The aquaponic facade designed at Arkinova is currently being installed in Dubai

The aquaponic project developed at the Arkinova Activity Generator is currently being installed in Dubai for the “Solar Decathlon Middle-East Dubai 2018” international competition. The system combines fish farming and plant cultivation in the facade of a housing prototype adapted to very hot climates.

The 800-litre aquarium window will be inserted into a 4 x 3m wall panel which has been transported to Dubai from the Arkinova Technology Park.  The aquarium will be integrated into the BaityKool project, which is a 90m2 housing prototype designed by the University of Bordeaux in association with 5 partners from 3 different countries (France, Palestine, and Dubai).

Baitykool will be taking part in the “Solar Decathlon Middle-East Dubai 2018” competition where 20 universities from around the world will each present their highly-innovative solar and ecological housing prototypes which are adapted to very hot climates.  As the only French project that was selected, Baitykool represents 30 company partners, as well as public organisations such as the Nobatek/ INEF4 Technology Centre which is located on the Arkinova site. 

The “Solar Decathlon Middle-East Dubai 2018” competition will take place from November 14 to 29 but the participating teams have already started installing their projects. The aquarium developed at the Arkinova Generator arrived in Dubai at the end of August. The system has been in development since the start of the year by Bertrand Canigiani working with Axel Rochard, a 3^rd-year biology student, and allows considerable plant production via an ecosystem combining the fish aquarium with plant trays in which fruits and vegetables will grow.

Axel Rochand has been in Dubai since August and was there to receive the aquarium from Arkinova.  Bertrand Canigiani, who arrived on the site in mid-September, will have the task of preparing the installation of the system, notably with the fish and plants to be sourced locally.  He will then return to the Arkinova Activity Generator where he will continue the development of his innovative aquaponics in buildings concept that is still in incubation phase.

Contact:b.canigianigmail.com