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In my diploma project concepts of a short-term shelter system were developed considering functional aspects like transportation, volume, collapsing systems, aerodynamics and simplicity of the form. Scope of the project was to design a conceptual range of short-term shelter system for modern consumers using available technology and materials which can be customized for specific requirements.
The first step was to identify the areas where modernized short term shelter system is required and then to shortlist some of them for initial research. The research methods included user interaction, literature study and web search covering user experience and requirements, latest technologies, suitable materials and ergonomics. During the user research I visited different cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Pondicherry and some coastal villages near Auroville. I met the probable users, professionals and experts viz. doctors, designers, architects, engineers, planners and social activists. The interaction helped me develop understanding of the real issues of short-term shelters.
Ideation was based on the necessary features and desirable aspects of the shelter system. After the first stage of ideation few concepts were shortlisted from different categories and merged to make one final concept. The final concept was then explored further and detailed out for evaluation on different stages and refined. Few mockup models and 3-D trials were made in between to check the feasibility of the concept and to finalize materials, joineries and structural parts for easy assembly and better flexibility and scalability.
The project had been a design journey for me which I am continuing. It helped me realize my own strengths and weaknesses and allowed me to work as a professional and to understand a designer’s potential which lies in creating practical solutions to problems while working within constraints. |
