Liftguard

What it does

Liftguard is a railing system with a flood containment mechanism that uses rising water to protect urban areas. It focuses on flood-prone urban contexts, blending with the landscape.

Your inspiration

The central theme of the product design lab was the hydrogeological emergency, with the brief to identify solutions to a specific problem arising from the emergency. Our focus was on flood protection systems, starting with an in-depth study of the most commonly used solution: sandbags. We then conducted a thorough analysis of all systems, both innovative and traditional, aimed at flood containment. These studies were then applied in an urban context, adapting a barrier system that would integrate with the urban landscape, particularly in cities vulnerable to such emergencies.

How it works

Liftguard is designed for vulnerable contexts as a permanent system that aids emergency management and reduces manual interventions. When the river rises, a float lifts a PVC sheet to block water from entering the city, retracting automatically when levels normalize. It consists of modular barriers, each 190 cm long, 120 cm high, and 12 cm deep, which can be disassembled for maintenance and replacement. The modules include steel uprights with circular vertical pins to manage movement. The system features a float adaptable to non-linear paths and a PVC sheet reinforced with horizontal slats, folding into a stainless steel case with three drainage scoops. Vertical elements enhance structural resistance, and a handrail completes the setup. A static and seismic study assessed deformations and displacements caused by water during floods, providing a local reference for the structure.

Design process

The initial hypothesis of the project was to optimize the filling of sandbags to minimize the effort and labor for filling and transport. Later, we designed a product with the same function but as a permanent, semi-autonomous solution, reducing specific labor and focusing elsewhere. The first decision was location, choosing urban areas vulnerable to flooding. Vicenza, with two rivers, was a case study. The concept involved integrating street furniture elements such as railings, which already protected people, with a fully automatic system that used sensors and small motors to close as the river level rose. The horizontal protective elements, interlocking fiberglass slats, would open during emergencies to create a barrier of protection from water. Choosing a motorless system ensured reliability and simplified maintenance, whereas modular designs require three motors for every two modules. We focused on a railing system with integrated PVC sheeting and a flotation mechanism to rise with river levels, containing flooding. Vertical protection elements stabilized the structure, designed to facilitate railing support in calm conditions. The project does not aim to replace natural levees, but to intervene when they fail.

How it is different

The protection and containment systems for riverbanks currently utilized by civil protection have been studied. It was observed that competitor products must always be positioned and then removed for each flood event, increasing the labor required from civil protection personnel. Liftguard does not have this issue, as it not only ensures safety in urban areas during hydrological emergencies but also adapts to the urban environment due to the permanent installation of its modular railings, which become part of the city's urban furniture. Furthermore, the project aims to promote a specific concept: water containment using the water itself. By supporting rather than damaging the riverbank, the system activates a float that raises a PVC sheet as the water level rises, thereby protecting the city.

Future plans

Liftguard was designed for a specific context but aims to be implemented in the future in every city prone to flood events. It is increasingly necessary to find a permanent solution that prepares citizens, civil protection, and the entire city for events that will occur with greater frequency. Moreover, Liftguard intends to develop awareness in the field of sustainability, not only from a construction perspective but also functionally, becoming an ally of the riverbank and integrating seamlessly into urban environments. This is to ensure a future where dealing with such disastrous events will no longer be necessary.

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