C OLUMBI A CA

ESMERALDS

IMBABURA PICHINCHA SUCUMBIOS

SANTO DOMINGO DE LOS TSACHILAS

Quito

NAPO COT

O PA

FRANCISCO DE ORELLANA

TUNGURAH UA

PASTAZA

B O LI

VA R

Site LOS RIOS

MANABI

GUAYAS

SANTA ELENA

CANAR MORONA - SANTIAGO

AZUAY

EL ORO

ZAMORA CHINCHIPE

P E RU

LOJA

Fig 2.31 Map showing the location of Dolores Plantation in the province of Los Rios.

DECEMB NO

35 35

15 15 10

20 20

E RE UR TU AT R A

°C 26-28 °C

W O

TIM

0°C

JU NE

JU LY

TIM

D EC EM BE R BE

NA AN BA BAN R R O F FO

28 N A SA S 2 6 -

BE EM PT

ER GU

ER NT WI

CT °

JU N E

200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 200 40 20 180 0mm 160

Y MA

140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0mm

Y SU

JA NU AR Y

FE JA NU AR Y

Y SU

ER GSEducationalVersion

36° C - Temperature the banana

begins to down 36° Cplant - Temperature theshut banana plant begins to shut down Optimum temperature

Optimum temperature for banana growing for banana growing

Average Monthly Average Monthly Temperature ( ° C) ( ° C) Temperature Average Monthly Average Monthly Precipitation (mm)

Precipitation (mm)

2.4 Climate Ideal Banana Growing Conditions The diagram shows the climate data for the site. It shows that the temperature remains constant year round and within or close to the optimum temperature for banana growing (26-28Â°C). The wet season from December - May and the dry season June to November. With the dry season lasting half a year and the banana being a thirsty plant, the proposal will introduce rainwater harvesting to collect the water to be used for the drip irrigation system and within the buildings.

3.0 Banana Fibre

Qualities

Sustainable

Stronger

Hard Fibre

The fibre is sustainable as it is recycled from the waste of the banana production industry.

It has a tensile strength 3 times that of cotton fibre.

Not actually harder than their soft fibre counterparts, but hard fibres actually mean they are thicker and stiffer. This makes it a better choice for construction.

UV Resistance

Withstand Rotting

Salt Water

The fibre has a very good UV resistance making it suitable for use outdoors.

Another reason why it is suitable for outdoor use, due to it being able to withstand rotting for many years. Coating the rope in a plant resin will make it last even longer.

Resilient to salt water, which is why it was the rope of choice for ships in the 19th and 20th century

3.1 Banana Fibre Potential for a Sustainable Material Banana fibre will be the main construction material for the Banana Textiles Factory. Banana fibre is currently a waste product from the banana growing industry. Once the banana plant produces fruit, the entire plant needs to be chopped down to make room for the younger offshoots to produce. This creates a huge waste from the industry which can end up being burned, left to rot or disposed of in waterways.

Fig 3.11 Image showing the useful fibres inside the banana pseudo-trunk

Fibre Extraction Process

5-6 pseudo-trunks

1kg fibre

Harvest banana trunk

Spin fibre into yarn - this can now be used to weave into material.

Me chanical E x tractio n Pro ce ss

Wash fibres and dry in the sun for 1 day.

Remove sheaths from pseudo-trunk

Divide sheaths into thinner strips in preparation for the decorticator machine.

Feed sheaths through decorticator machine to extract fibre.

3.2 Fibre Extraction Waste into Profit The fibre is sustainable as it is extracted from the pseudo-trunk of the banana plant which is a waste product of the banana fruit industry.

1 Tonne Harvested Fruit

Disposal of trunks

100kg 4 Tonnes

Rejected Fruit

Biomass Waste (Trunk/ leaf/ peel/ fruit bunch)

Lakes & rivers Burning

}

Harmful to the environment

Yarn

Rope

Textiles

The fibres are spun into yarn. The softer fibres of the pseudo-trunk are found in the centre making them suitable for making clothes.

This rope is a lot more coarse than its silky yarn counterpart. These fibres are found in the outer layers of the pseudo-trunk.

This fabric is 100% banana fibre. The fibre can be spun into very fine yarn which can be woven into material.

