daming chen | 3378795

Monday, October 14, 2013

Project #2 : Process journal, rough sketch, rough ideas_PSS_re-invent_the_toilet

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Ulm stool - Interpretation Design

Final finish - Tung oil coating, and surface buff with Beewax

MY DESIGN APPROACH
From the design philosophy of Ulmer Stool, of pure functional aesthetic, and multipurpose usability ;
The Loop Table and Donald Judd’s table,
of honest use of material, right-angle geometry, joining technique, support mechanism, and form;
has inspired my design approach to my stool,
using pine as my material choice, and enjoying it’s natural colour and grain appearance as the aesthetics.
The box-joint techique is used to join the seating and side,
whist the standing frames, and storage support is fastened by the groove-and-shoulder joins.
My stool design has a multipurpose function, as there are two modes of seating,
storage for house items (e.g. books), and could also be a side-table, and also it could become a modular piece.
From one piece of 1800mm by 285mm pine,
the material was more than enough to generate my stool design, of 360mm x 285mm x 437mm.
Hand craft skills were developed and learnt in the lessons and workshop
- using the bandsaw and chisel to generate box joints;
- hand-router-machine to cut grooves;
- bandsaw to form the shoulders

Wk 8 - PSS concept, reflection

Tutor's comment:-
The concept is an improvement from previous and is on the right path of progress. Though there is no incentive and as to why users will agree to help retain waste as nutrients to help grow the plant. There is clear need for unique solution and an innovation is required to push forward the idea. Look into the ecosystem of the slums and find out what they have at current - can they use local resource to build and develop a system and product.

Reflection:-
There is a need to look into other ways to use treat and use the excreta waste. Research into journal readings and discover available low cost techniques. Create a unique selling point in the toilet design, e.g. the product is accessible by young children - perhaps adjustable seat height in office chairs, spring mechanism. Refine a system to support the product or vice versa.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Project two: - Presentation. Research. Concepts

Concept - redesigning the toilet to be more accessible to other users, like small children and the elderly, by installing handle support bars, and automatic-slide-step-for-small-children.

Creating a positive experience for the user, by the body sensor will activate ventilation, switching on the light, and dispensing air-refreshener for odour control.

Using solar energy storing capability.

The issue of many people in developing countries don't have proper access to sanitation toilet. Releasing body waste to rivers, which are the only water source for drinking, will contaminate the water/river system, which generate harmful bacteria, and causing illness in people, especially children are the major fatal sufferers.
-----------

Tutor Scott - the solution is not cost-effective, not innovative as the proposed solutions are existing and are no original. Look at existing designs and solutions, created a better product to this. Product will also need a system, so create sustainable system for the product. Look into the local ecosystem, such as India, what do they have, that can be sourced and locally generate the system and product.

Reflection
- required a sustainable system for the product. Concept should focus on a particular issue, e.g. safety and privacy for women; toilet availability; waste disposal system; waste conversion to fertiliser.
- solution of cost-effective ways.
- more research.
- re-develop the concept.