Science Walden: Exploring the Convergence of Environmental Technologies with Design and Art

Abstract

Science Walden, which is inspired by two prominent literary works, namely, Walden by Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) and Walden Two by Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904–1990), is aimed at establishing a community that embodies humanistic values while embracing scientific advancement to produce renewable energy and water sources. This study attempts to capitalize on feces standard money (FSM) and artistic collaboration between scientists and artists as a means of achieving the forms of life depicted in Walden and Walden Two. On our campus, we designed and built a pavilion that serves as a laboratory where scientific advantages, design, and art are merged. In the pavilion, feces are processed in reactors and facilities for sustainable energy production, and rainwater is harvested and treated for use in daily life. Our application of design and art contributes to easing interaction between the general public and scientists because it visualizes an ambiguous theory and concretizes it into an understandable image.

Full text

sustainability
Article
Science Walden: Exploring the Convergence of
Environmental Technologies with Design and Art
Hyun-Kyung Lee 1, *, Kyung Hwa Cho 2, Changsoo Lee 2, Jaeweon Cho 2, Huiyuhl Yi 1,
Yongwon Seo 2, Gi-Hyoug Cho 2, Young-Nam Kwon 2, Changha Lee 2and Kyong-Mi Paek 1
1Division of General Studies, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, UNIST-gil 50,
Ulsan 44919, Korea; huiyuhl@unist.ac.kr (H.Y.); kpaek@unist.ac.kr (K.-M.P.)
2School of Urban and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology,
UNIST-gil 50, Ulsan 44919, Korea; khcho@unist.ac.kr (K.H.C.); cslee@unist.ac.kr (C.L.);
jaeweoncho@unist.ac.kr (J.C.); ywseo@unist.ac.kr (Y.S.); gicho@unist.ac.kr (G.-H.C.);
kwonyn@unist.ac.kr (Y.-N.K.); clee@unist.ac.kr (C.L.)
*Correspondence: hlee@unist.ac.kr; Tel.: +82-52-217-2032
Academic Editor: Vincenzo Torretta
Received: 10 October 2016; Accepted: 23 December 2016; Published: 28 December 2016
Abstract:
Science Walden, which is inspired by two prominent literary works, namely, Walden by
Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) and Walden Two by Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904–1990), is
aimed at establishing a community that embodies humanistic values while embracing scientific
advancement to produce renewable energy and water sources. This study attempts to capitalize on
feces standard money (FSM) and artistic collaboration between scientists and artists as a means of
achieving the forms of life depicted in Walden and Walden Two. On our campus, we designed and
built a pavilion that serves as a laboratory where scientific advantages, design, and art are merged.
In the pavilion, feces are processed in reactors and facilities for sustainable energy production, and
rainwater is harvested and treated for use in daily life. Our application of design and art contributes
to easing interaction between the general public and scientists because it visualizes an ambiguous
theory and concretizes it into an understandable image.
Keywords:
feces standard money (FSM); collaboration of science & art; sustainable energy production
1. Introduction
1.1. Why “Science Walden?”
The term “Science Walden” is the product of the dialectical development of thought on
two eminent literary works: Walden by Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862) and Walden Two by
Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904–1990). The life of Thoreau portrayed in Walden is an isolated one.
He keeps himself away from other human communities, leading a genuinely self-sustaining life in
his cabin at Walden Pond [
1
]. His minimalist lifestyle stems from a distrust of capitalism, which
causes unbridled competition and expands vulgar materialism. Meanwhile, Walden Two depicts an
agricultural commune where citizens lead pleasant and peaceful lives [
2
]. They seem to represent an
exemplar of collective life: the inhabitants share labor, enjoy various kinds of recreation, and pursue
their own choices of artistic projects in a crime-free environment. However, those who live in this
community turn out to be carefully controlled to conduct themselves in certain ways by behavioral
engineers. For example, they are conditioned to be cooperative and gentle and to desire only what
they can have or choose.
Influenced by the forms of life in Walden and Walden Two, Science Walden is aimed at establishing
a community that embodies humanistic values while positively embracing the technological
advancement of modern civilization. It accords with Thoreau in that a nature-oriented life is pursued,
Sustainability 2017,9, 35; doi:10.3390/su9010035 www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 2 of 17
but it deviates from his orientation in that it does not shun scientific accomplishments. Science Walden,
instead, considerably emphasizes the use of cutting-edge technologies in constructing an infrastructure
for an environment-friendly life. The community of Science Walden is also based on the systematic and
well-organized managerial principles described in Walden Two but does not infringe on the autonomy
of its members. Voluntary participation in social events and activities is encouraged. These practices
embody a place of convergence where human beings engage with science and technology. In sum,
our project inherits the philosophical legacies underlying the two literary works and establishes a
pragmatic community, with the benefit of scientific improvement as a backdrop.
1.2. Sa-Wol-Dang Pavilion
In the project, two ways of connecting scientific technologies and implementation in a community
were attempted: the use of feces standard money (FSM; refer to edge.org/response-detail/26660) and
artistic collaboration between scientists and artists. FSM is not a substitute for, but a complement
to, the currency used in present economic and social systems. We believe that arts, or liberal arts,
can ignite imagination and provide courage as we map out a community through scientific concepts
and ideas. To experience all of the target endeavors, we designed and built a pavilion that serves
as a laboratory where scientists and artists study the goals of Science Walden together (Figure 1).
The pavilion is called Sa-Wol-Dang, which is Chinese for “a place to think about what is beyond”.
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 2 of 16
technological advancement of modern civilization. It accords with Thoreau in that a nature-oriented
life is pursued, but it deviates from his orientation in that it does not shun scientific
accomplishments. Science Walden, instead, considerably emphasizes the use of cutting-edge
technologies in constructing an infrastructure for an environment-friendly life. The community of
Science Walden is also based on the systematic and well-organized managerial principles described
in Walden Two but does not infringe on the autonomy of its members. Voluntary participation in
social events and activities is encouraged. These practices embody a place of convergence where
human beings engage with science and technology. In sum, our project inherits the philosophical
legacies underlying the two literary works and establishes a pragmatic community, with the benefit
of scientific improvement as a backdrop.
1.2. Sa-Wol-Dang Pavilion
In the project, two ways of connecting scientific technologies and implementation in a
community were attempted: the use of feces standard money (FSM; refer to
edge.org/response-detail/26660) and artistic collaboration between scientists and artists. FSM is not a
substitute for, but a complement to, the currency used in present economic and social systems. We
believe that arts, or liberal arts, can ignite imagination and provide courage as we map out a
community through scientific concepts and ideas. To experience all of the target endeavors, we
designed and built a pavilion that serves as a laboratory where scientists and artists study the goals
of Science Walden together (Figure 1). The pavilion is called Sa-Wol-Dang, which is Chinese for “a
place to think about what is beyond”.
Figure 1. Sa-Wol-Dang at the UNIST campus.
1.3. Objectives of the Study
The Sa-Wol-Dang pavilion is designed to use space efficiently so that it accommodates as many
research facilities as possible. The pavilion also helps advertise the participating activities of this
project to the public, including the students of UNIST. While inviting people to experience the
laboratory at the pavilion, we have met more than 2600 visitors since we opened it on 25 May 2016.
We have listened to their opinions and comments thereafter. We believe that the feedback delivered
to us, both positive and negative, help us build certain meanings and images so that we can adopt
them to set up the future projects for our communities in both urban areas and rural villages, and see
how to implement them. We noted that not many of the visitors used the non-flushing toilet, which
reflected the public perception of our project concept. Though we did not interview the toilet users
to obtain responses and comments, we could envision the next step of our project and corresponding
activities based on the experience.
Even with relatively high wastewater treatment rate, we are experiencing many different kinds
of environmental pollutions, including large-scale eutrophication, probably due to nitrogen and
phosphorus contamination in rivers of Korea. Our society may have a public perception that
environmental protection cannot accompany economic development or technological achievement.
On the contrary, we believe that the preservation of environment may contribute to enhancing
economic values. Our belief is evidenced by the realization of FSM: we can create value by
Figure 1. Sa-Wol-Dang at the UNIST campus.
1.3. Objectives of the Study
The Sa-Wol-Dang pavilion is designed to use space efficiently so that it accommodates as many
research facilities as possible. The pavilion also helps advertise the participating activities of this project
to the public, including the students of UNIST. While inviting people to experience the laboratory
at the pavilion, we have met more than 2600 visitors since we opened it on 25 May 2016. We have
listened to their opinions and comments thereafter. We believe that the feedback delivered to us, both
positive and negative, help us build certain meanings and images so that we can adopt them to set
up the future projects for our communities in both urban areas and rural villages, and see how to
implement them. We noted that not many of the visitors used the non-flushing toilet, which reflected
the public perception of our project concept. Though we did not interview the toilet users to obtain
responses and comments, we could envision the next step of our project and corresponding activities
based on the experience.
Even with relatively high wastewater treatment rate, we are experiencing many different kinds
of environmental pollutions, including large-scale eutrophication, probably due to nitrogen and
phosphorus contamination in rivers of Korea. Our society may have a public perception that
environmental protection cannot accompany economic development or technological achievement.
On the contrary, we believe that the preservation of environment may contribute to enhancing economic
values. Our belief is evidenced by the realization of FSM: we can create value by producing energy from
human feces (Figure 2). We have been attempting to increase the efficiency of the energy production

