SHIFT+: PUBLIC SEATING SYSTEM
KURO Co Ltd.
"Adaptable, Sustainable and Meaningful."
RESEARCH | IDEATION | 3D MODELING | RENDERING
BRANDING | SUSTAINABLE DESIGN | CMF DESIGN
Design Lab 2 | FA24 | ArtCenter College of Design
Instructor: Charlie Hodges | 14 Weeks Project
INTRODUCTION
This public seating project aims to bring people out of their busy daily routines to take a rest, reconnect with the beauty of nature, and remind them of sustainability.
This is a bold exploration on reducing seating's overall carbon footprint, from raw materials to recycling, while providing users with adaptable, playful, and multifunctional spaces.
WHAT IS PUBLIC SEATING?
PUBLIC SEATING IS...
meant to be more than just a place to rest; it's a symbol of comfort, accessibility, and harmony with our surroundings. It’s often designed to integrate seamlessly with nature, offering a space for users to enjoy the environment.
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MY GOAL
To address these questions, I aim to design public seating that is sustainable throughout its entire lifecycle while being adaptable to users' needs, ensuring it lasts longer and serves them better.
SO, I STARTED TO RESEARCH
HISTORY
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Pre-20th Century
Early public seating was primarily made from wood and iron, chosen for their availability and durability but requiring constant maintenance when exposed to rain and sun.
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Late 20th Century
New materials like aluminum and plastics were introduced. These were lightweight, weather-resistant, and easier to mass-produce, making outdoor furniture more portable and accessible.
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Early 21st Century
As outdoor spaces became more versatile, seating have evolved into modular and flexible systems, allowing restaurants to customize arrangements for various group sizes and adapt to changing needs.
NOWADAYS
Ergonomics is essential in outdoor seating design, as people spend more time outdoors, especially in restaurants and public spaces.
Flexibility is key to accommodate various postures and activities. Modular or adjustable seating allows users to personalize their experience, whether dining or relaxing.
Aesthetic is also important, with seating systems often designed to complement the surrounding décor and blend into natural or urban environments.
Sustainability is a growing consideration, with materials like recycled plastics, metals, and responsibly sourced wood being used in modern outdoor spaces.
BENCHMARK: TÄRNÖ
The IKEA TÄRNÖ outdoor set is an affordable, compact, and foldable furniture option from IKEA. Designed for small outdoor spaces like balconies, patios, and gardens, it’s a staple for those seeking minimalistic and functional designs.
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Ease of Use
Customers appreciate the foldable, lightweight nature of the set, which makes it perfect for temporary outdoor arrangements.
Simplicity
The simple Scandinavian design blends well with both modern and traditional outdoor spaces, adding a stylish yet functional element to small areas.
REVIEW ANALYSIS
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Maintenance Concerns
The wooden components require re-staining to maintain durability and appearance, a point of concern for customers who prefer low-maintenance outdoor furniture.
Comfort Limitations
Although great for short-term use, extended sitting can be uncomfortable due to the lack of ergonomic design or padding.
Driving
Driving a car for about 400 km (about 250 miles), assuming the car consumes around 8 liters of gasoline per 100 km.
Heating
Heating a home for 8 days during winter (using natural gas heating for an average-sized home).
SMBoM ANLYSIS
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Maintenance Concerns
Charging a smartphone for 2,500 hours, or about 104 days of constant charging.
Flight
Although great for short-term use, extended sitting can be uncomfortable due to the lack of ergonomic design or padding.
IDEATION
After weeks of Ideations, I found three directions that I really want to achieved in this project, so why can't we combine all three in one form? Imagine a highly intriguing, multi-functional public seating that offers an unique experience tailored by you, all created through highly eco-friendly manufacturing.
WORK
They can be professionals enjoying a productive break outdoors, using nature to inspire focus and creativity.
This space likely serves as a productive retreat, offering a balance between work and relaxation in the fresh air.
COLLAB
They can be friends enjoying a quiet moment together, perhaps taking a break from their daily routines to enjoy each other's company in the fresh air.
This spot likely serves as a peaceful retreat for them, where they can disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with one another.
SOLO
This moment appears to be a personal time for her, where she can reconnect with herself and nature.
The space offers a comfortable spot for user to pause and find peace in the outdoors, promoting both mental and physical well-being.
LOUNGE
Someoe who wants enjoy a moment of physical relaxation in a serene outdoor environment, providing a much-needed break from the demands of daily life.
This moment of stillness and connection with nature serves as an opportunity for both physical restoration and mindfulness.
FORM DEVELOPMENT
Over the following weeks, I will continue refining the details of the unit model, while also focusing on the ergonomic aspects to ensure it serves each scenario effectively.
FINAL DISPLAY
FINAL DESIGN
SHIFT+ is a sustainable, adaptable public seating that combines aesthetic appeal and ergonomic comfort, enhancing outdoor relaxation while blending with diverse environments and users.
MODULAR
SHIFT+ is produced using a single mold, but its design allows for easy reconfiguration and combination, offering infinite possibilities and the creation of multi-functional spaces to suit the diverse needs of users.
SCALE
Each SHIFT+ unit is a 0.8-meter cube weighing less than 10kg, making it easy to reconfigure and adapt to different spaces, while providing an appropriate scale for most users.
ADAPTABLE
The negative space in each SHIFT+ unit allows them to connect, forming a flowing system with multifunctional spaces. Users can choose the space that best suits their needs and fully immerse themselves in it.
SOLO SPACE
These spaces are designed for multiple users who want to interact, communicate, and have fun, featuring fewer boundaries and larger volumes to encourage more social interaction.
WORK SPACE
These spaces are designed for users who prefer to work outdoors while enjoying the beauty of nature to boost productivity and efficiency, featuring supportive surfaces for their work.
LOUNGE SPACE
These spaces are designed for users who want to enjoy a moment of physical relaxation in a serene outdoor environment, featuring more open, free spaces that can accommodate a variety of activities.
SOLO SPACE
These spaces are designed for users who needs a personal, relaxing moment to escape from busy routine, typically featured with more restrained volumes and clearly defined boundaries.
AND HOW ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY?
MATERIAL
SHIFT+ will use HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) for the entire body, a highly eco-friendly material with a low carbon footprint. It is easy to manufacture, lightweight, and durable, making it a perfect fit for this concept.
PARTNERSHIP
SMILE PLASTIC is a materials manufacturer specializing in producing HDPE with a low carbon footprint process. They also collaborate with numerous local manufacturers and service providers, making them the perfect partner to bring this concept to life.
LOCAL RESOURCE
SHIFT+ strongly suggests using 100% local resources to create the HDPE: By partnering with recycling sites and landfills, we can collect local waste to be repurposed in the creation of HDPE.
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LIFE CYCLE
Through these collaborations, we will be able to create an eco-friendly lifecycle for SHIFT+. By adopting this approach to manufacturing, we will minimize the potential of localized waste streams, reduce transportation costs, and lessen associated environmental impacts.
HUGE IMPROVEMENT
Returning to the sustainability analysis, Shift+ demonstrates over 570% improvement compared to the benchmark, leading to significant reductions in carbon emissions and energy waste, potentially saving thousands of tons.
SEE YOUR CITY
On each SHIFT+ unit, we will apply a small QR code that allows people to view their city's waste proportions. Seeing what we contribute can be both intriguing and educational, helping to remind people of the importance of sustainability.
DIFFERENT CITY VIEW
Due to the different proportions of waste in different cities, SHIFT+ units will also feature varying colors and patterns. This will create a visual display like a small landscape, showcasing each city's carbon footprint.
