Las Palmas Water Theatre: Beetle Fog Harvesting Desalination — Grimshaw

Biological model: Namibian fog-basking beetle (Stenocara gracilipes)

Company: Grimshaw

This water amphitheatre mimics the Namibian fog-basking beetle's water harvesting mechanism, using hydrophilic/hydrophobic surfaces to condense atmospheric moisture into freshwater with 10x energy savings for desalination.

The challenge

Coastal regions face freshwater scarcity despite proximity to oceans. Conventional desalination is energy-intensive, expensive, and generates toxic brine waste. Alternative technologies are needed.

Nature's strategy

Namibian fog-basking beetle uses patterned carapace (hydrophilic and hydrophobic zones) to condense atmospheric moisture into drinking water in hyperarid environments with minimal rainfall.

What was emulated

Passive moisture condensation; selective wetting patterns; directional water collection; passive heat management; energy-free water production.

The innovation

Beetle-inspired hydrophilic/hydrophobic facade for atmospheric water harvesting, integrated with deep-ocean cooling and solar evaporation for energy-efficient desalination.

Full case study

Las Palmas Water Theatre represents an elegant integration of biomimetic water technology with public architecture, designed by Grimshaw in Gran Canaria. The project draws inspiration from one of nature's most ingenious survival adaptations: the Namibian fog-basking beetle (Stenocara gracilipes), which harvests drinking water from morning fog in the hyperarid Namib Desert—an environment receiving virtually no rainfall. This desert beetle has evolved a uniquely patterned back carapace with alternating hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) surfaces that condenses moisture from fog directly into water droplets, which then roll to the beetle's mouth for drinking. The amphitheatre's facade employs this same principle at architectural scale. Carefully oriented glass condensers along the primary wind axis feature alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic surface treatments that mimic the beetle's back. As moisture-laden air blows across these surfaces, water vapour condenses preferentially on hydrophilic zones, forming droplets that are then redirected downward by hydrophobic barriers into collection channels. This passive condensation system is augmented by cool seawater drawn from 1000 metres depth (where temperature stabilizes at ~4°C year-round), which is circulated through the facade to enhance condensation efficiency without energy input. Solar-powered evaporators heat this collected water to separate any salt or impurities, completing a desalination cycle. The innovation achieves a remarkable 10-fold reduction in energy consumption compared to conventional reverse-osmosis desalination, which typically requires significant electrical input to force seawater through membranes under pressure. By harnessing passive condensation, deep ocean thermal gradient, and solar heating, the Water Theatre produces freshwater whilst simultaneously functioning as a public amphitheatre and cultural landmark. The structure demonstrates that biomimetic architecture can directly address critical resource challenges (freshwater scarcity) whilst creating beautiful, socially valuable spaces.