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 3 of 17
while trying to change the public perception towards feces and their environmental/economic values.
By redesigning our societal system to utilize the resources of recycled feces and bioenergy, and
subsequently using the FSM as an alternative currency, we believe that we can renovate our current
welfare system. In particular, the fact that everyone can provide more or less the same amount of feces
as an energy source forms an underlying basis for the societal welfare system; everyone has the equal
right to be benefitted by the communal energy management system as he or she is able to supply the
sources of alternative forms of energy.
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 3 of 16
producing energy from human feces (Figure 2). We have been attempting to increase the efficiency
of the energy production while trying to change the public perception towards feces and their
environmental/economic values. By redesigning our societal system to utilize the resources of
recycled feces and bioenergy, and subsequently using the FSM as an alternative currency, we believe
that we can renovate our current welfare system. In particular, the fact that everyone can provide
more or less the same amount of feces as an energy source forms an underlying basis for the societal
welfare system; everyone has the equal right to be benefitted by the communal energy management
system as he or she is able to supply the sources of alternative forms of energy.
As a means of materializing the hardware that enables the FSM, we manufactured a prototype
of a waterless toilet, which we dubbed as “the BeeVi toilet”. The dried forms of feces generated by
the BeeVi toilet are delivered into the anaerobic digestion bioreactor. The bioreactor produces
biogas, from which we separate methane and carbon dioxide using either the hydrophobic
membrane gas separation or semi-clathrate method. In order to illustrate that the energy thus
produced may contribute to everyday life, we opened many interesting research events to perform
eco-friendly activities. For instance, we once invited the university students to Sa-Wol-Dang pavilion
where they cooked barley sprouts, which had been cultivated within the pavilion using the
composts from feces, using the bioenergy generated by the separated methane in the pavilion lab as
well. Water is another crucial source in producing the bioenergy. We harvest rainwater with the
green roof and treat rainwater using the bi-metal and membrane processes. Artistic beauty
permeates into the mid-products of our experimental procedures. Our participating researchers
designed a future-oriented model of the BeeVi toilet (dummy) so that visitors can observe and give
their suggestions for further improvements. The participating artists successfully visualized the
bioenergy production rate from the digestion reactor in the form of the artistic works exhibited on
the pavilion walls. The nature artists associated with our project created urban farming
presentations where we can cultivate flowers and vegetables, such as barley, using the compost
generated by our toilet system.
Figure 2. In the pavilion, there is a restroom where anyone from our campus or the nearby cities can
come and experience defecation activities with waterless toilets. They can earn some credits from
these activities and exchange them with a cup of coffee or other foods at the university cafe.
2. Methods
2.1. Survey Study at UNIST
We conducted structured interviews first randomly with 140 students enrolled at UNIST, who
are the main residents of this community. We asked them three questions:
(1) What kind of buildings or a symbol do you want to have in your community? (2) Do you
have any preferences for functions that this building might have? (3) What is your favorite building
or creative structure? The responses were thematically analyzed. Although the interviewees majored
in different types of engineering studies, similar themes emerged when categorizing their answers.
Three themes were found:
Figure 2.
In the pavilion, there is a restroom where anyone from our campus or the nearby cities can
come and experience defecation activities with waterless toilets. They can earn some credits from these
activities and exchange them with a cup of coffee or other foods at the university cafe.
As a means of materializing the hardware that enables the FSM, we manufactured a prototype of a
waterless toilet, which we dubbed as “the BeeVi toilet”. The dried forms of feces generated by the BeeVi
toilet are delivered into the anaerobic digestion bioreactor. The bioreactor produces biogas, from which
we separate methane and carbon dioxide using either the hydrophobic membrane gas separation or
semi-clathrate method. In order to illustrate that the energy thus produced may contribute to everyday
life, we opened many interesting research events to perform eco-friendly activities. For instance, we
once invited the university students to Sa-Wol-Dang pavilion where they cooked barley sprouts, which
had been cultivated within the pavilion using the composts from feces, using the bioenergy generated
by the separated methane in the pavilion lab as well. Water is another crucial source in producing
the bioenergy. We harvest rainwater with the green roof and treat rainwater using the bi-metal and
membrane processes. Artistic beauty permeates into the mid-products of our experimental procedures.
Our participating researchers designed a future-oriented model of the BeeVi toilet (dummy) so that
visitors can observe and give their suggestions for further improvements. The participating artists
successfully visualized the bioenergy production rate from the digestion reactor in the form of the
artistic works exhibited on the pavilion walls. The nature artists associated with our project created
urban farming presentations where we can cultivate flowers and vegetables, such as barley, using the
compost generated by our toilet system.
2. Methods
2.1. Survey Study at UNIST
We conducted structured interviews first randomly with 140 students enrolled at UNIST, who are
the main residents of this community. We asked them three questions:
(1) What kind of buildings or a symbol do you want to have in your community? (2) Do you
have any preferences for functions that this building might have? (3) What is your favorite building or
creative structure? The responses were thematically analyzed. Although the interviewees majored in

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 4 of 17
different types of engineering studies, similar themes emerged when categorizing their answers. Three
themes were found:
a. Inspirational, symbolic, and Earth-friendly toilets and FSM system.
b. A place to know about what kind of science and technology is needed for this project.
c. An interactive artwork that stimulates.
Therefore, the students here at UNIST want a symbolic art installation as well as a place to know
about science and art related to this project. We shared these findings from the community with the
other members of our collaborative team in order to discuss the building directions for our research
lab. Therefore, each lab decided to put some necessary system in the pavilion. The next section will
offer a detailed description of each lab and how it functions in this project.
2.2. Biogas Production from Feces
In the pavilion, feces were subjected to a series of sustainable energy production processes, from
anaerobic digestion and methane (CH
4
) and carbon dioxide (CO
2
) separation to green algae cultivation
(Figure 3). The reactors and facilities for these processes were located within the pavilion and operated
by supervisors who lead different research teams. We intended to use the produced CH
4
for heating
and both the CH
4
and biodiesel generated from the green algae as fuel for a community bus. In this
regard, the residents can use FSM as a means of payment.
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 4 of 16
a. Inspirational, symbolic, and Earth-friendly toilets and FSM system.
b. A place to know about what kind of science and technology is needed for this project.
c. An interactive artwork that stimulates.
Therefore, the students here at UNIST want a symbolic art installation as well as a place to
know about science and art related to this project. We shared these findings from the community
with the other members of our collaborative team in order to discuss the building directions for our
research lab. Therefore, each lab decided to put some necessary system in the pavilion. The next
section will offer a detailed description of each lab and how it functions in this project.
2.2. Biogas Production from Feces
In the pavilion, feces were subjected to a series of sustainable energy production processes,
from anaerobic digestion and methane (CH
4
) and carbon dioxide (CO
2
) separation to green algae
cultivation (Figure 3). The reactors and facilities for these processes were located within the pavilion
and operated by supervisors who lead different research teams. We intended to use the produced
CH
4
for heating and both the CH
4
and biodiesel generated from the green algae as fuel for a
community bus. In this regard, the residents can use FSM as a means of payment.
We could have restricted the project to employing a non-flushing toilet, producing energy out
of feces or manure, and recycling water to protect the environment and conserve energy and water.
However, we envisioned a horizon that goes beyond these aims and accordingly designed
Sa-Wol-Dang to motivate people to participate more sustainably in all of the activities proposed by
Science Walden.
Figure 3. Reactors and facilities for sustainable energy production from feces.
2.2.1. Beevi Toilet
The flushing toilet has been recognized as one of the greatest and worst inventions in scientific
history from the perspectives of sanitation and the natural environment, respectively. Forgoing the
use of flushing toilets means that, with the help of scientific developments, we can achieve
something important that transcends what we can imagine. We hope to bring new value from the
experience of not using flushing toilets and create a new horizon for our community. Accordingly,
we placed three non-flushing toilets in the pavilion.
2.2.2. Biogas Production
Anaerobic digestion has been widely applied to the treatment of high-strength organic wastes
because it can stabilize pollution loads and produce renewable energy, in the form of biogas,
simultaneously. Biogas consists of approximately 60% CH
4
and 40% CO
2
(v/v) and is attracting
Figure 3. Reactors and facilities for sustainable energy production from feces.
We could have restricted the project to employing a non-flushing toilet, producing energy out
of feces or manure, and recycling water to protect the environment and conserve energy and water.
However, we envisioned a horizon that goes beyond these aims and accordingly designed Sa-Wol-Dang
to motivate people to participate more sustainably in all of the activities proposed by Science Walden.
2.2.1. Beevi Toilet
The flushing toilet has been recognized as one of the greatest and worst inventions in scientific
history from the perspectives of sanitation and the natural environment, respectively. Forgoing the
use of flushing toilets means that, with the help of scientific developments, we can achieve something
important that transcends what we can imagine. We hope to bring new value from the experience of
not using flushing toilets and create a new horizon for our community. Accordingly, we placed three
non-flushing toilets in the pavilion.

