del techo a la mesa

A design project by: Andrea Ortega Velasco Dulce MarĂ­a Robles Quiroz Abril 2011 Mexico City

Mexico City one of the biggest cities, one of the most polluted, with high rates of population density, and most of it under 0 and 30 years old...

what we observe today: ••

1

Health problems in the population, high rates of obesity and malnutrition.

•• Disregard for plants care.

•• Indifference to nature and its care.

•• Vegetable market problems: periods of scarcity, rise of prices.

•• Waste of space on rooftops.

•• Lack of green areas in the city.

The proposal

Some questions to answer. empresario

estudiante trabajador

familias

WHY

jubilado

doing it?

Because we think that new products are not just to fulfill a need, solve a problem and improve a way of living; they also can teach and provoque meaningfull experiences.

Also for promoting: • The idea of making spaces otherwise wasted such as roofs, usable and greener.

• Environmental education through a gratifying activity • A better and healthier diet for our citizens.

HOW to do it?

académico abuela niños

WHAT

Where

A product that can work as a system, making possible an ancient and vital activity like farming.

Based on hydroponics for an ideal functioning, considering adaptability for small spaces.

In the city, a place where it’s difficult to find cultivable terrain for farming but enough space on roofs, balconies and yards to make food grow.

to do?

to do it?

2

Designing a product that can be easy to use and to understad based on biomimicry principles for part of its function.

Something designed with an hollistic view that can provide a recreational activity as well as a learning interaction with the user.

A system and a service for anyone that wants to have food in the table that is selfgrown, especially some vegetables that are of common use in mexican food.

3

MOL

dimensions 65.80

The product

540

43.70

245

K1

96

R27

331

318.20

455 211

90.25

MOL K1 is a hydroponic system product designed for rooftops and

small spaces for Mexico City. back view

The system works by using two types of containers: A water tank where water and nutrients are mixed for the irrigation of plants by the capilarity process using an absorbent textile, and the planting trays for the growth of some of the most common vegetables and herbes mexican families use: tomatoe, lettuce, onion, chilli, raddich, parsley, garlic and coriander.

687

673

left view

For an ideal growth, the system has a manual pump to provide oxygen and to avoid the growth of microorganisms. The design also considers storage for the consumables the system uses, such as: nutrients and natural antiplague (extract of garlic, camomille and chilli). Also the use of a guide to inform, teach and help the user in the interaction with the product.

+ advantages •• •• •• •• •• ••

perspective 4

It does not need electricity to work It can fit small and underused spaces The possibilty of having a variety of homegrown vegetables and herbes It uses a minimun amount of water It encourages a cooperative activity It encourages people to eat healthier

The parts water tank

planting trays

nutrient and antiplague containers

manual pump

explosive view 5

The details

perforation grid for absorbent textile

insertion of manual pump pieces to provide oxygen inside the tank

absorbent textile stripes for capilarity and manual pump handle

6

storage back part for nutrient and natural antiplague containers

sub

nutrient

ate str

er wat

The use +

1.

Fill in the water tank with some nutrient

2.

3.

Place the absorbent textile through the planting trays and place them in the water tank

Place substrate in the planting trays

7.

8.

anti-plague

nutrient

6.

Plants are growing, control plagues and quantity of nutrient when neccesary

Pump oxygen to prevent microorganisms

Pick your vegetables when they are ready

7

4.

Plant the seeds

5.

Supervise plants growth according to your calendar

The material vetaplast Is an alternative raw material ready to be transformed in ecological products, made of LDPE, HDPE, PP, ABS, PET and wood waste.

Nowadays waste is a fundamental resource

100% recycled 100% recycable 100% mexican

+ advantages •• •• •• •• •• •• •• •• ••

UV protection High humidity resistance High resistance to impact Not affected by salinity Not affected by insects Resistance to not aggressive chemical agents Lighter than wood Durable No maintenance required http://www.plastilam.com.mx

8

Product life cycle plastilam

Thinking in a local living economy, the life cycle of MOL K1 cosidered a closed loop production based in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area with the aim of reducing costs but most of all in having a product with low ecological impact considering that raw materials, assembly, transportation, use and recycling processes are devoloped in this area.

materials production reuse

recycling disposal

product life cycle

Consumables (seeds, antiplague, substrate) are also of local and natural resources. The nutrient formula was created in the Science Faculty at the UNAM, made in their own facilities so there would be a partnership for its use in our product.

assembly

“Del techo a la mesa� is a project that cosiders each phase from its design, production and end disposal in a sustainable way based on the integration of social, cultural, health, ecological and economical aspects.

use (operation and stand by)

transportation and distribution

9

“Del techo a la mesa” is a project that can accomplish an important change in today’s situation lived in Mexico. It can be a stepping stone to a positive change in education, living and thinking. It’s a project that can drive to an important development in local economy and sustainable matters.

10