in collaboration with Christian P Kerrigan Architecture
THE CONTEXT
Residents of major cities are faced with the burden of air pollution which is detrimental to their physical and mental health. Currently, domestic air purifiers provide a solution but at the expense of the environment where 6000 tonnes of used air filters are sent to landfill every year. These products commonly neglect small urban living spaces, where air pollution is most prominent.
" 6000 tonnes of air filter waste are sent to landfill every year "
~ BRIIV, 2020
THE MARKET
The air purifier market is non-user friendly and not suited for home environments .
- They use the same visual language: a cylindrical or cubic form alongside white and grey plastic.
- Their aesthetics portray a medical product, hindering the product-user relationship
- They are so large, they can only be used on the floor.
- Companies neglect the mental health benefits of an air purifier
(Kobos, 2021)
INSPIRATION
Humans innate relationship with the natural world was the main source of inspiration, looking for natural forms, patterns and textures.
(madisonkmkup2, 2011; Renata, 2008; bobby samat, 2012; The Green Album, 2012; Zaha-Hadid Architects, 2014; PLANETOBSERVER, 2016; Dave, 2021)
INITIAL DIRECTION
Ideation led to one main concept which drew inspiration from nature, calling on the mental health benefits of biophilia. It will use 100% fully biodegradable air filters and will be compact to enable use on a desk or side table.
PROTOTYPING
Physical prototypes were built and tested for their performance and usability, where the fan, motor and product housing were eventually optimised.
FINAL DESIGN PROPOSAL
