Macro UX: Research & building Week 3

After our meeting with Takram, we were inspired to think beyond the conventional approach of building chimneys. We decided to conduct research on how chimneys were built initially, but soon realized that our project had the potential to go beyond just an enclosure like a chimney. Our tutors provided us with valuable feedback, encouraging us to look at the concept of non-human species reclaiming human spaces. This opened up a whole new world of possibilities for our project.

As we delved deeper into the idea of non-human species reclaiming spaces, we realized that our work could be more meaningful if we aimed towards transitional design. We wanted to explore what could happen in the future and how our relationship with nature and animals could be more inclusive and co-living. This led us to the concept of creating an immersive pluriversal world within the comfort of our users' homes.

To bring our vision to life, we brainstormed different ideas and came up with the concept of creating a set of furniture that could encompass multiple purposes and be self-sustaining. We believed that this would be the best and easiest approach for us to achieve our goal. Our furniture would not only provide functional utility but also serve as habitats for various species, enabling them to reclaim human spaces in a harmonious co-existence.

To gain a better understanding of how our concept would realistically look, we decided to build a 3D model of a room overtaken by nature. This helped us visualize our idea and refine our design approach. The model allowed us to see how our furniture would fit in a real-world setting and how the space would be transformed into an immersive pluriversal world.

We looked into furniture made out of natural materials and took inspiration from birds nests as basic structure for our bird chair that would nest our birds and be usable for humans.We'd also looked into small insect homes as inspiration for materials.

Conclusion:

Our vision was to create a bio-civilization that promotes co-living with non-human species within our household. Through futuristic design that de-centers humans, we aimed to address the leading causes of bird mortality, such as loss of habitat, collisions with windows, chimneys, and wires, as revealed by studies and surveys. Our research led us to understand that chimneys serve as portals for birds to enter households, seeking sanctuary, light, bird feeders, water, and shelter. This inspired us to incorporate these elements into our furniture designs, with each piece being built based on our 3D models.

As we move forward, we became committed to not only creating functional and aesthetically pleasing furniture but also integrating sustainability and environmental consciousness into our designs.