Week 12 - Fine tuning

We have a product! The idea and rough concept are finished. Now it is time to think about the final shapes and techniques. Last week we quickly had drawn a non-organic version of our product. This defined the shape we want to go with but not with all the details. Below you see an image of our first sketch. This sketch shows that each module exists of a N shaped part. It was important that we had a construction that, when combined with more parts, it is a solid structure. When stacked, this form gives you an endless possibility to create structures. And used in a circle it can stand on its own.

So, the shape of the module is set. Now we needed to design the centre part of the N shape. This is where we want to put plants that attract small animals like birds and insects, but it also needs to be attractive if it should stand in city centres or at people’s homes. Due to the angle of the centre part, it was important that we thought of a structure that would keep plants on its place. With looks and the angle in our mind we looked at our gathered signals again that were used with our latest brainstorm. These gave us the idea to create an organic and natural shaped structure. To connect the centre part with the poles on the outside it needed to be thin on the outside. For the plants in the middle we needed some space. What we did was create a cylinder-shaped tube that has a bigger radius in the middle than on the endings. To maintain the organic and natural shapes we created a leaf like structure with holes on top of the centre part. This allows plants to grow through and become one with the structure.

After finishing our idea for the N shape, we all had to decide which animal shelter solutions we were going to use in de structure. The N shape was specific designed that we could place such a shelter on each end of the shape. When we kept the lighting of the lanterns, kind of animals that are in cities and possible species with each other in mind there were two options. A bird house and an insect hotel. These two species go well together and are attracted to flowers and plants. The third option is another unit for plants. If people at home or the government don’t want any animal shelter places, it is also possible to get the structure only with plants.

Next week we are going to look at the final presentation requires. And start working on filling in the business canvas.