Crafts

Composites

Veneer

Coarse fibres are suited for items such as woven bags, baskets and mats.

The fibre can be combined with other materials to make composites for construction. This cube is used for the supports on wood pallets to reducing the amount of wood required to make them.

The pseudo-trunks can be turned into veneers, competitive in appearance with standard wood veneers, meaning this product could reduce and limit the use of other woods

3.3 Applications By-Products The fibre extracted from the plant can be used in many forms and across many disciplines including textiles, construction and crafts.

Coarser Fibres Found in the outer layers of the pseudo-trunk

Softer Fibres Found towards the centre of the pseudo-trunk

Fig 3.31 Cross-section of the banana pseudo-trunk

3.4 Banana Rope Primary Structure Material A form of banana rope already exists and has been used for ships for hundreds of years. The rope is known as Manila rope and is made from the fibres of the AbacĂĄ plant (Musa textilis), a species of banana plant, which is native to the Philippines. The rope has a tensile strength to that of cotton and sisal. It is suitable for outdoor use and will withstand rot for many years. It is unaffected by salt water in the medium term, this is why it was the chosen material for marine ropes until the advent of the first synthetic fibres. When the rope gets wet it swells in diameter and shrinks in overall length by up to 10%. It will shrink most in its first soaking. This is something that will need to be done before constructing the banana textiles factory in order to prevent any structural damage. The rope has very good UV resistance so will be ideal for use in Ecuadorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s climate.

Process

1. Lengths of yarn hooked onto single point.

2. Yarn is twisted in to strands

3. Strands are twisted into rope.

Rope Structure Fibres Yarn Strands Rope

3.5 Rope Production The rope will be produced on site, using the waste pseudo-trunks from the plantation. The image below shows a prototype of how the rope will be used structurally. The rope will be bundled and then attached using banana yarn.

Fig 3.41 Column made from bundled banana rope and banana yarn

4.0 Construction

Woven Facade Made from banana fibre rope.

Walls Composite: Built from banana fibre and plant resin.

Arches Bundled banana fibre rope - covered in plant resin to give strength and water resistance.

Floor Finish Banana veneer

Floor Structure Timber joists

Foundations Consisting of steel clamps to hold rope arches in place and steel driven piles.

Fig 4.11 Exploded axonometric of the main structure

4.1 Overall Structure Every building of the Banana Textiles Factory is constructed in the same way. The exploded axonometric on the left shows the key components of the structure: steel screwed pile foundations, timber floor, bundled banana fibre rope arches, banana fibre composite walls and a woven facade made from banana fibre rope.

1 2 4

Key 1. Fixing point of rope arch into metalclamp 2. Rope arch overhead 3. Banana fibre and plant resin internal walls 4. Rope woven facade

Site Plan 2 1:200 @ A

Fig 4.12 Structure for the weaving & sewing building

Fig 4.21 Steel screw pile foundations being screwed into the ground of the banana plantation

Key 1. Platform of screw pile left above ground to raise the building and to provide a base for the rope arches to be fixed to 2. Screwed section of pile foundatiion in ground.

4.2 Construction Stages Stage 1: Screw Foundations To avoid using concrete due to its negative environmental impact, steel screw piles have been chosen. Steel screw piles carry many benefits in comparison to concrete foundations including: easier installation, faster to install, have a lower carbon footprint, no need to remove soil from the site and are easy to remove. Two screw pile foundations will be required per one banana rope arch in order to crate a base for fixing each end of the arch in place. The screw piles will be protruding 320mm above the existing ground level as the building is raised off the ground.

320mm

Fig 4.22 Steel screw pile foundation

Fig 4.23 Banana rope arches fixed into metal clamps

Key 1. Bundled rope arch, fixed in; 2. Metal clamp bolted onto; 3. Steel screw pile foundation

4.2 Construction Stages Stage 2: Construct Rope Arches The primary structure (the bundled rope arches) are fixed either end with a metal clamp to keep the rope in place. This is then attached to the platform of the protruding screw pile.

