Dutch Consulate in Istanbul decorates 'rainroad' with artwork

By Mehmet Kara

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Dutch Consulate-General in Istanbul on Wednesday introduced its newly decorated rainwater recycling system installed in its garden to raise environmental awareness while also promoting art.

Consul-General Bart Van Bolhuis hosted the event in the garden of the mission, located on Istanbul's teeming Istiklal Street. He showcased the mosaic-clad Rainroad project that aims to be an inspiration for small and large-scale houses and organizations.

With the project, rainwater is diverted into a reservoir via channels to be used for garden irrigation and cleaning with an integrated solar energy system. The flowing water also keeps the plants on the channels alive all year round.

The project reflects art and environmental awareness with mosaics made of processed waste glass and ceramics. They were set in the waterways and pool by Bolhuis' ceramic artist wife Thessy Ries and Dutch artist Koenraad van Lier.

“We worked hard, together with our partners, to finish the last parts of the Rainroad: The green roof and the solar panel. This panel is connected to a pump that circulates water on sunny days, to reduce heat stress," according to the consulate-general's Twitter page earlier this week.