Thursday, September 11, 2008

Pod Collaboration & Project Proposal

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Part of the project planning phase, is using PODS to collaborate with other students who might be working in similar fields of interest. One of my very inspiring peers, Jhon Mozo, happens to be working on urban agriculture for low-income community, so the two of us will be working together in the research phase to gather info and share data.

I've developed a much detailed project proposal over the last week.
The following is a summary of the written content in the proposal.



PROJECT PROPOSAL - A LITTLE GREEN
1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Opportunity

As our society advances rapidly in telecommunications, transportations, and technological developments; we celebrate the urban lifestyle for its convenience, comfort, and diversity. However, more than often, we find ourselves cornered by the negative traits of this way of life. The hectic work schedule, pricy living demands, and cramped living quarters greatly affect the quality of lifestyle, causing desperate need for serenity, relaxation, and re-connection with nature.

As people become aware of their quality of living, efforts on improving health, living environments, and mental state slowly become more crucial and valuable. More and more individuals become conscious of global concerns of sustainability, and availability of local food production. Due to existing restrictions of living spaces, one often compensates lifestyle with limited availability and resources. Therefore, the design opportunity of developing a suitable and practical solution dedicated to fulfill such need is surfaced.

1.2 Personal Relation


Being an urban resident myself, I encounter problematic issues such as lack of functional space, isolation from nature, inability to practice urban gardening, and limited decoration options. These factors ultim¬ately affect the quality of my lifestyle, and also significantly limit my ability to customize my living space. This in turn brings about my idea of creating the opportunity for individuals to customize space with modular “green design.”

The graduation project stands as a representation of my learning over the years in design. It represents a statement of my intentions and future focus as a designer. I want to make use of this opportunity to address my personal and global concern of sustainability by introducing a practical and suitable design solution.

1.3 Philosophy

As the issue of sustainability becomes progressively critical, we as participants in one of the leading economic communities must embody such principle by actively participating in the change of our lifestyle. This urban green unit strives to address a global concern, while suggesting an appropriate solution to suit the needs of the market. Such designs may utilize the ability to improve air quality, offer opportunity for food production, as well as to provide a sense of nature in urban environments. At a time when consumerism dominates our culture and lifestyle, such design promotes versatility, possibility of customization, and global awareness.


2.0 GOALS & OBJECTIVES

2.1 Goal To improve the quality of urban lifestyle and living environments by providing the opportunity to integrate modular agriculture units

2.2 Objectives

a). To acquire a thorough understanding of target users’ lifestyles, needs, behaviours, preferences, and environmental restrictions.

b). To introduce plantation units maximizing space efficiency and modularity


2.3 Educational Goal

To perform as a professional industrial designer in aspects of self-discipline,
collaborations with others, and independent explorations

2.4 Educational Objectives

a). To develop independence and self-discipline in time management
b). To customize a relevant and thorough research plan
c). To collaborate with professionals in agrology, gardening, and interior design for technical consultations and research development
d). To improve technical skills for idea visualizations, such as sketching ability,
prototyping, computer modeling, and graphic presentation

2.4 Assumptions

a).The public IS becoming more conscious of the issue of sustainability.
b). Assuming a modular unit for urban plantations will bring awareness and
opportunity to engage in urban agriculture.

3.0 SCOPE

3.1 Project scope

The project explores issues from why such design is needed, to how, and what needs to be implanted. The project examines topics such as material studies, idea explorations, product usability, and market research. More specifically, in-depth research will be conducted on focuses such as modular form explorations, interior space integration, sustainable material options, methods of plantations, user behaviours, and development in simple water collection system. It will also contain research in types of suitable plantations for urban agriculture for the benefit of users’ knowledge. Excluding In-depth research on the use of fertilizers, composting methods, use of mechanical elements

3.2 The problem space

People who embody urban lifestyles come across limitations in space and time to implement agriculture in living environments. Their reluctance is often based on misconception of agriculture as time consuming, messy, and complicated. My initial research focuses on validation of the need for urban agriculture in the local community. I have conducted short interviews and discussions with urban residents regarding plantations and food productions in their living spaces. Also, I have visited local community gardens to observe current and upcoming activities in place.

3.3 Collaborators

Rob Barton (Architect, urban resident, green space lover)
Ward Teulon (Agrologist, Founder of CityFarmBoy)
Kirstie McCallum (urban resident, experienced gardener)

3.4 Organizational Collaboration

City Farm Boy (Local community designs & builds urban vegetable gardens)


4.0 Process

a). To develop a realistic and effective work plan with specific time frames
b). Acquire a thorough understanding of target users’ lifestyles, needs,
behaviours, preferences, and environmental restrictions.
c). To conduct a thorough market research plan on current design precedents,
material selections, and types of plantations applicable for such design
d). Research and acquire understanding of suitable environmental factors for
urban agriculture, including types of plantations, temperature, water
requirements, sun exposure, and etc.
e). To collaborate with professionals in agrology, gardening, and interior
design for technical consultations and research development
f). Development of modular unit based on ideations and research
g). Integration and development of a suitable water collection system
h). Employ prototyping to visualize and to evaluate design concept
i ). Improve design concepts by integrating findings of prototyping stage
j ). Finalize design concept and material selection

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