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 5 of 17
2.2.2. Biogas Production
Anaerobic digestion has been widely applied to the treatment of high-strength organic wastes
because it can stabilize pollution loads and produce renewable energy, in the form of biogas,
simultaneously. Biogas consists of approximately 60% CH
4
and 40% CO
2
(v/v) and is attracting
increasing attention as a promising energy source in the future. In Science Walden, feces and food waste
(the major organic waste streams from human activities) are converted to biogas by anaerobic digestion,
which forms the core unit of the energy recovery system in the Pavilion (Figure 3). Anaerobic digestion
is a series of biological reactions involving diverse microbial groups with different metabolic functions
and physiological characteristics [
3
]. Its performance, therefore, depends on the concerted activity of
microorganisms involved, and is sensitive to changes in environmental conditions (e.g., temperature,
pH, oxidation reduction potential, salinity, and feed characteristics). Despite its high organic content,
human feces has mostly been treated by aerobic processes due to hygiene and scalability issues.
We examined feces (collected from the volunteer members of the project) and food waste (collected
from a student cafeteria at UNIST campus) for biochemical methane potential (BMP) under mono- and
co-digestion conditions. The BMP tests were performed for 28 days at 35 ◦C in triplicate.
2.2.3. CO2Capture from Biogas Using Semiclathrates
Many quaternary ammonium salts (QASs), such as tetra-n-butyl ammonium halides (
F, Cl, Br
),
form semiclathrates with water at atmospheric pressure. In QAS semiclathrates, anions, such
as F-, Br-, and Cl-, participate in building up host cage structures with water molecules, and
tetra-n-butylammonium cations are incorporated into the partially broken large cages [
4
,
5
]. Since QAS
semiclathrates have small empty cages, which are available for capturing small-sized gas molecules
(Figure 4), they can be effectively used for gas storage and separation. QASs are also non-volatile
and non-toxic and can thus be used repeatedly without loss in a semiclathrate-based separation
process [
6
,
7
]. CO
2
from biogas (CH
4
+ CO
2
) can be separated using semiclathrates because CO
2
preferentially occupies the small cages of QAS semiclathrates, as shown in Figure 3. Such occupation
is due to the higher thermodynamic stability of CO
2
in semiclathrates than that of CH
4
. In this
study, tetra-n-butylammonium chloride (TBAC) was used as a semiclathrate former to capture CO
2
from biogas because among QASs, TBAC has the highest gas storage capacity and yields the highest
equilibrium dissociation temperature [6,7].
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 5 of 16
increasing attention as a promising energy source in the future. In Science Walden, feces and food
waste (the major organic waste streams from human activities) are converted to biogas by anaerobic
digestion, which forms the core unit of the energy recovery system in the Pavilion (Figure 3).
Anaerobic digestion is a series of biological reactions involving diverse microbial groups with
different metabolic functions and physiological characteristics [3]. Its performance, therefore,
depends on the concerted activity of microorganisms involved, and is sensitive to changes in
environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, pH, oxidation reduction potential, salinity, and feed
characteristics). Despite its high organic content, human feces has mostly been treated by aerobic
processes due to hygiene and scalability issues. We examined feces (collected from the volunteer
members of the project) and food waste (collected from a student cafeteria at UNIST campus) for
biochemical methane potential (BMP) under mono- and co-digestion conditions. The BMP tests were
performed for 28 days at 35 °C in triplicate.
2.2.3. CO
2
Capture from Biogas Using Semiclathrates
Many quaternary ammonium salts (QASs), such as tetra-n-butyl ammonium halides (F, Cl, Br),
form semiclathrates with water at atmospheric pressure. In QAS semiclathrates, anions, such as F-,
Br-, and Cl-, participate in building up host cage structures with water molecules, and
tetra-n-butylammonium cations are incorporated into the partially broken large cages [4,5]. Since
QAS semiclathrates have small empty cages, which are available for capturing small-sized gas
molecules (Figure 4), they can be effectively used for gas storage and separation. QASs are also
non-volatile and non-toxic and can thus be used repeatedly without loss in a semiclathrate-based
separation process [6,7]. CO
2
from biogas (CH
4
+ CO
2
) can be separated using semiclathrates because
CO
2
preferentially occupies the small cages of QAS semiclathrates, as shown in Figure 3. Such
occupation is due to the higher thermodynamic stability of CO
2
in semiclathrates than that of CH
4
. In
this study, tetra-n-butylammonium chloride (TBAC) was used as a semiclathrate former to capture
CO
2
from biogas because among QASs, TBAC has the highest gas storage capacity and yields the
highest equilibrium dissociation temperature [6,7].
Figure 4. QAS semiclathrate.
2.2.4. Purification Using a Membrane Technique
In this study, CO
2
separation in a digester was evaluated using a polypropylene hollow fiber
membrane (Liqui-Cell ©), which is a straw-like small tube with numerous tiny pores. The membrane
is a selective physical separator of two phases and can pass one component more easily than others.
Biogas flowed into the bore side (lumen) of the hollow fiber and was transported through the
membrane pores. The CO
2
, having a higher Henry’s constant, was selectively dissolved in the pure
water in the shell side (outside). Thus, a high amount of soluble gas was removed from the reactor.
2.3. Rainwater Reduction and Treatment
We prepared water necessary for the pavilion by harvesting rainwater from a green roof, after
which the harvested water was filtered and disinfected (Figure 5). The gardens in the pavilion were
Figure 4. QAS semiclathrate.
2.2.4. Purification Using a Membrane Technique
In this study, CO
2
separation in a digester was evaluated using a polypropylene hollow fiber
membrane (Liqui-Cell
©
), which is a straw-like small tube with numerous tiny pores. The membrane
is a selective physical separator of two phases and can pass one component more easily than others.
Biogas flowed into the bore side (lumen) of the hollow fiber and was transported through the membrane
pores. The CO
2
, having a higher Henry’s constant, was selectively dissolved in the pure water in the
shell side (outside). Thus, a high amount of soluble gas was removed from the reactor.