Fig 4.24 Detail

3 2 4

Fig 4.25 Timber floor installed within depth of metal clamps

Key 1. Timber floor, laid over; 2. Timber joists 3. Rope arch 4. Metal clamp 5. Steel screw pile foundations

Fig 4.26 Plan of timber floor structure

4.2 Construction Stages Stage 3: Construct Raised Floors The main floor structure is a timber joint system which is fitted within the depth of the metal clamps.

1 2 3 4

Fig 4.27 Floor Detail

1 6

Fig 4.27 Faรงades woven in between rope arches

Key 1. Rope arch 2. Warp 3. Weft 4. Hooks to weave rope through 5. Openings in structure to weave rope through 6. Rope woven facade

4.2 Construction Stages Stage 4: Weave Faรงades The woven faรงades happen in two stages: the warp and the weft. The warp provides the structure of the faรงades, whilst the weft is woven in between the warp to provide a covering. The woven elements move from more densely woven at the top of the faรงades to less dense towards the bottom. This provides solar shade and waterproofing where it is tightly woven and ventilation where there are more opening towards the bottom of the facade.

1 3

Step 1 - weave the warp structure Fig 4.28 Weaving process

Step 2 - weave the weft structure

1 2

Fig 4.29 Door opening created using timber clamp to frame opening

Key 1. Bundled rope arch 2. Woven faรงade 3. Door opening 4. Timber clamp to hold woven facade in place 5. Timber framed door with woven inset

4.2 Construction Stages Stage 5: Create Openings Openings will be created by clamping the woven faรงades to hold the surrounding woven surface in place. Then once it is secure, an opening can be cut out for doors and windows.

2 2 4

Section through door opening

Fig 4.30 Timber door clamp detailing

Exploded diagram showing timber clamps either side of woven facade

Fig 4.31 Optional banana fibre composite hung tiles for extra defence against rain and sun

Key 1. Fibre composite hung tiles 2. Bundled rope arch 3. Woven faรงade

4.2 Construction Stages Stage 6: Roof Covering Most of the proposal will not need extra covering as the rope is woven tightly where the buildings are vulnerable to sun and rain, however the tile will be able to provide a second layer of protection. The tile is a composite made from banana fibre and plant resin.

Fig 4.32 Overlapping composite banana fibre tiles

1. Soak rope in water

2. Dry rope

3. Bind lengths of rope using banana yarn

4. Fix bundled rope into metal clamps

This process can be done fairly easy by non-specialist workers meaning that a whole team can be trained in the process and get the structure up quickly. The key challenges would be to ensure the rope is bundled securely and that the resin is applied generously to provide protection and strength, but not too generously that it ruins the aesthetics of the rope. 5. Coat arches in plant resin for strength and waterproofing

4.3 Rope Arches Construction Process The rope first needs to be soaked into water as when it gets wet it swells in diameter and shrinks in overall length by up to 10%. By soaking it reduces the likely hood of the structure deforming once built. The ropes are bundled together using banana yarn, as shown previously in a prototype model of a rope column. Although banana rope is suitable for the outdoors and can withstand rotting for many years, coating the arches in plant resin will allow the arches to last even longer and increase strength.

4.4 Structural Section Diagrammatic Sketch This sketch gives a brief overview of the technical design elements for the banana textiles factory. This section shows the raised building lifted up with the steel screw piles; the rainwater harvesting system and collection point; the new trees and planting proposed providing shading and biodiversity; and the woven facade moving from less dense to more densely woven towards the top.

Raised building for natural ventilation and flood prevention

1 Detail 1

Fall 1:80

Key 1. Raised pathway 2. Bundled banana rope arches 3. Banana rope woven facade 4. Steel screw pile foundations 5. Timber floor 6. Steel clamps 7. Rooflight 8. Rainwater harvesting collection point 9. Water tank 10. Trees providing shade and cooling for buildings, whilst also increasing biodiversity

Detail 2

6 8

Ground level

Sloped ground underneath buildings to channel water to rainwater harvesting collection points

Detail 1

9 300mm

FFL 520mm 20mm

7 150mm

2 3

4 350mm

Ground Âą0

1. Timber Floor fixed to; 2. 150mm Timber joist 3. Steel clamp bolted on to; 4. Steel screw pile 5. Retaining wall 6. Timber deck, fixed onto; 7. Pedestals, fixed on to; 8. Concrete base 9. Gutter draining to RWH collection point

4.5 Foundation Detail The buildings are raised for ventilation and flood prevention purposes so the main route through site is also raised to allow for a flush threshold between path and building. There will be a discreet perimeter gutter to allow for drainage and to channel water towards the rainwater harvesting collection points which are situated underneath every building.

