Water Share House

Interior · Community hall

Water Share House — A shared space brings residents together around movable tables and perimeter benches.

Discover the place

A shared space brings residents together around movable tables and perimeter benches. Clear circulation accommodates visitors and assemblies. On an arid frontier, water agreements are worth more than gold.

History

Successive improvements show collective upkeep: replaced parts, widened passages and uses adjusted to residents’ needs.

To explore

The Liquid Archive

The Liquid Archive is a unique interior chamber within the Water Share House, dedicated to documenting and preserving the complex agreements surrounding water shares. This circular space features tall, rough-hewn earthen walls, filled with niches holding scrolls and tablets. At the center stands a large wooden water measuring vessel, its surface etched with marks from users over the years. Comfortable seating made of repurposed materials encircles the vessel, fostering discussions among community members. Warm sunlight filters through small, strategically placed openings, casting intricate shadows on the textured walls, creating an inviting atmosphere for negotiation and learning.

To explore

The Council Pod

The Council Pod is a semi-circular gathering space tucked inside the Water Share House, designed for discussions and negotiations among water users. Composed of large, crude timber beams supporting a thatched roof, the atmosphere is shaded and welcoming. The layout features a central circle of low, sturdy tables surrounded by benches for comfort, encouraging a collaborative spirit. Adjoining the central area are a few small alcoves with clay shelves that hold essential public agreements and historical records, providing instant reference materials for disputes. Soft daylight filters through woven natural fabric draped overhead, casting warm hues across the earthy interior, fostering a sense of unity and purpose.

To explore

The Resource Repository

The Resource Repository is a dedicated space within the Water Share House, designed to house essential tools, materials, and agreements necessary for water management. The room features sturdy wooden shelves lining the walls, filled with clay pots, measuring tools, and maps detailing the region's aquifers. Different zones are marked out for various resources, including a section for public contracts and shared responsibilities. A large communal table, made of reclaimed timber, occupies the center, surrounded by comfortable seating made from woven fabrics. The atmosphere is one of collaboration and shared purpose, reinforced by the earthy tones of the materials and the inviting scent of drying herbs and wood.

To explore