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 6 of 17
2.3. Rainwater Reduction and Treatment
We prepared water necessary for the pavilion by harvesting rainwater from a green roof, after
which the harvested water was filtered and disinfected (Figure 5). The gardens in the pavilion were
designed together with an artist and a scientist, and we grow crops, such as barley, using the remaining
compost converted from feces and the purified rainwater.
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 6 of 16
designed together with an artist and a scientist, and we grow crops, such as barley, using the
remaining compost converted from feces and the purified rainwater.
Figure 5. Rainwater harvesting and treatment system.
2.3.1. Green Roof and Sand Filter System: Rainwater Reduction
Under unexpected climate change, rapid and uncontrolled urbanization have resulted in severe
flooding events and surface water pollution. Low-impact development (LID) has been proposed as a
promising approach to reducing urban stormwater runoff and pollution [8,9]. LID aims to preserve
the water cycle of a pre-development area by maximizing water infiltration into the soil layer and
reducing surface runoff. A green roof is a building rooftop laid over permeable media and
vegetation to control runoff volume and improve water quality, as well as reduce the occurrence of
urban heat islands. It can be categorized into extensive or intensive types on the basis of the depth of
a roof layer. The soil thickness of an intensive green roof is generally greater than 150 mm, and that
of an extensive green roof is less than 150 mm. A green roof was placed on the center part of
Sa-Wol-Dang’s roof, covering approximately 50% of total area (2 m × 2 m × 0.3 m). The other 50% was
considered as normal roofs. Effluent from a green roof is transported to a sand filter system, which
improves the quality of the effluent.
2.3.2. Integrated Adsorption-Disinfection System for Rainwater Treatment
Rainwater harvesting has been considered a sustainable option of supplying water for potable
and non-potable uses [10,11]. Rainwater treatment can be a simpler process than reclamation from
wastewater because the former is characterized by better water quality. Using rainwater for different
purposes (cleaning, laundry, toilet flushing, drinking, etc.) necessitates that potential contaminants,
such as particles, organics, heavy metals, and pathogens, be properly removed to satisfy the water
quality standard for each purpose. Large particles are relatively readily removed by sedimentation
in a storage tank, and membrane filtration can be optional when microparticles are problematic. The
removal of dissolved contaminants (e.g., dissolved organics and heavy metals) and the disinfection
of pathogenic microorganisms are more challenging processes. An integrated
adsorption-disinfection system was developed in this study to simultaneously control dissolved
contaminants and microorganisms in rainwater. This system is a continuous-flow column packed
with functional materials (Figure 6). The packing material comprises granular or powdered
activated carbon doped with fine particles of iron oxide or zerovalent iron-copper bimetal (denoted
as nFe-Cu). The porous activated carbon provides a high surface area with active sites on which
heavy metals and organic substances effectively adsorb. nFe-Cu doped on activated carbon is a new
biocide capable of inactivating both bacteria and viruses.
Figure 5. Rainwater harvesting and treatment system.
2.3.1. Green Roof and Sand Filter System: Rainwater Reduction
Under unexpected climate change, rapid and uncontrolled urbanization have resulted in severe
flooding events and surface water pollution. Low-impact development (LID) has been proposed as a
promising approach to reducing urban stormwater runoff and pollution [
8
,
9
]. LID aims to preserve
the water cycle of a pre-development area by maximizing water infiltration into the soil layer and
reducing surface runoff. A green roof is a building rooftop laid over permeable media and vegetation
to control runoff volume and improve water quality, as well as reduce the occurrence of urban heat
islands. It can be categorized into extensive or intensive types on the basis of the depth of a roof layer.
The soil thickness of an intensive green roof is generally greater than 150 mm, and that of an extensive
green roof is less than 150 mm. A green roof was placed on the center part of Sa-Wol-Dang’s roof,
covering approximately 50% of total area (2 m
×
2 m
×
0.3 m). The other 50% was considered as
normal roofs. Effluent from a green roof is transported to a sand filter system, which improves the
quality of the effluent.
2.3.2. Integrated Adsorption-Disinfection System for Rainwater Treatment
Rainwater harvesting has been considered a sustainable option of supplying water for potable
and non-potable uses [
10
,
11
]. Rainwater treatment can be a simpler process than reclamation
from wastewater because the former is characterized by better water quality. Using rainwater
for different purposes (cleaning, laundry, toilet flushing, drinking, etc.) necessitates that potential
contaminants, such as particles, organics, heavy metals, and pathogens, be properly removed to
satisfy the water quality standard for each purpose. Large particles are relatively readily removed
by sedimentation in a storage tank, and membrane filtration can be optional when microparticles
are problematic. The removal of dissolved contaminants (e.g., dissolved organics and heavy metals)
and the disinfection of pathogenic microorganisms are more challenging processes. An integrated
adsorption-disinfection system was developed in this study to simultaneously control dissolved
contaminants and microorganisms in rainwater. This system is a continuous-flow column packed
with functional materials (Figure 6). The packing material comprises granular or powdered activated
carbon doped with fine particles of iron oxide or zerovalent iron-copper bimetal (denoted as nFe-Cu).

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 7 of 17
The porous activated carbon provides a high surface area with active sites on which heavy metals and
organic substances effectively adsorb. nFe-Cu doped on activated carbon is a new biocide capable of
inactivating both bacteria and viruses.
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 7 of 16
Figure 6. Schematic of integrated adsorption-disinfection system.
3. Results
3.1. Beevi Toilet
There are three types of Beevi toilet in the pavilion; the first is a commercialized unit with which
we can convert feces into compost in approximately one week, the second is a designed and
fabricated unit that can produce powder out of fresh feces in about 30 min to 1 h, and the last is not
intended as a toilet but as an exhibition of a model design and sitting experience. We opened our
restroom to the public, available for viewing with a reservation, so that visitors can experience and
obtain an FSM currency called Ggool (Korean for “honey”) in exchange for their participation
through either a developed smartphone application or payment with paper money.
3.2. Biogas Production
The co-digestion runs (at three different mixing ratios between feces and food waste) and the
mono-digestion runs treating feces or food waste all showed similar CH
4
yields (0.404–0.434 L/g
volatile solids fed (VS
fed
), Figure 7). These results suggest that feces has promising potential as a
feedstock for biogas production. Although, in contrast to a previous study [12], a synergetic effect
was not shown in the co-digestion runs, it was demonstrated that feces and food waste can be
effectively co-digested without antagonistic effect. Two identical continuously-stirred tank reactors
with a working volume of 15 L are being operated in Sa-Wol-Dang to evaluate the efficiency and
stability of the co-digestion process in continuous mode. The reactors have been operated with
gradual increases in organic loading rate from 1.5 to 2.5 g VS/L∙day for more than 100 days after the
initiation (Figure 8). Currently, approximately 0.7 L biogas/g VS
fed
with 64% CH
4
content (v/v) is
stably produced in each reactor. The digester effluent contains large amounts of nitrogen (>2500 mg
NH
4+
-N/L) and phosphorus (>100 mg PO
4−
-P/L), which must be further treated prior to discharge.
The project team is developing a post-treatment process for nutrient removal using microalgae
under non-sterile conditions. The microalgal biomass harvested from the process can be used to
produce biodiesel or feed the digesters for further energy recovery via biogas.
Figure 6. Schematic of integrated adsorption-disinfection system.
3. Results
3.1. Beevi Toilet
There are three types of Beevi toilet in the pavilion; the first is a commercialized unit with which
we can convert feces into compost in approximately one week, the second is a designed and fabricated
unit that can produce powder out of fresh feces in about 30 min to 1 h, and the last is not intended
as a toilet but as an exhibition of a model design and sitting experience. We opened our restroom
to the public, available for viewing with a reservation, so that visitors can experience and obtain an
FSM currency called Ggool (Korean for “honey”) in exchange for their participation through either a
developed smartphone application or payment with paper money.
3.2. Biogas Production
The co-digestion runs (at three different mixing ratios between feces and food waste) and the
mono-digestion runs treating feces or food waste all showed similar CH
4
yields (0.404–0.434 L/g
volatile solids fed (VS
fed
), Figure 7). These results suggest that feces has promising potential as a
feedstock for biogas production. Although, in contrast to a previous study [
12
], a synergetic effect was
not shown in the co-digestion runs, it was demonstrated that feces and food waste can be effectively
co-digested without antagonistic effect. Two identical continuously-stirred tank reactors with a
working volume of 15 L are being operated in Sa-Wol-Dang to evaluate the efficiency and stability of
the co-digestion process in continuous mode. The reactors have been operated with gradual increases
in organic loading rate from 1.5 to 2.5 g VS/L
·
day for more than 100 days after the initiation (Figure 8).
Currently, approximately 0.7 L biogas/g VS
fed
with 64% CH
4
content (v/v) is stably produced in
each reactor. The digester effluent contains large amounts of nitrogen (>2500 mg NH
4+
-N/L) and
phosphorus (>100 mg PO
4−
-P/L), which must be further treated prior to discharge. The project
team is developing a post-treatment process for nutrient removal using microalgae under non-sterile

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 8 of 17
conditions. The microalgal biomass harvested from the process can be used to produce biodiesel or
feed the digesters for further energy recovery via biogas.
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 8 of 16
Figure 7. CH
4
production profiles in BMP test runs. Runs are labeled with the percentage of human
feces (HF). FW100 indicates the mono-digestion run using food waste.
Figure 8. Biogas production in duplicate digesters (R1 and R2) installed in Sa-Wol-Dang.
3.3. CO
2
Capture from Biogas Using Semiclathrates
The preliminary experiment in the current work showed that only one step of TBAC
semiclathrate formation and dissociation produced 75% CO
2
in the semiclathrate phase. With an
additional step of semiclathrate formation and dissociation, almost-pure CO
2
is expected to be
enriched in the semiclathrate phase. However, researchers should further investigate the
enhancement of the reaction rate and CO
2
selectivity, the exploration of better semiclathrate formers,
and the design of a continuous process to develop an energy-efficient semiclathrate-based process
for CO
2
capture.
3.4. Purification Using a Membrane Technique
Figure 9 shows the concentration of CH
4
gas under various pH conditions during membrane
operation. Even when using pure water as a solvent for removing CO
2
, a concentration higher than
Figure 7.
CH
4
production profiles in BMP test runs. Runs are labeled with the percentage of human
feces (HF). FW100 indicates the mono-digestion run using food waste.
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 8 of 16
Figure 7. CH
4
production profiles in BMP test runs. Runs are labeled with the percentage of human
feces (HF). FW100 indicates the mono-digestion run using food waste.
Figure 8. Biogas production in duplicate digesters (R1 and R2) installed in Sa-Wol-Dang.
3.3. CO
2
Capture from Biogas Using Semiclathrates
The preliminary experiment in the current work showed that only one step of TBAC
semiclathrate formation and dissociation produced 75% CO
2
in the semiclathrate phase. With an
additional step of semiclathrate formation and dissociation, almost-pure CO
2
is expected to be
enriched in the semiclathrate phase. However, researchers should further investigate the
enhancement of the reaction rate and CO
2
selectivity, the exploration of better semiclathrate formers,
and the design of a continuous process to develop an energy-efficient semiclathrate-based process
for CO
2
capture.
3.4. Purification Using a Membrane Technique
Figure 9 shows the concentration of CH
4
gas under various pH conditions during membrane
operation. Even when using pure water as a solvent for removing CO
2
, a concentration higher than
Figure 8. Biogas production in duplicate digesters (R1 and R2) installed in Sa-Wol-Dang.
3.3. CO2Capture from Biogas Using Semiclathrates
The preliminary experiment in the current work showed that only one step of TBAC semiclathrate
formation and dissociation produced 75% CO
2
in the semiclathrate phase. With an additional step
of semiclathrate formation and dissociation, almost-pure CO
2
is expected to be enriched in the
semiclathrate phase. However, researchers should further investigate the enhancement of the reaction
rate and CO
2
selectivity, the exploration of better semiclathrate formers, and the design of a continuous
process to develop an energy-efficient semiclathrate-based process for CO2capture.
3.4. Purification Using a Membrane Technique
Figure 9shows the concentration of CH
4
gas under various pH conditions during membrane
operation. Even when using pure water as a solvent for removing CO
2
, a concentration higher than

