Re-design (week 2)

After the critique of our week 1 project, it was clear that we had reached a dead end with our current design. It was a general consensus  that we needed something entirely new that met the criteria (smart surface, holds, optimally packed spheres) but still retained the properties of the last design that we liked (the different interpretation of optimally packed, aesthetically pleasing).  During the reevaluation of our last design  we determined some of the problems with it were:

• no purpose/practicality
• no specific location for it's use
• the design would be difficult to mechanize
• 'holds'  was interpreted too literally
• wasn't scalable
• weak relation to bio mimicry
• it didn't "do enough" for the complexity of the design
  

One of the group members pointed out that some of the smartness of the design could come from the way we use the materials, not just force the materials to represent our idea. Acrylic is translucent, watertight and rigid; chipboard is flexible, and opaque. These properties helped us determine what our final design would be. 

Initially, it was purposed that a cluster of plant holding acrylic spheres could be arranged around a light source.  With this design, the plants would get receive light and soften it so it wasn't as bright in the room (the shadows cast from the plants could also have aesthetic appeal). This design would allow lighting needs to still be met while incorporating good growing conditions for plants into a room. The arduino would be used to take soil moisture readings and water the plants when needed. 

The previously described 'plant sphere lamp' idea was expanded on and the result was a panel system in which clear plant holding spheres were nested. The bottoms of the spheres would be silvered to prevent root rot and make it more aesthetically pleasing. The series of panels would be used to create structures indoors.  These would include dividing walls, partial window coverings, and awning type structures that you could walk through. The use of the ardunio  to provide water would remain the same. The purpose of this design is to allow for plants to be incorporated into well lit, indoor areas in a low maintenance, artistic, and aesthetically pleasing way. 

For the week 2 presentation, our group presented a bent acrylic sheet with laser cut holes that held ping-pong balls that represented the proposed plant holding acrylic ones.