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Elishia Polwattage Peiris

Hi! My name is Elishia. I have been a creative person for as long as I can remember. However, I grew up in a culture that did not understand the field of creative arts and design. Due to this, I became very discouraged and decided instead I would become an engineer and create tech. But throughout high school, I realized I did not want to be the one dealing with the hardware of the phone—I realized I wanted to be the one designing the phone. This was where my journey in industrial design first began. Now, as I'm about to finish my degree, I'm excited thinking about the continued journey I will have beyond my studies.

The Four Essential Pillars for Design Excellence

The four essential pillars encompass human-centric design approach and the understanding of full-bodied, three dimensional physical interaction of user, product and environment. The projects generate innovative solutions using research-driven, evidence-based designs which focus on the user experience.

Enhancement of Human Lifestyle

Kōen aims to elevate both the physical, mental, and financial aspects of its users.

It allows users who desire to garden to be able to do so in almost any setting. Kōen gives its users the ability to try different forms of gardening, while also being educated during the process.

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Human-Interaction & User-Centric Design

Kōen allows for a new way to interact with your plants through smart technology.

Its body and planters are housed with various sensors (CO2, pH, Lux, moisture, water pump, etc) that in conjunction with API provide an accurate diagnosis for Kōen's users on their plants. Users are able to access and control this information through the side screen on the plant stand, or remotely through its companion app.

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Ergonomics & Human Factors Design

Kōen is designed with the intent of its users being of varying ages.

However, to support its primarily older audience, Kōen is a vertical plant stand that helps against the typical issues of gardening (bodily aching and pain—predominantly back and shoulders). It allows minimal body movement and bending, allowing for less long-term health complications and issues.

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Sustainability & Social Responsibility

Kōen utilizes sustainable materials and practices. Its body is built primarily using galvanized steel and HDP—two materials that support the Cradle-to-cradle design approach.

The plant stand also supports renewable energy as its roof houses solar panels. Utilizing this solar energy will allow an even greater cost benefit to Kōen's users. Kōen is purposely designed with a solar battery, allowing any excess energy to be stored within its cell and used during a time with a lack of sunlight. The outcome for Kōen is to one day be given away to another interested gardener, a community garden, or taken apart and recycled.

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Kōen - Urban Garden Solution

Project Summary

Not every individual is able to garden. Some live in apartments or other small living conditions that do not offer enough space. This is where the benefit of community gardening comes into play; community gardening allows individuals to have their own plot to garden and grow produce. However, the demand for community gardening has skyrocketed in Toronto and similar cities. Due to the current structure of community gardening, it’s offered only from April-October of each year—leaving some individuals to fend for themselves. With ever increasing inflation leaving individuals with less income, the solution to these issues might come from facilitating community gardens within city living conditions. This thesis provides an in-depth study on the societal, physical, and mental factors and issues that relate to community gardening—and a solution towards it.

Thesis Summary Motion Presentation

Kōen project summary Video

Kōen is an alternative approach to community gardening and small-space living. It allows users of every gardening level to garden a wide variety of plants and vegetables.

Thesis Development Process

Poster about how we may facilitate community gardens in city living conditions

Click the image to enlarge.

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