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 9 of 17
90% was achieved within 100 min at pH 8. The aim of this research was to advance fermentation
reaction favorably by removing CO
2
in an anaerobic digester. The experiments (Figure 9) showed that
the fermentation reaction was easily achieved when a hydrophobic membrane was used.
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 9 of 16
90% was achieved within 100 min at pH 8. The aim of this research was to advance fermentation
reaction favorably by removing CO
2
in an anaerobic digester. The experiments (Figure 9) showed
that the fermentation reaction was easily achieved when a hydrophobic membrane was used.
Figure 9. Separation of CH
4
from the biogas mixture by a hydrophobic membrane process; initial gas
composition was 50% CO
2
and 50% CH
4
.
3.5. Green Roof and Sand Filter System: Rainwater Reduction
Figure 10 compares the hydrographs and water quality concentrations of roofs and the green
roof of Sa-Wol-Dang; the figures apply to the concentrations achieved on 3 August 2016. The
comparison showed that surface runoff significantly decreased with the implementation of the green
roof. This finding demonstrates that a green roof can contribute to reducing flooding events and
pollutant loading into a receiving water body. Effluent from green roofs can be characterized by
high phosphate and total phosphorus concentrations. Aitkenhead-Peterson et al. mentioned that
phosphorus can be released from the soil layer in a green roof. However, the concentrations of NH
4
+
and NO
3
− decrease when a green roof system is adopted [13].
Figure 9.
Separation of CH
4
from the biogas mixture by a hydrophobic membrane process; initial gas
composition was 50% CO2and 50% CH4.
3.5. Green Roof and Sand Filter System: Rainwater Reduction
Figure 10 compares the hydrographs and water quality concentrations of roofs and the green roof
of Sa-Wol-Dang; the figures apply to the concentrations achieved on 3 August 2016. The comparison
showed that surface runoff significantly decreased with the implementation of the green roof.
This finding demonstrates that a green roof can contribute to reducing flooding events and pollutant
loading into a receiving water body. Effluent from green roofs can be characterized by high phosphate
and total phosphorus concentrations. Aitkenhead-Peterson et al. mentioned that phosphorus can be
released from the soil layer in a green roof. However, the concentrations of NH
4
+ and NO
3−
decrease
when a green roof system is adopted [13].
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 9 of 16
90% was achieved within 100 min at pH 8. The aim of this research was to advance fermentation
reaction favorably by removing CO
2
in an anaerobic digester. The experiments (Figure 9) showed
that the fermentation reaction was easily achieved when a hydrophobic membrane was used.
Figure 9. Separation of CH
4
from the biogas mixture by a hydrophobic membrane process; initial gas
composition was 50% CO
2
and 50% CH
4
.
3.5. Green Roof and Sand Filter System: Rainwater Reduction
Figure 10 compares the hydrographs and water quality concentrations of roofs and the green
roof of Sa-Wol-Dang; the figures apply to the concentrations achieved on 3 August 2016. The
comparison showed that surface runoff significantly decreased with the implementation of the green
roof. This finding demonstrates that a green roof can contribute to reducing flooding events and
pollutant loading into a receiving water body. Effluent from green roofs can be characterized by
high phosphate and total phosphorus concentrations. Aitkenhead-Peterson et al. mentioned that
phosphorus can be released from the soil layer in a green roof. However, the concentrations of NH
4
+
and NO
3
− decrease when a green roof system is adopted [13].
Figure 10. Cont.

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 10 of 17
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 10 of 16
Figure 10. Runoff volumes and water quality from normal and green roofs.
3.6. Integrated Adsorption-Disinfection System for Rainwater Treatment
Previous studies on microbial inactivation using iron and copper compounds suggested that
the biocidal activity of nFe-Cu results from multiple antimicrobial actions, including oxidative stress
by in situ-generated reactive oxidants and the cytotoxicity of cuprous species [14–16]. nFe-Cu not
only prevents microbial growth on the surface of activated carbon but also inactivates
microorganisms in water inflow. Therefore, the hybrid material of activated carbon and nFe-Cu
plays dual roles as adsorbent and disinfectant. Preliminary data showed that the developed
integrated adsorption-disinfection system effectively removed arsenic (a heavy metal) and
Escherichia coli and MS2 coliphage (surrogates for bacteria and viruses, respectively) (Figure 11).
Figure 11. Preliminary data on arsenic removal and microbial inactivation using the packing material
and the developed system. Experimental conditions for arsenic removal: [As(V)]
0
= [As(III)]
0
= 2
mg/L, pH = 7, contact time = 6 h, batch-type operation, material = iron oxide-doped granular
activated carbon, [Material]
0
= 1 g/L. Experimental conditions for microbial inactivation: [E. coli]
0
=
[MS2]
0
= 10
6
CFU or PFU/mL, pH = 7, retention time < 1 min, continuous-flow operation, material =
powdered activated carbon doped with nFe-Cu.
Figure 10. Runoff volumes and water quality from normal and green roofs.
3.6. Integrated Adsorption-Disinfection System for Rainwater Treatment
Previous studies on microbial inactivation using iron and copper compounds suggested that the
biocidal activity of nFe-Cu results from multiple antimicrobial actions, including oxidative stress by
in situ-generated reactive oxidants and the cytotoxicity of cuprous species [
14
–
16
]. nFe-Cu not only
prevents microbial growth on the surface of activated carbon but also inactivates microorganisms
in water inflow. Therefore, the hybrid material of activated carbon and nFe-Cu plays dual
roles as adsorbent and disinfectant. Preliminary data showed that the developed integrated
adsorption-disinfection system effectively removed arsenic (a heavy metal) and Escherichia coli and
MS2 coliphage (surrogates for bacteria and viruses, respectively) (Figure 11).
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 10 of 16
Figure 10. Runoff volumes and water quality from normal and green roofs.
3.6. Integrated Adsorption-Disinfection System for Rainwater Treatment
Previous studies on microbial inactivation using iron and copper compounds suggested that
the biocidal activity of nFe-Cu results from multiple antimicrobial actions, including oxidative stress
by in situ-generated reactive oxidants and the cytotoxicity of cuprous species [14–16]. nFe-Cu not
only prevents microbial growth on the surface of activated carbon but also inactivates
microorganisms in water inflow. Therefore, the hybrid material of activated carbon and nFe-Cu
plays dual roles as adsorbent and disinfectant. Preliminary data showed that the developed
integrated adsorption-disinfection system effectively removed arsenic (a heavy metal) and
Escherichia coli and MS2 coliphage (surrogates for bacteria and viruses, respectively) (Figure 11).
Figure 11. Preliminary data on arsenic removal and microbial inactivation using the packing material
and the developed system. Experimental conditions for arsenic removal: [As(V)]
0
= [As(III)]
0
= 2
mg/L, pH = 7, contact time = 6 h, batch-type operation, material = iron oxide-doped granular
activated carbon, [Material]
0
= 1 g/L. Experimental conditions for microbial inactivation: [E. coli]
0
=
[MS2]
0
= 10
6
CFU or PFU/mL, pH = 7, retention time < 1 min, continuous-flow operation, material =
powdered activated carbon doped with nFe-Cu.
Figure 11.
Preliminary data on arsenic removal and microbial inactivation using the packing material
and the developed system. Experimental conditions for arsenic removal: [As(V)]
0
= [As(III)]
0
= 2 mg/L,
pH = 7, contact time = 6 h, batch-type operation, material = iron oxide-doped granular activated carbon,
[Material]
0
= 1 g/L. Experimental conditions for microbial inactivation: [E. coli]
0
= [MS2]
0
= 10
6
CFU
or PFU/mL, pH = 7, retention time < 1 min, continuous-flow operation, material = powdered activated
carbon doped with nFe-Cu.

