The journey of the Warka Tower began with a visionary idea in 2012, when architect Arturo Vittori conceptualized a lightweight, passive structure capable of harvesting water from the atmosphere to serve communities in need. Inspired by the Ethiopian Warka Tree—a central gathering place in rural villages—the tower was designed to offer not only clean water, but also a space for social connection.
In 2015, the first full-scale prototype was successfully installed in Dorze, Ethiopia, marking a major milestone. The pilot demonstrated the tower’s ability to collect up to 100 liters of potable water per day through condensation, dew, and rain. This early success showcased the viability of the design and opened the door for international recognition.
Over the following years, Warka Water expanded its reach, introducing the Warka Tower to communities in Cameroon, Haiti, Togo, Colombia, and India. These projects not only delivered clean water but also included training programs to ensure locals could assemble, maintain, and take ownership of the systems.
In 2016, the Warka Tower won the World Design Impact Prize, awarded by the World Design Organization, solidifying its status as a globally recognized innovation. In 2019, it received The Design Prize for Social Impact in architecture and design.
By the early 2020s, Warka Water began developing integrated solutions—combining the Tower with Warka Sanitation, Warka Garden, and Warka House—as part of a broader model for sustainable, self-sufficient villages. The most prominent example is the Warka Village project in Cameroon, which includes a cluster of these technologies designed to meet the basic needs of an entire community.
Today, Warka Tower stands as a symbol of dignity, environmental stewardship, and human-centered design. Its impact spans not only access to clean water but also empowerment, education, and improved health outcomes for thousands of people in rural areas around the world.