Dew Catcher

Vale de Moses, Portugal
2021

Our design won the First Prize and Green Award in Sleeping Pods on a Cliff competition! The simple structure captures and retains atmospheric water, a precious resource in the area. Taking advantage of the local climate—uneven rainfall but stable air humidity throughout the year—Dew Catcher harvests fog and dew to produce a steady water supply.

Design: Maciej Abramczyk (Case Study Homes), Marco Moretto
Images: Case Study Homes
Client: Vale de Moses

Not merely a traditional sleeping cabin, Dew Catcher is a passive atmospheric moisture collection system. Undulating layer of nylon mesh harvests fog and dew. Beneath, a translucent polycarbonate roofing collects rain and moisture captured by the mesh.

Surplus water flows downhill via a drip irrigation system supporting wild vegetation through the droughts and helping to increase local biodiversity. The remaining water can be used by existing buildings and the adjacent garden.

The appearance of the cabin fluctuates throughout the day and as the seasons change. At night the facade mesh is rolled down, capturing fog and dew. The cabin lights up like a lantern, subtly animated by movement sheltered inside.

On warmer days the top–hung window and two pivoting doors can be opened, turning the whole cabin into a spacious terrace.

On colder days the mesh can be rolled up allowing the light through translucent layers of polycarbonate, helping to keep the cabin warm. After dark the mesh gets rolled back down to resume atmospheric moisture harvesting.

Cabin’s shape maximizes roof surface for water collection. Facade mesh is shaped to form vertical and 30° inclined zones, optimized respectively for fog and dew harvesting.

Fog harvesting occurs on vertical mesh when vapor–saturated air passes through the fabric.

Dew condensation takes place on the 30° inclined mesh. Condensation relies on high radiative cooling properties of the fabric—it’s ability to rapidly cool down. This property is at its peak at 30° inclination.

A modular laminated timber frame and lightweight polycarbonate cladding are easy to assemble and transport. Reclaimed nylon shading mesh and reused plywood interior finish make the Dew Catcher a simple, environmentally friendly and cost–effective solution for a remote location.

Supported on stilt–like posts, the cabin can be installed on uneven terrain anywhere in the Valley, with minimal intervention to the landscape.

The cabin offers a generous and unique space for inhabitants. A top–hung window on hydraulic pistons provides a panorama of the Valley.