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 11 of 17
4. Design and Art
Design and art can ease interaction between the general public and scientists because these
serve as a means of visualizing an ambiguous theory and concretizing it into an understandable
image. Our attempts reflect the considerable possibility that design and art can create products
that are more human-centered, comfortable, and convenient. These products then serve liaison-like
purposes. That is, the divergent nature of art earns it the recognition as an effective means of facilitating
cognitive flexibility and creative imagination. This nature enables art to act as a central site from which
diverse paths of thinking can grow in the context of interdisciplinary studies. At Science Walden—an
interdisciplinary research project that envisions a world yet to come—this potential of art is valued
and expected to enable researchers to move beyond conventional scientific practice and toward many
other possible alternatives [17,18].
4.1. Media Art: Citizen-Friendly Presentation by Info-Blind Technology
To clearly communicate the activities of our research center and help people easily understand how
these activities proceed, an Info-Blind structure with LED lights is used with media art. The specific
functions of the Info-Blind are as follows:
(1)
Figure 12. The Info-Blind functions as a shading material. Its LED lights are set horizontally
on each wing so that it can express the media art connected to the computer in the research
center. People can see the media art outside the building through the center’s wall, which
is semi-transparent.
(2)
The biogas that the lab produces every day is visualized as a tree on the blinds, thereby enabling
people who pass by the center at night to recognize how much output is produced on a given day.
This is an attempt at motivating interaction between the public and the lab’s engineers. Without
this visualization, the public would be unaware of what is going on in the lab. Ultimately,
this media art connects and indirectly communicates with the public as an intermediary by
attracting interest.
(3)
The logos intended to express the characteristics of each lab involved in the project are presented
on the architecture. This is an endeavor at easily communicating to the public what kind of
engineering departments have been collaborating in the project and how they are harmonized.
People have commented that the entire structure resembles an art museum that offers exhibitions
of content to the public.
(4)
Figure 13. Community engagement and interpretation as an experimental data collection was
used. The authors invited community kindergarten students and explained about what this
pavilion is and let them draw anything they learned to see their interpretation. They then
admirably drew energy symbols, poo-poo shapes, and toilet images. Their interpretation leads
to our results that art is an easy communication tool to understand each other.
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 11 of 16
4. Design and Art
Design and art can ease interaction between the general public and scientists because these
serve as a means of visualizing an ambiguous theory and concretizing it into an understandable
image. Our attempts reflect the considerable possibility that design and art can create products that
are more human-centered, comfortable, and convenient. These products then serve liaison-like
purposes. That is, the divergent nature of art earns it the recognition as an effective means of
facilitating cognitive flexibility and creative imagination. This nature enables art to act as a central
site from which diverse paths of thinking can grow in the context of interdisciplinary studies. At
Science Walden—an interdisciplinary research project that envisions a world yet to come—this
potential of art is valued and expected to enable researchers to move beyond conventional scientific
practice and toward many other possible alternatives [17,18].
4.1. Media Art: Citizen-Friendly Presentation by Info-Blind Technology
To clearly communicate the activities of our research center and help people easily understand
how these activities proceed, an Info-Blind structure with LED lights is used with media art. The
specific functions of the Info-Blind are as follows:
(1) Figure 12. The Info-Blind functions as a shading material. Its LED lights are set horizontally on
each wing so that it can express the media art connected to the computer in the research center.
People can see the media art outside the building through the center’s wall, which is
semi-transparent.
(2) The biogas that the lab produces every day is visualized as a tree on the blinds, thereby
enabling people who pass by the center at night to recognize how much output is produced on
a given day. This is an attempt at motivating interaction between the public and the lab’s
engineers. Without this visualization, the public would be unaware of what is going on in the
lab. Ultimately, this media art connects and indirectly communicates with the public as an
intermediary by attracting interest.
(3) The logos intended to express the characteristics of each lab involved in the project are
presented on the architecture. This is an endeavor at easily communicating to the public what
kind of engineering departments have been collaborating in the project and how they are
harmonized. People have commented that the entire structure resembles an art museum that
offers exhibitions of content to the public.
(4) Figure 13. Community engagement and interpretation as an experimental data collection was
used. The authors invited community kindergarten students and explained about what this
pavilion is and let them draw anything they learned to see their interpretation. They then
admirably drew energy symbols, poo-poo shapes, and toilet images. Their interpretation leads
to our results that art is an easy communication tool to understand each other.
Figure 12. Nighttime media art reflected status and Info-Blind with LED lights attached.
Figure 12. Nighttime media art reflected status and Info-Blind with LED lights attached.

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 12 of 17
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 12 of 16
Figure 13. Community engagement and interpretation.
4.2. Futuristic Toilet Design: User-Centered Approach for Better Convergence
The aim of designing a futuristic waterless toilet (the Beevi toilet) was not only to raise
community awareness of water scarcity but also to save water in South Korea. The toilet features a
radical technology-push nature that examines the effectiveness of eliminating phosphorus from the
fuzzy front end stage of new product development [19]. An important consideration, however, is
that designing a product that is meaningful to users requires an understanding of user experience
and perception, as well as how people make sense of things [20]. A thorough understanding of
target users and their needs is necessary for success. We, therefore, explored how people as future
users in the community perceive water scarcity and the waterless toilets. This is a reflective
problem-solving approach [21] to designing a prototype, which can be a solution, an evaluation tool,
or a vehicle for team collaboration [22]. The packaged experience thus defines the characteristics of a
product, service, or brand [23] and provides economic value as a planned journey with multiple
touch points [24].
To investigate users’ perceptions and understanding of water scarcity and the waterless
prototype, we conducted focus group interviews with 54 participants (15 females and 39 males). The
participants were asked about (1) their awareness of water scarcity in the country; (2) their previous
experience of attempting to save water; (3) how they would be motivated to conserve water; (4) their
perception of a waterless toilet; and (5) their dream toilet. The thematic analysis revealed three
thematic categories: (1) disbelief about water scarcity; (2) incentives for saving water, such as
receiving economic benefits or improving health through the use of the Beevi toilet; and (3) the
necessity of cleaner and more sanitary experiences than those offered by current toilets. The results
of the interviews indicated that although people have heard of the water scarcity problem, they have
not attempted to conserve water given the ease and convenience with which they can access water
sources. People want improved experiences from current toilets. This design activity exposed new
issues and information needs as the work progressed [24].
We triangulated research methods for designing an alpha prototype on the basis of the
interviews and three case studies on experiential civic engagement, in which actual and visual
designs were provided and seven expert interviews in the fields of design policy and service design
were conducted [25]. These were thematically analyzed, and two themes emerged: (1) readability
and (2) vivid color for nudging. The results indicated that in achieving improved civic engagement,
a useful approach is to capture people’s interest through eye-catching forms of design, vivid colors,
or unexpected shapes. Correspondingly, we designed an alpha prototype that deviates from the
design of currently available toilets (Figure 14). The prototype is displayed at the Science Walden
Pavilion, where people can visit and experience sitting on this futuristic and unconventional toilet.
Figure 13. Community engagement and interpretation.
4.2. Futuristic Toilet Design: User-Centered Approach for Better Convergence
The aim of designing a futuristic waterless toilet (the Beevi toilet) was not only to raise community
awareness of water scarcity but also to save water in South Korea. The toilet features a radical
technology-push nature that examines the effectiveness of eliminating phosphorus from the fuzzy
front end stage of new product development [
19
]. An important consideration, however, is that
designing a product that is meaningful to users requires an understanding of user experience and
perception, as well as how people make sense of things [
20
]. A thorough understanding of target
users and their needs is necessary for success. We, therefore, explored how people as future users in
the community perceive water scarcity and the waterless toilets. This is a reflective problem-solving
approach [
21
] to designing a prototype, which can be a solution, an evaluation tool, or a vehicle for
team collaboration [
22
]. The packaged experience thus defines the characteristics of a product, service,
or brand [23] and provides economic value as a planned journey with multiple touch points [24].
To investigate users’ perceptions and understanding of water scarcity and the waterless prototype,
we conducted focus group interviews with 54 participants (15 females and 39 males). The participants
were asked about (1) their awareness of water scarcity in the country; (2) their previous experience of
attempting to save water; (3) how they would be motivated to conserve water; (4) their perception of a
waterless toilet; and (5) their dream toilet. The thematic analysis revealed three thematic categories:
(1) disbelief about water scarcity; (2) incentives for saving water, such as receiving economic benefits
or improving health through the use of the Beevi toilet; and (3) the necessity of cleaner and more
sanitary experiences than those offered by current toilets. The results of the interviews indicated that
although people have heard of the water scarcity problem, they have not attempted to conserve water
given the ease and convenience with which they can access water sources. People want improved
experiences from current toilets. This design activity exposed new issues and information needs as the
work progressed [24].
We triangulated research methods for designing an alpha prototype on the basis of the interviews
and three case studies on experiential civic engagement, in which actual and visual designs were
provided and seven expert interviews in the fields of design policy and service design were
conducted [
25
]. These were thematically analyzed, and two themes emerged: (1) readability and
(2) vivid color for nudging. The results indicated that in achieving improved civic engagement, a
useful approach is to capture people’s interest through eye-catching forms of design, vivid colors,
or unexpected shapes. Correspondingly, we designed an alpha prototype that deviates from the
design of currently available toilets (Figure 14). The prototype is displayed at the Science Walden
Pavilion, where people can visit and experience sitting on this futuristic and unconventional toilet.
The toilet also enables a sitting posture that differs from that offered by regular toilets. As a person

