Design Can Change the World

Design can change the world.  When faced with the task of designing or re-designing something, designers essentially become problem solvers.  They look for creative, innovative, smart ways to create something that promotes a healthy interaction between the user(s) and the product or the environment.  At this time in history, we are very concerned with the state of our planet's health and equally interested in the notion of facilitating life (making it easier - "less is more attitude").  Therefore, designers are inspired to incorporate these notions into their work, which in turn may provide solutions to a healthier, happier existence.  And in this way, one solution after another, slowly but surely, design can change the world - heal the world, make it a better place...

Cedric Bernard worked on a project that may seem a bit "out there" at first, but these ideas are actually very intelligent solutions for a self-sustaining life.  Hopefully we will become accustomed to such ideas as these (especially when they look this nice!) and soon welcome them into our homes and environments until sustainability becomes the norm - sadly it is still the exception. But green design is growing everyday, so I am hopeful.

Ok. So what you saw above is The Microbial Home, a project that Cedric Bernard worked on for Philips Design - as part of the Design Probes program. It is a "domestic ecosystem which tackles the issues of energy, lighting, cleaning, and human waste disposal, embodied in a series of different components".

So what are these components?  What do they do?

This is the Bio-Digester Island:

via Cedric Bernard

Converts kitchen waste into methane gas to power a variety of functions throughout the home.

The Larder:

via Cedric Bernard

Allows for natural food storage (challenge to the refrigerator as we know it) - the compartment in the centre of the table is actually an evaporative cooler, powered by the methane digester.

The Organic Light:

via Cedric Bernard

Uses bio-luminescent bacteria and again the methane digester to create light.

The Filtering Squatting Toilet:

via Cedric Bernard

Filters and separates waste,which gets used by the methane digester. The "squatting" part throws me off a bit ;)

The Urban Beehive:

via Cedric Bernard

How wonderful is this?! Harvest your own honey and wax - while being reminded of the importance of bees for our survival.  Would also help maintain the declining population of bees.

The Paternoster:

via Cedric Bernard

Breaks down plastic packaging and waste via mycelium.

Here is a chart of how these components may work together in a household:

via Cedric Bernard

I think these ideas are wonderful.  Thank you to Flodeau for sharing. Not only are they potential solutions to some of our problems but they are educational tools as well - helping us to understand the process behind our daily activities.  This knowledge give us power - the power to make important changes.

Therefore, that is what I wish for 2012 - I wish that we continue to make advances in research, I wish that we are continuously inspired to seek out creative solutions for a healthy, happy life - a well designed life.


All the best to you and your loved ones!