Our assignment was to analyze an everyday activity, and find a way to reduce the negative climate effect it causes. Our result is a humble drying rack, and an attempt to inspire sustainable living through the "small things in life".
Manufacture, cleaning and disposal of clothes has a considerable impact on the environment. It is estimated that the clothing industry accounts for 10% of the world’s carbon emissions. One important factor is laundry, which takes up massive amounts of water and energy in modern households.
After a literature study on the topic we found that the tumble dryer is the main culprit regarding wear of clothes and energy usage. We decided to focus on behavioural patterns when drying clothes, a field where simple solutions can make a significant impact.
We set our target group to people looking to purchase tumble dryers, which often is a result of buying a house or apartment. To avoid excessively narrowing our target demographic, we chose people between 25-35 years old, looking to settle down. We performed quantitative and qualitative user surveys and interviews to gather information about the market. Most drying racks in the Norwegian market are flimsy, and don’t invoke a sense of quality and functionality.
Our design is centered around the symbolism of a tree growing in your living room, with a floor- to-ceiling telescoping pole at its core. We wanted to utilize the space efficiently, and use quality materials to provide a pleasant and functional product.
The wood dowels are turned from oak, a native hardwood that can easily be treated to repel water. This ensures that they last a long time, and allows us to be certain that the wood is sustainably sourced.
The central pole and spacers are made from anodized aluminium, which can be recycled in a true closed loop. A plastic/wood composite seemed like the perfect choice for the cylinders connecting the dowels and pole. It is made from entirely recycled materials, and acts as a visual bridge between the natural dowels and synthetic pole.
Ease of construction is synonymous with ease of recycling in our design. All parts can easily be separated with nothing but a standard hex key, and each part is made from a singular material. The geometric and rigid expression is softened by the use of natural materials, and makes for a statement piece in any home. Flexibility was important to us as we were designing the drying rack, and we prioritized a design that works equally well in any room in (or outside) the home.
Our end product is an environmentally conscious solution made of recycled material, and fits the increasingly eco-friendly requirements users have. Our solution affords a relaxed attitude towards doing chores, which may be a message trendy retailers align with. Working towards a circular economy-based buy/return system, manufacturers will be able to reduce production costs and further reduce environmental impact. By communicating a positive message about a sustainable and healthy way of living, retailers will be able to connect to more customers. Besides all the environmental considerations, beautiful things sell well, and there is no greater incentive to stock a product than profit. Reducing our environmental footprint shouldn’t be a downgrade, but rather a choice available to the user that is just as practical.