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 13 of 17
sits on the prototype toilet, the position of the seat gradually drops to a level lower than the initial
seat height, thus enabling a person’s leg to be slightly raised. This allows for a healthier posture when
expelling excrement. The prototype offers possibilities for further research in terms of integrating
FSM (as economic value) and universal toilet sitting postures for healthier expelling of excrement.
The prototype was designed in accordance with a user-centered approach as a sociable design, which
“is for the benefit of the people who use it, taking into account their true needs and wants” [26].
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 13 of 16
The toilet also enables a sitting posture that differs from that offered by regular toilets. As a person
sits on the prototype toilet, the position of the seat gradually drops to a level lower than the initial
seat height, thus enabling a person’s leg to be slightly raised. This allows for a healthier posture
when expelling excrement. The prototype offers possibilities for further research in terms of
integrating FSM (as economic value) and universal toilet sitting postures for healthier expelling of
excrement. The prototype was designed in accordance with a user-centered approach as a sociable
design, which “is for the benefit of the people who use it, taking into account their true needs and
wants” [26].
Figure 14. Alpha prototype of the futuristic Beevi toilet displayed at the Science Walden Pavilion.
The characteristics of the prototype are listed below.
(1) UV lights were installed on the toilet cover not only for a hygienic look but also for actual
sanitation of the seating component. As people occupy the seat, the design provides them a
sense of freshness.
(2) The lid automatically opens when it detects a user. The unoccupied seat remains at a horizontal
angle, similar to a typical toilet, but when people sit on it, the angle is adjusted to a level that
most effectively facilitates comfort and bowel movement through the straightening of the
rectum. After use, the seat spring gently nudges the user upward, so people, including the
elderly, can easily stand up. The toilet features an ergonomic design that helps people avoid
constipation and eventually improve their health conditions.
(3) Form-wise, the waterless toilet does not have a cylindrical shape for water centrifugal force.
Instead, it has a catenary shape that resembles a wine glass or a vanity table. The shape accords
with the idea of a toilette, a French word that roughly translates to “furniture that one can make
oneself up”. The white color scheme gives people the sense of increased cleanliness.
Figure 14. Alpha prototype of the futuristic Beevi toilet displayed at the Science Walden Pavilion.
The characteristics of the prototype are listed below.
(1)
UV lights were installed on the toilet cover not only for a hygienic look but also for actual
sanitation of the seating component. As people occupy the seat, the design provides them a
sense of freshness.
(2)
The lid automatically opens when it detects a user. The unoccupied seat remains at a horizontal
angle, similar to a typical toilet, but when people sit on it, the angle is adjusted to a level
that most effectively facilitates comfort and bowel movement through the straightening of the
rectum. After use, the seat spring gently nudges the user upward, so people, including the
elderly, can easily stand up. The toilet features an ergonomic design that helps people avoid
constipation and eventually improve their health conditions.
(3)
Form-wise, the waterless toilet does not have a cylindrical shape for water centrifugal force.
Instead, it has a catenary shape that resembles a wine glass or a vanity table. The shape accords
with the idea of a toilette, a French word that roughly translates to “furniture that one can make
oneself up”. The white color scheme gives people the sense of increased cleanliness.

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 14 of 17
4.3. Futuristic Community Design: Hexagon
The proposed environmental technology and products that are characterized by the convergence
of art and technology are intended to be systematically integrated and materialized in the
community design. In designing Science Walden, we first presumed a small neighborhood composed
of 50 households and identified the key functionality and spatial usage within the community. We then
developed a Science Walden community concept that is flexible and easily expandable in the future.
The design involved four steps. First, we classified the socio-demographic features of potential
residents into multiple classes: elderly couple households, working couple with children households,
and single-person households. The living scenarios of each family were then depicted in detail.
We presumed that the living patterns in Science Walden are fundamentally different from those in
ordinary communities. Living schedules in our community include community building activities,
Science Walden education, community farming, and consuming products with FSM. Second, we
identified commonly-observed behavioral patterns across diverse social classes on the basis of the
living scenarios and connected these behaviors to specific spatial functions. For instance, production
occurs at the biocenter that generates bio-energy, monetary activities take place at a golden bank
where inhabitants exchange feces for FSM, and local food production happens in a community farm.
Third, a system for the Science Walden community was developed. The built environment and
functionality of Science Walden design resembles the town of Arcosanti in Arizona, US. Arcosanti,
designed by Paolo Soleri, emphasize the principles of social integration, self-containment of habitat
and food and energy production [
27
]. The innovative feature of the Science Walden community is the
introduction of FSM. The community system incorporates various key functions of the community,
the circulation of FSM, local exchange, and community education. FSM becomes the key element
that connects various activities in the integrated system. Figure 15 illustrates the proposed system
of the Science Walden community. Finally, we developed a prototype Science Walden design, which
has several features. To apply the design concept in various city contexts, the shape of an envisioned
community should be flexible. The proposed community is not a neighborhood with fixed forms
and functions but allows metabolic change and expansion. These principles share common ground
with the metabolism movement in architecture, which considers society a living and mutable entity
and pursues the transformation of society through technology and urban design [
28
]. In terms of
geometry, the proposed prototype design is of a hexagonal plan. The hexagon plan was introduced to
an alternative to the rectangular grid for residential subdivisions and buildings [
28
]. Each unit of the
hexagon has a unique functionality of space, and spaces are arranged next to one another in patterns
that are appropriate for creating different Science Walden communities. The size of the hexagonal
module and the manner by which modules are combined and converted is easy, thus corresponding
with the local context of a given neighborhood.
Sustainability 2017, 9, 35 14 of 16
4.3. Futuristic Community Design: Hexagon
The proposed environmental technology and products that are characterized by the
convergence of art and technology are intended to be systematically integrated and materialized in
the community design. In designing Science Walden, we first presumed a small neighborhood
composed of 50 households and identified the key functionality and spatial usage within the
community. We then developed a Science Walden community concept that is flexible and easily
expandable in the future.
The design involved four steps. First, we classified the socio-demographic features of potential
residents into multiple classes: elderly couple households, working couple with children
households, and single-person households. The living scenarios of each family were then depicted in
detail. We presumed that the living patterns in Science Walden are fundamentally different from
those in ordinary communities. Living schedules in our community include community building
activities, Science Walden education, community farming, and consuming products with FSM.
Second, we identified commonly-observed behavioral patterns across diverse social classes on the
basis of the living scenarios and connected these behaviors to specific spatial functions. For instance,
production occurs at the biocenter that generates bio-energy, monetary activities take place at a
golden bank where inhabitants exchange feces for FSM, and local food production happens in a
community farm. Third, a system for the Science Walden community was developed. The built
environment and functionality of Science Walden design resembles the town of Arcosanti in
Arizona, US. Arcosanti, designed by Paolo Soleri, emphasize the principles of social integration,
self-containment of habitat and food and energy production [27]. The innovative feature of the
Science Walden community is the introduction of FSM. The community system incorporates various
key functions of the community, the circulation of FSM, local exchange, and community education.
FSM becomes the key element that connects various activities in the integrated system. Figure 15
illustrates the proposed system of the Science Walden community. Finally, we developed a
prototype Science Walden design, which has several features. To apply the design concept in various
city contexts, the shape of an envisioned community should be flexible. The proposed community is
not a neighborhood with fixed forms and functions but allows metabolic change and expansion.
These principles share common ground with the metabolism movement in architecture, which
considers society a living and mutable entity and pursues the transformation of society through
technology and urban design [28]. In terms of geometry, the proposed prototype design is of a
hexagonal plan. The hexagon plan was introduced to an alternative to the rectangular grid for
residential subdivisions and buildings [28]. Each unit of the hexagon has a unique functionality of
space, and spaces are arranged next to one another in patterns that are appropriate for creating
different Science Walden communities. The size of the hexagonal module and the manner by which
modules are combined and converted is easy, thus corresponding with the local context of a given
neighborhood.
Figure 15. Proposed system of the Science Walden community.
Figure 15. Proposed system of the Science Walden community.

