Project title:
Cerchio (Space and experience design studio project)
Duration:
April to June 2020
April to June 2020
Overview:
It is impossible to deny that the COVID pandemic did not affect our lives. Especially in the way we behave and interact with others in the domestic space. Our private space became public by the lens of a web-camera, while working remotely or meeting with our friends. As part of an academic project, our group observed and studied the transition into the new normal in the context of our living environments. We did a deep research into finiding signals of change, then we analyzed our site and by starting from inside the home and modifying it we developed a service that connects inside the home to its local neighborhood by the means of learning and sharing hand-crafts.
My Role:
Design research, Behavioural Design, visual design, site analysis, design strategy, CAD modelling, Storytelling
Background Research:
This projected started by the time that Italy was experiencing the first pick in number of deaths related to Covid-19. With an optimistic mindset we initiated our research looking for signals of change.
We mapped the case studies for services that created better conditions during locked down and we identified 4 main domains for these case studies.
We identified a gap in the services that helps people connect while offering individual experiences. We imagined a vision of the house that is made in this gap which we called a Nested-Home vison.
Our studies suggested that while spending more time at home, people are striving to have quality time individually and also with other home members. So, the definition of home as it is opposed to the outside has changed. It is no longer inside and we look for finding inside, inside our homes. The house should become home: a familiar nest to collaborate, co-create, learn from others and feel safe and warm. This idea manifests itself in different layers of the home configuration.
The site:
Casa Gio Ponti (1956-1957)
Via Dezza 49
This house was the last residence of the greatItalian designer/architect Gio Ponti. It was builton a space where there was already his office andhe lived there with his family for the entire life.
House Dwellers:
We developed a fictional family profile based on trend signals and behavioural patterns to explore how the house might adapt to evolving living needs.Villa family is a family of four; Renzo, Maria, Letizia, and Giulio. Renzo is an HR manager of an energy company, thus he had to go to the office during the quarantine. Maria is Renzo's second wife and she is a design curator who had to give up some of her jobs because of the emergency. Letizia is Maria's daughter, a design student in London, who came back to Milan while the school is closed. Giulio is the son of Maria,
New house plan:
o give a proper answer to the needs and desires of the Villa Family we changed the plan of the house by preserving the initial ideas behind Pont's design.
Since From Ponti's perspective this is the house that should adapt to the dwellers' needs, not vice versa.
We show the concept of intimacy with simple features. As a real nest, we want to gather people around a circular shape.
This sofa is made of polyurethane foam which light, soft, and flexible. The idea of flexibility and foldability was adapted from Gio Ponti's flexible rooms using flexible doors. Users can adjust the shape of the sofa, rectangular or rounded according to their needs of different activities.
The Service
What if we start from a simple craft and we build together a better future?
CERCHIO is our concept for tomorrow's living focusing on spaces, products, and services. Craft is the key to make the most intimate side of everyone expressed. Crafting is to make a balance by creativity. It's a good way to release the stress and re-start again, The nested concept starts from Casa Ponti in Via Dezza, moves outside the domestic boundaries, and expands to a broader community. This concept helps to bring back the once forgotten craft-making tradition into the new urban context.
New house plan:
The intimate space where family feel warm and safe and encourages creative expression
Cerchio service:
Immense connection with the outside and new people who share the same interest and want to express creativity together.
Digital Platform:
The users subscribe to the service and actively participate in both the inside and outside workshops. They can buy the box, create their crafts, and show their creation to visitors during expositions as well. The tutors create the online webinars and provide tips and instructions. They also organize physical workshop outside. Visitors see the temporary expositions, buy the crafts, and leave positive comments. They will become a new customer soon because they easily get in touch with the service.
storyboard and blueprint:
