INDUSTRY:
Circularity
CLIENT:
Graduation project
YEAR:
2018
EXPERIENCE:
Industrial Design, Graduate Intern
ModiGrow – A modular aquaponic system
ModiGrow – A modular aquaponic system designed for company canteens
ModiGrow is a modular aquaponics solution developed as part of a graduation project in collaboration with the startup Riverfood. This project aims to promote the acceptance of aquaponics as a sustainable food production method for urban areas. The system has a compact size of 80*80*200cm and can be adapted to fit various indoor environments. In addition, the system is upgradable and has an optional educational module to promote the circular farming concept of aquaponics. Through ModiGrow, companies can implement a circular vertical farming concept as an alternative to complement the way of acquiring fresh vegetables.
Challenge.
Facing the challenge of feeding a growing city population in the future, our conventional food production methods, using soil-based techniques and industrialized practices, would not suffice the demand.
With this in mind, we explored aquaponics as a viable and sustainable alternative for producing both fish and vegetables. By recirculating water, fish produce waste which is converted into nutrients by microbes and then absorbed by plants.
Market challenge
One of the challenges was the limited demand for aquaponics-related products or produce, which made it necessary to find a way to promote the benefits of this technique to urban consumers. Our team decided to design a showcasing system to be placed in company canteens, which would serve as a complimentary vegetable supplier while also advertising the benefits of aquaponics and circular farming.
Ideation and result.
Our design vision for the showcasing system was a functional mini farm that would also serve as an attractive decoration and conversation starter. After ideation and several rounds of design iterations, we chose the 'Screen' concept due to its ability to intuitively showcase the water recirculation that facilitates aquaponics.
