Living Bubbles
A community of wishes: Using aquaponics to grow and share your dreams
Living Bubbles is a design concept that incorporates aquaponics
technology to create a plant-based prayer system. The idea
behind this concept is to allow people to plant and send their
wishes together, watching them grow and come true through the
integration of aquaponics technology.
The design was
inspired by the Asian tradition of sending prayers together, but
with a focus on sustainability and nature conservation. By using
aquaponics technology, Living Bubbles not only allows people to
interact with nature, but also helps to reduce pollution and
other environmental issues.
Have a look at the product
With a 3D model, you can explore the form from different angles and examine every design detail. You can also use your smartphone to visit the website and try the AR mode, which lets you place the model in real-world settings.
About this project
-
My role : Individual
Background research / User experience / Industrial design -
Main tools involved
Fusion360 / Keyshot / Procreate -
Project duration
4 days rapid design -
Project achievement
Project for me getting the 2nd place of 2022 MOE Scholarship Program for Overseas Study in Arts and Design
Background
About Asian prayers - Latterns
Asians send prayers together - Lanterns are primarily seen in Asian countries, as people set
prayers together, sending wishes with others.
Water lanterns - Water lanterns have a long history in India and are often
used in religious rituals, such as prayer and worship. The
practice of releasing these lanterns has spread widely
throughout Buddhism.
Sky lanterns - Sky lanterns were originally invented in China during the
Three Kingdoms Period by military adviser Kong Ming as a
rescue signal. Today, they are often used to send prayers and
have become a popular cultural tradition.
Problem
The pollution released to nature
The release of lanterns into the environment creates pollution that cannot be efficiently collected, leading to problems such as obstructed streams and the accumulation of non-biodegradable materials.
Opportunity - Aquaponics
A self-cycling technology -
The aquaponics system relies on the fish droppings, converted
into fertilizer by nitrifying bacteria, to nourish the plants
and in turn, the plants purify the water for the fish.
Aquaponics allows wishes to grow and come true -
Seedlings planted in a container with the aquaponics
technique and placed in water as a symbol of wishes can grow
into mature roses, symbolizing that dreams can come true.
The idea
What about ... A growing prayer that people can witness?
Rather than releasing lanterns into rivers and lakes, this design involves planting flowers as wishes in a pond or small pool, allowing people to watch their wishes grow and feel fulfilled.
Design Process
Difficulties : how to make it appealing? -
I originally thought of combining aquaponics with planting for
the design. However, I wanted to make the design visually
appealing and romantic. I was later inspired by the glass
installation art at an event in Beitou, Taipei and decided to
use a round ball shape for the design.
Goal of the project : let others understand -
My main objective of this project is to simulate the
scene as easily as possible to let audiences comprehend the
concept.
Product structure
A solar-powered water pump facilitates the water cycle for the plants, providing them with nutrient-rich water from fish droppings and purifying the water in the process. An emissive on top of the plant cup also provides light for the plants at night.
A romantic story
Plant your wishes
The pond collects everyone's wishes—the wishes for their love, their lives, their families and more. The gorgeous flowers sent in the pond represent their best wishes, and they will finally blossom.
Different wishes meet
Roses come in various colors, each with its own meaning - love, gratitude, innocence, respect, and more. The wishes associated with these flowers express various characteristics. People may send different wishes. With this activity, the diverse wishes have the opportunity to come together and get strengthened in the pond before they are fulfilled.
A Never ending termination
Recycling the products -
As the plants grow from seedlings to blossoms, they will
eventually be sold. The empty containers can then be provided
to other people to participate in the event.
Bring your dreams back home -
The container product with the flowers can be taken
home, bringing your dreams back with you. It is relatively
easy to care for aquaponics flowers.
Designed by hc-design.