A conceptual project where student teams were required to do in depth home visits (total of 25 for the class), and document “pinch points” in homes where technology and living impede each other. The “thresholds” for opportunity uncovered became the starting point for concept exploration around new technologies from Google ATAP and MIT Media Lab, combined with new discoveries in biology, and how the thresholds could be addressed through a design intervention.

Aether

Aether addressed issues of increasing allergens in the home as a result of urban air quality, inside/outside living, and busy lives. Aether is a smart system that monitors air quality in the home and can be controlled through an app on family members digital devices.

Team:  Daren Law, Thomas Hopmans, Aaron Mazikowski, Will Tenney

AquaSense

AquaSense system explored decentralized methods for California’s long standing drought. Through discrete collection of rainfall, fog, and morning dew, AquaSense redirects water normally heading for the Bay, back into peoples gardens, thereby reducing
the load on California’s water system.

Team: Neil Rotroff, Kevin Somarriba, Fred Miller, Hassib Jordan

Komorebi

Inspired by Neri Oxman’s research in Material Biology, this team’s research uncovered issues around the lack of safe play space in urban homes, the consumer penchant for short lived entertainment devices, and the growing need for children to experience nature. Komorebi is a concept for custom, 3D printed modules that grow to work with an expanding family.

Team: Eddie Nava, Darren Manuel, Gouichi Tanaka