Wednesday, 7 March 2012

studio 2012: bioinspired project

background: 
biomimetics, biomimicry, bionics, biomorphism & bioinpiration are terms referring to the emulation of design models, forms & orocesses from biological organisms & natural systems to generate alternative solutions to design problems.


Brief:
Your task is to develop a bioinspired domestic storage system by asking "what would nature do here?"
-focus  on storage of food, clothing, books etc.
-learn from the storage systems in local plants, animals & ecosystems.
-incorporate bio-inspired design techniques in your design process.


I decided to do a laundry basket for kids which is based on a pelican -their large pouched bill/peak, (the Australian pelican's bill is the longest of any bird) the expandable bill reminded me of being able to store things when needed and expand to its maximum capacity.
I am thinking of using nylon as my main material for the laundering basket (the shape of a bill) 
properties are:
  • High resistance to insects, fungi, animals, as well as molds, mildew, rot and many chemicals, 
  • High elongation
  • Excellent abrasion resistance
  • Highly resilient
  • durability
other materials:
  • polyester boning to support the rim of the basket (acts as a frame)
  • felt + cotton stuffing + plastic googly eyes (head of the pelican)
  • cotton? as the webbed feet
qualities of the pelican laundry basket:
  • able to hang on a wall to save floor space
  • easy to fold and put away when not in use

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