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Student Designer
University Product Description and Principal Function(s) The kitchen is, and always has been, a hub of activity, central to home life. It is now also recognised to be the major contributor to unsustainability in the home, in particular waste production.The sustainable kitchen enables the user to be more connected to and aware of the natural resources being consumed in food preparation and assists them in handling these resources. These precious resources include water, energy and organic matter. This new kitchen educates users about sustainable kitchen practices while providing them with the necessities for food preparation. By mimicking an eco-cycle, it eliminates the concept of waste. Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award? InnovationThe Sustainable Kitchen innovates by changing peoples perception of the resources used when preparing food. It informs them of the resources in use & connects them back to the way nature manages resources – a cycle in which all ‘waste’ becomes food to continue the cycle. The kitchen is energy efficient so that it can be run by solar panels on the roof, thereby reducing greenhouse gases. It contains a closed-loop water recycler and composting system so that no water or organic matter from the dishwasher, sink or food preparation is wasted. It also connects the user to the way food is really produced by incorporating a small herb/ vegetable garden. Intelligence/ Cleverness of Design The two module design, with the food module on castors, allows the kitchen to be arranged to suit changing needs. Visual Impact/ Form The forms of the two modules are dynamic, creating a vibe in the kitchen, and interact in a way which allows conversation flow while entertaining. The recycled glass tops create beautiful, seamless, translucent working surfaces, while the panelling colour is customisable. The integrated sink & pebble covered drain creates the imagery of a waterfall, celebrating the beauty & preciousness of water. Originality While various elements of the kitchen have been designed with sustainability in mind, this system approaches sustainability in food preparation holistically, addressing the root causes of the problem of over-consumption. Appropriateness/ Need This kitchen has been designed for the Western culture, and supports the kitchen activities of this culture. It is necessary to educate these users in sustainability, as the developed world is the major problem in the over-consumption of resources. Longevity The kitchen is customisable. All panels can be removed by the user for refinishing or for repair. This negates the need to update the kitchen before its time. Quality/ Design for Manufacture The strength, durability and appropriateness of all the materials incorporated in the kitchen were considered. Most of the kitchen would be made using cabinet making skills and casting, while the 100% recycled & bio plastic components were designed for injection-moulding. Ergonomics/ Semantics • Location of the system elements allows for easy use: all food is stored together; all food related implements are stored directly under the food prep area; all resource management tools are located together. • The compost bin is centrally located so that users can wipe their scraps straight from the bench into the compost. • The shape of the two modules indicates how they mate up for recharging the fridge. Safety/ Standards Compliance The kitchen was designed according to the recommended heights for bench tops and kick rails. Environmental Sustainability This kitchen is sustainable throughout its existence: from manufacture & materials used, to usage & disposal. While some of the appliances incorporated, e.g. the cook top and oven, aren’t sustainable themselves, the kitchen as a whole educates users about sustainability issues and helps them to be sustainable while using eco-efficiency as a tool. Complete Design At all stages of the design process the way it would work, be used, be made and look were considered. Mock-ups were made to test usability and functionality. |
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