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 15 of 17
5. Conclusions: Convergence of Science and Art
Throughout the sequential process on energy production and water purification, we demonstrated
that our community can be constructed in an environmentally-friendly manner by reducing human
waste, producing energy, and purifying rainwater. However, deeper research on the sequential
processes should be incorporated to achieve high efficiency and to make water more valuable. With
respect to the biogas production, we need to develop a more reliable post-treatment process to remove
nutrients. Additionally, our climate can be characterized by monsoons, where precipitation mostly
concentrates in the summer season. This implies that we need to propose the optimal size of the green
roof and the integrated adsorption-disinfection system.
We believe that we need to develop a system wherein scientists and artists can freely communicate
with each other. The system can be actualized in the form of a project in which all kinds of
communicative acts, behaviors, and events occur; Science Walden may serve as a representative
example of such a system. The system comprises not of participating persons but of communication
activities. It is, therefore, unfixed; it is a very flexible system given that it varies with the incorporation
of diverse elements, whose boundaries are demarcated differently by diverse times and spaces. In the
project, we communicate with one another by sharing information that is based on our own experiences.
A project is an open space where we can collaborate, practice and, most importantly, cultivate ourselves.
We need a medium of communication, such as a language, especially in this project, wherein scientists
and artists collaborate. We share the common goals of the project and discuss the selection of media for
effective communication; letters are an example, but images, sounds, smells, and other sense-provoking
items may also be considered. An observation of an object gives us an impression, a representation,
a sensation, and an image that will eventually form knowledge of concepts or ideas. Transfer of
knowledge occurs through media, and such formation and transfer are the goals for which scientists
and artists are responsible. Of course, we can create knowledge of concepts by using language and
many other types of media. Let us take the concept of FSM as an example: artists can help scientists
understand this concept and represent it through scientific experiments, such as bio-energy production
of feces. As we discussed, artists share some parts of their methodology in establishing the concept with
scientists. Artists are adept at treating non-textual knowledge, which is composed of non-propositional
concepts. We can collect both textual and non-textual knowledge in our faculty of concepts, titling
it as the non-textual library of FSM. Instead of publishing numerous papers in journals, like most
scientists do, we can contribute to our community in a different manner. To achieve this goal, we
should first understand the language of other fields. For instance, science and art can converge as
scientists and artists learn each other’s modes of presenting ideas. They should meet to communicate
in their own language. In so doing, they naturally expose themselves to each other, understand their
difference in terms of modes of communication, and eventually determine how to reduce the gap
between them. As a next step, a project that elicits the interest of scientists and artists should be
launched. Such a project will ease encounters between scientists and artists. A project is not a pursuit
exclusive to privileged experts; rather, all people can participate in an endeavor and, in the process,
become qualified experts as they engage in project-related practices. Participants do not perform, but
use the project itself to study. After this, artists and scientists should try to find common ground in the
design of a product for the project. Upon finding appropriate materials, they can proceed to the design
of next steps, which include the selection of meaningful activities. Finally, scientists and artists must
share visions and goals. Only then can we find a way to transform what is currently unimaginable and
intangible into a realizable and perceptible outcome.
Acknowledgments:
This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Grant funded
by the Korean Government (MSIP) (No. NRF-2015R1A5A7037825).
Author Contributions:
Kyung Hwa Cho and Hyun-Kyung Lee conceived and designed the experiments;
Changsoo Lee and Jaeweon Cho and Huiyuhl Yi performed the experiments; Yongwon Seo and
Gi-Hyoug Cho
analyzed the data; Young-Nam Kwon and Changha Lee and Kyong-Mi Paek contributed reagents/materials/
analysis tools; Kyung Hwa Cho and Hyun-Kyung Lee wrote the paper.

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 16 of 17
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
1. Thoreau, H.D. Walden; or Life in the Woods; Ticknor and Fields: Boston, MA, USA, 1854.
2. Skinner, B.F. Walden Two; Hackett Publishing Company: Indianapolis, IN, USA, 1948.
3. Ahring, B.K. Biomethanation I; Springer: New York, NY, USA, 2003.
4.
Fowler, D.; Loebenstein, W.; Pall, D.; Kraus, C.A. Some unusual hydrates of quaternary ammonium salts.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1940,62, 1140–1142. [CrossRef]
5.
Aladko, L.; Dyadin, Y.A.; Rodionova, T.; Terekhova, I. Clathrate hydrates of tetrabutylammonium and
tetraisoamylammonium halides. J. Struct. Chem. 2002,43, 990–994. [CrossRef]
6.
Kim, S.; Seo, Y. Semiclathrate-based CO
2
capture from flue gas mixtures: An experimental approach with
thermodynamic and Raman spectroscopic analyses. Appl. Energy 2015,154, 987–994. [CrossRef]
7.
Kim, S.; Kang, S.P.; Seo, Y. Semiclathrate-based CO
2
capture from flue gas in the presence of tetra-n-butyl
ammonium chloride (TBAC). Chem. Eng. J. 2015,276, 205–212. [CrossRef]
8.
Baek, S.S.; Choi, D.H.; Jung, J.W.; Lee, H.; Yoon, K.S.; Cho, K.H. Optimizing low impact development (LID)
for stormwater runoff treatment in urban area, Korea: Experimental and modeling approach. Water Res.
2015,86, 122–131. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
9.
Baek, S.; Choi, D.; Jung, J.; Yoon, K.; Cho, K.H. Evaluation of hydrology and runoff BMP model in SUSTAIN
on commercial area and public park in South Korea. Desalin. Water Treat. 2015,55, 347–359. [CrossRef]
10.
Pandey, D.N.; Gupta, A.K.; Anderson, D.M. Rainwater harvesting as an adaptation to climate change.
Curr. Sci. 2003,85, 46–59.
11. Helmreich, B.; Horn, H. Opportunities in rainwater harvesting. Desalination 2009,248, 118–124. [CrossRef]
12.
Rajagopal, R.; Lim, J.W.; Mao, Y.; Chen, C.-L.; Wang, J.-Y. Anaerobic co-digestion of source segregated brown
water (feces-without-urine) and food waste: For Singapore context. Sci. Total Environ.
2013
,443, 877–886.
[CrossRef] [PubMed]
13.
Aitkenhead-Peterson, J.A.; Dvorak, B.D.; Volder, A.; Stanley, N.C. Chemistry of growth medium and leachate
from green roof systems in south-central Texas. Urban Ecosyst. 2011,14, 17–33. [CrossRef]
14.
Lee, C.; Kim, J.Y.; Lee, W.I.; Nelson, K.L.; Yoon, J.; Sedlak, D.L. Bactericidal effect of zero-valent iron
nanoparticles on E. coli.Environ. Sci. Technol. 2008,42, 4927–4933. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
15.
Park, H.-J.; Nguyen, T.T.M.; Yoon, J.; Lee, C. Role of reactive oxygen species in Escherichia coli inactivation by
cupric ion. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2012,46, 11299–11304. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
16.
Nguyen, T.M.; Park, H.-J.; Kim, J.Y.; Kim, H.-E.; Lee, H.; Yoon, J.; Lee, C. Microbial inactivation by cupric ion
in combination with H
2
O
2
: Role of reactive oxidants. Environ. Sci. Technol.
2013
,47, 13661–13667. [CrossRef]
[PubMed]
17. Davis, J. Why Our Schools Need the Arts; Teachers College Press: New York, NY, USA, 2008.
18. Eisner, E. The Arts and the Creation of Mind; Yale University Press: New Haven, CT, USA, 2002.
19.
Smith, P.G.; Reinertsen, D.G. Developing Products in Half the Time; Van Nostrand Reinhold: Bel Air, CA,
USA, 1991.
20.
Krippendorff, K. On the essential contexts of artifacts or on the proposition that design is making sense
(of things). Des. Issues 1989,5, 9–39. [CrossRef]
21. Schön, D. The Reflective Practitioner; Basic Books: New York, NY, USA, 1984.
22. Kelley, T.; Littman, J. The Ten Faces of Innovation; Doubleday: New York, NY, USA, 2005.
23. Press, M.; Cooper, R. Design Experience; Ashgate Publishing Limited: London, UK, 2003.
24.
Voss, C.; Zomerdijk, L. Innovation in experiential services—An empirical view. In Innovation in Services; DTI,
Ed.; DTI: London, UK, 2007; pp. 97–134.
25.
Loch, C.; DeMeyer, A.; Pich, M.T. Managing the Unknown: A New Approach to Managing High Uncertainty and
Risk in Projects; John Wiley and Sons: Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2006.
26. Norman, D. Living with Complexity; The MIT Press: Gotham, NY, USA, 2010.

Sustainability 2017,9, 35 17 of 17
27.
Pernice, R. Metabolism reconsidered its role in the architectural context of the world. J. Asian Arch. Build. Eng.
2004,3, 357–363. [CrossRef]
28.
Ben-Joseph, E.; Gordon, D. Hexagonal planning in theory and practice. J. Urban Des.
2000
,5, 237–265.
[CrossRef]
©
2016 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access
article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).