The Speculum

Majority of the people living in the informal settlements in South Africa have little to no access to resources such as electricity and clean running water. In certain informal settlements, the toilets are often seperate structures that are a few meters away from the dwellings. One of the major risks of this is the possibility of a young child falling in or getting stuck in the pit. The problem that I will further explore are the tragic incidences that take place within pit latrines and how daylight can be used as a way to give off warning signals to those around. My proposed solution is to design a mechanism for the people of Slovo Park Informal Settlement, that absorbs and reflects daylight within the interior and exterior of pit latrine toilets. The top half of the mechanism consists of STRONTIUM ALUMINATE and the bottom half is constructed from stainless steel MIRROR. The structure includes a pull mechanism that consists of a ROTATIONAL GEAR system. The purpose of this mechanism uses daylight as a way to warn those around the area of any danger taking place in the toilet itself. As one pulls down the chain in the toilet, the pyramid rotates and REFLECTS SUNLIGHT in such a way that disorientates the human vision. As the pyramid rotates, the sun hits the mirror and reflects off a bright shimmer. The strontium aluminate recharges using daylight and glows during the night.The mechanism consists of a pyramid at the very top that is fitted onto an aluminum rod. A waterproof slope roof flashing needs to be installed directly onto the roof acts as a stopper and bearing for the aluminum rod, preventing it from falling through the structure. This also helps prevent any friction caused by the rotational movement of the entire mechanism. As the pyramid rotates, the sun hits the mirror and reflects off a bright shimmer. The strontium aluminate recharges using daylight and glows during the night, giving off the same effect as it does during the day, at night.