Detail 2

1. Woven facade 2. Clamp 3. Waterproof membrane 4. Flashing 5. Rooflight 6. Rope arch

4.6 Rooflight Detail Rooflights will help with stack ventilation and natural lighting. Ecuador receives 12 hours of daylight year round so will help reduce energy costs. Rooflights will be located on the steep edges of the curved faรงades to prevent any water building up around the openings,.

1 2

3 4

Key

1. 400mm diameter bundled banana rope arches made from 25mm diameter pieces of rope. 2. Banana fibre rope woven facade with mosquito net lining - tightly woven for solar shade and waterproofing 3. Banana fibre rope woven facade - less dense section to allow for natural ventilation and daylight. 4. Timber floor structure. 5. Metal clamp. 6. Steel screw driven foundations

4.7 Facade Detail Woven Faรงades Each section of woven facade is supported by two bundled rope arches. Each arch bundle is held in place by a metal clamp which is then attached to the foundation pile. A timber floor system is fitted within the depth of the metal clamp. The facade shows how the density of the woven facade changes, blocking light and rain out at the top and allowing air flow and light further down.

5.0 E

Environmental Response

Ladybug Radiation Analysis

South Elevations

North Elevations

This radiation analysis shows that the banana textiles factory receives high levels of radiation from the sun on the high sections of the building’s facade due to the high angled sun year round in Ecuador. The sun’s angle varies from 63° North for the June Solstice and 68° South for the December Solstice.

Solar Shading Strategy

December Solstice 68°

Dense weave Less dense weave Fig 5.11 High angle sun blocked by densely woven areas of façades

June Solstice 63°

5.1 Solar Shading Shading from High Angle Sun Due to Ecuadorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location, the proposal receives strong high angle sun year round, highlighted by the red and oranges areas on the images below and on the left. To prevent overheating within the building, the woven facade is more dense and tightly woven at the top and becomes less dense further down.

More Dense Weave Tightly woven rope facade for solar shading

Less Dense Weave Woven faĂ§adeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s openings increase in size where there is less radiation from the sun, allowing more ventilation.

Fig 5.12 Facade design in response to radiation levels

Natural Ventilation Design

Key Stack ventilation Cross ventilation Cooling beneath raised building

5.2 Natural Ventilation A Comfortable Working Environment The building is naturally cooled by raising the building off the ground, drawing in cool air flow under the building, cross ventilation and stack ventilation.

Fig 5.21 Diagram showing ventilation under the raised building, stack ventilation through the rooflight opening and cross ventilation through the less dense areas of the woven facade

Irrigation System

Pump Water tank

Rainwater harvesting collection

Fig 5.31 Rainwater harvesting and irrigation system

Rainwater Harvesting Calculations

Roof catchment (m2) x yearly rainfall (mm) x drainage factor x filter efficiency (0.9) = Yearly yield (litres)

Roof catchment (5375m2) x yearly rainfall (890mm) x drainage factor (0.4*) x filter efficiency (0.9) = 1,722,150 litres per year * A green roof has a drainage factor is 0.4, whereas a metal roof has a drainage factor of 0.9. There is no data for a woven rope surface, so 0.4 was chosen as a worst case scenario

Source: Low carbon and sustainable water design strategies presentation by Cath Hassell

5.3 Rainwater Harvesting Irrigation System for the Dry Season The banana plant is one of many thirsty crops, needing 790 litres of water to produce just 1kg of bananas. Ecuador has a wet and dry season, both lasting 6 months each. To ensure the plantation has enough water to give to their crops year round and in a more sustainable way, every woven element of the proposal has a rainwater harvesting collection point which is then collected in a tank and then pumped up to the plantationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s irrigation system.

Water Usage (litres) per 1kg of Crop

Cotton

Corn

Apples

Bananas

Potatoes

10,000

1,222

822

790

287

Bananas About Bananas: A Guide for Using Banana Fibre in Construction

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