After analyzing our human factors work, we decided to focus on an interaction with the amount of energy used in homes on a daily basis.  So we brainstormed and decided to build a few prototypes that allowed the user to "feel" the energy that is running through there house.  

We are planing to change electricity from an invisible mystery to something the user can feel and interact with.  This will put the customer back in control of there energy consumption through direct feed back. 

Just put your hand down to feel the "pulse" of your home.

Here is the MDS 9000, it is an interface that allows the user to feel and control the energy consumption of the home.  you can feel the"pulse" in the switch and change your consumption level by moving the lever up or down.

 

Need finding for DP-4

Andrew and I went to San Francisco and talked to a friend that owns and operates a snowboard manufacturing shop called Glisade snowboards.  

He let us have a look at his solar array and talked to use about his set up.  

He told use that it will take seven years for the investment to pay off, but that his power bill was 2/3 rds lower.

His favorite thing to see is the meter "running backwards"!

The company has many large machines that eat a lot of power but the Bender Brothers have made the commitment to get as much of there power from clean source as possible. 

Welcome to the Dirt Stop!

Drop off your kids to play in the garden and get your shopping done in one go.  

I had a great time working on this project with David and Stephanie, we all became more confident in our interviewing random strangers skill set that is for sure.

I was very impressed with the ideas the rest of the class came up with, it is fantastic to be part of such a smart, creative and hard working group!

I am looking forward to the new assignment!

Coming up on DP-2 and we are hard at work. 

Trying to get the ideas out of our heads and into a usable format.

This project has been a huge undertaking in the problem solving process, really putting our budding design skills to the test.  

From conducting interviews of complete strangers on the street to trying to figure how to pull out the useful data from that footage this process is a real brain burner!

  

  Here is another example of a mind burner!  hehe..

Working hard on the Humana project, it seems like we (Stephanie, David, John) are on a good path for something interesting.  I cant wait to see what everyone has been up to!

Here is a short movie showing how the structures would be delivered and packed, also a walk around of the structure in it's open form.  

Start of week 4

Here is the prototype ready for the presentation.

The folds allow the roof to be stowed while the structure is flat packed and channel rain water to a catch basin. 

Final touches on the walls and roof.

Getting the prototype welded and ready for the outer skin.