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Designing biomimicry inspired volumetric, reusable PPE.
**Special Thanks to Javier Ruiz for the algorithm
ROLE: Research, Design
TEAM: William Qian, Heidi He, YiLi Zhao
TYPE: School Project
YEAR: August - November 2021
Our project is centered around sea sponges as design inspiration for PPE, but in thinking about scaling up to apply to other situations, we thought more about the effects of covid on our overall wellbeing.
We’ve been feeling the effects of covid for more than half a year now. The quarantine periods and strict social distancing guidelines have taken a toll on our mental health. With the looming winter approaching, the feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression are likely to increase.
We look into the role of plants in our daily environment. There have been several studies that highlighted several effects of nature and plants on our emotions
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Nature/indoor plants lead to reduced anxiety compared to city views or windowless spaces
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Live plants in office spaces lead to statistically significant increase in perception of overall life quality and overall perceptions of job satisfaction and personal perception of job performance
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Interactions with nature and vegetation can increase productivity and attentiveness, reduce stress and mental fatigue, and improve patients’ experience of pain
Porous Structural Design
Our final design is a lightweight, 3D-printed porous structure that will be used as a structural substrate for foliage vegetation. The porous structure can be used to plant vegetations selected by the users. As the plants grow, the structure becomes a vertical, heavily foliaged natural defense against noise, air-pollutant, and aerosol virus particles.
Using parametric design algorithms, we were able to flexibly control void distribution, volume, and dimensions to best support anticipated user needs.
Final Design Visualizations
Community is the central consideration for this spatial part of our project. We would like to invite the community to participate the growth of the structures. As shown in the elevation and section visualization. One can simply request desired plant type and insert them into the void prefilled with hydroponic ceramic pebbles.
It is our hope that even under covid, people can have access to the urban public space and, as long as the larger context allows, maintain a sense of connection with the world instead of being completely cut off from it.
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