What’s the deal with the Robot Cisterns?
After experiencing significant flooding in our office building from heavy rain events that overwhelmed our storm drain system, we teamed up with a local artist (Clark Ellefson) and fabricator (Stuyck Company) to create a one-of-a-kind functional art installation.
Our robot cisterns are created from two large salvaged propane tanks. The cisterns are connected directly to the roof gutters and collect rainwater from the roof of the building. As the tanks fill up, water is forced out of a small “mouth spout”, while a release valve at the bottom of each cistern allows water to drain out at a controlled rate. The robot cisterns also have “night vision” super powers as their eyes light up in the darkness!
Special thanks to our collaborators: Clark Ellefson (Lewis and Clark Lamps), Stuyck Company, Buchanan Construction Services, Mabry Engineering, Snipes Electric, and Commercial Roofing Associates.
Check out our 2428 Main Street project page for related information.
